Question: Is it legal for a hotel to tax a resort fee, on top of the room charge?
Answer: Yes, both the room charge and any mandatory resort fees are subject to Hawaii’s transient accommodations tax.
The state Department of Taxation says that Act 20, which took effect July 1, spells out that resort fees are subject to the TAT. The law defines resort fees as “any mandatory charge or surcharge imposed by an operator, owner, or representative thereof to a transient for the use of the transient accommodation’s property, services, or amenities.”
Q: What’s going on with the Parks and Rec sign-up?
A: Technical problems disrupted online registration for free classes through Oahu’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The process was supposed to begin Monday but was suspended; no registrations were completed, the city said, which blamed high website volume for the problem.
It said that online registration would be rescheduled to begin today at 9 a.m. and continue through late Friday night.
As of Monday evening, Kokua Line was unable to access the registration website, as we tried to follow up on readers’ complaints.
Q: I know you are not allowed to vape on the plane, but can you bring it with you?
A: Yes, you can bring an electronic cigarette aboard the aircraft, but only in your carry-on bag. Electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are not allowed in checked luggage, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
Q: Auwe! I do care how much it will cost to ride Oahu’s train, assuming it ever gets finished, but I cannot take off from work to testify in person in the middle of the day!
A: We’re treating your complaint as a question because we heard from other readers with the same concern and from some who wanted more notice about today’s hearing, which we had mentioned in Monday’s column.
Another meeting is scheduled for Sept. 10, at the same time and place of today’s: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Mission Memorial Hearing Room at 550 S. King St., adjacent to Honolulu Hale.
People also can submit testimony in writing or by mail, email or fax:
Mail: Honolulu Rate Commission, c/o Howard “Puni” Chee, Department of Transportation Services (C&C Honolulu), 650 S. King St., 2nd Floor, Honolulu, HI 96813
Email: hchee@honolulu.gov.
Fax: 768-4730
Over the years, Kokua Line has received numerous questions and comments about future rail operations from readers who wanted to know whether there would be discounts for kamaaina, students or senior citizens; free transfers between the bus and the train; and other details. These are the types of questions and suggestions that the rate commission now seeks.
Oahu’s elevated rail-transit system, designed to run from Kapolei to Ala Moana Center, might begin limited service in West Oahu late next year, according to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, which is overseeing its construction.
E kala mai
I apologize for parking so closely to another car when I was rushing to the bank. When I left the bank, there was a note on my windshield from the driver, who said he could barely open his car door because I was far over the line. I apologize. — Fellow motorist
Mahalo
I would like to thank a generous, kind and compassionate couple who rescued me at Costco. We were in the checkout line when I realized that my credit/membership card was missing. He quickly offered his card to the cashier and paid for my things. He refused to accept my payment. I was anxious to get home to cancel my credit card and didn’t get their names. I will never forget this act of kindness. My credit card bill arrived and all charges were my own! Life is good! — B.C.G.
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.
