City Council rejects mayor’s proposed gas tax hike

A proposal aiming to increase the state’s gas tax by five cents was rejected by the Honolulu City Council on Wednesday.

The proposal was killed in its first reading by a vote of 6-3.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell says his proposal would have brought in $15 million, which would help restore bus cuts and repave roads.

The last time there was a hike of the city gas tax was 24 years ago.

Councilmember Ikaika Anderson is proposing another measure that would replace the current 16.5 percent gas tax.

Hawaii already has the highest gas prices in the nation.