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Hawaii lawmakers to consider tax on residential investment property

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Hawaii lawmakers to consider tax on residential investment property


(The Center Square) – The Hawaii Legislature will consider a bill calling for a constitutional amendment to enact a tax on residential investment property valued at over $3 million, with the proceeds going to fund public schools.

“The legislature also finds that chronic underfunding in public education undermines the State’s goal of providing a quality education to all of Hawaii’s students and to having an educated workforce,” the bill said. “Insufficient funding results in delayed repairs to school facilities, overheated classrooms, larger class sizes, a lack of adequate classroom supplies, elimination of arts and career and technical education courses, budget cuts for special education and English language learner programs, increased in-state tuition costs to attend the University of Hawaii, and an increasing number of vacant teacher positions statewide.”

The cost of housing is a “significant deterrent to affordability of residing in Hawaii.”

“Real estate owned by nonresident investors exacerbates the economics of unaffordability of housing,” lawmakers said in the bill. “The State needs its residents to be educated and for local businesses and industry to have a well-educated resident workforce. Enabling funding from real estate speculation to support public education infrastructure within the State is rational.”

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The average cost of a home in Hawaii is 714,700, according to the real estate company Redfin.

Hawaii legislators begin the 2024 session Wednesday with a slew of new bills. House Bill 1572 would create a tax on out-of-state pensions.

“The legislature believes that the taxation of these out-of-state pensions will establish equity among taxpayers residing in Hawaii and help grow the State’s economy,” the bill states.

Lawmakers will also address the Maui wildfires. The House and Senate will consider identical bills requiring the insurance commissioner to study wildfire risks. Legislators are also proposing a Hawaii Wildfire Relief fund to help with the cost associated with the wildfires. Another bill would re-establish the state fire marshal’s office.

The House will have a new member. Gov. Josh Green appointed Joje May Mizuno to fill a seat vacated when the governor appointed her husband, John Mizuno, to Coordinator of Homelessness.

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“Her deep roots within the community and experience in legislative matters will make her a phenomenal Representative for District 29,” Green said. “She was selected from a list of three fantastic nominees, all with strong ties in the community, all of Filipino ancestry, and all leaders in their own right. That said, there was an overwhelming amount of support for May.”



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‘Absolutely shocking’: Scituate community mourns couple killed in Hawaii helicopter crash – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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‘Absolutely shocking’: Scituate community mourns couple killed in Hawaii helicopter crash – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


SCITUATE, MASS. (WHDH) – The Scitutate community is fondly remembering a couple killed in a helicopter crash in Hawaii Thursday during a post-retirement trip.

Patrick “P.J.” Haskell, 59, and his wife Margaret Rimmler, 65, lived in a Scituate neighborhood near the ocean. They took a trip to Hawaii last week after Haskell permanently retired from the insurance business he ran with his father for decades.

“We figured Massachusetts was close enough for us, and then when we hear it was our next door neighbor – it was shocking. Absolutely shocking,” said Steve Osborne, a neighbor.

Neighbors said Rimmler worked in the tech marketing field for years, and Haskell had big plans for retirement involving his garden and bee hives.

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“He loved his gardening, and he had an overabundance of vegetables in the summertime,” said Mary Talbot, a neighbor.

“I had just spoken to him last week, and he had checked the bees and they all made it through the winter,” Osborne said.

On Thursday afternoon, the sightseeing helicopter the couple was flying in crashed near a remote beach off the coast of Kauai, killing them and one other person. Experts say the area’s geography of tall seaside cliffs and sharp mountain ridges can make for turbulant air and hazardous flying conditions.

In a memorial posting, Haskell Insurance Agency wrote, “Patrick recently retired and along with Margaret, deserved many more years together…Patrick’s kindness and selfless nature impacted all who knew him. He extended respect and compassion to everyone he encountered.”

Neighbors said the couple will be sorely missed.

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“They were just the nicest people, the nicest people,” said Osborne. “Every time I look out over there it’s just so sad.”

Federal authorities are investigating the cause of the helicopter crash.

(Copyright (c) 2026 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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BIIF track: Stars reach personal-best marks, break venue records at Kamehameha – West Hawaii Today

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BIIF track: Stars reach personal-best marks, break venue records at Kamehameha – West Hawaii Today






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Free mobile clinic treating storm-related injuries to relocate

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Free mobile clinic treating storm-related injuries to relocate


WAIALUA (HawaiiNewsNow) – The free mobile medical clinic serving North Shore residents is relocating.

Starting Monday, March 30, the free mobile clinic, operated in partnership with the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine and its Hawaii H.O.M.E. Project, will begin operating at Waialua District Park.

The clinic will continue offering free medical assessments and treatment Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians from Honolulu Emergency Medical Services, along with a nurse from the Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement program, will work alongside doctors and medical students from the H.O.M.E. Project.

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Officials said the clinic has treated nearly 100 individuals for illnesses and injuries related to the recent Kona low storms.



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