THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

105

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING RELIEF ON REAL PROPERTY TAXES ON KULEANA LANDS.

 

WHEREAS, in 1850, the Kingdom of Hawai`i confirmed several resolutions of the Monarch and Privy Council that granted to the maka’āinana allodial titles for their own lands and house lots, often referred to as "kuleana lands"; and

WHEREAS, commercial development and other market forces have led to sharp increases in real property values and the concomitant increase in real property taxes, including kuleana lands, throughout the State; and

WHEREAS, many Hawaiian families living on hereditary kuleana lands face the prospect of losing their land, and potential homelessness, due to their inability to afford these increased real property tax assessments; and

WHEREAS, certain counties of the State provide real property tax exemptions, in whole or in part, to residents of properties located on Hawaiian Home Lands; and

WHEREAS, such real property tax exemptions on Hawaiian Home Lands contribute to the affordability of homes for the indigenous people of Hawai`i; and

WHEREAS, this body finds the risk of kuleana land owners losing their lands to be a dire situation of statewide concern due to the social, economic, and cultural disruption that it poses; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, that each county of the State is requested to enact an ordinance or other law that would exempt kuleana land from all real property taxation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order to qualify for the tax exemption, the land in question shall have been occupied continuously by, and only by, the lineal descendants of the Hawaiian family that received title to the land pursuant to L. 1850, p. 202, entitled "An Act Confirming Certain Resolutions of the King and Privy Council, Passed on the 21st Day of December, A.D. 1849, Granting to the Common People Allodial Titles for Their Own Lands and House Lots, and Certain Other Privileges", as originally enacted and amended; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor and the Council of each county, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Governor.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Kuleana Lands; Real Property Tax Relief