Property tax and inflation.

[kalakoa]

the increase in property tax this year seem to be from an increase in the value of the assets

Doesn't County set that valuation?

[ironyak]

That they do Special K - based on comparable sales of course. You trying to say that the valuations aren't inline with this overpriced market? Punatang has a couple dozen grey (and a few baby blue) houses to the contrary.

Assets increase in value, but are unrealized income, yet government still gets an increase in tax revenue - almost feels like a wealth tax? But that can't be right, 'cause this is America!

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Out of curiosity, do you happen to remember any of the items mentioned?

It was about 10 years ago, so don’t remember the exact details.  I do regularly use some country services of course, roads for instance, but none of the items she happened to have rattled off. At least for that year.  Now I’ve never used an ambulance, but I’m glad to pay my share of taxes for them.  Same with the library, etc. 

In a better world, it would be nice to receive service when necessary from a worker whose job is presumably, is to provide public services.

[Durian Fiend]

That they do Special K - based on comparable sales of course. You trying to say that the valuations aren't inline with this overpriced market? Punatang has a couple dozen grey (and a few baby blue) houses to the contrary.

Assets increase in value, but are unrealized income, yet government still gets an increase in tax revenue - almost feels like a wealth tax? But that can't be right, 'cause this is America!

Most people have no issue with the increasing valuations.  The problem comes when the mill rate doesn't drop accordingly, or at least a little bit!  Perhaps it has, I don't know.

[kalakoa]

Hawaiian Acres: $35500 / 3 acres = $11833/acre. No services.
Fern Acres: $45000 / 2 acres = $22500/acre. No services.
Eden Roc: $18000/acre. No services.
HPP: $76000/acre. No services.

Shipman: $2016700 / 985.90 acres = $2046/acre. Shipman gets services from County.

Understanding real estate valuation: priceless.

[keaau mary]

HereOnThePrimalEdge -  I asked her, “by the way, what do my property taxes pay for?”  In an exasperated tone she rattled off 5 or 10 things.  I replied “oh, I don’t use any of that.”
Out of curiosity, do you happen to remember any of the items mentioned? I know hurr durr "taxes bad", but I have a hard time believing you don't ever use any county roads, parks, or public safety services. (oh wait, you're in that HPP hellhole we keep hearing about here - maybe you don't actually get any County services there

achutch3 - Hawai’i still has some of the lowest property taxes on your primary residence but it appears anyone with multiple homes or properties are gunna start payin for it.
As Hawai'i County actually dropped their Homeowner and Affordable Renting Housing property tax rates, and didn't change any of the others between 2023 and 2024, the increase in property tax this year seems to be from an increase in the value of the assets. It sounds like OP owns multiple investment properties that have apparently increased in value ~4x since purchase - congrats! I guess if you want lower taxes you could root for a crash in the real-estate market so your assessment comps are lower next time? Won't some one think of the landed gentry's taxes and bring on the market meltdown? (no, seriously, young people would actually like to buy a house once in their lifetime)

Also, Hawai'i will move from the highest to the 4th lowest tax burden after the recent historic tax cuts finish going into effect. If the taxes are still too much, there's always Alaska, New Hampshire, and Wyoming! (let us know how their County beach parks compare - if you have ever used ours of course

When I left NH is 2006, my property taxes were over $15k for a 3/3 with 3 acres. No cheap property taxes there!

[Punatang]

Understanding real estate valuation: priceless.

Just ask Herr Chunkster anything you want to know.  He has a cadre of altruistic and reputable representatives keeping him up to date with the latest lagging indicators and sus statistics.

[ironyak]

Durian Fiend - The problem comes when the mill rate doesn't drop accordingly, or at least a little bit!  Perhaps it has, I don't know.
As mentioned, the Homeowner rate did drop, but not the Ag rate which seems to be the issue for OP. Not sure why people expect their taxes will never go up. It's not like local government is immune to all the same inflationary forces mentioned. Don't like inflation, take it up with the Fed and price-gouging corporations?

HOTPE - In a better world, it would be nice to receive service when necessary from a worker whose job is presumably, is to provide public services.
But you did receive service, yes? Maybe not at the pace you want, but what'cha gonna do about it? Flee like a wuss to the mainland? It can be tough sometimes being the harvest for this plantation system, but at least there's plenty sun, fruits, veggies, and gentle breezes to gather while we wait and ripen.

kalakoa - Understanding real estate valuation: priceless.
Yes, K-Pin, I'm sure everyone in the non-conforming subdivisions fly to their properties in helicopters, never visit a park or beach, have no kids in public schools, or make any use of the numerous Hawaii County projects and services. They live entirely self-sufficient on their small-acre fiefdoms, and rely on zero government services, like true libertarians.

It sounds like you may have Shipman envy. They're just bigger than you and me so they get all the special treatment. When they're packing holdings of such girth and extent, it shouldn't be a surprise they receive all the fawning attention. It's too late to be 19th-century land barons into Missionary, so just have to work with what you've got. ;)

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

But you did receive service, yes? Maybe not at the pace you want

It wasn’t so much the pace, as the attitude.  Hey, how about a little service with a smile?  As I suggested some years ago, maybe county workers should be paid minimum wage, and place a tip jar on the counter?

She did receive a small courtesy from me, that is, I didn’t mention my tax dollars paid her salary.  I never tried it, but I’ve heard it doesn’t go over very well.

[terracore]

She did receive a small courtesy from me, that is, I didn’t mention my tax dollars paid her salary.  I never tried it, but I’ve heard it doesn’t go over very well.

I once had a job where my wage was partially paid by local taxpayer money.  One time, out of curiosity, I calculated how much my annual salary was paid by the taxpayers.  It came out to about 4 cents per taxpayer per year. So I made it my mission that I was DAMN well going to give every taxpayer their four cents worth!

One time, shortly after that, I got that "My taxes pay your salary!" comment.  This was my moment to shine.  I stuck my hand in my pocket and found a quarter in there.  I told him about the four cents per taxpayer, handed him the quarter and said, "Keep the change".   There were so many emotions on his face morphing back and forth I thought his head was going to explode.  Surprise. Confusion.  Frustration.  Amusement.  Indignation.  Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. But never acceptance.  He tried to come back with a reply but just stuttered a few times like one of Mudd's confused robots and then turned around and left.  Mission accomplished.

I was so pleased with myself that I made sure never to go to work without a quarter in my pocket, but alas, I never heard the comment again.

I still gave him his four cents worth, even though he got his refund and then some.