Historic analysis of cost, benefits

It’s good to see that the city has stepped up enforcement of its historic homes tax-exemption program, which had been letting 200 or so qualifying homeowners pay only $300 a year in property taxes.

So far, 23 have lost their exemptions, either because they failed to comply with various rules or they simply opted out. Among the latter is mayoral candidate Kirk Caldwell, who was in compliance but, according to his campaign manager, worried when it became a political issue.

In 2005, the year before he joined the program, Caldwell paid $5,500 in property taxes on his $1.9 million Manoa residence. If the amount he was saving was similar to the others no longer in the program, that’s about $200,000 more in property taxes the city will be collecting.

On the other hand, the city had to hire two new employees to help achieve that compliance, so let’s hope the financials of this effort at least turn out to be a wash.

Just say no to dog and pony show?

In its upward revision of the budget, the City Council approved $1.8 million for a "hippo filtration system" at the Honolulu Zoo. If this is what is required to keep a clean environment for that particular zoo beast, perhaps concerns about another proposal begin to make sense.

The Council is considering a bill to allow petting zoos and pony rides at city parks. Jim Ireland, director of Emergency Medical Services, fretted about patrons at the attraction touching animals and then spreading disease. Also, he said, consider the people picnicking the next day on the very spot where some critter answered the call of nature.

Let’s think this one over carefully, shall we?