ABOUT DOT
An overall view of our Department.
THE STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
To provide a safe, efficient, accessible, and inter-modal transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, and enhances and/or preserves economic prosperity and the quality of life.
Department of Transportation is responsible to plan, design, construct, operate, and maintain State facilities in all modes of transportation, including air, water, and land. Coordination with other State, County, and Federal programs is maintained in order to achieve the objective. The Department currently provides, operates, and maintains eleven (11) commercial service airports, four (4) general aviation airports; nine (9) commercial harbors; and two thousand four hundred fifty (2,450) lane miles of highway. Four of the five major airports now serve domestic overseas carriers.
DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW
The Department of Transportation was formed shortly after Hawaii became a state in 1959. It has three divisions, Airports, Harbors and Highways, which are supported by 10 departmental staff offices. The offices are: Statewide Transportation Planning, Special Compliances, Public Affairs, Visitor Information, PPB Management and Analytical, Personnel, Business Management, Contracts, Computer Systems and Services, and Property Management.
The DOT is composed of four principle sub-programs: Air Transportation Facilities and Services, Water Transportation Facilities and Services, Land Transportation Facilities and Services, and Overall Program Support for Transportation Facilities and Services. A total of 35 individual, lower-level programs and their associated plans are included in the Multi-Year Program and Financial Plan for the period 1999-2005.
The three divisions of DOT; Airports, Harbors and Highways, work with their Federal counterparts; Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Coast Guard and Federal Highways Administration, in order to keep Hawaii coordinated with overall U.S. standards. Closer to home, since county transportation systems must complement the State system, the counties' Planning Commission and Department of Public Works assist in determining the needs and priorities of transportation facilities. In addition, City and County of Honolulu performs maintenance activities on all traffic lights on Oahu and provides an abandoned vehicle removal service from State highways on the island of Oahu.
FUNDING
The DOT is required by law to generate its own monies to fund its programs and projects. Independent special funds were established for each of the three division’s major programs.
Each fund is expected to generate enough revenue to pay for the program operation and maintenance costs and to contribute a fee to the State General Fund for central services. This fee is set at five percent of each special fund’s gross revenues after debt service.
These special funds must also provide a higher level of cash financing in the Capital Improvement Program to ease the burden on debt service.
Since the Capital Improvement Program is large, the DOT continues to rely on reimbursable General Obligation Bonds and federal aid (largely through the U.S. Department of Transportation) to help fund programs and projects.
Airport Special Revenue Fund
The Airport Revenue Fund was created under Section 261-5, HRS. Its primary revenue sources are the aviation fuel tax, landing fees, airport use charges, concession fees, and investment income. Other revenue sources include rentals and miscellaneous earnings.
Harbor Special Revenue Fund
The Harbor Special Fund was established under Section 266-19, HRS. The majority of the fund’s revenues come from fees and charges for profiles, dockage, demurrage, and the rental of land and wharf space at the state’s commercial harbors. The remaining amount is generated from various service charges, permits and licenses.
Highway Special Revenue Fund
The State Highway Fund was established under Section 248-8 HRS, as amended. The principal sources of revenue are taxes or fees relating to liquid fuel, vehicle registration, motor vehicle weight, rental motor vehicle surcharge, tour vehicle surcharge and periodic motor vehicle inspections (safety).
ORGANIZATION CHART
