HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-29 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S. C. Keith-Agaran re HB 2007, HD 1, SD 1 Relating to GET Exemption on Aircraft Servicing and Maintenance (2)-tV OF
Wil Okabe
Nkinaging [)irectot
"arry Kim
Nlqyor41 0
Barbara J. K+ s+
0
Depuo,,� M(Incigring Dirt,voil
tett Of f r ffiavor
2,5 Au�pu'ni Street, Suite 2603 o Hilo, Hawaii 96720 o (808) 961-8211 o Fax (808) 961 -6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohok5liole Hlwy., Bldg, C o Ka,il�ua-Kona, Hawai"i 96,740
(808) 323-4444 o Fax (808) 323-4440
Senator Donovan Mi. Diela Cruz, Chai
1
Committee on Ways and Means
I
Hawal'i State Capitol, Rololm 211
Honolulu,I H! 916813
Senator GilbertKeith-Agaran, Vice -Chair
I
Coimimlittee on Ways and Means
Hawai'i State Capitol, RoorrI 2111
Honolulu, H11 96813
Re: HB 2007, HD 1, SID 1 Rellatlng� to, GET'E,xemption on Aircraft Slerv*ic*ing and
Maintenance
Hearing Date: 04/013/20118 - 10:00 arn; Conference Room 211i
Helicopters are a vali ued component of our tourism industry. They also have been a
source of endless complainits from communities that lie in their flight paths,, and there should be
no doubt that noise can constitute both a nuisance and a health hazard,I especially in otherwise
tranquil rural', areias.
Helicopter companies are now asking the Legislature for more favoirabile treatment with
respect to the general excise tax. There is no suggestion of economic hardship -i there is no
I I
suggestion thati, new facilities will; be attracted to Hawaiil; and there is no suggestion, that the
� I
industry would use its savings to better accommodate those who live in their fly-olver country.,
The exemption will simply add to the companies' bottom line, and reduce muchl, needed revenue
for the Statei.
The history of helicopters in Hawaii is laid out in SR 109 and SCR 183, (introduced by,
-open nig. How can our residents be asked to tolerate the status qu
Senator Kahelle) and is eyeI I
when it has, been 14 years Since the Federal Aviation Administration and National Park Service
asked for comments, on an Air Tour Management Plan Environmental Assessment, and seven
years s,i�nce a preliminary draft Air Tour Management Plan for Hawal"I'Volcanoes National Park
was published, without further action. That is an outrage.,
I don't think It would be unfair to say that tax g�iveawa,ys sh,oul'd'bie reserved for good
corporate citizeins,. Perhaps the helicopter tour industry 11 si cooperation with SIR 109 and SCR
183
a 1 should be evluated before HB, 2,0017, HD 1 1 SD1 1 Is given any fuIrther consideration.
County of` flaw ai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Eniployer,