The fight over short-term rentals in Honolulu has entered another phase. On June 25, 2019, Honolulu Mayor Caldwell signed into law Ordinance 2019-18, formerly known as Bill 89. The law took effect on August 1, 2019. Basically, if you want … Read More
Q: The number 30 has been in the news a lot these days because of the telescope that’s supposed to be getting built on the Big Island. This week, we’re going to look at the past 30 years of state … Read More
On Wednesday, August 14, the Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs held an “informational briefing” so senators could question the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands over various topics, including on “Mauna Kea Access Road (ACT 14).” The Star-Advertiser summarized the issue: … Read More
Leadership entails not only planning for possible obstructions to your chosen plan of action, but also having the resolve to follow through with your plan. Sadly, this is not what was demonstrated on Mauna Kea. Ever since the state issued … Read More
In the news recently was a stunning announcement by Justin Kollar, who is the Kauai County Prosecutor. State law says that for folks driving without a license or driving without insurance, heavier fines and more jail time apply to repeat … Read More
Withholding is making someone who isn’t liable for tax, but who pays money to someone who is, responsible for collecting and paying the tax to the government. Employers, for example, must withhold federal and state income taxes out of wages … Read More
In this week’s article, we spotlight yet another attempt by a government agency to shroud its operations in the shadows. During any legislative session, our Department of Taxation furnishes a very important service to our legislators. It provides revenue estimates … Read More
In this week’s spotlight is the Special Land and Development Fund or SLDF, which is administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Into that fund goes all land rents the State receives for land that is either … Read More
It’s July 2019, and already we are starting to see laws passed in the 2019 Legislature take effect. One of these laws concerns “resort fees” that hotels both here and in other states and countries have been charging their guests. … Read More
Every so often, the news reports on people who deny the legitimacy of the government we have here in Hawaii. “We’re not subject to those laws,” they say, “so we don’t have to follow rules or pay taxes.” It pains … Read More