Big Island Council
OKs tax relief
HILO » The Hawaii County Council unanimously passed several tax relief measures yesterday.
The Council also passed a resolution calling on the Hawaii State Supreme Court to rule quickly on the appeal of a lower court decision last summer that shut down Hokulia, a luxury residential and golf course development on the Kona Coast.
Should Big Island Mayor Harry Kim sign the amendments to the county code as expected, the bills will:
» Reduce the amount of time to five years from 10 that a home seller must own their home to qualify for the "nonspeculative residential use" tax break.
Homeowners over 60 would receive an additional $80,000 exemption, which would go to $100,000 for those over 70, according to Stan Sitko, the county's assistant real property tax administrator.
The Council also expressed the desire for a final resolution to the Hokulia situation, as the outcome will significantly affect other Big Island land management issues.
Last August, 3rd Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra ruled in favor of plaintiffs who sued to stop construction of a proposed luxury development overlooking Kealakekua Bay south of Kona. The developers, 1250 Oceanside Partners, appealed to the state Supreme Court.
The Council is asking the high court for an "expedited briefing and decision," meaning it would be ruled on directly without being referred to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Councilman Bob Jacobson expressed reservations about pressuring the court. "I don't think we (a legislative body) should be telling the court what to do," he said.
Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida told the Council it was the first time such a resolution had been considered since he took over the job a few years ago.
Ashida expressed the highest regard for the justices and said he did not know what effect the move would have on them.
"I don't feel comfortable predicting what a court will do, because when you wear the black muumuu, you're in charge."
