SR 11: urging the counties to initiate a freeze on primary residence property taxes for homeowners who are seventy-five YEARS of age and older TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT for the impacted population.

SENATE RESOLUTION

urging the counties to initiate a freeze on primary residence property taxes for homeowners who are seventy-five YEARS of age and older TO CREATE A MORE SECURE FINANCIAL ENVIRONMENT for the impacted population.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii residents, including kūpuna, many of whom were born and raised in the State, experience financial challenges that cause them to move out of their homes; and

     WHEREAS, many kūpuna own a home, which commonly is the most significant and valuable financial asset owned by Americans; and

     WHEREAS, as of 2024, the State has the highest cost-of-living index in the United States, rated at 179, according to Consumer Affairs; and

WHEREAS, the rising cost of living and the lack of increases to the fixed income of senior citizens have caused financial insecurity for kūpuna and their families in the State; and

     WHEREAS, the fixed income that many kūpuna rely on has not seen an increase to match the rising cost of living and nationwide inflation rates, as indicated by the November 2025 United States Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report; and

     WHEREAS, implementing a freeze on the real property taxes on the primary residence of kūpuna homeowners would significantly improve their ability to remain in their homes and maintain financial stability; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the counties are urged to initiate a freeze on real property taxes on the primary residence for homeowners who are seventy-five years of age and older to create a more secure financial environment for the impacted population; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this freeze on property taxes be allowed to expire when the property is sold, transferred, or the tax freeze beneficiary is otherwise no longer a listed owner of the property; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Mayors of the Counties of Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and Chairpersons of the County Councils of the Counties of Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, and the City and County of Honolulu.

Report Title: 

Kupuna Caucus; Counties; Property Tax Freeze; Kupuna Property Owners