Hawaii County Fuel Tax Increase Proposal


County of Hawaii Website: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/


The County administration is proposing to increase the existing 8.8 cent per gallon fuel tax by 6.0 cents per gallon, for a total of 14.8 cents per gallon.

How does Hawai`i County compare with other counties?

Kauai County's existing fuel tax is 13.0 cents per gallon for 220 miles of road and 70 employees. (3.1 miles per employee) Maui County's existing fuel tax is 18.0 cents per gallon with 607 miles of road and 130 employees. (4.7 miles per employee) Honolulu's existing fuel tax is 16.5 cents per gallon with 1,156 miles of road and 400 employees. (2.9 miles per employee) Hawai`i County's existing fuel tax is 8.8 cents per gallon for 904 miles of road and 136 employees (6.6 miles per employee).

The proposal asks that 4.0 cents of the total increase be used to increase the resources and spending of the Highway Fund, to catch up with the backlog of road maintenance work and keep current in the future.

The proposal is asking that 2.0 cents of the total increase be used to improve the County's Mass Transit system. Access to transportation is critical to the quality of life in many ways: to help people get to jobs or school, alleviate traffic problems by decreasing the number of private vehicles on the road, as well as allow children and youth to participate in community and after-school activities.

What would the overall "pocketbook" impact be for the average motorist?

Based on the average gas tank capacity of 20 gallons, assuming the motorist fills up twice a month, the fuel tax increase translates into $2.40 a month or $28.80 a year.

Why increase the fuel tax for the first time since 1988?

The County has additional roads added to its inventory every year. Currently, County roads account for more than 900 miles. Hawai`i County is the only county in the state that resurfaces its roads in-house. We save money by doing this. However, we are unable to keep up with our regular maintenance and operational responsibilities. These include pot-hole patching, grass cutting, litter cleanup, herbiciding, overhang cutting, culvert and ditch maintenance, road restriping, installation and repair of street lights and traffic signals.

How was this fuel tax increase arrived at?

The amount of fuel tax increase was determined after looking at what it would cost to have adequate staff and equipment to maintain our road system.

What benefits come from a fuel tax increase?

Road Maintenance:

The County would be able to resurface roads on a 20-year cycle. By lessening the ratio of number of miles per employee, the County would be able to keep up with regular responsibilities. The County would be able to better address traffic flow problems. The County would have more Traffic Division staff in North and South Kona, and North and South Kohala districts to improve maintenance and response times.

Improved Mass Transit for our Island of Hawai`i:

New or expanded bus routes are proposed for Waikoloa, Pahoa and intra-Kona, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion. Handivan services in Hamakua and Ocean View/Pahala to alleviate traffic congestion. Expansion of boat day shuttle service to help visitors and local businesses. Increased funding for shared ride taxi subsidy.

What is the process for presenting this proposal?

The administration's formal proposal for a fuel tax increase will be presented to the County Council for consideration by the end of April.

The proposal is a part of the County of Hawai`i's proposed operating budget for fiscal 2004-2005, submitted to the County Council on March 1, 2004.

Public meetings on the fuel tax increase proposal

The County Department of Public Works and the Mass Transit Agency will be holding a series of public meetings to further explain the proposal, to take public comment and to answer questions.

The meetings will be held as follows:

Kona Meeting :
Tuesday, March 16, 2004
6:00 p.m.
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel, Kamakahonu Ballroom 75-5660 Palani Road, Kailua Kona

Hilo Meeting :
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
6:00 p.m.
Hawai'i County Council Room
25 Aupuni Street, Hilo

Waimea Meeting :
Thursday, March 18, 2004
6:00 p.m.
Waimea Civic Center
(Across of Church Row)
67-5189 Kamamalu Street, Waimea

If you have any questions, please contact Bruce McClure, Director of Public Works at 961-8324.