HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0926.026 2018-2020 From: Andrea DeCosta
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2020 7:47 PM
To: Council Testimony;Chung, Aaron; Kierkiewicz, Ashley, Eoff, Karen; David, Maile;
Kanealii-Kleinfelder, Matt;Villegas, Rebecca; Lee Loy, Sue; Richards, Tim; Poindexter,
Valerie
Subject: Late Testimony**Support for Bill 169 - two tiers of taxation**
COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAIII
RECEIVED
Aloha County Council Members, Time7: _
Mahalo for receiving my late testimony, submitted after the 12pm deadline today. Date MAY l 2 2020
As a kanaka maoli,community liaison and public health advocate, my experience has shown that too many indigenous
persons have been disenfranchised because of our inability to compete with foreign -including neighbor island-
investors.
By creating a two tier system, and allowing the county to levy higher taxes for properties with a tax assessed value of$2
million or more,the County of Hawaii is helping to do two things:
1. Increase the tax base and restore needed funds for infrastructure and other essential county functions that we all rely
on;and 2. Help to "level the playing field", by acknowledging that those who can pay more, should pay more.
My kupuna, including Aunty Pilahi Paki, have taught me that those of us who have the ability should look out for the
most vulnerable in our communities.
Bill 169-in helping to restore our county tax base and asking those who have the ability to pay more-continues the
legacy and the spirit of aloha that is the essence of Hawaii's diverse people.
Mahalo for your collective service and for the opportunity to share my mana'o,
Ilima DeCosta
Community Liaison
Volcano, Hawaii
As
Comm. No.. . 1-10 Ref.To:
Ref. Date ,4 13 2020