Hawaii
Hawaii tax credits scrutinized by state lawmakers | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Hawaii lawmakers have been busy this year assessing whether there should be more or fewer ways to earn state income tax credits, a year after approving historic tax cuts that ramp up through 2031.
At least two dozen bills were introduced this year to establish new tax credits, alter existing ones and abolish others.
Most bills were rather quickly ignored or rejected, though a few still pending would benefit family caregivers, help start hog farms and increase credits for film productions.
The longer list of shelved bills would have established new tax credits for things including hurricane-resistant safe rooms in homes, aquaculture investments, cesspool replacements, telework, electric garbage truck purchases and water delivery service.
There also were rejected bills that would have given credits to residents who pay the state’s hotel room tax, to Hawaii National Guard retirees, to businesses that pay public transportation costs for employees, and to businesses with certain “food and beverage supply chain costs.”
Perhaps the most heavily contested piece of tax credit legislation this year has been House Bill 1369, introduced by Rep. Kyle Yamashita, chair of the House Finance Committee, in an effort to explore eliminating or phasing out many existing tax credits, deductions and exemptions.
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Broad review
HB 1369 aims to simplify the state tax system and enhance revenue sustainability by getting rid of close to 20 tax breaks.
Many companies and organizations oppose the bill, which received 351 pages of written testimony for a Feb. 24 hearing. The committee then advanced the measure to the 51-member House of Representatives, where a vote four days later was 40-7 to send the bill to the Senate for consideration.
Among things slated for elimination under the original version of the bill were credits for renewable energy technologies, including rooftop solar systems, and film productions.
The bill also proposed to repeal state general excise tax exemptions for industries and operations including petroleum refiners, independent sugar cane producers, business conducted in an enterprise zone and aircraft maintenance.
Yamashita (D, Pukalani-Makawao-Ulupalakua) said at the outset of the hearing that his aim is to look at the list of tax benefits, most of which were identified by the state auditor for possible repeal, and determine whether they are achieving their intended purposes. Yamashita said he added the film and renewable energy tax credit programs — the two biggest tax credits promoting economic activity — on top of the auditor’s list for review.
“In general, where I’d like to see us move to is to use the tax code primarily to bring money in,” he said, adding that it may be better to provide grants or appropriations, subject to oversight and measurement, as incentives for certain things.
The nonprofit Tax Foundation of Hawaii for years has espoused a similar view, calling tax credits the expenditure of public money “out the back door” that can be hard to quantify before claims are submitted and approved.
“If, in fact, these dollars were subject to the appropriation process, would taxpayers be as generous about the expenditure of these funds when we need money to support victims of natural disasters like the Maui wildfires, there isn’t enough money for social service programs, or our state hospitals are on the verge of collapse?” the foundation said in written testimony on multiple tax credit bills.
Focus on film
Much of the opposing testimony on HB 1369 was concentrated on the film tax credit program, which has existed since 1997 and currently has a $50 million cap for credits after the industry claimed a record $68 million in credits in 2022. Productions, which can include movies, TV shows and commercials, are eligible for credits as a partial rebate on certain spending, and can receive payment for credits exceeding tax liability.
The film tax credit program has long been contentious over whether a financial incentive, or how much of an incentive, is needed to draw film productions to Hawaii, where natural attractions exist.
James Tokioka, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, which oversees the film tax credit program, said in written testimony that the program is crucial to attract more industry productions after reductions due to the coronavirus pandemic and industry strikes.
“Reducing the program’s impact would collapse the ability to attract new productions, develop our workforce and justify the demand for additional studio infrastructure investment,” he said. “If the incentive is eliminated, so too will the jobs and livelihoods of our talented crew and acting pool.”
The Motion Picture Association estimates that more than $260 million is paid annually in wages to people working on film, television and streaming produc- tions in Hawaii, and said in written testimony that repealing the tax credit program puts those jobs at risk.
Some supporters of the program encouraged raising the credit cap, including Sally “Kalei” Davis, who said she has worked in Hawaii’s film industry for 40 years. Davis suggested raising the cap to $100 million to avoid having shows depicting Hawaii being filmed in New Zealand or Atlanta.
“If this (bill) passes, it will be the nail in coffin for our Hawaii Film Industry!” Davis said in written testimony. “Why would anyone want that?”
The House Finance Committee amended the bill to exclude the film tax credit from being repealed.
At least a half-dozen other bills were introduced this year to alter the film tax credit program, mostly by increasing benefits, and one is still being considered for enactment.
Senate Bill 732 originally proposed to raise the $50 million annual cap to $60 million. Subsequent drafts don’t specify an increase amount. The Senate passed the bill unanimously March 4, and the measure is pending in the House.
Other additions
A few bills also still pending would provide tax credits for other things.
One of these, HB 701, would establish a tax credit for unpaid family caregivers to essentially recover up to $5,000 in annual caregiving expenses. The bill cited a 2023 AARP report that found 154,000 Hawaii residents provide unpaid caregiving services for a loved one.
The state Department of Taxation estimated that such a credit could reduce state tax collections by $397 million annually.
Another pending bill would provide tax credits on 50% of an investment to convert a dairy farm into a hog farm.
Supporters of this measure, SB 328, included DBEDT and the Hawaii Farm Bureau but no one seeking to use the proposed credit, capped at $1 million. The state Department of Agriculture suggested broadening the credit so it could apply to the transformation of farms and ranches in general.
The Tax Foundation of Hawaii was more critical in its written testimony that said, “The bill appears to be too narrow to be an industry incentive, and smells more like a benefit to a specific taxpayer. If so, the law would be unfair to other taxpayers, especially those in competition with the taxpayer seeking this benefit.”
It’s not uncommon for bills to get introduced on behalf of companies or industries. One piece of legislation introduced this year was promoted by Corteva Agriscience in an effort to undo a change lawmakers made in 2024 to a tax credit for research.
The Legislature in 2024 restricted eligibility for the research tax credit, which is limited to $5 million annually, to businesses with no more than 500 employees.
Corteva has about 22,500 employees and had $16.9 billion in sales in 2024. The company has five seed crop farms in Hawaii.
HB 92 proposed to undo the tax credit’s employee condition. Corteva said in written testimony that it proposed a “fix” to include larger companies, and that 2024’s change threatens growth and sustainability of high-paying research and development jobs and innovation in Hawaii.
The bill stalled in the House after being advanced by one committee.
Because it can be difficult to determine whether a tax credit program serves a public purpose well, Yamashita took another tack this year by introducing a bill he said was aimed at exploring the issue by putting restraints on new or renewed tax credits.
This measure, HB 796, would impose an automatic five-year sunset on every income tax credit established or renewed after the end of this year, or phase out such credits over three years.
HB 796 was widely opposed by several stakeholders, including some organizations that feared it could affect income tax credits available to low-income households.
During a Feb. 24 hearing on the bill, Yamashita asked whether the state Tax Review Commission, which meets every five years, would be better able to analyze merits of existing tax credits.
The commission is expected to convene later this year, and a Tax Department official told Yamashita that the department could suggest to the commission that tax credits are an area of interest for possible review.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Poke is a dish created by Native Hawaiians and perfected by local immigrants. But according to online reviews, the best poke in the country is not from Hawaii. And one world-renowned chef who’s credited with poke’s popularity calls it a “slap in the face.”
People are willing to stand in long lines every day for poke. So to say the best in the country is not in Hawaii – that’s fighting words for some.
“So for you to say that, yeah, I kinda like scrap kine,” said Branden Machado, poke connoisseur.
“Nah, I laugh, I laugh,” said Mike Sablay, poke connoisseur.
The restaurant in Big Bear, California, is called Tropicali and was recently reported to have America’s best poke, based on Yelp.
“When I heard that, I was very upset, because I well know, and as you well know, and our millions of listeners and watchers of our station, they well know that the best poke is in Hawaii,” said Sam Choy, world-renowned celebrity chef/restaurateur.
“When I read that, I felt a little slighted,” said Chris Kam, Alicia’s Market. “Understandable, people from the mainland don’t really know what Hawaiian poke is about.”
With a large shark’s head as the front entrance, the decor – just like the menu – is said to be based on Hawaiian culture, but not to emulate it. So poke there – and elsewhere on the continent – looks much different from the poke bowls we’re used to seeing in Hawaii.
“It came with cucumbers, it came with won ton strips, I ordered the spicy one, so it came with the spicy sauce, and then I ordered unagi sauce on the side, and it tasted so good,” said one anonymous local who tried Tropicali and liked it. “It tasted so fresh, I was so surprised it was crazy.”
“That’s not poke, that’s like a salad,” said Kam.
“Nah, nothing can beat back home,” said Sablay. “Everything over here is like the best. Everything’s all local, everything’s all fresh.”
“Like on Oahu, we have the freshest fish, we have the best recipes, like and it’s not only us,” said Justin Tanioka, Tanioka’s Seafood & Catering. “It’s other companies around the island that have mastered poke.”
Since this is a Yelp award, having great Yelp reviews does help. Tropicali currently has more than 4,000 reviews and maintains a 4.9 Star rating. However, locals say to declare themselves the best in the country for a food that’s not only born in Hawaii, but beloved in Hawaii, is extremely bold.
“It’s definitely a slap in the face for all the poke makers in Hawaii who work unbelievably hard to create their magical dishes,” said Choy. “Two things. One, we use fresh fish. And the other one is tender loving care, TLC is in there. We’re putting our heart and soul in that. We’re representing our history, we’re representing our aina, we’re representing all the people in the past that made poke.”
“It’s all preference, and you know where you are,” said Tanioka. “But to me, the best poke in the world, honestly, is in Oahu.”
“Cuz check that out, Big Bear ain’t got nothing on this, my cuz,” said Machado. “We get the best poke in the world. Bumbye, we teach you.”
KULA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Maui man was sentenced to 40 months in prison for setting off a homemade explosive device near Kaamana Street in Kula, back in August 2024.
According to court records, Jess Kiesel Lee, 43, planted multiple homemade fireworks in the area, one of which had Lee’s finger prints on it.
The Maui Police Department worked with the FBI to determine that at least one of the devices contained a mixture of compounds consistent with explosive firework powder.
A month later, an FBI search of Lee’s residence in Kula uncovered methamphetamine, firearms, ammunition, and IEDs containing flash powder.
Lee admitted to knowingly possessing that explosive powder after as a convicted felon.
U.S. District Judge Jill Otake noted that fireworks pose a danger to both individuals and the general public.
Otake went on to say that Lee’s placing his homemade firework near a wooded area on Kaamana Street placed the surrounding community in danger considering Maui’s susceptibility to wildfires.
“The protection and safety of our community is our highest priority,” said U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We have witnessed the serious harm and life-threatening danger presented by the possession and use of illegal explosives in our local communities, including illegal fireworks. We pledge to aggressively investigate, charge, and convict those who unlawfully construct, possess, or detonate explosives and explosive materials. We credit our steadfast partners at the FBI for their outstanding investigative efforts in this case.”
Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing any explosive shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
“Homemade explosive devices present a significant danger to our island communities,” said FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter. “The FBI—in coordination with our law enforcement partners—is committed to using every tool available to hold criminals accountable when they threaten public safety.”
Following his prison sentence, Otake sentenced Lee to three 3 years of supervised release.
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
Nearly 40 percent of annual proposals happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. Simple Hawaii Wedding prepares for its busiest inquiry period as newly engaged couples seek intimate and affordable Hawaii destination weddings.
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – December 9, 2025 – As the holiday season approaches, Simple Hawaii Wedding is gearing up for what the wedding industry calls “engagement season”: the magical period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day when nearly 40% of all marriage proposals take place.
Approximately 2.5 million couples get engaged annually in the U.S., with 19% of proposals happening in December alone, more than double any other month. Christmas Day ranks as the most popular proposal day, followed by Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
“Based on our experience, we typically see a significant uptick in wedding planning inquiries starting in January as newly engaged couples begin researching their dream wedding locations,” says Karma Hill, founder of Simple Hawaii Wedding.
Smart Couples Choose Intimate Celebrations
Wedding costs have reached record levels, with the average U.S. wedding now costing $36,000 in 2025, up from $29,000 in 2023.
In response, micro-weddings, intimate celebrations with 50 guests or fewer, now represent 18% of all U.S. weddings, up from just 10% in 2013. Industry experts estimate micro-weddings cost over 50% less than traditional celebrations, allowing couples to invest in what brings them joy, an unforgettable honeymoon, a down payment on a home, or peace of mind starting married life.
Hawaii Remains Top Choice
Hawaii ranks among the top three destination wedding locations in the U.S., with approximately 20,000 couples choosing the islands annually. The Hawaii destination wedding industry is projected to grow at 11.6% annually.
“The shift toward intimate weddings isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a more meaningful experience,” Hill explains. “The Big Island offers everything from pristine beaches to volcanic landscapes, and we make planning stress-free with all-inclusive packages.”
According to industry research, 30% of couples are reducing guest lists by an average of 25 people, prioritizing quality connections over large-scale productions.
The Simple Hawaii Wedding Difference
Simple Hawaii Wedding specializes in intimate Big Island ceremonies for 50 guests or fewer. With over 20 years of planning experience, the company partners exclusively with professional photographers, officiants, and vendors.
“We handle permits, photography, officiants, florals, and coordination,” says Hill. “Couples can have their dream wedding without the financial strain, emotional stress, or the logistics of a 150-person event.”
Planning Tips for Holiday-Engaged Couples
For couples who get engaged this holiday season and are considering a Hawaii destination wedding, Simple Hawaii Wedding recommends:
-
Book early – The most popular wedding dates (May, July, and October in Hawaii) fill up quickly
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Consider the off-season – February, March, and January offer beautiful weather with fewer crowds
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Start planning 9-12 months in advance – This is the average timeline for destination weddings
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Research all-inclusive packages – They simplify planning and often provide better value
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Trust local experts – Work with planners who know the locations, vendors, and permit requirements
“Our goal is to take the stress out of planning,” says Hill. “We create simply beautiful weddings that are authentically you, without breaking the bank.”
About Simple Hawaii Wedding
Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages featuring professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination. Simple Hawaii Wedding provides premium wedding planning services for intimate Big Island weddings, elopements, and vow renewals. Founded by Karma and Steve Hill, the company offers complete wedding packages with professional photography through Karma Hill Photography, experienced officiants, stunning floral arrangements, and seamless coordination.
The company serves the Kona and Kohala coast of the Big Island and also operates Simple Maui Wedding, Simple Oahu Wedding, and Karma Hill Photography, extending a superior standard of service across all island locations.
For more information, visit simplehawaiiwedding.com.
Media Contact
Company Name: Simple Hawaii Wedding
Contact Person: Steven Hill
Email: Send Email
City: Kailua-Kona
State: Hawaii 96740
Country: United States
Website: https://simplehawaiiwedding.com
Press Release Distributed by ABNewswire.com
To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Holiday “Engagement Season” Set to Spark Wave of Hawaii Destination Wedding Bookings
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