Big Island officials reject tax relief to areas affected by Kilauea eruption
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lava that flowed down a driveway stops short of destroying a home inside Leilani Estates, Oct. 12, in Pahoa, Hawaii.
HILO >> Big Island officials rejected a proposal that would have sought tax relief for commercial properties in the communities of Pahoa and Volcano.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported the Hawaii County Council voted 7-1 Wednesday against the resolution requesting the county administration to impose the minimum tax rate for six months on properties in the areas affected by the Kilauea Volcano eruption.
Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara said the county would have lost $200,000 in tax revenue under the measure.
Pahoa Marketplace owner Suzanne Kruppa told the council that some tenants are on “the verge of collapse,” reporting revenue losses of up to 40 percent.
Councilman Tim Richards said giving some property owners a tax break through the resolution would set a bad precedent.
