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April 19, 2022
Hawaii County Council
Honorable Maile David, Chair m
Honorable Aaron Chung,Vice Chair
Honorable Members of the Hawaii County Council co
RE:OPPOSE RESOLUTION 323-22-AUTHORIZES A DECREASE IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FUEL TAX
REDUCES THE COUNTY OF HAWAII FUEL TAX FOR DIESEL ON-HIGHWAY AND GASOLINE ON HIGHWAY
FUELS FROM 23 CENTS PER GALLON TO 13 CENTS PER GALLON.
Aloha Chair and members of the Hawaii County Council,
The Hawaii Operating Engineers Industry Stabilization Fund (HOEISF) opposes Resolution 323-
22. Our organization is a Labor-Management fund representing 3000 unionized members in
heavy engineering site work and 500 general contractors specializing in heavy site work, paving,
and vertical construction. Our organization opposes to Resolution 363-22.
While we appreciate the council's efforts to follow the national trend to propose a reduction in
Hawaii Counties gas tax to help citizens adversely affected by rising inflation and gas prices, we
feel that this resolution is flawed as it does not address the following issues:
1. The resolution does not specifically address the loss in gas tax revenue and the plan to
offset this loss. It only alludes to leveraging state and federal grants. Many other states
and counties that have enacted a reduction in "gas taxes" have laid out specific plans to
offset this loss. They have rearranged their budgets based on COVID-19 funds, issues
millions of dollars in bonds, and even allocated general fund money to ensure
infrastructure projects remain funded. Is Hawaii county willing to do the same?
a. Hawaii county has many condemned bridges and roads? What will happen to
citizens that use these roads and bridges?
2. What is the actual benefit to Hawaii county citizens? How much will it save them at the
pump? Will this change save them one gallon of gas per month?Two-gallons? I have
seen the Hawaii county council ask for economic reports on a myriad of issues, to help
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the council make better decisions. That is a very good thing. The council should be
asking the same of this resolution.
In conclusion, the intent and purpose of this resolution is good, but the resolution falls way
short in vetting the practical economic impact on Hawaii County citizens,the county's budget,
and sorely needed infrastructure projects. In short, this resolution is not practical and should be
redrafted, if not tabled indefinitely.