09-15-2019, 09:38 AM
Tom-I don't know enough law to really make a sensible comment about this, but I think some people forget that the DHHL is a state agency, so it's not unreasonable to have the state AG be responsible for legal advice. Whether that's a conflict of interest or something else, I'll leave to others.
It's really confusing because the HHCA is a federal act but the State is in charge of managing it.
The state's appraiser needs to talk to the tax man. If empty DHHL land is worth billions, just imagine what Parker Ranch or Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estates lands are worth. If taxed properly they could provide more services for everyone!
If only DHHL actually turned lands over to beneficiaries to live on, we wouldn't be stuck with a corrupt DHHL, people on the wait list for decades, lands remaining dormant to be stolen, etc. Instead of DHHL leasing lands for commercial development and squandering the income, it could be native Hawaiians leasing the lands and putting money back into their communities. Vote to disband the DHHL, take their remaining trusts and assets and put in roads, and divide the lots up among native Hawaiians, fee-simple. Maybe put CC&Rs that the lots may only be sold to citizens born in Hawaii, or second generation born here, etc.
I don't know, the State took over 16,000 acres. 1 billion seems about right considering the price of an acre on O'ahu.
Also I agree with you on DHHL messing up. Part of it is that they for some reason have to put in all the infrastructure before allowing people to get their lots. Like the Maku'u lots on the Ainaloa side of the road aren't being given out because there isn't county water installed throughout the subdivision. They should lower their standards and just start giving out the land. There's more than enough to give to every beneficiary on the list an acre. Even if people can't afford to build on it at least they'll have it to pass to their kids or grandkids who might have the money and more importantly the credit scores to use the land.
It's really confusing because the HHCA is a federal act but the State is in charge of managing it.
The state's appraiser needs to talk to the tax man. If empty DHHL land is worth billions, just imagine what Parker Ranch or Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estates lands are worth. If taxed properly they could provide more services for everyone!
If only DHHL actually turned lands over to beneficiaries to live on, we wouldn't be stuck with a corrupt DHHL, people on the wait list for decades, lands remaining dormant to be stolen, etc. Instead of DHHL leasing lands for commercial development and squandering the income, it could be native Hawaiians leasing the lands and putting money back into their communities. Vote to disband the DHHL, take their remaining trusts and assets and put in roads, and divide the lots up among native Hawaiians, fee-simple. Maybe put CC&Rs that the lots may only be sold to citizens born in Hawaii, or second generation born here, etc.
I don't know, the State took over 16,000 acres. 1 billion seems about right considering the price of an acre on O'ahu.
Also I agree with you on DHHL messing up. Part of it is that they for some reason have to put in all the infrastructure before allowing people to get their lots. Like the Maku'u lots on the Ainaloa side of the road aren't being given out because there isn't county water installed throughout the subdivision. They should lower their standards and just start giving out the land. There's more than enough to give to every beneficiary on the list an acre. Even if people can't afford to build on it at least they'll have it to pass to their kids or grandkids who might have the money and more importantly the credit scores to use the land.