HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0708.020 2020-2022 lCourl C
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Drivi-nR Hawaii's Economy
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May 2, 2022
TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
ON RESOLUTION 363-22 RELATING TO
AUTHORIZES A DECREASE IN THE HAWAI'I COUNTY FUEL TAX
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Aloha Chair David, Vice Chair Chung, and council members. I am Gareth Sakakida,
Managing Director of the Hawaii Transportation (NTA). We are a private, non-profit
trade organization representing the interests of our trucking and tour vehicle members,
collectively referred to as motor carriers, throughout Hawaii.
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HTA strongly supports this Resolution to reduce the County of Hawaii's fuel tax to 13w
cents a gallon. We understand the County has enjoyed revenue surpluses since _
implementing an increase in the fuel tax in 2017.
Motor carriers are in need of assistance to mitigate the catastrophic increase in fuel
prices due to inflation and the Ukranian War.
Our members report that fuel has increased 74% since a year ago, 85 cents a gallon
for diesel and gasoline up 65 cents a gallon! The U.S. Department of Energy's website
substantiates the sort of increases that have been occurring over a period of a few
weeks: htt s://w .eia, ov/r)etroleum/oasdiesel/
It is insane and we are in dire need of the ability to mitigate that cost. Fuel cost alone is
getting us closer to just breaking even, and no one can afford to have trucking decide it
costs less to just sit the fleet. That scenario will practically break our already strained
supply chain. Everything we buy in stores, and consume at restaurants would be
impacted.
Many businesses throughout the nation are implementing fuel surcharges, but the for
hire portion of our motor carrier industry regulated by the Public Utilities Commission is
precluded from utilizing a fuel surcharge to mitigate fuel cost.
Our costs are spiraling out of control so quickly we cannot keep up. We really do need
your assistance in this fuel cost crisis.
Mahalo.
Comm. No.
er'a Date MAY 4 202