Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> OFFICE Of HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS <br /> 711 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 500 <br /> Howlulu, Hawaii 96813 <br /> (808) 594-1888 <br /> HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> 25'h SESSION <br /> Bill No. 207: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 10, HAWAII COUNTY CODE <br /> (2005 EDITION, AS AMENDED), ESTABLISHING A REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR KULEANA <br /> LAND. <br /> <br /> DATE: December 18, 2007 TIME: 1:30 p.m. <br /> <br /> PLACE: SHERATON KEAUHOU BAY RESORT AND SPA, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua- <br /> Kona, Hawaii <br /> <br /> Aloha, Chair Yagong and Members. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) supports the intent of <br /> this measure, Bill No. 207, which would establish a real property tax exemption for kuleana land. To <br /> Hawaiian families, kuleana lands represent a lasting legacy of their monarchy and their ohana. For over <br /> one hundred years, the Hawaiian people have seen the loss of their traditional family kuleana to the <br /> point that there are now very few Hawaiian families living on kuleana lands. It is essential to give those <br /> remaining families the best opportunity to retain in their ohana the lands that were granted to their <br /> ancestors by their king. <br /> Today's economic environment has resulted in increasing pressure on residents of kuleana land <br /> in the form of sharp increases in the presumptive value of their kuleana lands and consequent higher <br /> property taxes. Many Hawaiian families living on kuleana lands face the loss of the land and legacy, as <br /> well as the potential for homelessness, because they cannot afford the property tax assessments based on <br /> the supposed "fair market value" of their kuleana lands. <br /> <br /> These kuleana lands are the gift and legacy of King Kamehameha IV. Over the generations, these <br /> ohana have continued to malama 'aina - care for the land - in order that their descendants will be able <br /> to continue to enjoy that legacy. The "value" of these kuleana lands, therefore, is without measure since <br /> one cannot place a price tag on the love and nurturing that generations put into their land. In short, <br /> there is no true "fair market value" for kuleana lands and it is a fallacy to tie the taxes on kuleana lands <br /> to a presumptive "fair market value." Doing so places an inequitable burden on Hawaiian families. <br /> This measure would ameliorate the effects of real property tax increases on persons living on <br /> kuleana land. Further, it will help to avoid the social, economic, and cultural disruptions likely to occur <br /> if Hawaiian families lose their kuleana lands. <br /> <br /> The language of this measure is similar, but not identical, to kuleana-land tax-exemption <br /> language recently approved by the OHA Board of Trustees (BOT). For example, unlike the measure <br /> before you, the BOT's language included a requirement that the county director of finance prescribe <br /> what shall be sufficient to show genealogy verification, and did not mention genealogy verification by <br /> OHA or by court order. Despite these and other differences in the language, OHA supports the intent of <br /> this bill and we are available to you, as needed, to assist with your consideration of the bill and <br /> appropriate revisions. 95-1.2- <br /> <br /> Thank Comm: Nh <br /> you for the opportunity to testify. Ref. To. a G <br /> Ref. Date, nFr 18 2007 <br />