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Interesting discussion and lots to think about here. My question is why is my lot an ag lot when nothing but scrub has been growing on it for 30 plus years and it has never been farmed?
Yes interesting to think of a class action law suit for equal access to services and such.
Thanks you all for giving us something to think about here. Pass any news along would be appreciated. Mahalo Mella
PS can someone enlighten me on the Kona Hilo split debate. I've done some traveling and shopping and such in each place and it doesn't seem to me that Hilo has anything over Kona when it comes to roads/services? So I don't understand the issue here.
mella l
mella l
Art and Science
bytheSEA
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Aloha, Mella. Others probably know the history of the so-called Hilo-Kona split better than I do, but here goes. In early territorial days (circa 1900?) the Big Island was two separate counties due to the lack of good roads and resultant difficulty of communication and travel between sides. At some point this problem improved, and the island became one county. Subsequently Kona became the location for posh resorts and expensive homes and the high property tax revenues that go along with all that. For a number of years, there have been complaints from Kona that they pay for far more than they get in the way of county services. I have not seen any hard statistics to back up this contention, but it could easily be so. Kona does have severe traffic problems in certain areas that need to be addressed. The lack of county services in Puna makes for an ironic parallel. You have supposedly weathly folks in Kona complaining about Hilo getting the lions share, and not-so-wealthy folks in Puna feeling the same way. It would be interesting to see a breakdown by district of county tax revenues versus expenditures.
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This topic is heading in a political direction and is very worthy of in-depth discussion. Look for a new subject soon on the Punaweb general forum. I am going to invite one of our Mainstreet Pahoa Association (MSPA) members, who is very knowledgeable on this subject, to launch a discussion with a raft of facts.
The county is launching a community planning effort at this time and planning for the future of the island - and equity between the districts in use of tax funds - needs to be understood.
I believe a large problem from the past is that, for one reason or another, Puna had a very low voter turn out.
Some people think it doesn't matter if they vote. Look at the disparity in services in these districts and you can quickly see that voting does count.
More on all this soon,
Aloha,
Chairman, Punaweb Committee, MSPA
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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Should'nt we all think that impact fees will draw detractors. Perhaps the fees are a practical tool for financing infrastucture needs. However, the fact that they are being put on the table for consideration implies the demands for investment resources by the wealthy or the wealth seeking community. Maybe the present concentration of authority in administration feels that the time is right to impose these fees before a growing majority of simple life seeking people arrive. One thing for sure the boardwalks from Pahoa to Honokaa will one day look out of place.
Aloha HADave
Aloha HADave & Mz P
Hawaiian Acres
The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
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Terrifying!!!!
In a world where we're complaining about the relative scarcity of affordable housing, putting a $10,000 tax on building a house for yourself is just plain EVIL.
Down with big government!!!!
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TALK TO YOUR COUNCILPERSON!!
IMHO, developers or people subdividing should incur the $10K cost per lot created when they have submitted subdivision plans. This would keep the current cost out of the building permit arena and keep it where it belongs - new developements which are geared to mainlanders who think land in Hawaii along with being paradise, is cheaper than much of the West Coast. Then conversely give people who consolidate lots a tax credit of some sort.
Also maybe subdivisions can help themselves by paying for the signal lights or road improvements just like Ben Alonzo did over in Kurtistown. He wanted to put in additional commercial & a subdivision so the county said he needed to pay for the signal light, so he did. I think the cost for road improvements and light was $350K. As an example only, you added a light on Keaau-Pahoa Hwy - what would be the breakdown per lot if you included HPP, & Orchidland ? Puts the expense directly on the people who need/want it.
If costs are associated with specific things, maybe an expense is easier to swallow.
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10k for a plan? it's just another tax. I could see paying that high a fee if you are building in areas that have Unknowns, ie. a business cause environmental damage... but the subdivisions for the most part are fairly formula.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, The trick is to slow down speculation. I am seeing folks, even locals trying to cash in, ripping the land, building crummy boxy homes and then cashing out.
But I don't think 10k is going to stop a speculator.
...
quote:
TALK TO YOUR COUNCILPERSON!!
IMHO, developers or people subdividing should incur the $10K cost per lot created when they have submitted subdivision plans. This would keep the current cost out of the building permit arena and keep it where it belongs - new developements which are geared to mainlanders who think land in Hawaii along with being paradise, is cheaper than much of the West Coast. Then conversely give people who consolidate lots a tax credit of some sort.
Also maybe subdivisions can help themselves by paying for the signal lights or road improvements just like Ben Alonzo did over in Kurtistown. He wanted to put in additional commercial & a subdivision so the county said he needed to pay for the signal light, so he did. I think the cost for road improvements and light was $350K. As an example only, you added a light on Keaau-Pahoa Hwy - what would be the breakdown per lot if you included HPP, & Orchidland ? Puts the expense directly on the people who need/want it.
If costs are associated with specific things, maybe an expense is easier to swallow.
