It costs the state Tax Department virtually nothing to administer the Honolulu GET rail surcharge. It was long ago built into their process. A budget analyst for Senate Ways and Means Committee in 2007 asked DOTAX what it cost to separate out and remit the Honolulu surcharge. The answer was that it cost almost nothing. Over the years the state skims hundreds of millions of dollars from rail funds.

This is money generated in Honolulu by tourists and residents.  If Honolulu Legislators, who include both Senate and House budget Chairs, don't get together and demand the money we're due, then shame on them. Completing the rail line is critical to the future of Oahu.