5-cent gas tax hike adds to heavy burden

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Mar 07, 2013

~~<p>Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed a week ago to issue bonds at a low rate to repair Honolulu's badly needed streets, which would be a significant change. But just three days later, he called for a nickel-per-gallon increase in the city's 16.5 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax, aimed at paying the bonds' debt service and to restore cut bus service.</p>
<p>Oahu residents already enduring rising prices at the pump, high energy costs, increased water bills and rising sewer fees are reeling from sticker shock on too many fronts. Key City Council members are right in their instinctive rejection of the fuel-tax increase while islanders struggle to recover from the recession.</p>
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Mayor Kirk Caldwell proposed a week ago to issue bonds at a low rate to repair Honolulu's badly needed streets, which would be a significant change. But just three days later, he called for a nickel-per-gallon increase in the city's 16.5 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax, aimed at paying the bonds' debt service and to restore cut bus service.

Oahu residents already enduring rising prices at the pump, high energy costs, increased water bills and rising sewer fees are reeling from sticker shock on too many fronts. Key City Council members are right in their instinctive rejection of the fuel-tax increase while islanders struggle to recover from the recession. Login for more...