Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS <br /> 711 KAPIOLANI BLVD #500 <br /> HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813 <br /> (808) 594-1888 <br /> HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> 25"' SESSION <br /> <br /> Bill No. 207 <br /> <br /> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19, ARTICLE 10, HAWAII COUNTY CODE (2005 <br /> 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 /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Aloha, Chair Yagong and Members. I am Rowena Akana, Trustee-at-Large of the Office of <br /> Hawaiian Affairs. My testimony is in support of Bill No. 207 which would establish a tax <br /> exemption for persons living on Kuleana lands who are descendants of the original owners. Many <br /> Hawaiian families, who have been caring for their Kuleana lands for generations, are now facing <br /> sky-rocketing property taxes because of luxury resorts and shopping malls being built next-door. If <br /> something isn't done soon, more Kuleana lands could fall out of Hawaiian hands. <br /> <br /> This issue first came to my attention several years ago when a family came to OHA and <br /> asked that we take custody of their Kuleana land until they were able to save up enough money to <br /> <br /> pay off their back taxes. <br /> <br /> The history of Kuleana lands is a tragic one. According to Kumu Pono Associates LLC, <br /> Kuleana lands came into existence as a result of the Mahele. In 1848, all land in the Kingdom of <br /> Hawai'i was placed in one of three categories: Crown Lands (for the occupant of the throne); <br /> Government Lands; and Konohiki Lands (Kuleana Act, 1850). <br /> <br /> Ownership rights to all lands in the kingdom were "subject to the rights of the native <br /> tenants," those individuals who lived on the land and worked it for their subsistence and the <br /> welfare of the chiefs (Kanawai Hoopai Karaima... (Penal Code} 1850:22). The 1850 resolutions in <br /> "Kanawai Hoopai Karaima no ko Hawaii Pae Aina," authorized the newly formed Land <br /> <br /> comm. R M 851. <br /> Ref. To: F'C <br /> Ref. Date _n r 1 R zrtrt~ <br />