TO: Maui County Council
Subject: Support for Bill 95
From: Leann Strasen-Weasler Puamana Unit 272-3 Pualei Drive
I own Puamana Unit 272-3 Pualei Drive that is an intact unit after the fires. I support Bill 95 and specifically the new section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6. My property is rental property when I’m not there . I lived in the unit for 15 years until I moved to Las Vegas after my husband died. I am retired and the rental income from my unit supports me as my only other income is from Social Security. Given the damage of the August7 fires to Lahaina town, the neighborhood and the 94 units, clubhouse and pools that Puamana has lost, I will not received any vacation rental income from my unit radically affectingmy standard of living.
Specific issues that affect my loss of rental income from my unit include:
1) We have no water or sewer, and our properties are covered and filled with toxic smoke and ash.
2) Our homes won’t be safely habitable until the Lahaina Town toxins have been cleared and removed.
3) Our home's property values have been decimated.
4) All of Lahaina Town needs Tax Relief including our unsafe uninhabitable smoke-filled homes.
5. Property taxes are based on property values. Our property values have been decimated by the destruction of Lahaina Town and our neighborhoods.
4. Environmental assessments have discovered numerous toxic cancer-causing pollutants were released throughout Lahaina Town in the fire.
5. We have recently been told by experts in toxic cleanup that because our homes have been sitting in the Lahaina heat for months with toxic ash inside and out the porous walls and siding have soaked up the toxins requiring more than just mitigation cleaning. We will need to replace the insulation and drywall.
6. Our insurance companies will only pay once for cleaning, painting, and or replacement of drywall, siding, and insulation.
7. Cleaning and replacement of siding and drywall can't start until all the hazardous debris and toxins in Lahaina Town are safely removed or we might have to pay twice. Toxic mitigation cleaning is averaging $35,000 per property.
8. The clean-up of Lahaina Town will take at least a year once it finally starts. 9. Once we have water it will take several months before the water is not toxic.
Thank you in advance for your attention to my request.
Leann Strasen-Weasler
808-280-7860
lweasler@gmail.com
Thank you for your thoughtful and supportive efforts in the wake of the August fire disasters.
My home was damaged in the fire and my family of 6 is unable to return for quite some time. As a Lahaina public school teacher and a small cleaning business owner, I am forced to support temporary housing along with my disaster damaged home while income dropped substantially. While we wait for repairs to be done, along with water and sewer to be repaired, we are financially strained a great deal.
Please strongly consider supporting Bill 95, offering tax relief to damaged and unsafe properties. Specifically the new section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
The inflated housing market has driven our taxes up while my State Teacher's income has increased ever so slightly. The added tax burden keeps me from my family while I look for other sources of income.
The value of my home has plummeted as it is surrounded by burnt buildings and toxic. I am grateful my home was only damaged and not destroyed, however it will be years before the clean up and construction is completed around me. The quality of life and safety of my homes location has been greatly diminished. Eventually bringing my wife and 4 small children back to my neighborhood has serious health implications and concerns me.
Thank you for supporting hard working taxpayers in a time of historic hardship.
I am Lahaina homeowner writing to express my support for Bill 95, and in particular section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from real property taxes for homeowners whose homes were not destroyed in the Lahaina August wildfire, but are located in the affected area and have been rendered uninhabitable.
My home in Lahaina is located within the area impacted by the fires (zone 16A). While my home was not destroyed, it is not habitable due to the toxic ash and the damage to the surrounding infrastructure. We have no water or sewer and we are not allowed to stay in our home. Our property values have been decimated. So it is unclear how the assessor could even establish a value for my home at this time.
As the future use is unclear and without the use of our home it is a struggle to pay the continuing expenses. Please consider giving us some financial relief in these challenging times.
Aloha Honorable Council and Mayor,
I am a property owner at 136-2 Pualei. Please support Bill 95 in particular section 3.48.551. My home is toxic and uninhabitable. We have no water or sewage and there is toxic ash. Furthermore, my property value has been decimated. We are struggling to keep up with all of the expenses plus fighting with insurance. We desperately need you help during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Lorren Lotesta Ammann
136-2 Pualei, Lahaina
Aloha Mayor and Council Members. We own in Honua Kai and were prevented from participating in the ARC because we were not managed by a property manager with more than 50 units so we were not eligible. We did however offer our places to our cleaning staff and others for free. We suffered from no income after August 8th through to mid October,with heavily discounted rates going forward and yet we have full expenses of tax and HOA fees etc. to deal with. We have no problem with tax relief for owners who lost their properties in the Lahaina fire but we oppose tax relief for owners at Honua Kai who have received large ARC income and now may receive property tax abatement while the 50% of Honua Kai owners who were not able to participate in the ARC program receive no tax relief whatsoever.
Respectfully,
Terry and Jill Gardiner
My wife and I have bee coming to Maui for more that 40 years and have developed close relationships with many wonderful local Hawaiian people. We were heartbroken at the devastation in Lahaina town and how so many families lost everything, including all of their possessions. We volunteered our condo at Honua Kai for immediate use without any compensation to help in the time desperation.
While I generally support HB95 and the associated property tax relief for those who are providing shelter for displaced families due to the Lahaina wildfire, this Bill primarily deals with sole owners of properties such as Hotels and homes. I am one of 700 owners at Honua Kai and unlike a single ownership property, we have extenuating circumstances that make HB95 unfair for owners at Houna Kai.
During displaced family placement by the American Red Cross, only those owners renting their properties with one of the Big 3 property managers, about 50%, could place their units in the ARC program. All other owners did not have that option. ARC would not deal with owners or property manager with less than 50 units in its program. Therefore, we have a divided resort with 50% of the owners making "above market rate" at 100% occupancy rental income and 50% having little to no income from traditional tourist traffic.
All Honua Kai owners pay property taxes (which increased by 40%-60% this year) and HOA dues (which pay for resort services for all displaced families), but only those allowed to participate in the ARC program will have income to pay these large expenses. By passing HB95 as currently written will place an enormous financial hardship on those owners not allowed to participate in the ARC program while further rewarding owners in the program after receiving "above market rental rates" and who will be flush with income.
I strongly oppose HB95 as written and recommend that special property tax provisions be granted to properties like Honua Kai that have many individual non-ARC owners and need assistance due to total loss of traditional tourist income. Without assisting ALL Honua Kai owners with property tax relief, many owners do not have deep financial pockets and will be forced to sell their property and/or in some cases file for bankruptcy protection.
Thank you for your consideration,
Michael & Christine Wilde
Honua Kai Resort & Spa
H525
I am Lahaina homeowner writing to express my support for Bill 95, and in particular section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from real property taxes for homeowners whose homes were not destroyed in the Lahaina August wildfire, but are located in the affected area and have been rendered uninhabitable.
My home in Lahaina is located within the area impacted by the fires (zone 16A). While my home was not destroyed, it is not habitable due to the toxic ash and the damage to the surrounding infrastructure. As the future use is unclear and without the use of our home it is a struggle to pay the continuing expenses. Please consider giving us some financial relief in these challenging times
Trevor Guernsey, 19-1 Puamelia place, Lahaina
Please support Bill 95 our Lahaina homes are toxic and our values have been decimated. The struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. We need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
Please support Bill 95, specifically section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6. Our Lahaina home, while still standing, is filled with toxic ash and dust, which experts are telling us will necessitate replacing the drywall and insulation. We have no sewer or water, and even when water is restored, we are being told that it will be several months before it is safe to drink. Our values have been decimated, and the current property taxes are based on peak market, pre-fire values. The struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. Our family has owned a home in Lahaina for over 50 years, and we need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
We are owners in the Puamana community (Tax Zone 4, Section 5 and 6) and our condo has been rendered uninhabitable by the hurricane and fire in August 2023. We have no water or sewage. What we do have is toxic smoke and ash. Our property taxes are based on our property value which has gone down considerably based on the destruction of the town and our once beautiful neighborhood. Our skylights were blown off on August 7 by the hurricane and we had two gaping holes in our roof for three weeks before anyone was allowed to go in and board them up. Consequently we have a lot of ash, soot and toxins in our unit. As of now, toxic mitigation cleaning is averaging about $30,000 to $35,000 per property. From reports we have, it is going to be a year at the very least, and upwards to two years, before we can even start to resume any habitation in our condo. We are, therefore, supporting Bill 95 and section 3.48.551.
We implore you to support Bill 95 and specifically the new section 3.48.551 which provides a 2-year property tax exemption for all properties in Lahaina Tax Zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
We are the owners of a property located in the Lahaina burn zone. Our property was not destroyed by the fire, but homes and cars just a few feet from our home (immediately across the street and others across a green space) burned to the ground. The home is now located in the midst of an enormous burn zone/ toxic environment. We have no sewer services or potable water, and we have heard that it will be months before those services are restored. Our home will require extensive cleaning/remediation to remove soot and toxins. Remediation cannot be done until the toxic debris has been removed from the surrounding burn zone, and even then, our home will be located in the midst of a massive construction zone. Our home is uninhabitable and there is no timeline as to when it will be safe to live in.
In addition to property taxes, we are still responsible for paying our monthly HOA fees, mortgage, and insurance fees – all this for an uninhabitable home. Property taxes are based on property values which have been totally decimated by the destruction of Lahaina Town. It is unreasonable that owners of still-standing but uninhabitable properties be required to pay property taxes during a time when basic infrastructure (water, sewer) is not available and the property itself is not usable and surrounded by toxic debris. Please vote in favor of tax relief as outlined in Bill 95.
Mahalo,
Anne and Christopher Fender
87-1 Pualei Drive
Please support Bill 95 our Lahaina homes are toxic and our values have been decimated. The
struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. We are in a position where we can’t rent our property and therefore cannot afford all the current expenses and taxes. We need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
I am an owner at Honua Kai and have significant concerns with the proposed bill. All owners at the Honua Kai continue to pay a full staff and utilities to keep the buildings running now and during the shutdown. Without the participation of all owners paying their monthly dues which is significant, the buildings would not be operational to house displaced families. The Red Cross would only
Contract with companies who had 50 or more units. 50% of the HOA were unable to participate. All owners at the Honua Kai have helped your/our community and continue to do so. If relief is given, it should be given to all owners as we all are helping, not a select few. There have been whispers that one of the big management would like to hold any GET/TAT/MCAT tax from the Red Cross contracts in the hope you rezone units to long term housing. This scenario cripples the community further and is shameful.
I request passage of Bill 95's property tax relief measures.
I urge passage of Bill 95 and in particular section 3.48.551 that would provide a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all the properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
I own a unit in the Puamana development that has been used as a short-term vacation rental. It did not burn during the fire, but one can reasonably say that it has nevertheless been devastated, in effect.
The property is unusable at present, and some informed persons tell me it will remain that way for a long time, perhaps years.
I am told that there is neither water nor sewer service, though electricity has recently been restored. I have heard that the water will be non-potable for months after it begins to flow. There is concern that toxic ash inside and certainly outside may necessitate long and expensive cleanup.
Thus, as I said, the property is essentially useless for any purpose, and will remain that way for at least many months and perhaps much longer.
The property will be, to all intents and purposes, useless for vacation rentals for the rest of my life (I’m 80). Thus, I will be missing out on income on which I had been counting. Based on all of the above observations, the property’s value is some small fraction of what it was a few months ago, so selling it is not a feasible solution for my problems. Even if there is an exemption from property taxes, the situation for me (and those many others in the same boat as I) is somewhat dire. It is decidedly dire if I must continue to pay real property taxes, especially as they are based on an assessed value that is no longer realistic, to say the least!
Thus I strongly urge passage of Bill 95, and especially section 3.48.551.
As a 45 year Maui resident, my home is situated at ground zero in Lahaina town. My heart goes out to those who lost everything in the fires and my home was spared. Given the fact that we will have no water or sewer for possibly 2 years or more and our property is surrounded by smoke and ash toxins in the air on the ground and throughout our home, we find ourselves in a similar situation, no habitable home. Additionally, we do have a mortgage payment, HOA dues and property taxes based on property value that is impossible to discern.
Given that our home may not be safely habitable for several years and even that timeline is uncertain, I support Bill 95 and 3.48551 which provides a 2 year property tax exemption for all properties in Lahaina tax zone 4,5,and 6.
Dear Councilmembers,
We are writing with official support for Bill 95. We are so grateful that our Lahaina home that we have owned since 1994 is still standing; however, it is right next to homes that are completely burned to the ground. There is no water or sewer to our home with no projected date for either to be restored. We also are aware that our home has been exposed to many toxins given its proximity to the fires, and we have no idea what restoration will be required as a result or when we will be able to use it again. We have been dutiful taxpayers all these years have no objection to continuing again when things have improved, but we and the others who cannot use their homes need tax relief. Having to pay taxes for homes that cannot be used creates such a hardship for the homeowners of Lahaina. Please support Bill 95, including the new section 3.48.551, which includes tax relief for all Lahaina properties in sections 5 and 6 of Tax Zone 4.
Aloha
First, I’d like to say a heartfelt mahalo for introducing council bill 95. This whole process is a real challenge for every poor soul who has lost so much. At 73, visiting Maui for 55 years and living here for over 35, and retired this whole process is a bit overwhelming as well. If this bill passes there is hope and the light at the end of this very long tunnel is not a train.
Like many I was getting buried with the combination of mortgage payment, property tax payment and the whole insurance process. Like many I thought that I was fully covered by insurance, but the actual costs are mind boggling.
The time it will take to navigate and assist families in Lahaina will take years. Our homes won’t be safely habitable until the Lahaina Town toxins have been cleared and removed.
After attending the community meetings and from what I read the actual potable water and sewer system challenge may easily take up to 18 months or more. I was starting to feel panicked. Your bill was like a huge weight was lifted. Thanks for your insight, level headedness and aloha!
Thomas Clements
I support Bill 95 and its exemption for TVR-STRH. These units are currently housing perhaps the majority of the 7000 displaced persons, but many victims may be forced out without such incentives. We are already encountering strong opposition from board members of my condo association. Half our homeowners want to house these victims but such action by the board combined with changing economics of lowering reimbursements and higher tourist demand are a recipe for disaster. This is a cost effective use of Maui County's resources because without these units, Maui will likely be unable to house thousands of citizens and the cost to create or pay for other housing will be far more expensive. While Maui County could not do anything to stop the first disaster, this is a second disaster which is entirely within the County's authority to prevent.
Ditto. I support for all the reasons .
TO: Maui County Council
Subject: Support for Bill 95
From: Leann Strasen-Weasler Puamana Unit 272-3 Pualei Drive
I own Puamana Unit 272-3 Pualei Drive that is an intact unit after the fires. I support Bill 95 and specifically the new section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6. My property is rental property when I’m not there . I lived in the unit for 15 years until I moved to Las Vegas after my husband died. I am retired and the rental income from my unit supports me as my only other income is from Social Security. Given the damage of the August7 fires to Lahaina town, the neighborhood and the 94 units, clubhouse and pools that Puamana has lost, I will not received any vacation rental income from my unit radically affectingmy standard of living.
Specific issues that affect my loss of rental income from my unit include:
1) We have no water or sewer, and our properties are covered and filled with toxic smoke and ash.
2) Our homes won’t be safely habitable until the Lahaina Town toxins have been cleared and removed.
3) Our home's property values have been decimated.
4) All of Lahaina Town needs Tax Relief including our unsafe uninhabitable smoke-filled homes.
5. Property taxes are based on property values. Our property values have been decimated by the destruction of Lahaina Town and our neighborhoods.
4. Environmental assessments have discovered numerous toxic cancer-causing pollutants were released throughout Lahaina Town in the fire.
5. We have recently been told by experts in toxic cleanup that because our homes have been sitting in the Lahaina heat for months with toxic ash inside and out the porous walls and siding have soaked up the toxins requiring more than just mitigation cleaning. We will need to replace the insulation and drywall.
6. Our insurance companies will only pay once for cleaning, painting, and or replacement of drywall, siding, and insulation.
7. Cleaning and replacement of siding and drywall can't start until all the hazardous debris and toxins in Lahaina Town are safely removed or we might have to pay twice. Toxic mitigation cleaning is averaging $35,000 per property.
8. The clean-up of Lahaina Town will take at least a year once it finally starts. 9. Once we have water it will take several months before the water is not toxic.
Thank you in advance for your attention to my request.
Leann Strasen-Weasler
808-280-7860
lweasler@gmail.com
Aloha Maui Elected Officials,
Thank you for your thoughtful and supportive efforts in the wake of the August fire disasters.
My home was damaged in the fire and my family of 6 is unable to return for quite some time. As a Lahaina public school teacher and a small cleaning business owner, I am forced to support temporary housing along with my disaster damaged home while income dropped substantially. While we wait for repairs to be done, along with water and sewer to be repaired, we are financially strained a great deal.
Please strongly consider supporting Bill 95, offering tax relief to damaged and unsafe properties. Specifically the new section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
The inflated housing market has driven our taxes up while my State Teacher's income has increased ever so slightly. The added tax burden keeps me from my family while I look for other sources of income.
The value of my home has plummeted as it is surrounded by burnt buildings and toxic. I am grateful my home was only damaged and not destroyed, however it will be years before the clean up and construction is completed around me. The quality of life and safety of my homes location has been greatly diminished. Eventually bringing my wife and 4 small children back to my neighborhood has serious health implications and concerns me.
Thank you for supporting hard working taxpayers in a time of historic hardship.
Daniel & Anna Skousen
153 Pualei Drive, Lahaina
I am Lahaina homeowner writing to express my support for Bill 95, and in particular section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from real property taxes for homeowners whose homes were not destroyed in the Lahaina August wildfire, but are located in the affected area and have been rendered uninhabitable.
My home in Lahaina is located within the area impacted by the fires (zone 16A). While my home was not destroyed, it is not habitable due to the toxic ash and the damage to the surrounding infrastructure. We have no water or sewer and we are not allowed to stay in our home. Our property values have been decimated. So it is unclear how the assessor could even establish a value for my home at this time.
As the future use is unclear and without the use of our home it is a struggle to pay the continuing expenses. Please consider giving us some financial relief in these challenging times.
Brad Ammann. 136-2 Pualei Drive
Aloha Honorable Council and Mayor,
I am a property owner at 136-2 Pualei. Please support Bill 95 in particular section 3.48.551. My home is toxic and uninhabitable. We have no water or sewage and there is toxic ash. Furthermore, my property value has been decimated. We are struggling to keep up with all of the expenses plus fighting with insurance. We desperately need you help during these unprecedented times.
Sincerely,
Lorren Lotesta Ammann
136-2 Pualei, Lahaina
Aloha Mayor and Council Members. We own in Honua Kai and were prevented from participating in the ARC because we were not managed by a property manager with more than 50 units so we were not eligible. We did however offer our places to our cleaning staff and others for free. We suffered from no income after August 8th through to mid October,with heavily discounted rates going forward and yet we have full expenses of tax and HOA fees etc. to deal with. We have no problem with tax relief for owners who lost their properties in the Lahaina fire but we oppose tax relief for owners at Honua Kai who have received large ARC income and now may receive property tax abatement while the 50% of Honua Kai owners who were not able to participate in the ARC program receive no tax relief whatsoever.
Respectfully,
Terry and Jill Gardiner
Aloha Maui County Counsel Members,
My wife and I have bee coming to Maui for more that 40 years and have developed close relationships with many wonderful local Hawaiian people. We were heartbroken at the devastation in Lahaina town and how so many families lost everything, including all of their possessions. We volunteered our condo at Honua Kai for immediate use without any compensation to help in the time desperation.
While I generally support HB95 and the associated property tax relief for those who are providing shelter for displaced families due to the Lahaina wildfire, this Bill primarily deals with sole owners of properties such as Hotels and homes. I am one of 700 owners at Honua Kai and unlike a single ownership property, we have extenuating circumstances that make HB95 unfair for owners at Houna Kai.
During displaced family placement by the American Red Cross, only those owners renting their properties with one of the Big 3 property managers, about 50%, could place their units in the ARC program. All other owners did not have that option. ARC would not deal with owners or property manager with less than 50 units in its program. Therefore, we have a divided resort with 50% of the owners making "above market rate" at 100% occupancy rental income and 50% having little to no income from traditional tourist traffic.
All Honua Kai owners pay property taxes (which increased by 40%-60% this year) and HOA dues (which pay for resort services for all displaced families), but only those allowed to participate in the ARC program will have income to pay these large expenses. By passing HB95 as currently written will place an enormous financial hardship on those owners not allowed to participate in the ARC program while further rewarding owners in the program after receiving "above market rental rates" and who will be flush with income.
I strongly oppose HB95 as written and recommend that special property tax provisions be granted to properties like Honua Kai that have many individual non-ARC owners and need assistance due to total loss of traditional tourist income. Without assisting ALL Honua Kai owners with property tax relief, many owners do not have deep financial pockets and will be forced to sell their property and/or in some cases file for bankruptcy protection.
Thank you for your consideration,
Michael & Christine Wilde
Honua Kai Resort & Spa
H525
Aloha Mayor and Council Members,
I am Lahaina homeowner writing to express my support for Bill 95, and in particular section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from real property taxes for homeowners whose homes were not destroyed in the Lahaina August wildfire, but are located in the affected area and have been rendered uninhabitable.
My home in Lahaina is located within the area impacted by the fires (zone 16A). While my home was not destroyed, it is not habitable due to the toxic ash and the damage to the surrounding infrastructure. As the future use is unclear and without the use of our home it is a struggle to pay the continuing expenses. Please consider giving us some financial relief in these challenging times
Trevor Guernsey, 19-1 Puamelia place, Lahaina
Aloha Honorable Council and Mayor,
Please support Bill 95 our Lahaina homes are toxic and our values have been decimated. The struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. We need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
Thank you,
Peter Whitbeck, 100-4 Pualei Drive, Lahaina
Aloha Honorable Council & Mayor,
Please support Bill 95, specifically section 3.48.551 that provides a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6. Our Lahaina home, while still standing, is filled with toxic ash and dust, which experts are telling us will necessitate replacing the drywall and insulation. We have no sewer or water, and even when water is restored, we are being told that it will be several months before it is safe to drink. Our values have been decimated, and the current property taxes are based on peak market, pre-fire values. The struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. Our family has owned a home in Lahaina for over 50 years, and we need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
Thank you,
Mimi Green
192-2 Pualei Drive
Bill 95
Aloha,
We are owners in the Puamana community (Tax Zone 4, Section 5 and 6) and our condo has been rendered uninhabitable by the hurricane and fire in August 2023. We have no water or sewage. What we do have is toxic smoke and ash. Our property taxes are based on our property value which has gone down considerably based on the destruction of the town and our once beautiful neighborhood. Our skylights were blown off on August 7 by the hurricane and we had two gaping holes in our roof for three weeks before anyone was allowed to go in and board them up. Consequently we have a lot of ash, soot and toxins in our unit. As of now, toxic mitigation cleaning is averaging about $30,000 to $35,000 per property. From reports we have, it is going to be a year at the very least, and upwards to two years, before we can even start to resume any habitation in our condo. We are, therefore, supporting Bill 95 and section 3.48.551.
Gerald and Arlene Bachecki
We implore you to support Bill 95 and specifically the new section 3.48.551 which provides a 2-year property tax exemption for all properties in Lahaina Tax Zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
We are the owners of a property located in the Lahaina burn zone. Our property was not destroyed by the fire, but homes and cars just a few feet from our home (immediately across the street and others across a green space) burned to the ground. The home is now located in the midst of an enormous burn zone/ toxic environment. We have no sewer services or potable water, and we have heard that it will be months before those services are restored. Our home will require extensive cleaning/remediation to remove soot and toxins. Remediation cannot be done until the toxic debris has been removed from the surrounding burn zone, and even then, our home will be located in the midst of a massive construction zone. Our home is uninhabitable and there is no timeline as to when it will be safe to live in.
In addition to property taxes, we are still responsible for paying our monthly HOA fees, mortgage, and insurance fees – all this for an uninhabitable home. Property taxes are based on property values which have been totally decimated by the destruction of Lahaina Town. It is unreasonable that owners of still-standing but uninhabitable properties be required to pay property taxes during a time when basic infrastructure (water, sewer) is not available and the property itself is not usable and surrounded by toxic debris. Please vote in favor of tax relief as outlined in Bill 95.
Mahalo,
Anne and Christopher Fender
87-1 Pualei Drive
Aloha Honorable Council & Mayor,
Please support Bill 95 our Lahaina homes are toxic and our values have been decimated. The
struggle with insurance and still paying all expenses without use of our properties is very difficult. We are in a position where we can’t rent our property and therefore cannot afford all the current expenses and taxes. We need your assistance in this unprecedented time.
Thank you,
Trish Morelli 43-2 Puamana
I am an owner at Honua Kai and have significant concerns with the proposed bill. All owners at the Honua Kai continue to pay a full staff and utilities to keep the buildings running now and during the shutdown. Without the participation of all owners paying their monthly dues which is significant, the buildings would not be operational to house displaced families. The Red Cross would only
Contract with companies who had 50 or more units. 50% of the HOA were unable to participate. All owners at the Honua Kai have helped your/our community and continue to do so. If relief is given, it should be given to all owners as we all are helping, not a select few. There have been whispers that one of the big management would like to hold any GET/TAT/MCAT tax from the Red Cross contracts in the hope you rezone units to long term housing. This scenario cripples the community further and is shameful.
I request passage of Bill 95's property tax relief measures.
I urge passage of Bill 95 and in particular section 3.48.551 that would provide a two-year exemption from Real Property taxes for all the properties in Lahaina Tax zone 4, sections 5 and 6.
I own a unit in the Puamana development that has been used as a short-term vacation rental. It did not burn during the fire, but one can reasonably say that it has nevertheless been devastated, in effect.
The property is unusable at present, and some informed persons tell me it will remain that way for a long time, perhaps years.
I am told that there is neither water nor sewer service, though electricity has recently been restored. I have heard that the water will be non-potable for months after it begins to flow. There is concern that toxic ash inside and certainly outside may necessitate long and expensive cleanup.
Thus, as I said, the property is essentially useless for any purpose, and will remain that way for at least many months and perhaps much longer.
The property will be, to all intents and purposes, useless for vacation rentals for the rest of my life (I’m 80). Thus, I will be missing out on income on which I had been counting. Based on all of the above observations, the property’s value is some small fraction of what it was a few months ago, so selling it is not a feasible solution for my problems. Even if there is an exemption from property taxes, the situation for me (and those many others in the same boat as I) is somewhat dire. It is decidedly dire if I must continue to pay real property taxes, especially as they are based on an assessed value that is no longer realistic, to say the least!
Thus I strongly urge passage of Bill 95, and especially section 3.48.551.
Mahalo,
Steve Plant
Aloha,
As a 45 year Maui resident, my home is situated at ground zero in Lahaina town. My heart goes out to those who lost everything in the fires and my home was spared. Given the fact that we will have no water or sewer for possibly 2 years or more and our property is surrounded by smoke and ash toxins in the air on the ground and throughout our home, we find ourselves in a similar situation, no habitable home. Additionally, we do have a mortgage payment, HOA dues and property taxes based on property value that is impossible to discern.
Given that our home may not be safely habitable for several years and even that timeline is uncertain, I support Bill 95 and 3.48551 which provides a 2 year property tax exemption for all properties in Lahaina tax zone 4,5,and 6.
Laine Assid
Dear Councilmembers,
We are writing with official support for Bill 95. We are so grateful that our Lahaina home that we have owned since 1994 is still standing; however, it is right next to homes that are completely burned to the ground. There is no water or sewer to our home with no projected date for either to be restored. We also are aware that our home has been exposed to many toxins given its proximity to the fires, and we have no idea what restoration will be required as a result or when we will be able to use it again. We have been dutiful taxpayers all these years have no objection to continuing again when things have improved, but we and the others who cannot use their homes need tax relief. Having to pay taxes for homes that cannot be used creates such a hardship for the homeowners of Lahaina. Please support Bill 95, including the new section 3.48.551, which includes tax relief for all Lahaina properties in sections 5 and 6 of Tax Zone 4.
Thank you,
Phillip and Angenette Stephenson
Aloha
First, I’d like to say a heartfelt mahalo for introducing council bill 95. This whole process is a real challenge for every poor soul who has lost so much. At 73, visiting Maui for 55 years and living here for over 35, and retired this whole process is a bit overwhelming as well. If this bill passes there is hope and the light at the end of this very long tunnel is not a train.
Like many I was getting buried with the combination of mortgage payment, property tax payment and the whole insurance process. Like many I thought that I was fully covered by insurance, but the actual costs are mind boggling.
The time it will take to navigate and assist families in Lahaina will take years. Our homes won’t be safely habitable until the Lahaina Town toxins have been cleared and removed.
After attending the community meetings and from what I read the actual potable water and sewer system challenge may easily take up to 18 months or more. I was starting to feel panicked. Your bill was like a huge weight was lifted. Thanks for your insight, level headedness and aloha!
Thomas Clements
I support Bill 95 and its exemption for TVR-STRH. These units are currently housing perhaps the majority of the 7000 displaced persons, but many victims may be forced out without such incentives. We are already encountering strong opposition from board members of my condo association. Half our homeowners want to house these victims but such action by the board combined with changing economics of lowering reimbursements and higher tourist demand are a recipe for disaster. This is a cost effective use of Maui County's resources because without these units, Maui will likely be unable to house thousands of citizens and the cost to create or pay for other housing will be far more expensive. While Maui County could not do anything to stop the first disaster, this is a second disaster which is entirely within the County's authority to prevent.
George Hu
130 Kai Malina Parkway
Lahaina, HI