Hawaii

Proposed empty homes tax gets exemptions added for Hawaii residents as final vote nears

Published

1 year ago

November 24, 2024

Proposed empty homes tax gets exemptions added for Hawaii residents as final vote nears

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A bill aimed at cracking down on vacant homes on Oahu by increasing taxes is expected to face a final vote at the Honolulu City Council in the coming weeks.

It comes after the proposal has been revised several times because of questions and concerns from the community.

Bill 46 would add an incremental 3% yearly tax for vacant dwellings on a property that would be rolled out over three years.

Some owners could end up paying tens of thousands of dollars more in property taxes, but a recent change to the measure adds exemptions for Hawaii residents.

The 2020 U.S. Census reported roughly 35,000 unoccupied housing units on Oahu.

Council Chair Tommy Waters, who introduced the bill, said it’s meant to get people to rent out or otherwise free up their unused units.

Under the measure’s current language, the higher tax would be placed on homes that are unoccupied for six months.

“We’re trying to get creative to figure out how we can get our local people to stay here. We can’t build our way out of this solution,” said Waters.

This week, the council’s budget committee narrowly passed the bill in a 3 to 2 vote after making several changes.

One change would allow Hawaii residents to request an exemption for a second home they own.

To reduce administrative costs that would likely come with a new tax, the bill proposed it to operate under the already running property tax system by adding a new class.

There’s also changes to the bill’s language to comply with both with state and federal law to try and avoid potential lawsuits.

But still some residents still believe it will do more harm than good.

“Trying to enforce this and make sure that it’s equitable is going to be a nightmare,” said Hawaii Kai resident Natalie Iwasa.

“My other concern about this is the landlords, they obviously have a stake in this but if they miss a deadline, it is no skin on their backs you know why? Because they will increase the rent for people like me and other families who cannot afford a home,” she added.

But younger constituents seem to support the proposal.

“This is not about punishing anyone. It is about making housing accessible to the people who call Hawaii their home,” said one testifier.

Bill 46 could still undergo even more revisions.

The bill is expected to go for a final vote on December 11, where public input will also be taken.

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Hawaii

Honolulu Marathon kicks off with a rainy start

Published

2 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Honolulu Marathon kicks off with a rainy start

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The JAL Honolulu Marathon kicks off at Ala Moana Boulevard.

Hawaii News Now celebrates the 53nd anniversary of the Honolulu Marathon with a special edition of Sunrise.

We’ll be tracking runners throughout the entire course, sharing heartfelt stories from competitors, and going behind the scenes to spotlight dedicated volunteers — from malasada makers to medical crews — who help make this massive event possible.

Join us for live coverage throughout the 26.2-mile course on Sunday, Dec. 14, starting at 6 a.m. only on Hawaii News Now.

Click here to track a runner.

Tsegay Weldibanos from Eritrea came in first place in the elite men’s division with a time of 2:13:41.

He beat out last year’s winner by less than a minute.

Tsegay Weldibanos from Eritrea came in first place in the elite men’s division with a time of 2:13:41.

And in the women’s elite division, Calli Hauger-Thackery, from Great Britain, came in first place with a time of 2:30:44.

She also beat out last year’s winner by a tight margin.

Calli Hauger-Thackery, from Great Britain, came in first place in the elite women’s division with a time of 2:30:44.

For the second year in a row, Kota Hokinoue came in first place for the marathon’s men’s wheelchair division.

The course goes through downtown Honolulu, past Iolani Palace and the Christmas lights, through Waikiki and climbs up and around Diamond Head, before heading out through Kahala and out to Hawaii Kai. Turning back after Hawaii Kai toward Kahala and Honolulu, the course passes Diamond Head again on the ocean side before finishing in Kapiolani Park.

We have live team coverage of the 2025 Honolulu Marathon with reporters throughout the course.

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Hawaii

Celebrations across Hawaii to take place in honor of Sakada Day

Published

14 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Celebrations across Hawaii to take place in honor of Sakada Day

HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – Hawaii Island will commemorate the arrival of the first 15 Filipinos to Hawaii back in 1906.

A free Sakada Day Celebration in Hilo will take place on Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to honor the contributions of the Filipino plantation workers who sparked a wave of migration.

“Filipinos are actually a large group here in Hawaii, lot of times things like this are actually tend to be a little neglected,” said Iris Viacrusis, co-chair of the Sakada Day Celebration.

This year’s event will feature a lei presentation at 9 a.m. at the statue at Keaau Community Center, followed by lunch, entertainment and a presentation to three descendants of sakadas: Sandra Claveria, Lorraine Rodero Inouye and Angel Pilago.

Two exhibits will also be displayed for guests to learn more about the sakadas — one will feature stories of the sakadas’ legacy and the other will showcase cultural items and clothing from Viacrusis’ collection.

Dec. 20 was proclaimed Sakada Day under Gov. David Ige in 2015.

Event organizers are preparing for next year’s 120th anniversary of the sakadas in Hawaii.

Sakada Day Celebration(UH Hilo)

Meantime, on Oahu, a free Sakada Day Celebration is taking place today, Dec. 13, at Hawaii Plantation Village in Waipahu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii, the University of Hawaii at Manoa Center for Philippine Studies and Filipino Curriculum Project organize the annual gathering, which honors the resilience, contributions, and cultural legacy of sakadas, migrant plantation workers whose hard work, courage, and spirit continue to shape the Filipino American experience today.

High school students will take part in stage performances, visual presentations, education booths and a fashion show.

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Hawaii

Hawaii Foodbank Kauai gets help – The Garden Island

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Hawaii Foodbank Kauai gets help – The Garden Island

The Hawaii Foodbank Kauai received two major grants of $25,000 each on Thursday: one from Kauai HMS Host and The Journey for Good Foundation by Alvota, and one from DraftKings and FanDuel.

A team from the Kauai HMS Host and The Journey for Good Foundation by Alvota visited the Puhi facility to present a check for $25,000 in support of the work being done by the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai crew.

“The opportunity to partner with The Journey for Good Foundation by Alvota was truly a gift given to us by our local HMS Host team,” Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Assistant Director Tisha Remigio said in an email. “When this amazing group came to volunteer last month, they got to see the true, on-the-ground operations of our food bank and what it really means to keep our families fed here on Kauai.”

“We learned that the funds for The Journey for Good Foundation come from such a simple, grassroots idea — those change bins at the airport checkout stands where customers can drop their loose change,” Remigio continued. “It’s incredible how that money, which seems so small, creates such a massive impact, such as the grant award. Our local HMS Host is such a wonderful group of people, and we are so fortunate for their ongoing support, not only with this monetary grant, but with the essential grocery rescue work we do with them on a weekly basis. We truly hope this inspires others to adopt a small and simple, yet everlasting, impact idea like this to help those in need on Kauai.”

The Hawaii Foodbank Kauai also announced, in a Thursday press release, the receipt of a $25,000 donation from DraftKings and FanDuel to directly support the purchase of an additional food delivery vehicle for the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai’s mobile food pantry program.

“DraftKings is committed to strengthening communities,” said Sabrina Macias, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and CSR at DraftKings. “We’re proud to support Hawaii Foodbank Kauai in expanding access to fresh, reliable food resources, and helping families across the island receive the nourishment they need.”

The DraftKings and FanDuel grant will also sponsor the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai’s upcoming Nourish Gala that will be held on Dec. 19 at the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort, starting at 5 p.m.

Proceeds from the gala fundraiser will help nourish families in need across the island. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available by visiting the website at www.kauai.hawaiifoodbank.org, or by calling 808-482-2088.

“FanDuel is honored to support Hawaii Foodbank Kauai as part of our commitment to uplifting communities,” said Keita Young, vice president of community impact at FanDuel. “Food banks are essential pillars of local resilience, and we are proud to contribute to ensuring families across Kauai have consistent access to the food and resources they need.”

The new vehicle will expand the Hawaii Foodbank Kauai’s ability to deliver food, including fresh produce and shelf-stable goods across the island.

“We are deeply grateful for this meaningful gift from DraftKings and FanDuel,” said Hawaii Foodbank Kauai Director Wes Perreira. “With many households on Kauai facing rising food costs, partnerships like this with DraftKings and FanDuel help ensure that none of our friends, neighbors or ohana go hungry.”

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