FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        May 3, 2007

Release No. M-42-07

MAYOR SIGNS KULEANA TAX EXEMPTION AND

LAND USE BILLS INTO LAW

            Mayor Mufi Hannemann has signed into law Bill 25, CD2, FD1 (2006), which establishes a tax exemption for kuleana land owned by descendants of the Hawaiians who received the original kuleana title.

            The new ordinance exempts eligible owners from paying all but the minimum property tax of $100 a year on a residential or agricultural lot.

            To qualify for the kuleana exemption, applicants must show  they are lineal descendants of the person or persons who received title to the land under the 1850 Kuleana Act, which awarded small parcels to maka‘ainana or commoners, for subsistence. Genealogy verification by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs or court order will be accepted.

            The effect of the exemption on City finances is unclear, but officials of OHA and the City Department of Budget and Fiscal Services said they believe the number of applicants will be limited.

            “It is important that we continue to be sensitive to the needs our native Hawaiian population,” said Mayor Hannemann. “The City will work closely with OHA to implement this measure.”

            The new ordinance takes effect next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2008.

            The mayor also signed into law two bills related to the planned expansion of The Queen’s Medical Center. Bill 19, CD 1, amends the City’s Hawaii Capital Special District provisions of the City’s Land Use Ordinance. Bill 20, CD 1, adjusts the zoning for the Queen’s property to accommodate an expansion that was approved three years ago in the form of a Plan Review Use permit.

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Contact:

            Bill Brennan, 527-6928

            Mark Matsunaga, 527-5767