Honolulu Mayor Signs Bills into Law
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell took action on the following bills by signing them into law yesterday. These bills were passed by the Honolulu City Council on November 6.
Bill 7, CD1, FD1 Relating to sewer systems. The purpose of this ordinance is to address unsewered properties with individual wastewater disposal systems within improvement districts.
“This bill protects the investments made by homeowners, who took the initiative and upgraded from cesspools to a septic system, to recoup some of their investment, which may run upwards of $20,000 or more.” Said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
“In recent years many homeowners in the Waimānalo beach lots were required to upgrade to septic systems at great expense,” said Councilmember Alan Texeira. “For many of our residents whom are already struggling with Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living, requiring them to pay to connect to the city’s sewer system – when they have legal and functional septic system makes no sense. While we cannot override the State Department of Health’s mandate, we can do our best to ensure that economic impact on our families is kept to a minimum. I appreciate the work of the City’s Department of Environmental Services in helping us to reach a reasonable compromise. I further appreciate Mayor Caldwell and my colleagues’ support of this Bill.”
Bill 17, CD1 Relating to Real Property taxation. The purpose of this ordinance is to address the real property tax exemption for homes of totally disabled veterans.
“This bill will provide assistance to approximately 1,728 disabled veterans who are eligible for these exemption claims,” said Mayor Caldwell. “We are honored to support a bill that provides care for those who were so willing to sacrifice everything that we may live in peace and comfort.”
“I am glad that this bill will become law because it will provide needed financial relief to many of our disabled veterans with limited incomes,” said Council Chair Emeritus Ron Menor. “The enactment of this measure into law is also the right thing to do given the sacrifices that these veterans made on behalf of our country.”
Bill 47, CD1. FD1 Relating to crosswalks. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish requirements Concerning the City Administration’s provision or offer to provide a presentation to the affected neighborhood board prior to the removal or relocation of an established, marked crosswalk.
“I will always support bills which create better information, collaboration, and outreach to Honolulu’s residents,” Mayor Caldwell said. “Bill 47 provides clear direction and process to notify neighborhoods before crosswalks are added, removed, or relocated in their community. Safe pedestrian crossings are an essential component of Complete Streets, and every effort should be made to install and maintain crosswalks to current engineering standards in coordination with community needs.”
“We need to ensure that as communities age, our keiki, kupuna, and the public-at-large are able to safely walk from street to street,” said Councilmember Tommy Waters. “This bill will allow neighborhood boards and community members to be more informed about the rationale for any proposed changes to crosswalks, viable options for community members to cross the roadway, and steps incorporated to increase public safety.”
Mayor Kirk Caldwell will be returning Bill 14, CD1 unsigned.
