Bill alters Kauai land tax cap, exemptions

LIHUE » A Kauai County Council committee has approved a measure to change the county’s property tax system.

The county Finance Committee approved the measure 3-2, and the full seven-member county council will consider the tax revision next week.

A change in the law this year divided taxpayer classes by use rather than zoning. Some taxpayers were surprised to find homestead rates, $3.05 per $1,000 of assessed value, changed to commercial rates at $8 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Bill 2495 would eliminate a cap on property taxes that has protected some resident homeowners from climbing real estate values.

The measure proposes a $160,000 tax exemption for resident homeowners. The exemption would jump to $180,000 for homeowners ages 60 to 69 and $200,000 for homeowners 70 and older.

Hawaii police are highest paid

KAILUA-KONA » Hawaii’s police officers were the highest-paid public employees in the state in early 2011, a newspaper reported.

A full-time police officer in Hawaii earned an average of $6,685 a month in March 2011, West Hawaii Today reported Thursday, citing newly released U.S. Census Bureau data.

University professors made an average of about $6,500 a month and firefighters averaged about $6,400 at that time. Hawaii’s police officers will be paid even more after winning a 16.8 percent raise over four years.

The census data showed the average pay for all state and local employees in Hawaii was $3,432 a month in March 2011. The national average was $3,652.

Man charged for firing gun

PUNA » One of two Puna men arrested for discharging a firearm in a residential area of Hawaiian Beaches has been charged with nine offenses.

According to police, Peter Lopes Jr., 45, allegedly assaulted a 42-year-old woman on Wednesday during an argument in Hawaiian Paradise Park. His vehicle allegedly collided with another vehicle while leaving the scene and, after returning home to Hawaiian Beaches, Lopes discharged a firearm.

Officers searched Lopes’ home on Thursday and recovered two firearms with ammunition. It is illegal for Lopes to possess weapons or ammunition because he is a convicted felon.

Lopes was charged Friday with first-degree reckless endangering, abuse of a family or household member, leaving the scene of an accident and six firearms-related offenses. His aggregate bail was set at $123,000. Lopes’ initial court appearance is scheduled for Monday.

The other man arrested was released pending further investigation.