Opinion: Would RV Housing Help in Hawaii

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For many people across the country, Recreational Vehicle (RV) is a viable option. It's a downsize from living in a house. A person or family would live in their RV at an RV park or travel from state to state. However, there are no RV parks in Hawaii. There is a law that prohibits someone from living in their vehicle.

Hawaii Law:

**§291C-112 Certain uses of parked vehicles prohibited between 6:00 p.m.** and 6:00 a.m.; definition; exceptions. (a) No person shall use any vehicle for purposes of human habitation, whether or not the vehicle is designed or equipped for that purpose. In contrast, the vehicle is parked on any roadway, street, highway, or other public property between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or while the vehicle is parked on private property without the authorization of the owner or occupant authorizing both the parking of the vehicle there and its use for purposes of human habitation.

(b) As used in this section, "purposes of human habitation" includes use as a dwelling place, living abode, or sleeping place.

(c) This section does not apply to the parking of vehicles and their use for purposes of human habitation in parks, camps, and other recreational areas in compliance with law and applicable rules and regulations, or under emergency conditions in the interest of vehicular safety.

(d) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the administration of this section. [L 1972, c 48, pt of §2]

Some people living on the streets would benefit from living in an RV than on the side of the road in a tent. There are reasons why some lawmakers might not want to allow multiple RV parks in Hawaii.

1. More RV in Hawaii, especially on Oahu, would change the cultural landscape of Hawaii. It wouldn't look well for the tourist industry.
2. Less taxes would be collected if people lived in an RV instead of a condo or house.
3. Many visitors would choose an RV while visiting Hawaii in favor of expensive hotels in Waikiki.

Here are the taxes a person must pay if you live in an RV.

1. Property tax
2. Registration fees
3. Local taxes

The taxes vary by state, but it would be less than taxes paid on a $1.1 Million median house in Hawaii.

Creating RV parks in Hawaii would probably solve some of the homeless problems in Hawaii, but it would likely create several more problems. It could change the experience for visitors to Hawaii. But more importantly, it would decrease taxes and, therefore, revenue for Hawaii.

No bills in the current legislative session address RV living in Hawaii.