Hawaii is cracking down on vacation rentals amid housing crisis.

Travelers looking for an Airbnb or VRBO rental in Hawaii will have to look a little harder.

The Aloha State has signed a new bill that would further regulate short-term rentals, which are currently contributing to the destination’s housing crisis. The law, which was signed into law by Gov. Josh Green on Friday, gives counties the authority to regulate holiday stays in local areas or eliminate them entirely.

“The bill clarifies the authority of counties to regulate the time, place, manner, and duration of land use, particularly for temporary housing including short-term rentals,” Gov. Green explained. A statement Posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Last year’s wildfires in Maui were a catalyst in the decision to sign Senate Bill 2919. The 2023 disaster burned more than 2,500 acres and displaced thousands of people. Nine months later, survivors are still looking for permanent housing. Currently, a lack of inventory has driven up the cost of living in Maui and home prices have tripled the national average. Reported

“As we advance our ongoing wildfire response and recovery efforts, SB 2919 will be an important tool to address Hawaii’s housing crisis, while ensuring that our essential housing programs for Maui’s recovery remain strong,” said Gov. Green. A statement. “Our commitment to maximizing housing availability on Maui and across the state remains, and the state continues to support legal owners who cooperate with Maui wildfire prevention efforts.”

Since the bill was passed, Maui County Mayor Richard Bisson has already revealed plans to remove nearly 7,000 short-term rental units by Jan. 1, 2026, including 2,200 in West Maui. Hawaii News Now Reportedly, Gov. Green also announced that the state plans to build more than 13,000 affordable housing units over the next two years.

“We understand that there will be a process of give and take,” Mayor Bisson said Press conference Previous Week. “So the question is, what’s most important? And our priority is housing our local residents, especially now.

A similar crackdown took place in New York City last September. The number of short-term Airbnbs in the Big Apple dropped by 70 percent after the city enacted a new law requiring rental owners to register their properties. Wired. The new rule was implemented in part to get more available units into the rental market.