For timeshares that are owned in Hawaii you pay property tax PLUS a "Timeshare Transient Tax" of 7.75% per day, aka occupancy tax. To clarify, this tax is charged regardless of the occupant being an owner, a relative of the owner, or a renter, as well as someone that owns a timeshare in another state, or country, that has made the unfortunate decision to exchange timeshares to be able to visit the State of Hawaii.
And the State of Hawaii won't even let property owners get a Library Card.
Yeap, Hawaii is Double Taxing owners of timeshares. Taxation with represenation!
http://www.uhero.hawaii.edu/workingpaper/UHERO_WP2008-02.pdf
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Hawaii is a Tax Hell
Hawaii government has passed taxes increases to enable them to balance their state budget. They voted to increase taxes vs cut back on state expenses (e.g. reduction in state spending/manpower). The primary impact of tax increases will negatively impact tourism. Yes, the idea was to make tourists pay for the Hawaii's state government budget shortfall. Hawaii is a tax hell!
The state has voted to officially raise hotel taxes by 28%, from 7.25 percent to 9.25 percent, over the next two years. Keep in mind that this is an increase in state taxes and there are still local county taxes in Hawaii, making actual hotel taxes closer to 14% in some counties.
"No one likes to raises taxes. But let's face it. Let's be real. If you're going to raise the tax, the visitor industry is a less bitter pill to swallow than a tax on local people," said Sen. Clayton Hee, D-Kahuku, Kanoeohe.
"We don't exptect this increase to drive tourists away," said Rep. Joey Manahan, D-Kalihi, Kapalama.
Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to go to Hawaii when there $$$ can buy so much more of Paradise elsewhere. Think about it & shop around. Better value is to be had. Hawaii is no longer a Paradise, and there are still many places one can vacation that really are a place of Paradise.
source: Mark Niesse, the asspciated press.
The state has voted to officially raise hotel taxes by 28%, from 7.25 percent to 9.25 percent, over the next two years. Keep in mind that this is an increase in state taxes and there are still local county taxes in Hawaii, making actual hotel taxes closer to 14% in some counties.
"No one likes to raises taxes. But let's face it. Let's be real. If you're going to raise the tax, the visitor industry is a less bitter pill to swallow than a tax on local people," said Sen. Clayton Hee, D-Kahuku, Kanoeohe.
"We don't exptect this increase to drive tourists away," said Rep. Joey Manahan, D-Kalihi, Kapalama.
Personally, I don't understand why anyone would want to go to Hawaii when there $$$ can buy so much more of Paradise elsewhere. Think about it & shop around. Better value is to be had. Hawaii is no longer a Paradise, and there are still many places one can vacation that really are a place of Paradise.
source: Mark Niesse, the asspciated press.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Is this noise part of Paradise?
Why do I hear loud planes and helicopters flying over residential areas in Hawaii, that are not even close to an airport? This frequently happens in the evening time and is very loud and distracting. I don't think it is safe and it certainly isn't a pleasant experience.
This loud noise has become what they call Paradise in Hawaii. It isn't Paradise to me, just loud noise that I find disturbing.
This loud noise has become what they call Paradise in Hawaii. It isn't Paradise to me, just loud noise that I find disturbing.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
The State of Hawaii is dependant on tourism for survival, as the majority of the State income comes from tourists! While the State of Hawaii is having financial problems, they don't want to consider a reduction in public employee labor costs. They want to increase hotem room tax from 7.25% to 9.25%.
Future Tourism Campaigns in Hawaii should say....
Come to Hawaii, where your money will be used to pay a public employee!
Come to Hawaii, to fund more police overtime!
Come to Hawaii, to enable raises to government employees making $100k+
Come to Hawaii, where you'll pay more than the locals for everything you do and eat!
Come to Hawaii, where you can't find a clean beach!
Come to Hawaii, to enjoy the volcanic (VOG) air!
Future Tourism Campaigns in Hawaii should say....
Come to Hawaii, where your money will be used to pay a public employee!
Come to Hawaii, to fund more police overtime!
Come to Hawaii, to enable raises to government employees making $100k+
Come to Hawaii, where you'll pay more than the locals for everything you do and eat!
Come to Hawaii, where you can't find a clean beach!
Come to Hawaii, to enjoy the volcanic (VOG) air!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Sun Damage
The sun can damage your skin. Look what it did to this homeless person, that lives on the beach in Hawaii. {he also rummages thru trashcans for food during the day, in town, where you shop & dine}.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Hawaii Government Proposes Another Increase Tourist Taxes
Hawaii government is working to increase tourist taxes to help raise money. As Hawaii is dependant on tourism, will this really help raise the state revenue or will it help to deter tourism?
The proposal is to raise the transient accommodations tax from the current 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent on July 1, and to 9.25 percent from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015. That would generate an estimated $30 million the first year and $60 million annually after that.
Keep in mind that most second homes in Hawaii are owned by non-residents. The government is also proposing to raise taxes on the sale or transfer of second homes or other real estate valued at more than $2 million. That would produce an estimated $4 million a year. So even as non-residents pack up and leave the State of Hawaii they get an extra whami!
During the Senate debate, GOP Sen. Fred Hemmings of Lanikai-Waimanalo said the tax increases were being pursued "for one special interest group" - government employee unions - so they can "walk away from the state crisis without contributing a thing."
In the House, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-Kalani Valley-Diamond Head, said Democrats think increasing the tourist tax carries no repercussions.
"Politicians think they can get away with it because visitors don't vote," she said. "But they do, not at the ballot box but with their pocketbooks."
But Rep. Joey Manahan, D-Kalihi-Kapalama, said a $1 increase per $100 in accommodation costs will not stop tourists from visiting the islands.
"I don't think that's going to deter anybody," he said.
What do you think?
source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/23/ap6330008.html
The proposal is to raise the transient accommodations tax from the current 7.25 percent to 8.25 percent on July 1, and to 9.25 percent from July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2015. That would generate an estimated $30 million the first year and $60 million annually after that.
Keep in mind that most second homes in Hawaii are owned by non-residents. The government is also proposing to raise taxes on the sale or transfer of second homes or other real estate valued at more than $2 million. That would produce an estimated $4 million a year. So even as non-residents pack up and leave the State of Hawaii they get an extra whami!
During the Senate debate, GOP Sen. Fred Hemmings of Lanikai-Waimanalo said the tax increases were being pursued "for one special interest group" - government employee unions - so they can "walk away from the state crisis without contributing a thing."
In the House, Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-Kalani Valley-Diamond Head, said Democrats think increasing the tourist tax carries no repercussions.
"Politicians think they can get away with it because visitors don't vote," she said. "But they do, not at the ballot box but with their pocketbooks."
But Rep. Joey Manahan, D-Kalihi-Kapalama, said a $1 increase per $100 in accommodation costs will not stop tourists from visiting the islands.
"I don't think that's going to deter anybody," he said.
What do you think?
source: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/04/23/ap6330008.html
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Beach Paradise ?
I can't seem to find a beach in Hawaii that isn't covered in cigarette butts, diapers, empty cans & bottles, and other trash. I had hoped I'd find Paradise at a beach in Hawaii, but I just seem to find a dirty beach.
Most of this trash seems to have been left after someone posted this sign.
Most of this trash seems to have been left after someone posted this sign.
Good or Bad Government Spending Decisions - You decide
Have you heard how the Hawaii County government manages money? Keep in mind that if a government doesn't manage money properly, we all pay for it in the long run (residents, visitors, businesses). Here is one example that you can form your own opinion on. Is the Hawaii County Government doing a good job or a bad job of managing money? You decide.
In 2000, Hawaii County sold a landfill bulldozer as surplus. The price that this bulldozer was sold for was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000. It was a 1991 Caterpiller D8-N Hi-Track dozer, valued at $125,000 to $150,000 when it was sold to C&H Ishii General Contractors. For at least the last five years, Ishii has been leasing this piece of equipment back to the county for $15,000 per month!
Ishii was the sole bidder for the lease last year.
Source: West Hawaii Today, Tuesday, April 21st 2009 email: mailto://ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com
In 2000, Hawaii County sold a landfill bulldozer as surplus. The price that this bulldozer was sold for was somewhere in the neighborhood of $60,000. It was a 1991 Caterpiller D8-N Hi-Track dozer, valued at $125,000 to $150,000 when it was sold to C&H Ishii General Contractors. For at least the last five years, Ishii has been leasing this piece of equipment back to the county for $15,000 per month!
Ishii was the sole bidder for the lease last year.
Source: West Hawaii Today, Tuesday, April 21st 2009 email: mailto://ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com
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