GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM
Crews demolish Ward Centre to make way for two planned apartment building towers on Aug. 24.
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The demolition of Ward Centre is now complete and the construction of two more luxury high rises is set to begin. How many more vacant homes will now be added to the vacant homes tax discussion?
It is a fact that Hawaii has the lowest property tax rate in the country. At the same time, Hawaii has one of the highest state income tax rates in the country. This directly affects all local residents.
A vacant homes tax alternative could be to raise property taxes, while at the same time lowering the state income tax to a level that would keep the working class kamaaina from having more of total tax burden they have now.
Our leaders need to do the math. Maybe an adjustment would be the least obtrusive way to address vacant homes concerns, while bringing in more dollars to build and maintain infrastructure.
Mark R. Ewald
Portland, Ore.
(formerly of Kakaako)
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