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Residents and councilors press for safeguards as Honolulu refers property-tax rates and exemption audits to committee
Summary
Council referred Resolution 26-62 (real property tax rates for FY2026–27) back to the Budget Committee after public testimony raised concerns about tax-class disparities and the homeowners-exemption audit process; speakers asked the city to limit sensitive document requests and improve outreach for those eligible for tax relief.
The Honolulu City Council referred Resolution 26-62 (determining real property tax rates for the 2026–27 fiscal year) back to the Budget Committee after in-person and remote testimony questioned rate structures and audit procedures.
Public speakers highlighted confusing tax-class differences and argued for more outreach on homeowner-exemption eligibility. Natalie Wasa, who said she submitted written testimony, opposed the process that requests full tax returns and utility records to verify residency. “Tax returns have a lot of information. Some of it is in excess of 20, 30, 50, 100 pages,” Wasa said, urging the city to use county and state ownership records instead of collecting sensitive documents by email.
Council members acknowledged the privacy concern and discussed ways to reduce data collection risks, including redacting social-security numbers and using alternative verification sources. Vice Chair Tupola noted the Real Property Tax Division already offers tax-remission provisions for documented storm damage and announced upcoming resource fairs to help residents apply for relief.
The council did not set final rates at the meeting; Resolution 26-62 was referred as part of CR83 2026 and will return to the Budget Committee for amendments and additional review.
