Big Island mayor seeks support for higher gas tax

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Mayor Harry Kim wants to boost the Big Island gasoline tax by 6 cents a gallon to improve roads and bus service.

The county currently charges a tax of 8.8 cents a gallon.

Honolulu's gasoline tax is 16.5 cents a gallon, Maui's is 18 cents a gallon and Kaua'i's is 13 cents a gallon.

The state imposes a gas tax of 16 cents a gallon on top of the county taxes.

Kim said he wants to apply 4 cents of the 6-cent increase to the county highway fund to raise an extra $5.1 million a year. Kim said the county faces a backlog of needed road maintenance work, and the extra money would allow the traffic division to devise ways to smooth traffic flow.

Traffic is a major issue in the Kailua, Kona, area, where residents complain that the county has allowed development to sprout up without necessary highway improvements.

The other 2 cents would help raise an extra $1.6 million for new or expanded bus routes in Waikoloa, Pahoa or within Kona.

The $247 million budget proposed by Kim for the year beginning July 1 would increase spending by about $25 million.

"I'm hopeful that the council and the public will recognize that this is necessary," managing director Dixie Kaetsu said.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 935-3916.