On January 1, Maui County has called for nearly all of Maui's 1000 Bed and Breakfasts to close.

Beginning Jan. 1, "visitors will be able to stay in hotels, resorts and in any of the 21 permitted home-based accommodations," says David Dantes, president of the Maui Vacation Rental Assn. and the leader of the legal action against the county. "Most of the visitors who prefer to avoid hotels or commercial settings won't have a place to stay."

In our view this is a very poor policy decision. It is going to limit tourism to our island, force long-time residents to leave the island and damage our economy.