Meeting Time: November 16, 2023 at 1:30pm HST
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Agenda Item

BFED-35 Bill 91 (2023) REAL PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR PROPERTIES IMPACTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS OR WILDFIRES (BFED-35)

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am writing to support Tax Relief/Refund Bill 95. I own an income producing property at 475 Front Street, Lahaina. (Lahaina Shores Beach Resort unit 410). My condo is no longer in a livable or rentable condition. At present, Lahaina Shores has no water or electricity. Also, from what I'm being told by the Maui Government, it could take a year plus to make the area safe to start repairs.

    In 2022 my property taxes were $4,525.00. In 2023 they increased to $6,000.00. Your taxable values were and are based on a property that can be rented and produce income. Since the fire I have lost all income from my unit. We have zero access to our units and no solid projection date when it will be accessible. My hope is you will refund part of my 2023 taxes I paid, also, lower our taxes to reflect the real value of our property. My fear is if taxes are not lowered, it will create hardship, forcing owners to sell.

    --
    Thank you,
    Gary Folk
    cell # 253-208-1990
    e-mail garyfolk7@gmail.com
    web site www.Homehelper.info

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    My husband and I are owners of a still standing but uninhabitable property in the Lahaina Burn Zone. We do not live here full-time. I recently learned that Bill 95 will only provide property tax exemptions to owner-occupied properties.

    Our home is uninhabitable due to interior smoke/ash contamination and unavailable water and sewer services due to the County’s water infrastructure being damaged by the Fire . The County’s own Director of Water recently stated that it will be 2-3 years before safe water will be available.

    It is unfair for ANY property owner of still standing but uninhabitable properties to be required to pay their property taxes during a time when basic County infrastructure (water, sewer) is not available due to fire damage, the property itself is uninhabitable, and surrounded by toxic debris which may not be removed for many months. I respectfully ask that the Committee amend BFED-35 to provide ALL owners of properties (including non-owner-occupied) affected by this devastating Fire exemptions from property taxes for the next two years.

    Respectfully submitted,
    Donna Gibson

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores, unit 408. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Arturo Wesley
    arturowesley@yahoo.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Sincerely
    Victoria Bianchetti
    vbianchetti@gmail.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    Aloha,
    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand that water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Mark L. Roth
    Unit # 533
    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    mroth356@earthlink.net

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    billjensen422@yahoo.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    Hello,
    My name is Douglas Richie and my family owns 5 units at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort located on Front Street in Lahaina.
    While our building survivd the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand that the water and sewer ar compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Sincerely,
    Douglas Richie
    drichiejr@aol.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    As an owner at Lahaina Shores, I strongly support any action by Maui County that would result in property tax relief.
    Sincerely,
    Richard W. Blumenthal
    DickBlumenthal@q.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    To the Maui County Finance Committee,

    My name is Karel Gill and I own #529 at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Most of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals like myself who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Karel Gill
    408 666-8835
    karelgill@sbcglobal.net

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner of unit 506 at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." That is the case for us.

    We, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. We continue to pay our mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Mahalo for your consideration,
    Michael Pickett
    2727 Puu Hoolai St.
    Kihei
    808-989-9974
    mike@pickettweb.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    Good morning,
    I am an owner at Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. While our building survived the fire, it is within the fire zone. I understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and I have heard that it may be a number of years before my property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals ( like myself) who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." I retired at the start of this year and I was planning to live in the unit part of the year and rent the unit out the rest of the year. Nonetheless, like many others, I not in a position to absorb the losses I have suffered. Given that my property cannot be used for any purpose, I would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as mine, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Sincerely,
    The Finney Family Trust
    Rick Finney Trustee
    Unit #204
    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    forfinneys@aol.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    Board Members,
    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Rene M Fuog, Unit 417
    renefuog@gmail.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am one of 199 owners at the Lahaina Shores. While we are fortunate that our building survived the fire, it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Sincerely,
    Harold Lucht
    Unit #627
    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    novapro240@aol.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    To whom it may concern:
    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for ANY purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.
    Cameron & Lisa Bucek
    Unit # 403
    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    lahainashores403@gmail.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Like many of owners at Lahaina Shores, I rent my unit out all year long, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Thank you,
    Sharon Hamblin
    Unit 217
    sharonhamblin13@yahoo.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores Beach Resort. Miraculously our building survived the fire but it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. This is totally inappropriate. Utilities and potable water should be available within 6 months to the buildings that survived the fire. The utility companies need to hire mainland workers to fill the gap and get the job done in a timely manner. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Melanie Howard
    Unit #517 and 212
    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, HI 96761
    melnesia@comcast.net

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    County Finance Committee,

    We are the owners of unit 333 of Lahaina Shores. We are not classified as residential. Given the property cannot be used because water and sewer to the area are compromised and maybe for a number of years, we are asking tax relief be extended to property such as ours that are not residential that maybe standing, but cannot be lawfully used.

    Respectfully,

    John and Carol Blainey
    Lahaina Shores
    475 Front Street
    Lahaina, Maui HI
    JOHNBLAINEY@msn.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    We are owners at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. We have owned our unit for 20 years and rent it part of the year so it is not classified as 'residential'. Nonetheless, we, like many others, are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Mahalo for your consideration for property tax relief,

    William B and Charlene A Tallman
    char-bill.tallman@sbcglobal.net

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    Aloha Kakahiaka,

    My name is Jill Grey and I am a resident of our beautiful state of Hawai'i. My husband & I were beyond blessed 1 year ago to be able to purchase our dream property in Lāhainā, a condo where we plan to retire. We are devastated over what has happened in our beloved Lāhainā Town, and everyone impacted is in our thoughts and prayers.

    I am writing to you today as a property owner in Lāhainā, specifically at Lāhainā Shores unit 522. While our building did survive the fire and is still standing, it is within the impacted fire zone (Specifically Zone 13A). The owners have been told that the water and sewer to the Lāhainā area is compromised, and I also have heard that it may be a number of years before Lāhainā Shores can be utilized by anyone.

    Many of the units in Lāhainā Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus most of the units are not classified as "residential." This is the case for us, as we live on Oahu and currently our jobs are Oahu based. Believe me, we would be living in our Lāhainā Shores unit if we could move from Oahu, as we love it there so much. So, since we had been renting out our unit until we could move there, our unit is not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, please know that my husband & I are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that Lāhainā Shores cannot be used for any purpose, my husband & I ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours; properties that are not classified as residential, that may be standing, but cannot lawfully be used.

    We appreciate your time and consideration.

    Mahalo Nui Loa,

    Jill & Michael Grey
    Owners of Unit #522 at Lāhainā Shores Beach Resort
    475 Front Street,
    Lāhainā, HI 96761
    jillgrey808@gmail.com

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    Guest User about 1 year ago

    I am an owner at the Lahaina Shores. While our building survived the fire it is within the fire zone. We understand water and sewer to the area are compromised, and have heard that it may be a number of years before our property can be utilized by anyone. Many of the units in Lahaina Shores are owned by individuals who rent them out for part of the year, and thus are not classified as "residential." Nonetheless, we, like many others are not in a position to absorb the losses we have suffered. Given that our property cannot be used for any purpose, we would ask that tax relief be extended to properties, such as ours, that are not residential, that may be standing, but that cannot lawfully be used.

    Dennis Stansfield Jr.
    Lisa Stansfield

    Unit #332 and 534

    Lahaina Shores Beach Resort

    475 Front Street

    Lahaina, HI 96761

    808lahainashores@gmail.com