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DocuSign Envelope ID:7DFAD002-3954-4D23-BA00-2C5EB8995EA2bi(I In„
COMM.,OO.
(*p)commerce Japanese Chamber of Commerce&Industry of Hawaii
February 5, 2024 ;",
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Since 1951 (777
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Re:Bill 104: (Draft 4):AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 19,ARTICLE 1, :..n
SECTION 19-2; CHAPTER 19,ARTICLE 7,SECTION 19-53; AND CHAPTER 19,
ARTICLE 11,SECTION 19-90,OF THE HAWAI'I COUNTY CODE 1983(2016 L.N.1
EDITION,AS AMENDED),RELATING TO THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM w -,._
RENTAL CLASS FOR REAL PROPERTY TAXES.
Hawai'i County Council
County of Hawai'i
Hawai'i County Building
25 Aupuni Street,Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Chair Kanealii-Kleinfelder,Vice Chair Evans,and members of the committee,
My name is Garth Yamanaka, and I am the current president of the Japanese Chamber of
Commerce and Industry of Hawaii(JCCIH).The Japanese Chamber of Commerce&Industry of
Hawaii has been incorporated since 1951 and represents over 300 members of the business
community. On behalf of JCCIH,we have concerns with Bill 104 as written and related to the
creation of a long-term rental class for real property taxes.
The JCCIH believes it is essential to have clarity in legislation to avoid market uncertainty and
ensure fair decisions.The incompleteness of the document and discretionary powers of the Real
Property Tax Office can indeed lead to inefficiencies and unclear guidelines affecting those
involved.
To address this:
Clarify Criteria: Define explicit and comprehensive criteria for the long-term rental
classification, leaving less room for subjective interpretation by the tax office.
Transparency in Decision-making: Ensure transparent processes and guidelines for
assessing properties under the long-term rental classification to avoid arbitrary decisions.
Consultation: Involve stakeholders,through public consultations or input from industry
experts,to draft a more comprehensive and clearer bill.
714 Kanoelehua Avenue • Hilo, Hawai'i 96720 I n.��
Telephone: 808-934-0177 • Fax: 808-934-0178 Comm. No. U
email:jccih@jccih.org • www.jccih.org • Ref. To:
Ref. Date F'- - 6 2024
DocuSign Envelope ID:7DFAD002-3954-4D23-BA00-2C5EB8995EA2
•
Communication of Revenue Shortfall: Transparently communicate how the revenue
shortfall will impact potential raising of taxes in other classes to ensure stakeholders
understand the potential implications.
One of JCCIH's primary missions is to help provide solutions to our affordable housing issue.
We believe that this bill is a great start toward that end but as mentioned,would like to
recommend addition of language and clarifications to the Bill as written to help resolve some of
these items.
Mahalo,
,-DocuSigned by:
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Garth Yamanaka
President, 2023-2024
714 Kanoelehua Avenue • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 •
Telephone: 808-934-0177 . Fax: 808-934-0178
email:jccih@jccih.org • www.jccih.org