HONOLULU -- The Honolulu City Council on Tuesday night reversed an earlier vote to approve the creation of a homeowners' property tax break.

The bill was designed to give homeowners a tax break next year when officials expect property values to be lower and property tax rates will increase.

Some council members voiced concern that the tax break for homeowners who live in their home would shift the burden to renters and commercial property owners.

The reversal came after several council members were read the riot act by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Councilman Charles Djou said. Those who changed their vote denied Djou's claims.

Hannemann is expected to propose raising property taxes next year, but said he wanted to give homeowner-occupants a break.

Renters said if their investor landlords have to pay more taxes, they will pass it on to them.

"It's really hard on renters, who already as a class, tend to be in the lower-income bracket," renter Natalie Iwasa said.

Critics said the plan would end up hurting many.

"All under rubric, we are protecting homeowners so we can stick it to everyone else. This is bad policy bad planning," Councilman Charles Djou said.

Council members said they will go back to work on another bill that would be broader and fairer.

Carol Kikkawa Ward has lived in her Hawaii Kai house for 30 years. Now retired and ill with diabetes and asthma, she said she is worried about the proposed Oahu property tax increase.

"I think like everybody else, we are inundated with all kinds of expenses. It's just one more burden on everything else," she said.

She said she already pays higher taxes because her house that was bought for $135,000 now is assessed at $750,000.

Kikkawa-Ward was among homeowners favoring the mayor's proposal to create a special tax category for homeowner occupants like her.

"Over the years I have realized how much the increases in taxes have affected us," she said. "I as a senior citizen pay my fair share of taxes, however feel that investors and speculators should not be in the same category as owner occupants."

The new break would create a new category with a separate tax rate.