HiRUC is a community outreach and demonstration project. It is looking at how Hawaii could pay for the safety, upkeep, and improvement of our roads in the future. Like other states, Hawaii’s gas tax will not be a reliable source of road funding as people drive more fuel efficient cars and buy less gas. A road usage charge (RUC) is one promising approach for paying for roads, based on the number the miles you drive. HiRUC includes many opportunities for public involvement. Read about community meetings held in spring 2019, volunteer to be a test driver, or drop us a line.
Why do we need a new way to pay for our roads ?
Currently, a tax on the gas you buy funds our road safety, upkeep and improvement. Soon, that won’t be enough.
Automakers are making more efficient cars and trucks, resulting in less gas usage. Hawaii is a leader in purchases of these more efficient cars and trucks, and no doubt you’ve seen more electric, hybrid and maybe even hydrogen- powered cars on the road.
As Hawaii moves towards clean energy with the goal of 100 percent renewables by 2045, the transition to more efficient vehicles will accelerate to align with our state and county environmental sustainability goals.
Hawaii wants the community’s input on what a road usage charge to pay for our roads could look like.