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

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.

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