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"Some of the tax law changes impacting businesses include the following:
• Increase the transient accommodation tax, extend authorization of the Oahu surcharge, and authorize counties to establish a surcharge (Act 1, 2017 First Special Legislative Session)
Beginning on January 1, 2018, the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) applied to lodging accommodations in Hawaii will increase by 1%, raising the tax rate from 9.25% to 10.25%. TAT revenue from the rate increase will be allocated to fund the Honolulu rail project. "
TAT impacts tourists and they don’t seem bothered by it.
TAT impacts tourists and they don’t seem bothered by it.
So, who cares about the outer islands who collect TAT for Honolulu's rail system, right? I don't know, some of us would like the money to stay on the island to address our own transportation issues. A lot of us drive several miles a day on private roads burning gasoline that we paid fuel tax for that goes into the black hole too.
So, who cares about the outer islands who collect TAT for Honolulu's rail system, right? I don't know, some of us would like the money to stay on the island to address our own transportation issues. A lot of us drive several miles a day on private roads burning gasoline that we paid fuel tax for that goes into the black hole too.
It is my first understanding that future TAT also won’t go to the Counties and the Counties can levy their own taxes. So, raise your taxes.
Location: Southernmost tip of the southernmost island in the southernmost state
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whtviper1
It is my first understanding that future TAT also won’t go to the Counties and the Counties can levy their own taxes. So, raise your taxes.
How about each county set their own TAT and it goes only to that county. Honolulu can then tax as much as they need for LR and not take TAT generated from other islands.
How about each county set their own TAT and it goes only to that county. Honolulu can then tax as much as they need for LR and not take TAT generated from other islands.
If you can usher in a new senate and a new legislature and governor who supports that I see why not. Until then Hawaii County is free to raise additional taxes on tourists which I believe they have at the rate of 3% that goes entirely to the County.
Can Hawaii afford to do so? Eminent domain is not free; the state has to pay private owners fair market value for a taking. State's having trouble paying for rail and other things today. And then the question would become what to do with the island once the state had it back? Ship the homeless there and hope they stay?
As things stand now, Larry Ellison pays a lot of property taxes on Lanai, and I wager properties increased in value even more than they would have with Ellison running things. The state is probably better off with this setup than without.
Hawaii can argue that Ellison's transaction for the purchase of Lanai was never legal. Walter Gibson, in 1862, bought the island and titled the land in his name. However, he used money that was not his own and without consent. Thus, that transaction was null. Therefore, no sale or purchase since then has been legal. Lanai, a legal team can argue, still belongs to the long line of ancient Hawaiians who themselves had no concept of private land ownership.
Courts have no taste for entertaining 1862 dealings before it was a territory or state and the island has changed hands several times since then. But go ahead Hawaii (for which you weren’t a State then)
Hawaii can argue that Ellison's transaction for the purchase of Lanai was never legal. Walter Gibson, in 1862, bought the island and titled the land in his name. However, he used money that was not his own and without consent. Thus, that transaction was null. Therefore, no sale or purchase since then has been legal. Lanai, a legal team can argue, still belongs to the long line of ancient Hawaiians who themselves had no concept of private land ownership.
That is irrelevant to US law today. Societies come and go, fair or not. US courts operate under US law. Not the laws of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Quote:
Originally Posted by whtviper1
Courts have no taste for entertaining 1862 dealings before it was a territory or state and the island has changed hands several times since then. But go ahead Hawaii (for which you weren’t a State then)
At least our friend, Freckles, has taken his rant to the Real Estate forum, where it properly belongs. He's busy over there arguing with everyone who disagrees with him or has a different viewpoint.
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Ship the homeless there and hope they stay? 
