Unlicensed digs closing in Hawaii

Hundreds of unlicensed bed-and-breakfasts and vacation rentals on Maui, Molokai and Lanai will apparently have to shut down by Jan. 1, following a court ruling last week. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Maui Vacation Rental Assn. against Maui County, which governs all three islands. The association was seeking a postponement of the county’s order for more than 900 properties to close by year’s end for failing to possess business licenses. President David Dantes said the association’s board of directors would review the judge’s order before deciding how to proceed. Dantes doubted any further legal action would begin before the county’s deadline.