Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 5, 1 May 1992 — Another day and one more victory [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Another day and one more victory

By Rev. K. Moses Keale Sr. Trustee, Kaua'i

Last month we had the opportunity to eelebrate another small victory in our quest for the special recognition our people deserve as the indigenous people of these fine islands. I had the distinct honor to be present at the signing of a Maui Countv ordinance whieh

granted full exemptions to Hawaiians living on Hawaiian Homes leased lands from the payment of property tax on that land. Eaeh of us, whether we enjoy the benefits of a homestead lease or not, should applaud the excellent demonstration of leadership shown by Mayor Linda Lingle and the county eouneil. This is an important first step in recognizing the inequities heaped upon Hawaiians over the many, many

years of government domination whieh has ignored basic fairness. Hawaiians have been subjected to the payment of property taxes on these leases for decades. This is basically an unfair practice! As homesteaders, Hawaiians cannot sell their leasehold interests in the land. They cannot recoup any value or appreciation from the land when they surrender their leases. They cannot mortgage the land or collateralize it for their benefit. Yet, they are required to pay taxes on that property as if they had full control of that property. While owing a great deal of thanks to Mayor Lingle, we should not forget that we should also thank Sen. Daniel Inouye for first addressing this issue in a Congressional hearing on Maui many years ago. During his hearing a Hawaiian complained that taxes on her property dramatically increased because of the construction of a resort-type condominium in her community. This increase in property values for the adjoincontinued on page 20

Trustee Keale from page 19

ing neighborhood properties caused her property values to quadruple resulting in a large increase in taxes on the property without any ability for her to enjoy or recoup that increased value. One small voice of eoneem in the wilderness was magnified many times over and the result is this historic moment. Awhile back Oouneilman John DeSoto of the Honolulu City Council introduced a similar measure to exempt homesteaders from payment of property tax. That measure failed! He has reintroduced this measure as Bill No. 53 and we hope that it will be more successful this time. You ean rest assured that I will be vigorously

backing his efforts to again climb another ineh up that mountain of justice. We, at OHA, will try to keep you informed of this measure and hope that you will lend your support to its passage. Give Councilman DeSoto a eall and tell him you support his efforts. It always helps to hear from the people. Also, eall your friends and relatives and urge them to eall their eouneilmen to support this issue. And finally eall Mayor Frank Fasi and express your wishes. Let us make a collective effort to see a measure to exempt homesteaders from the payment of property taxes passed in eaeh county. With a collective voice we ean make a difference. With patience and perseverance we ean make it happen! This measure is right. It represents what is right. All things change. If we work together, if we stand unified and dedicated to the task of helping eaeh other, we ean make a difference for

everyone. One voice! One eall! One in working with eaeh other! As the Kupuna gathered in 1989 in Waimea, Kaua'i pointed out the Hawaiian universe is defined by "certain eoncepts, values, practices, traits, rituals and protocols." Among these concepts, values and practices is Lokahi characterized by Alu Like, Kuleana, Laulima, Kupono and Hana Kupono — most cherished ideals. lf we achieve harmony with eaeh other, we ean achieve all goals. Work together for a better Hawai'i for all Hawaiians. Work together for a better Hawai'i for all people. A i manao kekahi e lilo i pookele i waena o oukou, e pono no e lilo ia i kauwa na oukou. Na ke Akua e malama a e alakai ia kakou apau.