Big Swell Mel, The Hot Dog Dude, Is A Law Breaker

We really like our neighbor, let's call him "Big Swell Mel". Mel by every measurement of North Shore creed is a local hero. He has a job with the govment, he's either a teacher, fireman or a lifeguard. Mel has the perfect job for the North Shore, flexible schedules, lots of time off to surf.

Mel has lots to say about everything on the North Shore, but most passionately development. He is against everything. Mainly he does not want any more people out on the North Shore. He does not like Maui Loa's businesses. He's happy that Kammies Market is not moving ahead. No Malls, no shops, Keep The North Shore Country.

Problem with Mel and so many of the other Sunset Radicals is that they are contributing to the very problems they are so vocally opposed to. How many people do you know that have bumper stickers opposing everything on the North Shore but they themselves have an illegal vacation rental or illegal units on their property?

I know Mel does. He even advertises in VRBO.com along with tons of other illegal renters. But Mel will say it is only one unit, in his house. He'll say he needs to do this because he needs the money because of all the other people who have caused property values and taxes to skyrocket. He says how else is anyone expected to make it on the North Shore?

So Mel and his buddies keep adding units, renting them, not paying taxes, which does a whole bunch of things that I will cover on a separate post.

But Mel, you are part of the problem. I know at least a dozen people who are totally nuts about Turtle Bay, but have illegal rentals.

I know Mel would never buy food or shop at any of the illegal stores on the North Shore, but when the Pipe Masters ran a few Sundays ago, Mel was out next to his house selling hot dogs and soda to tourists. Go figure.