Aloha mai kākou,
I am writing in support of BFED-78. Mahalo Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez for putting this bill forward. It will be instrumental in reducing the dispossession of generational ʻāina kūpuna. The speculative real estate market has been extremely destructive throughout the pae ʻāina and this bill will help alleviate some of the ongoing harm.
One suggestion I would like to make is in regard to the language concerning commercial purposes. Similar to the Kuleana tax reform, agriculture is the only form of commerce allowed in this bill. I see this as a way of keeping Kānaka frozen in time, whereby we are relegated to the museum without being afforded an opportunity to realize our full potential in the 21st century. Therefore, I humbly suggest allowing commercial activity in-line with zoning in the area.
I realize this bill does not apply exclusively to Kānaka Maoli and look forward to all multi-generational families of all ethnicities benefiting from this bill in Maui Nui.
Me ke aloha,
Laʻakea Low
I strongly support all efforts that bring tax relief to the kanaka maoli that retain ownership of their ancestral homelands. The County of Maui needs to address the gross injustices embedded into the property tax system in regards to Native Hawaiians.. this is a critical first step. I hope that council members will choose to be on the right side of history and make the necessary changes.
My name is Hoʻoleia Kaʻeo. I am a Maui resident and I am also a kupa of this place because my kūpuna are from this mokupuni. I am writing to strongly SUPPORT the passage of the ʻĀina Kūpuna Tax Relief Bill; to amend Chapter 3.48, Maui County Code, to add a section relating to taxes on parcels dedicated as ʻāina kūpuna.
Land taxes have been skyrocketing due to the booming real estate market catered to the mega-rich. Luxury, empty vacation homes, and temporary vacation rentals now border ʻāina of many Hawaiian families. The strain of rising land taxes and inability to afford them have been another mechanism of removal and dispossession of Hawaiians from their ʻāina kūpuna. In addition, most local and Hawaiian families are already no longer able afford the purchase of property in our own homeland. The county must act to mitigate these issues and ensure that the the ʻāina that our kūpuna born, lived, and are buried on, that have been kept in families generationally, are kept in perpetuity to ʻohana. The profit the County will incur from settler capitalists will never amount to the aloha that families have for their ʻāina kūpuna.
Mahalo nui to Council member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for proposing this bill. I kindly ask the Council to consider the long-term consequences and pass the ʻĀina Kūpuna Tax Relief Bill.
Aloha e Council members, Mahalo to Council Vice-Chair Rawlins-Fernandez for presenting this much needed bill. I am in full support of the proposed bill to amend Chapter 3.48, Maui County Code, to add a section relating to taxes on parcels dedicated as aina kupuna. Hawaiian families are desperately needing protection from over taxation due to circumstances beyond their control. We are paying higher taxes and are not receiving benefits we pay into. Some of these lands are on private roads, off-grid or hard to access or in many cases wealthy people buy the land, put up huge mansions and out-price many Hawaiian families. Please pass this bill!! Lurlyn Scott, Honopou
I am in support of County Property Tax Reform (BEFED-78)! Aina Kapuna lands should not be taxed and our community, county and state should be in support of keeping Aina Kapuna lands affordable and attainable for their rightful owners and their defendants! The Chang Ohana who live on Makena road is a prime example. They are farming and taking care of the aina regardless of their neighbors who surround them with their multimillion dollar homes. Why should they pay the same taxes as their neighbors when the Chang family has been farming and living on their land before the Makena development took over and drove up the housing market and taxes?? We need to support our local families and their way of life! Please support this bill and make this right!!
Aloha mai kākou,
I am writing in support of BFED-78. Mahalo Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez for putting this bill forward. It will be instrumental in reducing the dispossession of generational ʻāina kūpuna. The speculative real estate market has been extremely destructive throughout the pae ʻāina and this bill will help alleviate some of the ongoing harm.
One suggestion I would like to make is in regard to the language concerning commercial purposes. Similar to the Kuleana tax reform, agriculture is the only form of commerce allowed in this bill. I see this as a way of keeping Kānaka frozen in time, whereby we are relegated to the museum without being afforded an opportunity to realize our full potential in the 21st century. Therefore, I humbly suggest allowing commercial activity in-line with zoning in the area.
I realize this bill does not apply exclusively to Kānaka Maoli and look forward to all multi-generational families of all ethnicities benefiting from this bill in Maui Nui.
Me ke aloha,
Laʻakea Low
I strongly support all efforts that bring tax relief to the kanaka maoli that retain ownership of their ancestral homelands. The County of Maui needs to address the gross injustices embedded into the property tax system in regards to Native Hawaiians.. this is a critical first step. I hope that council members will choose to be on the right side of history and make the necessary changes.
Aloha mai e ka ʻaha kūkā o ke Kalana o Maui,
My name is Hoʻoleia Kaʻeo. I am a Maui resident and I am also a kupa of this place because my kūpuna are from this mokupuni. I am writing to strongly SUPPORT the passage of the ʻĀina Kūpuna Tax Relief Bill; to amend Chapter 3.48, Maui County Code, to add a section relating to taxes on parcels dedicated as ʻāina kūpuna.
Land taxes have been skyrocketing due to the booming real estate market catered to the mega-rich. Luxury, empty vacation homes, and temporary vacation rentals now border ʻāina of many Hawaiian families. The strain of rising land taxes and inability to afford them have been another mechanism of removal and dispossession of Hawaiians from their ʻāina kūpuna. In addition, most local and Hawaiian families are already no longer able afford the purchase of property in our own homeland. The county must act to mitigate these issues and ensure that the the ʻāina that our kūpuna born, lived, and are buried on, that have been kept in families generationally, are kept in perpetuity to ʻohana. The profit the County will incur from settler capitalists will never amount to the aloha that families have for their ʻāina kūpuna.
Mahalo nui to Council member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for proposing this bill. I kindly ask the Council to consider the long-term consequences and pass the ʻĀina Kūpuna Tax Relief Bill.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Hoʻoleia Kaʻeo
Aloha e Council members, Mahalo to Council Vice-Chair Rawlins-Fernandez for presenting this much needed bill. I am in full support of the proposed bill to amend Chapter 3.48, Maui County Code, to add a section relating to taxes on parcels dedicated as aina kupuna. Hawaiian families are desperately needing protection from over taxation due to circumstances beyond their control. We are paying higher taxes and are not receiving benefits we pay into. Some of these lands are on private roads, off-grid or hard to access or in many cases wealthy people buy the land, put up huge mansions and out-price many Hawaiian families. Please pass this bill!! Lurlyn Scott, Honopou
I am in support of County Property Tax Reform (BEFED-78)! Aina Kapuna lands should not be taxed and our community, county and state should be in support of keeping Aina Kapuna lands affordable and attainable for their rightful owners and their defendants! The Chang Ohana who live on Makena road is a prime example. They are farming and taking care of the aina regardless of their neighbors who surround them with their multimillion dollar homes. Why should they pay the same taxes as their neighbors when the Chang family has been farming and living on their land before the Makena development took over and drove up the housing market and taxes?? We need to support our local families and their way of life! Please support this bill and make this right!!