Hawaii Lawmakers Advance New Tax On Alcoholic Drinks - Honolulu Civil Beat Hawaii Lawmakers Advance New Tax On Alcoholic Drinks The new state tax of 10 cents a drink would be in effect for the next three years, and raise about $62 million a year. Reading time: 4 minutes. A key Senate committee gave preliminary approval Thursday to a new 10-cents-per-drink tax on all alcoholic beverages, a step that would raise an estimated $62 million per year for the state. The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 1232, which would impose the new tax starting on July 1, and end the tax on June 30, 2024.