Letters to the Editor

Economic impact great due to loss of tax base

Editor, The Maui News:

Maui residents should be fully informed on the economic impact to the County of Maui due to a loss of 50-70 percent of the tax base.

Direct impact will be closed businesses and a 75 percent loss of general excise tax base. Real estate property values will drop, unemployment will increase, infrastructure repairs will decline, and more Maui residents will be forced to leave their homeland.

STR units are not designed for long-term occupancy, due to limited space and affordability.

The Maui News Brian Perry article dated July 3, 2024 reported a lack of a software program and staffing to track the MCTAT revenue generated.

This resulted in a reported $50.9 million collected from STR -TAT tax, but only $40 million was deposited. This was confirmed by the business office and they reported that to date, "they still do not have a software program or staff to monitor these funds."

Maui residents need to know the facts of this economic impact.

Ed Anderson

Kihei