Public roadways in Hawaii are largely paid for with the gas tax, weight tax, rental vehicle surcharge, and registration fees. To fund state highways, Hawaii drivers pay a tax of 16 cents per gallon of gasoline. The federal government and counties also collect fuel taxes.
As Hawaii residents buy more fuel-efficient or alternate fuel vehicles, they consume fewer gallons of gasoline. Consequently, the amount we pay in gas tax also declines. The state and counties depend in large part on gas taxes for road upkeep and improvement. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) is examining RUC as a possible alternative that could ensure fair and sustainable funding for our roads.