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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
It’s rare but the state
does auction boatsQuestion: Does the state Department of Transportation have public auctions of boats seized for nonpayment of slip fees or whatever? If so, how would the public find out about such auctions?
Answer: A better bet than the DOT is the state Department of Land & Natural Resources for noncommercial, recreational boats.
The DOT rarely schedules auctions of boats because its Harbors Division deals mainly with commercial vessels, according to spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
The last auction took place two years ago and involved a derelict 100-foot-long commercial fishing vessel which somehow ended up in the state's hands because of "an ownership issue," he said.
When it does hold an auction, the DOT is required to put out a public notice, he said.
Meanwhile, it's not often that DLNR holds auctions, either, but one for two boats is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 25 at the Harbor Division's office at Keehi Harbor. A legal notice was placed in the Saturday, May 24, Star-Bulletin.
DLNR will hold an auction "whenever we have a boat that isn't reclaimed by the owner," said Steve Thompson, Oahu district manager for DLNR's Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation.
He noted that one of the two boats set for auction may be reclaimed before June 25.
However, don't go expecting to get a deal or a seaworthy vessel. It's buyer beware "big time," Thompson said.
"Most of the boats that are impounded and put up for auction need lots of time and money and effort in order to make (them) viable," he said.
In fact, after people view the boats up for auction, they often "choose not to bid," he said.
Also, the auction does not include a berth to house a boat.
If no one makes a bid, the boats are disposed of.
That all said, Thompson's office does maintain a list of people who are interested in boat auctions and will send them a notice whenever one is scheduled.
If you want to be on that list, send your name and address and a note to Oahu District Manager, Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation, 333 Queen St., Suite 300, Honolulu, HI 96813.
Q: In mid-June some people need to make an estimated payment on their federal tax. How do they figure out the correct amount, taking into account the recent tax cuts? The IRS's Web site doesn't seem to have a new copy of form 1040-ES for estimated tax.
A: New tax rate schedules that people can use to refigure their estimated tax payments in light of the tax law changes were posted on the IRS Web site on Friday.
To find this information and the new tax rate schedule, go to www.irs.gov. Click on "Forms and Publications" at the left of the screen and then on "What's Hot in Forms and Pubs." Then click on "Tax Law Changes for Individuals," where there is a list of changes and a link to the new rates, according to IRS spokeswoman Shawn George.
Estimated tax payments for the second quarter of 2003 are due June 16, since the usual deadline date of June 15 falls on a Sunday.
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Useful phone numbers
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com