Bill > HR111

This Resolution urges the Honolulu City Council to prioritize funding for essential services for Oahu residents over the Honolulu Rail project, especially in light of a new three percent tax on accommodations (hotel room tax) that was established by Bill 40 in December 2021. The resolution highlights that a significant portion of this new tax revenue is designated for the rail project, which has been ongoing for over a decade and is expected to continue until at least 2031. It also references recent arrests of city officials on corruption charges and the ongoing financial strain on core services due to the COVID-19 pandemic as further reasons to re-evaluate funding priorities. Therefore, the resolution calls for the City Council to reconsider the allocation of the hotel room tax, potentially reducing the amount directed to the rail project to ensure that vital public services are adequately funded first.