Leigh Prentiss in the News
Articles about Leigh and comments by Leigh in the media
Council races attract 2 possible challengers
Honolulu Advertiser, July 26, 2008
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Don’t Sacrifice Kailua to overflow B&B renters
By Leigh Prentiss
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, November 28, 2007
Click here to read the story in the Star-Bulletin
Best Used Book Store
Honolulu Magazine, March 2006
Click here to read the story in Honolulu Magazine
Illegal Rentals a Moral Issue
To the Editor, Honolulu Advertiser:
This morning I received an unexpected visit from a friendly fellow who admitted to owning an illegal tourist rental on the North Shore. He came armed with data trying to support legalizing all tourist rentals in residential neighborhoods. He did his best to change my mind about the issue, using economic arguments. He just didn’t understand.
The ghost of Christmas past could show this fellow how in the olde days they were forbidden “because we must have areas free from commercialism where local folks can lead their daily lives.” The ghost of Christmas present could show him the problems already being caused. The ghost of Christmas future could show him an island without clean water, with beach access only for the wealthy and tourists, with polluted white sand beaches so covered with hotels and commercial businesses there is no room for the local folks.
To me that makes the B&B debate at its most fundamental, a moral issue. It is a moral issue when it is at the expense of our friends’ and neighbors’ quality of life and our finite resources. When do we draw the line in the sand and say “no more,” regardless of the personal sacrifice it may require?
Yet my visitor appeared to be all about making the monthly payment on his second home. Nothing was said about the impact on his less entrepreneurial North Shore neighbors at all. Kind of like Mr. Scrooge.
My apology to Mr. Dickens.,
Leigh Prentiss, Kailua
Published by Honolulu Advertiser
