Resident proposes property‑tax cap and public ownership of HECO; board to consider draft resolutions

Jason Liang presented two proposed neighborhood resolutions for board consideration: (1) cap property taxes to 1% of household income to protect long‑term residents and (2) pursue a study or resolution to make Hawaiian Electric (HECO) a publicly owned utility.

Liang argued that rising property values push up taxes while incomes lag and said the current city cap he referenced is 3% of household income with an $80,000 eligibility threshold; he proposed raising the income cap to broaden eligibility. He also criticized HECO as a for‑profit monopoly and suggested public ownership could prioritize service and resilience over investor returns, noting his belief that HECO is majority‑owned by institutional investors.

Board members asked clarifying questions about precedent and feasibility; one member noted similar higher tax tiers exist on other islands and urged Liang to bring a drafted resolution to the next meeting. The board did not take action on the proposals at this meeting; per sunshine rules, members may place drafts on a future agenda.