HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0223.003 2002-2004 ~fV Os y
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Harry Kim Dixie Kaetsu
Mayor Managing Director
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Deputy Managing Director
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25 Aupuni Street, Room 215 Hilo, Hawaii 96720-0252 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 -
KONA: 75-5706 Kuakini Highway, Suite 103 • Kailua-Kona, liawai'i 96740 CiGlJ i~' ~i_Li ~
(808) 329-5226 • Fex (808) 326-5663 yQUNT ~ H~~h~~~
October 20, 2003
The Honorable Aaron S.Y. Chung, Chairman
Committee on Finance
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Re: Donation of Land
Dear Chairman Chung:
This is in response to the questions asked in your October 8, 2003 memorandum regarding my
administration's position on lava lands. If you have further questions, please feel free to
contact me.
Does the administration have a position on whether the County should accept donated
lava lands?
We do not believe the County should accept donated lava lands unless we can truly show a
public benefit. Under the current situation, there does not appear to be any. We can't sell
them or use them.
What is the administration's position on forgiving or deferring real property taxes on
lava lands?
Lands overrun or cut off by the ongoing lava flow have an across-the-board market value of
' $100. We support a complete exemption for real property taxes on lava lands with a market
value of $100 or less. However, in fairness to those who have already paid their taxes, there
should be an effective date for the exemption.
If the Council does not support an complete exemption, at a minimum, penalties and interest
should be forgiven and these properties exempted from foreclosure proceedings. This will
result in what is essentially a deferral of taxes without interest until the property value exceeds
$100 or another stated amount.
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