Despite vigorous regulatory efforts on Maui, O`ahu and Kaua`i, the number of visitors seeking off-resort accommodations continues to grow, according to the latest data..

The share of visitors choosing transient vacation rentals (TVRs) remains relatively small on each island, and averages 5% statewide.

As shown below, the combination of vacation rental homes and B&Bs attracted a total of 96,400 visitors on Kaua`i in 2006, which is up from 72,900 visitors in 2003.

This represents an increase from 7.5% to 8.0% of Kaua`i visitors choosing TVRs over this 4-year period.

The corresponding figures for Maui saw an increase from 73,900 to 106,000 visitors choosing TVRS, or a share increase from 3.4% to 4.3%.

On O`ahu, there were 114,100 TVR patrons in 2003, climbing to 162,800 in 2006, for a share increase from 2.8% to 3.5%.

And on Hawai`i Island, the number of TVR patrons increased from 74,900 to 106,900, or 6.2% to 6.7% of visitors.

Hawai`i is the only island without a recent attempt to crack down on TVR units.

Interestingly, Moloka`i actually had the largest off-resort share, with 10% of visitors choosing TVRs in 2006 (not shown).

On Kaua`i, the B&B patrons actually declined by 4% while the vacation home patrons jumped by 46% over this period.

These data are derived from DBEDT’s survey of arriving air passengers, which asks what type of accommodation they booked.

The number of available TVR units is not known, due to under-reporting in the DBEDT inventory.