QUESTION: Regarding the property assessments, I received my notice but it is outrageously high. No unit in my building is selling for anywhere near close to that price. Is it too late to appeal?
ANSWER: No, but the clock is ticking. Appeals are due Jan. 15, according to the city. You can file online, by regular mail, or drop off paperwork in person. You cannot dispute your assessment by fax or email.
The 2019 assessments reflect market values as of Oct. 1, based on sales of similar property through June 30, according to the city’s Real Property Assessment Division.
Grounds for successful appeal are limited, as outlined in Chapter 8, Article 12 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, specifically Sec. 8-12.3 (808ne.ws/roh8123). You said comparable sales do not support the city’s assessment. One avenue for appeal is if the assessment exceeds 100 percent market valuation of your property by more than 10 percent.
To file online, go to www.realpropertyhonolulu.com and click on “File an Appeal.” You have until 11:59 p.m. Jan. 15 to submit online.
For mail or hand delivery, use a form at bit.ly/ 2TCrOuL. Mailed appeals must be postmarked on or before Jan. 15. Hand-delivered ones must be accepted by 4:30 p.m. that day.
The city’s Real Property Assessment Division has two offices:
>> 842 Bethel St., Basement, Honolulu, HI 96813 (not Merchant Street as we mistakenly said Thursday).
>> 1000 Uluohia St. No. 206, Kapolei, HI 96707.
Each appeal requires a $50 deposit.
Q: Please provide the names and mailing addresses of the women who would like greeting cards for projects. I missed the information.
A: We mentioned two:
Joyce Verduzco, Waipahu Intermediate School, 94-455 Farrington Highway, Waipahu, HI 96797. Verduzco teaches students who are learning English as a second language. She leads a volunteer project that invites students to write alphabet books for hospitalized and needy children, illustrated by images cut from the donated cards.
Marilyn Gilbert, 247 Akiohala St., Kailua, HI 96734. She volunteers with an evangelical Christian church that uses the cards to decorate gift boxes for needy children around the world, distributed through the Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry.
Both women prefer to receive only the fronts of the used Christmas cards. That’s where colorful illustrations usually appear, and mailing half of each card might save you postage.
AUWE
To the neighbors who used the city streets in upper Nuuanu as their fireworks playground, please clean it. Walking over the mess is not good for our pets and the environment since all that stuff will end up in the storm drain. We tolerated all the legal and illegal fireworks you played, but would appreciate it if you could play them within your own property and aim the illegal ones at your home. — W.H.
MAHALO
Mahalo to the kind lady I met at Char Hung Sut on New Year’s Day at about 6 a.m. What a great surprise I received when informed that you had paid for my order. Never met you before, but your kindness will forever be with me. May the new year bless you and bring you happiness. I wish I could repay you, but will do the same to others. Mahalo. — Grateful senior citizen
MAHALO
My deepest appreciation to the couple who found my purse by the niches at Nuuanu Memorial Park and Mortuary on Dec. 16 and turned it in to the office. You both renewed my faith that there are honest and caring people! The receptionist said she forgot to get your names, but I will remember you both in my daily prayers as that couple who granted me such relief. I pray for good health and happiness for you. Thank you! — Leona
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
