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COMMUNITY MEETING
<br /> ON BILL 49, DR. 3
<br /> AGRICULTURAL LAND TAXATION
<br /> Hilo Coast Processing Company Office Building
<br /> Pepe`ekeo, Hawaii
<br /> Thursday, September 16, 2004
<br /> The following is a summary of the proceedings of a community meeting held by Councilmember
<br /> Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., at the Hilo Coast Processing Company Office, Pepe`ekeo, Hawaii, on Bill 49,
<br /> Draft 3, which amends Chapter l9, Articles 1, 7 and 8 of the Hawaii County Code 1983 (1995 Edition),
<br />
<br /> relating to Real Property Tax Definitions; Non-Dedicated Agricultural Use Assessment and Agricultural
<br /> Use Dedication.
<br /> The meeting convened at approximately ] ] :10 a.m. The attendance was as follows:
<br /> Members of the Public: Richard Anderson, Hakalau
<br /> Virginia Anderson, Hakalau
<br /> Tom Burton, Hakalau
<br /> Dan White, Pepe`ekeo
<br /> Taiwan Gu, Pepe`ekeo
<br /> Ed Johnston, Alia Point Nursery/Farm, Pepe`ekeo
<br /> Richard ,lohnson, Onomea Orchards and Hawaiian Rainbows, Pepe'ekeo
<br /> John Smith, Hakalau
<br /> Mike Miyahira, Hawaiian Rainbow Business Development, Pepe`ekeo
<br /> Roy Skogstrom, Pepe`ekeo
<br /> ,ieri Ooka, Plant Pathologist, U.H. Coll. of Tropical Agriculture; Kauai
<br /> Agricultural Research Center, Kapa`a, Kauai
<br /> County Representatives: Fred C. Holschuh, M.D., Councilmember
<br /> Mike Tulang, Councilmember
<br /> William Takaba, Finance Director
<br /> Nancy Crawford, Deputy Finance Director
<br /> Wes Takai, Real Property Tax Administrator
<br /> Gary Takamura, Budget Administrator
<br /> Constance R. Kiriu, Legislative Auditor
<br /> Rodney Oshiro, Legislative Analyst
<br /> Susan Caseria, Legislative Auditor Assistant
<br /> Earlanne Shintani, Council Aide
<br /> Jeanette Aiello, Council Services Supervisor
<br /> After the introductions, Dr. Holschuh opened the meeting with a brief history of the process the County
<br /> and the public has been going through with Bill 49. He mentioned the previous workshop held by the
<br /> Finance Committee in Waimea on the subject, and stated he wanted the same opportunity to hear what
<br /> the farmers in this area were thinking regarding the property tax. He stated it was mentioned in Waimea
<br /> that the farmers should be involved in this process to improve the taxation and make it more fair. There
<br /> should be a working group or a task force of local farmers around the island to bring forth
<br /> recommendations to the County.
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