HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

21

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the city and county of honolulu to revise real property assessment procedures for kupuna.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, many kupuna live on fixed incomes and face a number of economic pressures; and

 

     WHEREAS, real property tax burdens are often felt the most by those living on fixed incomes; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the City and County of Honolulu, the real property tax is largely based on a property's market value; and

 

     WHEREAS, the widening gaps between rising real property taxes and fixed incomes of kupuna make it increasingly difficult for kupuna to live within their budgets; and

 

     WHEREAS, proactive measures are needed to help kupuna maintain a reasonable quality of life despite rising real property taxes; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the City and County of Honolulu is urged to help kupuna who are sixty years of age or older and who are on a fixed income to survive the rising cost of living by providing real property tax relief; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, as part of this tax relief, the City and County of Honolulu is urged to revise real property tax assessment procedures for kupuna as follows:

 

     (1)  For dwellings that have not had any significant renovations or additions to the original structure, the assessment value basis should be changed from market value to the original purchase price, plus an annual increase of two per cent from the initial purchase price; and

 

     (2)  The maximum annual real property tax should be capped at three per cent of an owner's annual income; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and the Chair of the Honolulu City Council.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

City and County of Honolulu; Real Property Tax; Kupuna