The 2010 Hawaii State Legislature is wrapping up its session.  We previously reported on several Bills of relevance, such as the ones applicable to the Ala Wai Harbor.  Here is another Bill that could be of concern.  If the original SB 2402 gets passed, then 37 transactions now exempt from the general excise tax (GET) would be subject to a 1% GET.  These include gross income generated by nonprofit organizations from certain conventions, etc, and – of relevance to us – maintenance fees paid to condominium associations.  Here is a link to a April 7, 2010 article in Star Bulletin about this.  There are though reports of proposals to trim down that list of 37 transactions.  Representative Tom Brower (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako), whose district consists of approx. 95% condominiums and cooperatives, introduced on April 6 a floor amendment to remove from the 1% increase in taxation one of the 37 classes the current bill would tax: condominium maintenance and homeowners fees.  You could support his effort by email to repbrower@capitol.hawaii.gov or fax at 808-586-8524.  If you do so, then you’d better do it ASAP!

Those of you who follow local news would know by now that the State Legislature is seriously considering proposals to use money from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to help balance the state budget.  Apparently, the state’s actual and aspiring leaders have been promoting this idea for years already, incl. during much better economic times.  “It’s like déjà vu all over again.”

Here is a quotable I’d like to share with you – enjoy   D. G. “Andy” Anderson, who is the father of Brian Anderson, was a gubernatorial candidate back in 2002 and was actively promoting the idea of borrowing from the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to balance the budget.  Here is his argument: “Only the funds would be borrowed. The hurricane program as is on the book would stay intact.”  If you click on this link, you will read more on Andy Anderson’s campaign proposals.  And here is another quotable from there, “Anderson is running this year as a Democrat. He has run unsuccessfully twice before for governor as a Republican.”

As reported on this site earlier on March 20, 2010, there are a number of Bills going through this year’s Hawaii State Legislature that could be of relevance to us at the Ilikai. 

Ala Wai Harbor

This includes several Bills that include the Ala Wai Harbor in their scopes.  Here is a detailed update as of today, April 3, 2010, regarding the status of those Bills.  This update was put together and so kindly supplied to us by Makai Society that is representing members of the ocean use community.  We THANK them so much for all their tireless efforts and for keeping us apprised!  Sincere huge THANKS!

Since we are on this subject, here is some information about the Ala Wai Harbor for readers who are not as familiar with the area.  The Ala Wai Harbor is a small boat and yacht harbor in Honolulu, HI.  Situated at the mouth of the Ala Wai Canal, it separates Waikiki and downtown Honolulu.  The harbor hosts 700 berths, 85 moorings, 1 boat ramp, and 20 dry storage spaces. 

Ala Wai Harbor

Our Ilikai as well as the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki and Hilton Hawaiian Village are located adjacent to this harbor, with views of the harbor from many of the rooms.  The TransPac sailing race is a very big event that takes place every two years; the race begins in Los Angeles and ends at the Ala Wai Harbor.  The harbor has the Ala Wai Harbor Waikiki Yacht Club and the Hawaii Yacht Club.