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Council committee hears Real Property Tax Board of Review annual report; officials cite outreach challenges
Summary
The Committee on Finance reviewed the 2025 annual report from the Real Property Tax Board of Review; county staff said statewide workshops were paused after COVID, local workshop capacity exists but other counties' budgets delayed a statewide event, and staff recommended expanded outreach (mailers, inserts, social media) to increase awareness of exemptions and requirements.
The Committee on Finance reviewed Communication 654 on Jan. 6, 2026, which transmits the Real Property Tax Board of Review’s 2025 annual report under Hawaii County Code §19‑97e. Council members thanked the review board and asked county staff about outreach, workshops and support for board members.
Lisa Mira, Real Property Tax Administrator, told the committee that while the county has budgeted to send review‑board members to a statewide workshop, the statewide effort has been delayed because other counties and the City and County of Honolulu faced budget constraints. Mira described local efforts that included upgraded website content, assessment‑notice inserts and workshops, but she said some residents still do not read mailed notices and that the department had not yet relied heavily on social media.
Mark Davis, a member of the Real Property Tax Board of Review, and Finance Director Diane Nakagawa joined the discussion. Members requested additional information about the board’s training cadence, frequency of statewide workshops and specific outreach outcomes. Councilmember Huestis asked staff to provide clarification; staff agreed to supply supporting details.
A motion to close the file on the communication was made and the committee voted in favor. The communication will be filed as part of the committee record.
