Vote is 6-3 in favor at May 20 City Council Meeting

5/20/20: On a vote of 6-3, Honolulu City Council returned Council Bill 12 (2020) to Budget Committee for additional review and discussion after a public hearing on May 20. Bills need five votes to pass.

Councilmembers Fukunaga, Kobayashi and Pine voted against the measure to triple the annual minimum property taxes on historic homes, noting that this is not the time to raise taxes. Councilmember Waters voted yes with reservations, stating that he also has concerns. Councilmember Manahan, chair of the council’s budget committee, stated that the vote was a procedural step that would return the measure to committee for further discussion. Councilmember Elefante, who had introduced the bill following a recommendation from the property tax advisory committee, also said he felt further discussion in committee would be beneficial. The other three councilmembers—Menor, Tsuneyoshi and Anderson—voted in favor of the bill without comment.

The bill will return to Budget committee for another discussion and public hearing. HHF will post details when the measure is added to the calendar.

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ACTION ALERT: BILL 12 SCHEDULED FOR MAY 20 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY BY MAY 19

5/15/20: Annual property taxes on historic homes on the island of O‘ahu would more than triple if a bill being considered by Honolulu City Council is approved.

Council Bill 12 (2020) proposes to amend the minimum real property tax for historic residential property dedicated for preservation. The current annual minimum tax for all classes of exemption—not only historic homes—is $300. The bill would raise the tax only on historic residential properties to $1000.

A public hearing on Bill 12 will be held during the special City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 20. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.

Historic Hawai‘i Foundation OPPOSES Council Bill 12. The current property tax exemption supports preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation of significant buildings, neighborhoods and districts throughout Honolulu. The partial relief from the property tax burden allows owners to continue the historic character and scale of many neighborhoods even in the face of continuing pressure from monster homes and other over-building in residential areas. HHF also feels that raising taxes during the current health and economic crisis would place yet another burden on already stressed families and communities.

Due to limitations on public gathering due to the Covid-19 pandemic, access to the Council meeting is limited. Written testimony is encouraged (see sample below). In-person oral testimony will be allowed subject to social distancing practices.  See the meeting agenda for ways to submit testimony in writing, remotely via Webex or in-person at Honolulu Hale.

Submit written testimony by May 19 and/or testify in person on May 20. Click here to submit online testimony.   Agenda item is CR-84.

Click here for the MEETING AGENDA. 
Click here to read CB12 (2020)
See sample testimony below.

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3/17/20:  UPDATE:  Honolulu City Council is cancelling non-urgent items, including Bill 12, at the Wednesday, March 18th hearing. HHF will send another action alert when and if Bill 12 is rescheduled.

Email outreach@historichawaii.org to sign up for Advocacy Alerts on this and other preservation-related issues.

3/13/20:  PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18TH
A public hearing on Bill 12 (2020) has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 in Council Chambers at Honolulu Hale.  Testimony should be submitted by Tuesday, March 17. You may also testify in person at Wednesday’s meeting. (See details and instructions in the sidebar on this page and sample testimony below.)

The meeting begins at 10:00 a.m., with the public hearing scheduled at the end of the agenda. Bill 12 (2020) proposes to raise the annual minimum property tax for historic residences dedicated to preservation to $1000 per year. The minimum property tax for other exemption categories would remain at the current level of $300 annually.

2/26/20:  Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee has scheduled a public hearing on Bill 12 (2020) proposing to raise the annual minimum property tax for historic residences dedicated to preservation to $1000 per year. The minimum property tax for other exemption categories would remain at the current level of $300 annually.

The Council hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 26 in Council Chambers at Honolulu Hale. The meeting begins at 9 a.m., with the public hearing scheduled at the end of the agenda. (See the meeting agenda and Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s comments opposing Bill 12 in the links & downloads section.)

Under the current tax incentive program for preserving historic homes, property owners may receive a tax exemption for the portion of the property dedicated for historic preservation, subject to conditions that include the property being listed on the Hawai‘i register of historic places, retaining the historic character, providing visual access from the public way and installing a plaque about the historic significance (see ROH Sec 8-10.22).

The City provides at least 24 categories for property tax exemptions to encourage and support a variety of public benefits, including historic preservation, child care centers, credit unions, slaughterhouses, industrial development, air pollution control, crop shelters, alternative energy development, public service, agriculture, kuleana lands, charitable purposes, low-income rental housing and others.

If CB 12 is approved, historic residential properties would be subject to the higher annual minimum tax rate; other exemptions that qualify under their programs would pay the lower rate.

Check back for updates and opportunities to submit testimony when Bill 12 has its second reading at the City Council!

Email outreach@historichawaii.org to sign up for Advocacy Alerts on this and other preservation-related issues. 

Links & Downloads

• City Council Bill 12
• HHF’s comments opposing Bill 12
• Wed, March 20 Council Hearing Agenda
• ROH Sec 8-10.22
• Track the status of the Bill

How to Testify

Persons wishing to testify are requested to register by 10 a.m. on the day of the hearing as follows:

1. On-Line Here
2. By faxing to 768-3826 your name, phone number and the agenda item;
3. By filling out the registration form in person; or
4. By calling 768-3814 or 768-3813.

Let your voice be heard by our public officials. Submit testimony in person, online or via fax.

Mahalo for your assistance in protecting Hawaii’s heritage!

SAMPLE TESTIMONY

To: Honolulu City Council
The Honorable Ikaika Anderson, Council Chair and Presiding Officer

From: [NAME][ADDRESS][PHONE/EMAIL]

City Council Meeting: Wednesday, May , 2020  11:00 a.m.
Council Chamber, Honolulu Hale

RE: Council Bill 12 (2020) Relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Residential Real Property Dedicated for Preservation

I am writing in opposition to CB12 (2020) relating to Real Property Tax Exemptions for Residential Real Property Dedicated for Preservation. The bill proposes to change the property tax exemption provided to historic residential properties by raising the annual minimum property tax for historic residences dedicated to preservation to $1000 per year. The minimum property tax for other exemption categories would remain at the current level of $300 annually.

[ABOUT HISTORIC HOME] [WHY LOWER PROPERTY TAX HELPS PRESERVE HISTORIC HOME] [WHY INCREASING PROPERTY TAX WOULD AFFECT PRESERVATION]

Therefore, I respectfully ask City Council to defer Bill 12 (2020) and leave the minimum property tax for historic homes unchanged.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Sincerely,

[SIGNATURE]