RAM GAD POD
By Jason Economou
RAM GAD PODAug 29, 2019
Attorney Winston Wong Discussing Unconstitutional Maui Property Tax Law
Aloha Listener,
This episode is actually a couple years in the making. Back in December 2020, the Maui County Council passed Ordinance 5160, which resulted in as many as 1,400 properties getting automatically re-classified as short term rentals for property tax purposes, regardless of their actual use. The legislation was pushed through pretty quickly, but RAM opposed it at the time and encouraged people to appeal after it was passed. Thankfully, a few impacted property owners reached out to Honolulu-based law firm Chun Kerr LLP, and their case was recently resolved with the help of attorney Winston Wong. In this episode, Winston is kind enough to tell us about the case, explain why the law is unconstitutional, and he describes how to determine if you were unfairly impacted by this law.
If you own or sell condos that can be used as short term rentals, you should definitely listen to this episode. However, this is a pretty interesting episode overall, so I think most people should enjoy it.
Mahalo,
Jason
The 2022 Election Special!
Aloha Listener,
In this episode, I attempt to explain the 13 proposed charter amendments that will be on the Maui County ballot this year, and I talk about RAM's election recommendations. Though I try to be well informed and present accurate information, I must admit that I am not an expert on these charter proposals, and I highly recommend additional research beyond listening to this episode. Moreover, it should be understood that this episode largely consists of my own personal opinions (which are not endorsed by RAM), and we are all still allowed to have our own opinions. I am not perfect, and some of what I say might not be entirely accurate. Sorry about that.
If you like hearing me share mildly unpopular opinions and rant about local government, this is the episode for you. If you are a RAM member that isn't interested in all that, but you want RAM's recommendations, read Thursday Things and keep an eye on your inbox for my upcoming letter to members. Or, just email me.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Discussing Maui County's Housing Policies w/ Mayor Michael Victorino and Lori Tsuhako, Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns
Aloha Listener,
This episode is a departure from the candidate interviews we have been focusing on lately, and instead focuses on housing policy in Maui County. In this interview I am joined by Mayor Michael Victorino, and Lori Tsuhako, Director of the Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns. Our conversation focuses on the history of housing in Maui County, and the factors that impact the creation and affordability of housing for our residents. We get into some of the actions taken by the Victorino administration over the past few years, as well as future goals. Unfortunately, there were a couple of technical issues with Mayor Victorino's microphone during the interview, so I apologize for the audio difficulty and for the fact that he had to keep his camera off once the issue was resolved. Nevertheless, I think you will enjoy the overall discussion.
RAM GAD POD - Discussing Maui County's Housing Policies w/ Mayor Michael Victorino and Lori Tsuhako, Director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns
Aloha Listener,
This episode is a departure from the candidate interviews we have been focusing on lately, and instead focuses on housing policy in Maui County. In this interview I am joined by Mayor Michael Victorino, and Lori Tsuhako, Director of the Maui County Department of Housing and Human Concerns. Our conversation focuses on the history of housing in Maui County, and the factors that impact the creation and affordability of housing for our residents. We get into some of the actions taken by the Victorino administration over the past few years, as well as future goals. Unfortunately, there were a couple of technical issues with Mayor Victorino's microphone during the interview, so I apologize for the audio difficulty and for the fact that he had to keep his camera off once the issue was resolved. Nevertheless, I think you will enjoy the overall discussion.
2022 Candidate Interviews - Nohe Uu-Hodgins (Candidate for Maui County Council - Makawao/Haiku/Paia seat)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode we chat with Nohe Uu-Hodgins, who is running for the Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat on the Maui County Council. Nohe is a lifelong resident of Paia, with deep roots in the Maui community. In our conversation we learn a bit more about Nohe, her motivations for running, and some practical ideas she has to improve conditions for our residents and provide more housing. Though it doesn't come up in the episode, I want to share a quote from Nohe's campaign page that seems to sum up a lot of my discussion with her: "We can be pro-housing, without being anti-environment, and we can work together to create solutions that serve our community today with respect for our culture and our place." If you want to learn more about Nohe, visit votenohe.com.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Yuki Lei Sugimura (Candidate for Maui County Council - Incumbent for Upcountry seat)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode we hear from Yuki Lei Sugimura, incumbent for the Upcountry seat on the Maui County Council, who is currently seeking reelection. In this episode we discuss housing policy, economic diversification, and learn a bit more about Yuki Lei Sugimura as a person. If you enjoy this conversation, you might also like the longer interview I conducted with Councilmember Sugimura back in February 2020. Alternatively, to learn more about Yuki Lei Sugimura and here campaign, I encourage you to check out her website: http://www.yukileisugimura.com/.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Tamara Paltin (Candidate for Maui County Council - Incumbent for West Maui seat)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode we hear from Councilmember Tamara Paltin, who is running for reelection to represent West Maui on the Maui County Council. In our conversation she discusses her experience on the council, her thoughts on housing policy, and her views on tourism and economic diversification. If you want to learn more about Councilmember Tamara Paltin and her campaign, go to www.tamarapaltin.com or look her up on Facebook.
If you enjoyed this interview and want to hear more, subscribe to the podcast.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Judge Richard Bissen (Candidate for Maui County Mayor)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode we hear from Richard Bissen, retired 2nd Circuit Court Judge, about his campaign for Maui County Mayor. At this point you've all probably seen his signs and heard his ads, but in this interview we ask him about housing policy, economic diversification, and his thoughts on the budget process. If you want to learn more about Judge Bissen and his campaign I encourage you to check out his website: https://bissenmovement.com/.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Kelly King (Candidate for Maui County Mayor)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode I chat with Councilmember Kelly Takaya King to discuss her run for Maui County Mayor, and learn her thoughts on housing policy, economic diversification, and the budget. If you want to learn more about Kelly King and her campaign please visit her website: https://www.kellykingformaui.com/. Similarly, you can also listen to the interview we did together way back in February 2020.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Mayor Michael Victorino (candidate for Maui County Mayor)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode I sit down with Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino and discuss his run for reelection. I've had the pleasure of interviewing Mayor Victorino in the past (November 2019), but this interview is more focused on current events and the issues facing Maui County today. If you want to learn more about the Mayor and his current campaign, check out his website at https://victorinoformayor.com/. If you enjoy this episode and want to hear more candidate interviews, please subscribe to the podcast and share with friends.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Mike Molina (candidate for Maui County Mayor)
Aloha Listener,
First and foremost, let me apologize for my personal audio in this episode. My mic malfunctioned and I didn't find out until after. Still, Mike Molina's audio is great, and he does most of the talking. By the way, in this episode I chat with Councilmember Mike Molina, who is currently running to be the next Mayor of Maui County. Fans of the show might remember that I interviewed Councilmember Molina way back in December 2019, and interestingly enough, I think I asked him about a run for Mayor way back then. In this interview, we touch on his ideas to address affordable housing and economic diversification, as well as his thoughts on recent additions to the Star Wars universe. If you want to learn more about Mike Molina and his campaign for mayor, I encourage you to check out his campaign website: https://www.votemikemolina.com/
Mahalo for listening, and please subscribe to the podcast for more interviews.
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Jason Schwartz (candidate for Maui County Council Kahului Seat)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode I had the pleasure of chatting with Jason ( A.K.A. Jack) Schwartz, candidate for the Kahului residency seat on the Maui County Council. Jason might be familiar because he has been a candidate for office several times in the past, and he is also the host of a popular show on Akaku called The Neutral Zone. If you want to learn more about Jason Schwartz and his run for Maui County Council, I encourage you to visit his campaign website: MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou.us [Note: This might be my favorite campaign website domain name ever].
Mahalo for listening, and please subscribe to the podcast if you want more interviews like this.
Jason Economou
2022 Candidate Interviews - Alana Kay (Maui County Mayor)
Aloha Listener,
In this episode, I chat with Alana Kay, candidate for Maui County Mayor. Alana was a pleasure to chat with, and she shares a lot in this interview, but to learn more about her and her policies in detail, I encourage you to visit her campaign website: www.alanakayformayor.info
Mahalo for listening, and please subscribe to the podcast if you want to hear more interviews from the candidates.
Mahalo,
Jason
2022 Candidate Interviews - Dave DeLeon (Makawao-Haiku-Paia Seat)
Aloha Listener,
With the primary elections right around the corner, RAM has kicked off our candidate interview process. Our first interview is with Dave DeLeon, candidate for the Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat on the Maui County Council. Dave's names is probably familiar for a few reasons: Dave was Government Affairs Director for RAM for about 10 years, he's authored hundreds of stories as a local journalist, and he is currently serving on the Maui County Charter Commission. If you want to learn more about Dave after this interview, check out his campaign website: https://www.DaveDeLeonMaui.com/
Mahalo,
Jason
The TVR Phase Out Proposal and Why You Should Oppose It!
Aloha Friends,
This episode covers proposed legislation to phase out transient vacation rentals in the Apartment zoning districts. This legislation will be in front of the Planning and Sustainable Land Use Committee on Wednesday, November 3rd, for the first time, but you can still act even after that date. I initially recorded this as a Hot Topics webinar for RAM members, but it is too important not to share as a podcast. Here are some links to help you submit testimony on this issue, as well to help you follow along:
- To email the County Council and let them know you oppose the legislation: https://www.votervoice.net/HOM/campaigns/89264/respond
- To see my slideshow presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17v04ZzZ7fwImL0S_IExB-BQng4-qUcot/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=111757711032384346671&rtpof=true&sd=true
- To see the proposed legislation: https://mauicounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=9924078&GUID=03DC0520-4C86-4EAB-8543-97F2AB200AE5
- To see the agenda for the Nov. 3rd meeting: https://mauicounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=901831&GUID=D7AA512E-D668-48C6-85F9-6C1FBB940823
As always, thank you for listening!
RAM GAD POD - Maui County Emergency Rental Assistance Program Chat w/ Lori Tsuhako and Linda Munsell
Aloha Friends,
This episode includes audio from a recent Facebook Live event that I did with Lori Tsuhako and Linda Munsell from Maui County's Department of Housing and Human Concerns regarding Maui's Emergency Rental Assistance Program. To learn more about the program, or to apply for assistance, please visit mauicounty.gov/mauirenthelp, or check out the video on the RAM Facebook page: https://fb.watch/6l-jFrqNCY/
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Jason Explaining the New Long-Term Rental Real Property Tax Exemption Coming in 2022
Aloha Friends,
Recently I circulated a little essay I wrote regarding upcoming real property tax changes for Maui County, and it generated a lot of questions. In particular, folks wanted to learn more about Bill 129 and the long-term rental real property tax exemption it creates. This episode covers your questions, addresses some possible scenarios where the exemption would apply, and discusses some of the potential negative impacts the legislation might have. Since this episode gets into some details that might be difficult to follow, I'll also link to the script in Thursday Things.
Enjoy!
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Jeff Gilbreath, Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets
Aloha Friends,
Today's guest is Jeff Gilbreath, Executive Director of Hawaiian Community Assets. Jeff and his team have been tasked with creating Maui County's Affordable Housing Plan, and we want you to get involved! Please visit www.MauiHousingPlan.org to sign up for virtual community meetings, share your thoughts via the Housing Plan Survey, sign up for updates, or take the pre-qualification assessment. Similarly, if you are interested in learning more about Hawaiian Community Assets or getting involved with their work, please visit www.HawaiianCommunity.net.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Deborah Caulfield Rybak, Journalist and Author of the Politics On Maui Blog
Aloha Friends,
I've been a fan of Deborah Caulfield Rybak's writing since I first moved to Maui and saw her articles in Maui Time, so I was excited to see that she recently started her own blog at politicsonmaui.com to continue reporting on local politics. After Deborah accidentally sent me one of her recent articles on "dark money" in the local elections, I reached out to see if I could get her on the show to talk about the election results. Thankfully Deborah is awesome and she was happy to come on and chat. If you've been liking the casual feel of the more recent episodes, you'll definitely like this one. This is one of those interviews that reminded me of how lucky I am that I get to do this as part of my job. Even on issues we disagreed on, Deborah was a pleasure to communicate with. Deborah Rybak is someone you should all be following, and I sincerely hope you enjoy getting to hear from her on this episode.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Bonus Breakdown of Proposed Charter Amendments on the Maui County Ballot
Lately, the majority of the questions I've been getting all relate to the proposed charter amendments that will be on the Maui County ballots this election cycle. The charter amendments can get pretty complicated and there are a lot of folks trying to tell us how to vote, but not many people are explaining what the charter amendments actually are or how they will impact us. In this bonus episode I do my best to try and explain the charter amendments in a fairly objective manner without necessarily telling you how I think you should vote. I hope this is helpful and I encourage you to share it if you do find it helpful. More information on the charter amendments can be found at http://mauicounty.us/maui-county-charter/
RAM GAD POD - Cassandra Abdul, Executive Director of Na Hale O Maui
I only learned about Na Hale O Maui a couple of years ago when I took on my role as Government Affairs Director for RAM. At the time it seemed like a good program, but I honestly didn't give it much thought. Nevertheless, as I've progressed in my role at RAM and learned more about the circumstances surrounding our severe lack of affordable housing inventory, I find myself thinking about Na Hale O Maui more and more. In fact, I've grown to think that programs like Na Hale O Maui may be our best hope in preserving affordable housing stock on Maui for future generations, and I am deeply concerned that we may not realize that until it is far too late. With that in mind, I thought it would be a good idea to get Cassandra Abdul on for an interview to discuss her program and to see if we can get some renewed support from the REALTOR community. Cassandra has been in real estate for most of her adult life, and she holds an active real estate broker's license in Hawaii. Cassandra is an incredibly sweet person, but also an ardent advocate for her program and an extremely knowledgeable real estate professional, so this was a great conversation. Na Hale O Maui was founded by RAM members, and I sincerely hope RAM members sign up to be members of Na Hale O Maui after listening to this episode. If your interested, follow this link!
RAM GAD POD - Alberta de Jetley, Candidate for the Maui County Council's Lanai Seat
Aloha Friends,
Alberta de Jetley is running for Maui County Council, and I think we should all vote for her. In this episode, I have a nice long conversation with Alberta and we learn a lot about her background and what she plans on accomplishing if she wins in November. I've had the pleasure of having a few long conversations with Alberta at this point, and I am still surprised at how much more there is to learn about her every time. What struck me as most interesting from this interview is her incredibly diverse professional background, as well as her depth of knowledge concerning our County and the problems it has faced over the years. Given those two factors alone, I think she is a great candidate for the Lanai seat and she has my full support. If you want to learn more about Alberta or contribute to her campaign, check out her website www.albertadejetley.com
[If you want to skip the intro, jump to the 6:15 mark.]
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Claire Carroll, Candidate for the Maui County Council's East Maui Seat.
Aloha Friends,
Today's guest is Claire Kamalu Carroll, Candidate for the Maui County Council's East Maui seat. Claire is the daughter of former Councilmember Bob Carroll, and a legitimately good candidate in her own right. I'll be honest and admit that I was already leaning toward voting for Claire Carroll early on purely based on the fact that her competitor, Councilmember Shane Sinenci, refuses to meet with RAM and ignored multiple invitations to participate in our candidate interview process. That inclination was solidified and reinforced after getting to know Claire a little more. Given Claire's determination, work ethic, concern for the community as a whole, and her willingness to communicate and share ideas, I think she is a great candidate for Maui County Council. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I enjoyed making it, and I hope you learn something too. If you want to skip the intro, try jumping to the 4:29 mark!
RAM GAD POD - Rick Nava, Candidate for the Maui County Council's West Maui Seat
Aloha Friends,
When a candidate tells you that they are "pro-business" you generally don't expect them to spend most of the interview talking about the importance of education and community service, but that is what happens when you talk to Rick Nava. Rick is currently running to represent West Maui on the Maui County Council, and he also happens to be an awesome person! In this episode we talk a lot about Rick's background, his long history of community service, his ideas for revitalizing Maui's economy, and Rick also dispenses some great life advice. All politics aside, I think it is hard not to like Rick Nava if you take the time to give this a listen. If you want to know more about Rick's campaign, visit VoteRickNava.com.
If you want to skip over the intro, jump to the 7:30 mark.
RAM GAD POD - Aja Eyre, Candidate for the Maui County Council's Makawao-Haiku-Paia Seat
WELCOME BACK! Thanks for tuning in for the first episode of Season 2 of the RAM GAD POD! I was dragging my feet about getting the podcast up and running again, but I had no choice after Aja Eyre reminded me that I had promised her a longer interview. Aja is running against Mike Molina for the County Council's Makawao-Haiku-Paia seat, and I'm a little surprised there isn't more buzz about her. I was thoroughly impressed after my short interview with Aja in July, and this longer interview only served to solidify my admiration for her. Regardless of how the election goes in November, Maui County is lucky to have Aja Eyre here and working to help the people of Maui. Even though the audio quality on my side of the conversation isn't great, I think this episode is still one of our better ones because of the outstanding guest. Mahalo to Aja for joining us and mahalo to you for listening!
RAM GAD POD - Lisa Teichner, Keller Williams Realty Maui
Aloha All,
I start this episode (first 9 minutes or so) with a quick Maui County Covid-19 update, then I have an excellent interview with Lisa Teichner, Team Leader and Business Strategist at Keller Williams Realty Maui. Lisa is a wealth of knowledge and experience, and she shares a lot of great tips and insights on how to cope with this shifting market in this interview. If you are a realtor, especially if you are a newer realtor, this is an episode you should definitely listen to.
Here are links to a few things referenced in the episode:
-Maui Time Covid 19 Updates: https://mauitime.com/maui-county-corona-virus-updates/
-Mayor Victorino's Public Health Emergency Rules: https://www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/121453/County-of-Maui---Public-Health-Emergency-Rules?bidId=
- State Covid 19 page: https://hawaiicovid19.com/
- Shift: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times: https://www.amazon.com/Shift-Estate-Agents-Tackle-Tough/dp/0071605266
RAM GAD POD - 3/18/2020 Covid-19 Fireside Chat
Aloha All,
This is my second fireside chat regarding Covid-19, and I hope it is helpful. Here are sites and links referenced in the episode:
- Maui County Covid-19 Information Page: https://www.mauicounty.gov/2370/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information
- Link to Governor Ige’s Directives: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ETbXd6NU8AA0Fe2?format=jpg&name=large
- Lt. Gov. Josh Green Interview: https://youtu.be/zJEQ8_dHqCI
- NAR Guidance Page: https://www.nar.realtor/coronavirus
- Impact of Family First Coronavirus Response Legislation on NAR Members: https://www.nar.realtor/political-advocacy/impact-of-h-r-6201-families-first-coronavirus-response-act-on-nar-members
- Maui News Coronavirus Closures and Updates: https://www.mauinews.com/maui-coronavirus-impacts/2020/03/maui-covid-19-cancellations-postponements-closures/
- Maui Time Live Covid-19 Updates: https://mauitime.com/maui-county-corona-virus-updates/
- Maui Community and Business Leaders Asked to Complete SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Survey by 4 pm today, March 18th: Step 1 - Download the survey form from https://invest.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Economic-Injury-Worksheet-051410-003.pdf. Step 2 - Fill out survey. Step 3 - E-mail to dbedt.cbed@hawaii.gov
RAM GAD POD - Covid-19 Fireside Chat
Aloha All,
Given how crazy the world is right now, I've decided to switch up the format a little and do a fireside chat for my 50th episode. This episode is essentially an update on the Covid-19 situation, and my attempt at providing some clarity. I make reference to a bunch of online resources in this episode, so here is a list of the links:
NAR Coronavirus Emergency Legislation Update: https://www.nar.realtor/political-advocacy/coronavirus-emergency-legislation-what-realtors-need-to-know
The Maui News Covid-19 Closures: https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2020/03/coronavirus-outbreak-continues-to-shake-up-maui-events-and-facilities/
CDC Email Updates: https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx?topic_id=USCDC_2067
Hawaii DOH Covid-19 Updates: https://tools.cdc.gov/campaignproxyservice/subscriptions.aspx?topic_id=USCDC_2067
Please note that I recorded this episode before learning that the Hawaii State Legislature has suspended its session, so that is why I did not reference it in the recording.
RAM GAD POD - Updates and Current Events for March 11, 2020
This is a solo episode! I don't want to call it a Notes from the GAD update because I take a deep dive into a couple of issues, but there isn't an interview this week. As to the issues, here are some brief notes and links in case you don't have time to listen:
Maui County STRH Phase-Out Proposal: Here is the link to the Planning Department's presentation from March 6th, and here is a link to the MVRA Facebook page with videos from the meeting. Overall, the meeting was a bit disappointing. The Planning Department did not take public testimony, and the arguments presented were not very well thought out. I give a recap in the episode, but the basic gist is that the meeting not particularly informative.
Maui County Council action on Short Term Rental Homes: This Friday, March 13th, at 9 a.m, there will be a County Council Meeting. One of the agenda items is County Communication 20-194. This item is asking the Council to refer to the Maui and Lanai Planning Commissions a proposed bill to amend the comprehensive zoning ordinance relating to Short Term Rental Home Permits on Mai and Lanai. The proposed bill would amend Maui County Code Chapter 19.65 by drastically lowering the number of available STRH permits in the various community areas. This is not as drastic as the Planning Department's idea to ban Short Term Rental Home permits, but it would certainly keep a lot of operations from becoming compliant, because it would essentially set the cap at the current number of permits. How's that for frustrating the original intent of the ordinance...
SB3110: I've gotten a lot of calls about SB3110 and I completely understand why Realtors are concerned. This bill seeks to prohibit nonresident aliens and businesses, and trusts that are significantly controlled by nonresident aliens, from acquiring certain residential property in the State, except as otherwise provided by law. This bill still has several hurdles to overcome before it becomes law, but I do encourage you all to track this measure and to provide testimony when it gets scheduled for its first committee hearing.
Covid-19: Tonight, March 11, 2020, at 7 p.m., Mayor Michael Victorino will be discussing updates on COVID-19 and answering some frequently asked questions during his Holo I Mua television show airing tonight at 7 p.m. on Akaku Blue Channel 55. Please watch, and please check out some additional guidance for REALTORS that has been provided by NAR. Additionally, if you want to check out some really compelling data related to Covid-19, I highly recommend this article by Tomas Pueyo that was recently posted on Medium.com. My advice: please avoid unnecessary social contact and unnecessary travel, please be cautious not to potentially spread the virus to those who might be particularly vulnerable, and please take this virus seriously. I wish this was a hoax from the main stream media, but it isn't! This virus is having a devastating impact on modernized countries with advanced healthcare systems, it is a very real threat to us all.
Mahalo for listening!
RAM GAD POD - Bonus: On the Couch with Don Couch (3/3/2020)
Aloha Friends,
Don Couch and I had so much fun recording last week's podcast episode that he invited me back on his radio show on 1110 AM. This "Bonus" episode is audio from this morning's episode of On the Couch with Don Couch and Jack Gist. Our conversation primarily focused on the Planning Departments potential "phase-out" of Short Term Rental Home permits, and we let everyone know how they can get involved. If you have not done so already, please participate in RAM's Call For Action to OPPOSE a ban on LEGAL Short Term Rental Homes by clicking on this link.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - CALL FOR ACTION & Don Couch Interview
Aloha All,
This is my CALL FOR ACTION special! The Planning Department is considering a "Phase-out" of LEGAL Short Term Rental Home Permits, and we think that is a bad idea based on bad arguments. The first 10 minutes of this episode gives an overview of the issue, then I have a longer discussion of the issue with my guest, Don Couch. PLEASE give this episode a listen, and plan on showing up on Friday, March 6th, at 3:00 p.m. to the Planning Departments Public Information Meeting Regarding STRH Phase-Out Proposal in the Planning Conference Room located at 250 South High Street, Wailuku, 6793.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Kelly King, South Maui representative and Chair of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee
Aloha All,
The interview starts around the 6:30 mark if you want to skip ahead, but I lead off with a brief discussion of some draft legislation that would undo the "Minatoya Opinion." If you are a REALTOR or are involved in property management, you will want to listen to the intro.
This week's interview is with Councilmember Kelly King, Chair of the Climate Action and Resilience Committee. Councilmember King holds the Council seat for the South Maui residency area, and she also served as Council Chair in 2019. I have enjoyed every opportunity I've had to meet with Councilmember King over the past year, and this interaction is no different. I have never been quiet about my respect and admiration for Kelly King, and I think this interview demonstrates that she is well deserving of that respect. In this episode we discuss her educational background, her many successful business ventures, and some of her concerns for the future well being of Maui County. I enjoyed getting to know more about Kelly King, and I think this episode is a must-hear if you live in Maui County. Enjoy and feel free to send feedback to Jason@RAMaui.com
PS: REGISTER TO VOTE!
RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, Upcountry representative and Chair of the Water, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee
This episode is both an update and an interview. The Interview starts at the 6:50 mark, where I am joined by Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, Council representative for the Upcountry residency area and Chair of the Water, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee. Councilmember Sugimura was born and raised in Wailuku, and has been interested in politics since her days as a high school student. Yuki is extremely personable, and she was a delight to talk to. If you enjoy this interview, I highly recommend visiting her at the Upcountry Farmers Marker for her monthly Talk Story with Yuki outreach program.
The update at the start covers the following:
Opportunity to Testify: The Environmental, Agricultural, and Cultural Preservation Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, at 1:30 p.m., to discuss a bill restricting the use and sale of single-use plastic disposable foodware. I support this legislation, and I encourage you all to look into it and provide your own testimony on the issue. From a policy standpoint, RAM believes our island’s well being depends on our beaches and RAM supports the maintenance of a robust beach environment as a key to a sustainable long-term plan for Maui. Reducing litter and the proliferation of micro-plastics throughout our island is an important step in protecting our beaches and I commend the County Council for moving in that direction.
West Maui Community Plan - The West Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee has two meetings scheduled for next week. Agendas should be available on the CPAC webpage by the end of this week, but dates are as follow:
- Tuesday, Feb. 18th at 5:30 p.m. in Keopuolani Hall at Waiola Church
- Thursday, Feb. 20th at 5:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at the Lahaina Civic Center
Wailuku Community Association - Upcoming 2020 Annual Wailuku Community Association Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12th from 5-7 p.m. at the Empanada Lady restaurant. The guest speaker will be Erin Wade discussing the 1st phase of infrastructure updates in Wailuku and alternate parking locations.
Habitat for Humanity 12th Annual Build-A-Thon - Mark your calendars for Friday, Feb. 21st and Saturday, Feb. 22nd for Habitat Maui’s annual Build-a-Thon. The Build-a-Thon is a public awareness and fundraising event. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $100/person in pledges and spend a day on the construction site helping Habitat build affordable housing in Lahaina. Lunch, snack, and door prizes will be provided, and available times are from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. To sign up or for more information call (808) 242-1140 or email yvonne@habitat-maui.org.
RAM GAD POD - Brendan O'Colmain, Insurance Agent Team Member, Kit Okazaki/State Farm Insurance
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD & Interview with Amy Johnson, Professional Standards Manager for RAM
Aloha Friends,
I've been a busy boy this week, so I decided I would save us all a little bit of time and release one episode instead of two. The first 14 minutes or so is a Notes from the GAD style update for January 22, 2020, immediately followed by an interview with my dear friend and colleague Amy Johnson, Professional Standards Manager for RAM. I know this is a bit of a departure from how I usually do things, but you can handle it! I'll be back next week, but feel free to email me with questions or comments at Jason@RAMaui.com.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - The GADS POD! Lawrence Carnicelli Interviewing Jason Economou
We are kicking off the 2020 interviews with something special! This episode features former RAM GAD and dear friend to us all, Lawrence Carnicelli, flipping the script and sitting me down for a very long and very fun interview. In this interview I disclose far too much about my personal life, perform impersonations of my parents, discuss how I proposed to my wife, and admit to running around my neighborhood scantily clad. If you ever wanted to know more about me, or if you just want to hear some fun stories, this episode is for you. Also, it must be said that Lawrence does an outstanding job as the host, and I am very excited for his podcast to come out soon. I'll provide more details on that down the line, but for now I hope you enjoy this very special RAM GADS POD.
Mahalo for listening!
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD for January 14, 2020
Aloha,
This is a short update. Listen if you can, or check out the key points below:
Opportunity to Testify - One of my goals for the year is to inform the RAM community of more opportunities to testify on issues you may be interested in, even if RAM might not be taking a position on the issue. Increased civic engagement on the part of our members is the key to demonstrating RAM’s values, and enhancing our profile as an organization. With that in mind, I encourage you all to look at the agenda for the upcoming Governance, Ethics, and Transparency Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 21st, at 9 a.m. In particular, there are a couple of proposed charter amendments that the committee will be considering. The first (GET-10(3)) would require an increase in the minimum required percentage of certified real property tax revenues deposited into the Affordable Housing Fund, and the second (GET-10(7)) would establish shorter lifetime term limits for council members of two four-year terms. Both of the proposed amendments would need to pass through committee and the full council, then be included on the general election ballot, prior to becoming law, but they are interesting ideas that are still worth examining and testifying on. If interested, you can send testimony by email to get.committee@mauicounty.us
West Maui Community Plan - The West Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee has two meetings scheduled for next week. The first will be on Tuesday, January 21st at 5 p.m. in Keopuolani Hall at Waiola Church, and the second will be on Thursday, January 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at the Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall. Agendas have not been posted for either meeting yet, but last week the CPAC started on the Growth Framework portion of the West Maui Community Plan update and began examining alternative growth maps for West Maui (which are available on the CPAC Page at wearemaui.org). If you are interested in the future of West Maui, or you just want to learn more about the community plan process, please consider attending these meetings.
The County is Hiring: County Clerk and Deputy County Clerk - The County of Maui is recruiting for the full time positions of County Clerk and Deputy County Clerk. If interested, you can download the application at: https://tinyurl.com/CountyClerkApp, and Submit your completed application, résumé, cover letter, and three professional references by email to recruitment@mauicounty.us by 4:30 p.m. HST on January 16, 2020. If you want more details regarding the functions of the job or required qualifications, you can find links at mauicounty.us
Heads up on HAR Priority Bill - RAM and the Hawaii Association of Realtors are currently advocating for a bill that would streamline the land use process for affordable housing projects by allowing the counties to reclassify lands that are 15 to 100 acres, provided that 50% or more of the units are affordable at or below 140% of the Area Median Income. We believe this legislation will better empower the counties to meet their affordable housing needs while streamlining the regulatory process as it relates to district boundary amendments. The bill can largely be credited to RAM’s own Lawrence Carnicelli, and you can expect to hear more about it throughout the legislative session. The reason I bring this up is because I will be calling on everyone to provide testimony in support of this legislation over the coming months, and I don’t want it to be a surprise when I do. Please feel free to email me at jason@ramaui.com if you have any questions.
RAM GAD POD - Regarding Property Taxes and the Mayor's Veto
Over the past few months I have been talking a lot about the County's real property tax reform efforts. Back in November, the County Council passed two bills that would have the effect of redefining and consolidating several of the property tax classifications, as well as creating a new tiered property tax system. RAM consistently opposed these bills because the Council did not engage in sufficient community outreach and education prior to passing them. Last week, Mayor Victorino agreed with RAM's position and vetoed Bill 59 related to consolidating tax classifications.
On Friday, December 27th, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., the County Council will hold a special meeting to discuss and override the Mayor's veto. In this episode of the RAM GAD POD I invite you all to provide your input to the County Council regarding this issue, and I share the Mayor's letter and my testimony on behalf of RAM. Here is a little sample of my testimony:
Throughout the process of preparing and passing Bill 59, public sentiment has consistently been that the Council should conduct more education and outreach prior to its passage. The Council has been somewhat responsive to these calls for more outreach by going out and holding community meetings, but that is a step that should have been taken prior to passage of the Bill, as opposed to after the fact. The Mayor has given this Council an opportunity to get more community buy-in while highlighting a major concern regarding this legislation, and the Council should not pass it up.
As the Mayor pointed out in his letter dated December 19, 2019, the new “non-owner occupied” classification combines four very different existing classifications that currently all have different rates. Without knowing what the Council might propose as the new rate for the new “non-owner occupied” class, there is too much uncertainty for our taxpayers. If the Mayor’s calculations are even close to correct, it means some taxpayers will likely see sharp increases or decreases in their tax rates with no real express legislative purpose other than to make things less complicated for the County. Our taxpayers deserve a more thoughtful legislative process that involves their input.
On November 22, 2019, the day Bill 59 was passed, everyone testifying in the chamber asked the Council to conduct more education and outreach prior to passing Bills 58 and 59. Though the Council passed both bills in spite of public sentiment, you have been given another opportunity to listen to your constituents and provide the education they have been requesting. I understand that the Council is trying to accomplish a difficult task, but the public should be involved throughout this process, and not just after the fact.
On November 22, Councilmember Rawlins-Fernandez asked how much education is necessary to pass any sort of bill. There is no one answer to that question, but it should be more than a couple of community meetings the week of second and final reading, or after the bill has been passed. It should be enough to help taxpayers understand if and why the County will take more of their hard-earned money. It should be enough to make us confident that you have our best interest in mind and that you know what you are doing. It should be enough to make the Mayor’s veto unnecessary. It should be more than was conducted for Bill 59. Therefore, I respectfully request that the Council NOT override the Mayor’s veto, and focus instead on crafting better legislation with public involvement.
Please provide testimony on your own behalf as well!
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Mike Molina, Chair of the Governance, Ethics and Transparency Committee
Mike Molina holds the Maui County Council seat for the Makawao-Paia-Haiku voting district, and he is the Chair of the Governance, Ethics and Transparency Committee. Aside from his current role, Mike Molina is no stranger to public service. In this interview we touched on his military experience, his time as a teacher, the ten years he previously spent on the County Council, as well as his time working in the Arakawa administration. In addition to all that, Councilmember Molina was kind enough to share some points of pride, areas of regret, and he even provided some thoughts on a potential run for Mayor down the line. All in all, this was a great conversation with one of the most influential political figures in Maui County over the past two decades. I enjoyed getting to learn more about Mike Molina, and I hope you enjoy listening to it.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - BONUS: RAM Real Property Tax Reform Community Meeting w/ Councilmember Alice Lee and Marcy Martin, Maui County RPT Administrator
The Maui County Council recently passed two property tax reform bills on second and final reading. These bills create a framework for a tiered property tax system, and amend the names and definitions for some of the classifications. Though these pieces of legislation ultimately passed, public testimony clearly demonstrated a need for the Council to engage in further public outreach and education prior to setting new tax rates or defining tier ranges. With that in mind, members of the County Council have been holding community meetings throughout Maui County, and Councilmember Alice Lee was kind enough to hold one at RAM!
On Friday, December 13th, RAM members were invited to attend a RAM Community Meeting regarding the Council's real property tax reform efforts. This episode is the audio from that meeting, which featured Councilmember Alice Lee, County Real Property Tax Administrator Marcy Martin and Deputy Corporation Counsel Jeff Ueoka. As this was recorded in a large room, some of the audio might be a little hard to hear, but this should be informative if not interesting. If you have any questions on anything you hear, feel free to email me at Jason@RAMaui.com.
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD for 12/12/2019
Sorry! No interview this week, but I have a great guest lined up for next week. In the meantime, please settle for the following Notes from the GAD:
Real Property Tax Reform: As you are aware, Bill 58 and Bill 59, relating to tax classifications and tiered real property tax rates, passed in the Council a few weeks back. Nevertheless, there was a lot of testimony that spoke to a need for more public outreach and education prior to implementing the framework outlined in these pieces of legislation. With that in mind, on Friday, Dec. 13 from 9-11 a.m., RAM will be hosting Councilmember Alice Lee for a presentation regarding the Council’s real property tax reform efforts, followed by a question and answer session.
Water Shut Down in Paia and Kuau: Tonight, Thursday, Dec. 12 all customers on the County water system in Paia and Kuau will have their water shut off from approximately 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. (Friday morning). Depending on the conditions encountered while work is being conducted, customers in Sprecklesville may also be affected. Please store water and plan accordingly.
Central Maui Landfill: Beginning Sunday, Dec. 15 the landfill will begin opening on Sundays for residential green waste disposal only from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. No commercial green waste or commercial/residential trash will be accepted. Please note that illegal dumping of green waste is commonly linked to the spread of invasive species, and should be avoided.
West Maui Community Plan: The next Community Plan Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at Waiola Church’s Keopuolani Hall, and it will focus on a final review of policies and actions related to all five Goals of the Community Plan. Agenda and other information available at www.wearemaui.org.
Economic Outlook: NAR recently held its Real Estate Forecast Summit and the information shared was generally pretty optimistic. A group of prominent real estate industry economists that attended released a consensus forecast that projects continued but slowing economic growth in 2020. NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, stated that he believes real estate to be “on firm ground with little chance of price declines,” but he cautioned that “more supply is needed to assure home prices as well as rents do not consistently outgrow income gains.” Overall, a recession is seen as unlikely in 2020, but it is not completely out of the question.
100 Real Estate Agents Who Care: Pohaku Kepler is a senior at Kihei Charter School and his goal is to get 100 REALTORS to donate $100 each in order to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. All the money raised will go towards helping families right here in Maui County. Check out www.100RealEstateAgentsWhoCare.com for more information and to donate.
REALTOR Party Mobile Alerts: REALTORS, please sign up for mobile alerts by texting the word “REALTOR” to the number 30644. This is an easy way to ensure you are in the loop next time RAM needs your help.
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD for December 3rd, 2019
Here are the key points if you don't have time to listen.
Water Shut-Down in Kula: On Thursday, December 5th, a portion of homes in the Poli Poli and Middle Roads area will have their water shut-off from approximately 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Department of Water Supply customers along these roads are encouraged to store water and adjust schedules as appropriate.
Real Property Tax Reform: As you are aware, Bills 58 and 59, relating to tax classifications and tiered real property tax rates, passed in the Council on second and final reading a couple of weeks back. Nevertheless, there was a lot of testimony that spoke to a need for more public outreach and education prior to implementing the framework outlined in these pieces of legislation. With that in mind, on Friday, December 13th, from 9-11 am, RAM will be hosting Councilmember Alice Lee for a presentation regarding the Council’s real property tax reform efforts, followed by a question and answer session. This event is free but it is for RAM members, and we ask that you please register in advance. Just a word of warning, there is a possibility that this event will be canceled due to scheduling issues that we are working on resolving, but I will keep everyone posted on that.
Maui Landlord Series: Due to the success of our annual Landlord Summit, RAM and the Maui Homeless Alliance are organizing a series of workshops to educate landlords and get them working with housing assistance programs. The first workshop is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9, from 9 - 11 am at MEO. This Maui Landlord Series workshop will feature a HUD informational session as well as a landlord/tenant rights panel discussion. Moreover, we will also be accepting food donations for the Maui Food Bank. If you know any landlords or property managers who might be interested in attending, please have them register for this free event at eventbrite.com.
SMA and Shoreline Rules Changes: The Planning Department will be holding informational meetings on proposed changes to the SMA and shoreline rules for Maui island. At these meetings, representatives from the Planning Department will give an overview of the proposed changes and the rationale behind them, answer questions, and take input and suggestions. The meetings will begin at 5 pm, and the dates and locations are:
- Paia: Wednesday, Dec. 4, Kaunoa Senior Center, 401 Alakapa Place
- Lahaina: Wednesday, Dec. 11, Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway
The proposed rules and some Frequently Asked Questions can be found at https://www.mauicounty.gov/121/Planning-Department under "Hot Topics." Also available there is the presentation that Dr. Chip Fletcher gave to the Maui Planning Commission on October 22.
100 Real Estate Agents Who Care: Pohaku Kepler is a senior at Kihei Charter School and his goal is to get 100 REALTORS to donate $100 each in order to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. All the money raised will go towards helping families right here in Maui County. Check out www.100RealEstateAgentsWhoCare.com for more information and to donate.
RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Tasha Kama, Presiding Officer Pro Tempore of the Maui County Council
Tasha Kama is Presiding Officer Pro Tempore of the Maui County Council, and she holds the Council seat for the Kahului residency area. Writing a description for this episode is extremely difficult, because I don't want to come off as too bias, but it is no secret that I am a fan. Councilmember Kama is not the type of person that immediately comes to mind when you think "politician," but that is what makes her so exceptional in my book. Having raised 11 children on Maui and spent years as an activist and community organizer well before seeking political office, it is undeniable that CM Kama is deeply rooted in the Maui community and is genuinely committed to making Maui a better place. Regardless of whether you agree with CM Kama's approach to politics or not, she is someone who is certainly deserving of respect and admiration. I'm going to go ahead and think of this episode a "Thanksgiving Special," because it felt more like I was getting together with my favorite auntie than conducting an interview. Seriously, after I stopped recording she gave me lemon bars and we chatted about Christmas decorations. I hope you enjoy this episode, and I am thankful for all you folks who keep listening.
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD for November 26, 2019
Short update today! If you don't have time to listen, here are the highlights:
Real Property Tax Reform: Bill 58 and Bill 59, relating to tax classifications and tiered real property tax rates, passed in the Council on second and final reading. Nevertheless, there was a lot of testimony that spoke to a need for more public outreach and education prior to implementing the framework outlined in these pieces of legislation. With that in mind, on Friday, December 13th, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m., RAM will be hosting Councilmember Alice Lee and Marcy Martin for a presentation regarding the Council’s real property tax reform efforts, followed by a question and answer session. This event is free for RAM members, and we ask that you please register to attend through the Paragon MLS homepage
Maui Landlord Series: Due to the success of our annual Landlord Summit, RAM and the Maui Homeless Alliance are organizing a series of workshops to educate landlords and get them working with housing assistance programs. The first workshop is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 9, from 9 - 11 a.m. at MEO. This Maui Landlord Series workshop will feature a HUD informational session as well as a landlord/tenant rights panel discussion. Moreover, we will also be accepting food donations for the Maui Food Bank. If you know any landlords or property managers who might be interested in attending, please have them register for this free event at eventbrite.com.
SMA and Shoreline Rules Changes: The Planning Department will be holding informational meetings on proposed changes to the SMA and shoreline rules for Maui island. At these meetings, representatives from the Planning Department will give an overview of the proposed changes and the rationale behind them, answer questions, and take input and suggestions. The meetings will begin at 5 p.m., and the locations and dates are as follows:
- Paia: Wednesday, Dec. 4, Kaunoa Senior Center, 401 Alakapa Place
- Lahaina: Wednesday, Dec. 11, Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway
The proposed rules and some Frequently Asked Questions can be found at https://www.mauicounty.gov/121/Planning-Department under "Hot Topics." Also available there is the presentation that Dr. Chip Fletcher gave to the Maui Planning Commission on October 22.
REALTOR Party Mobile Alerts: REALTORS, please sign up for mobile alerts by texting the word “REALTOR” to the number 30644. Aside from the initial confirmation text, you will only receive notifications when a call for action is initiated, a reminder regarding voter registration, and a reminder to vote in the upcoming elections. This is an easy way to ensure you are in the loop next time RAM needs your help.
100 Real Estate Agents Who Care: Pohaku Kepler is a senior at Kihei Charter School and his goal is to get 100 REALTORS to donate $100 each in order to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. All the money raised will go towards helping families right here in Maui County. Check out www.100RealEstateAgentsWhoCare.com for more information and to donate.
RAM GAD POD - Max Tornai, Development Director, Habitat for Humanity - Maui
This week's guest is Max Tornai, Development Director for Habitat for Humanity on Maui. I met Max at the Maui Nui Attainable Housing forum and we immediately hit it off. Habitat for Humanity is an exceptional organization, and I knew I needed to have Max as a guest to discuss some of the great work they are doing right here on Maui. In this episode we discuss the various ways in which Habitat Maui is serving the community, opportunities for our REALTORS to get involved (www.100RealEstateAgentsWhoCare.com), as well as Max's history and thoughts on how our County can increase housing opportunities. If you are looking to learn more about Habitat for Humanity and the many opportunities they provide to serve the community, I encourage you to listen to this episode.
Mahalo,
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Michael P. Victorino, Mayor of the County of Maui
The title on this episode is real. The Honorable Michael P. Victorino, Mayor of the County of Maui, really did take the time to sit down for a RAM GAD POD interview on October 3rd, and it was awesome. Mayor Victorino is an energetic and approachable leader with a wide range of professional experience and a fascinating life story. In this interview we learn a lot about the Mayor, his decision making process, issues he has evolved on, and his top concerns for Maui County moving forward. My favorite part of the interview was learning that that Mayor loves comic books and hearing about his humble beginnings, but even the policy discussions were meaningful and enjoyable. My one regret is that I start the interview by introducing Mayor Victorino as Mayor of the "Maui of County," but what's done is done and I will have to live with that shame forever. Nevertheless, this is still a great episode overall and I hope you enjoy it.
Mahalo!
Jason
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD for November 19, 2019
Below are some of the highlights from this week's notes, but give this episode a listen for further discussion of ongoing real property tax reform measures and to hear about the NAR Conference & Expo in San Francisco.
Real Property Tax Reform - Community Meeting: Councilmember Tasha Kama will be holding a community meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20th, at the Kahului Community center located at 275 Uhu Street, Kahului. Marcy Martin, Senior Real Property Technical Officer for the Department of Finance, will provide a brief presentation on the nature of the proposed changes, followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.
West Maui Community Plan: The next CPAC meeting will be on Tuesday, November 19th at Waiola Church’s Keopuolani Hall at 5:30 p.m., and will focus on policies and actions related to Goal 2.3: Responsible Stewardship of Resources, Culture and Character. There will also be a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21st at King kamehameha III Elementary School Cafeteria, which will focus on policies and actions related to Goal 2.2: A Complete, Balanced and Connected Transportation network. Agendas and additional information can be found at www.wearemaui.org.
SMA and Shoreline Rules Changes: The Planning Department will be holding informational meetings on proposed changes to the SMA and shoreline rules for Maui island. At these meeting, representatives from the Planning Department will give an overview of the proposed changes and the rational behind them, answer questions, and take input and suggestions. The meetings will begin at 5 p.m., and the locations and dates are as follows:
- Wailuku: November 20th, Kalana Pakui Building, 250 S. High Street
- Paia: December 4th, Kaunoa Senior Center, 401 Alakapa Place
- Lahaina: December 11th, Lahaina Civic Center Social Hall, 1840 Honoapiilani Highway
The proposed rules and some Frequently Asked Questions can be found at https://www.mauicounty.gov/121/Planning-Department under "Hot Topics." Also available there is the presentation that Dr. Chip Fletcher gave to the Maui Planning Commission on October 22.
REALTOR Party Mobile Alerts: REALTORS, please sign up for mobile alerts by texting the word “REALTOR” to the number 30644. Aside from the initial confirmation text, you will only receive notifications when a call for action is initiated, a reminder regarding voter registration, and a reminder to vote in the upcoming elections. This is an easy way to ensure you are in the loop next time RAM needs your help.
100 Real Estate Agents Who Care: Pohaku Kepler is a senior at Kihei Charter School and his goal is to get 100 REALTORS to donate $100 each in order to raise $10,000 for Habitat for Humanity. All the money raised will go towards helping 2-4 families right here in Maui County. Check out the “100 Real Estate Agents Who Care - Maui” Facebook page for more information.
RAM GAD POD - Albert Hahn, Wastewater Reclamation Division Chief for the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management
This week's guest is Albert Hahn, Wastewater Reclamation Division Chief for the County of Maui Department of Environmental Management. Albert is a kind, intelligent and dedicated individual who has caught a lot of unwarranted negativity lately. Why? Well, Albert oversees the County's recycled water program, which is at the heart of the Maui County injection well case being heard by the Supreme Court this week. As a result, he has been called a "criminal polluter" and been blamed for killing Maui's reefs. In reality, Albert Hahn is an individual who cares deeply about the environment and who has the moral courage to stand by his professional opinion in the face of public backlash. Whether you agree with Mayor Victorino's position or not, this episode will give you a lot to think about, and it will give you a little insight into who Albert Hahn really is.
RAM GAD POD - Notes from the GAD 11/5/2019 (w/ request for assistance)
Real Property Tax Reforms: (ACTION REQUESTED) On November 8th, the County Council will be considering several changes to the County’s real property tax system. The most significant change is a tiered structure for property taxes, but the Council will also be discussing revised classifications and doing away with condominium declarations to the Department of Finance. The plan to get rid of annual condo declarations to the department of finance is VERY BAD, and it could have some major ramifications on tax rates and affordable housing.
I mentioned this last week, but I failed to convey proper distress about the issue of doing away with these condo declarations to the department of finance, that was a mistake. I need to give credit to Tom Croly, who you might know from his work with the Maui Vacation Rentals Association, for cluing me into what I was missing. Some of you may recall that the County tried something along these lines about 2 years ago, and RAM played a major role in stopping it. If these bills move past the first reading, we may need to have a call for action to stop them again.
The key issue we should be alarmed over is that one of the property tax reform bills, referred to as the classifications bill, “eliminates the need for condominium owners to declare the actual use of their units to the Department of Finance. Instead, condominium units will be classified based on their highest and best use unless an exception applies.” Well, based on this there are about 2,000 apartment-zoned condominium owners that may get stuck paying the “short term rental” tax rate unless they qualify for the owner-occupied exception.
If you are a RAM member, you should be aware that we advocate for taxation based on actual use, rather than highest and best use. Moreover, RAM takes a position that this “highest and best use” method of taxation will have a negative impact on the inventory and affordability of long term rentals in such properties. I encourage you all to submit written testimony via email to county.clerk@mauicounty.us, and feel free to copy your County Council members on those emails. Moreover, I encourage you to testify in person on Friday, November 8th at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers on the 8th Floor, 200 South High Street.
Draft EIS filed for EMI: Alexander & Baldwin and EMI have filed a draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed lease of water in the East Maui areas of Nahiku, Ke’anae, Honomanu, and Huelo. A statutory 45-day public review and comment period is now open and will continue through November 7, 2019.
West Maui Community Plan: There are two Community Plan Action Committee meetings this week. The first meeting is Tuesday, November 5th at Waiola Church’s Keopuolani Hall at 5:30 p.m., and the second meeting is Thursday, November 7th at King Kamehameha III Elementary School Cafeteria at 6:30 p.m. For meeting agendas and more details visit www.wearemaui.org.
Maui Boards and Commissions: Applicants are being sought for 42 vacancies on Maui County boards, commissions, councils, and committees. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2019. Anyone interested in serving on a board or commission should first apply online at www.mauicounty.gov/Boards, or pick up a paper application in the County building.
RAM GAD POD - Community Engagement Panel Discussion
Aloha All,
Thursday episodes generally feature an interview between me and a guest, but I've decided to try something a little different this week. Instead of an interview, this episode features audio from a panel discussion I was a part of at the recent Maui Nui Attainable Housing Forum presented by the County of Maui, Office of the Mayor, the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. The forum, and this discussion, took place at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on October 16, 2019. The following discussion was focused on community engagement and was moderated by Pamela Eaton from the Department of Planning. The members of the panel were as follows:
- Stan Franco, Housing Chair for Stand Up Maui
- Saumalu Mataafa, Executive Assistant in the Department of Management
- Rick Nava, Chairman of the Board for the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Director of the West Maui Taxpayers' Association
- Joe Pluta, Vice President of the West Maui Taxpayers' Association
- Bruce U'u, Hawaii Field Representative at the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters
- Michael Williams, President of Maui Tomorrow
- Jason Economou, RAM GAD
I'll warn you now that the sound quality isn't great, but at least I don't make you sit through advertisements like every other podcast you listen to.