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January 5, 2012

Baldwin Memorial Home to be Preserved Through Perpetual Preservation Easement Donated to Historic Hawaii

The owner of the century-old Fred C. Baldwin Memorial Home in Makawao has donated a perpetual easement for the preservation of the exteriors of five connected historic buildings and the associated land.  Mr. Xorin Balbes of SoulSpace Ranch has completed a rehabilitation project for the historic property, which will be adaptively reused as a gathering place, educational and lodging facility known as Lumeria Maui.
January 5, 2012

Honolulu Commission Recommends Changes to Preservation Tax Exemptions

The Honolulu Real Property Tax Advisory Commission has completed a systematic review of the City’s real property tax system’s classes, 53 types of exemptions, credits, and minimum property tax.  Among its many recommendations, the Commission proposes changes to the property tax exemptions for preservation of historic residential properties.
April 19, 2012

Public Input Requested for State Preservation Plan

April 19, 2012: The State of Hawai‘i has initiated the public process to develop a five-year plan to set the vision, goals and objectives for statewide preservation policy.
April 20, 2012

Federal Agency Reviews SHPD Corrective Action Progress

Some progress seen, but concerns remain; State has one year to complete requirements

April 19, 2012:  The National Park Service has issued an interim finding that the State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) is still in jeopardy of being decertified as a federally-approved program under the National Historic Preservation Act.

In March, the National Park Service (NPS) held an interim review of the State’s progress on achieving Corrective Action Plan (CAP) requirements that have been underway for two years. In a letter to the State dated April 19, Stephanie Toothman, NPS Associate Director of Cultural Resources, Stewardship and Science, outlined areas that remain of concern, especially related to hiring and retaining qualified staff.
April 26, 2012

New Bill Would Repeal, Replace Honolulu Historic Home Tax Exemption

Honolulu City Councilmember Ann Kobayashi has introduced a bill to amend the historic residential property tax exemption. CB42 (2012) passed first reading on April 25 and was assigned to the Budget Committee. Next steps are for the committee to hold a public hearing to gather input and decide whether or not to move the measure to second reading before the full council.