Latest news with #Green
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii Announces New Fee for All Tourists Visiting Islands
If you're planning a trip to Hawaii in 2026, you'll have to pay a bit more money due to a new bill that's been passed. On May 27, Hawaii officially established a climate impact fee. The current transient accommodations tax will be increased by 0.75% in an effort to help increase funding for environmental stewardship. That means hotels, cruise ships and vacation rentals will be a tad more expensive Hawaii Gov. Josh Green believes Act 96 (Senate Bill 1396), which has been named the "Green Fee" bill, will improve the state's climate change resiliency projects. "Today Hawaii ushers in the first Green Fee in the nation. Once again, Hawaii is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaii," Green said. "As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action. We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future." In 2024, Green formed the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) for Hawaii. CAT leader Chris Benjamin strongly approves of this historic bill. "The Green Fee bill marks a historic investment in climate disaster resilience and environmental protection," Benjamin said. "Using the TAT to fund resiliency projects ensures that the financial burden of safeguarding our aina and people doesn't fall upon residents alone. We thank the Legislature, industry and countless community groups and individuals who advocated tirelessly for this bill." The "Green Fee" bill will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. It's expected to generate $100 million annually. Hawaii Announces New Fee for All Tourists Visiting Islands first appeared on Men's Journal on May 28, 2025
San Francisco Chronicle
6 hours ago
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Traveling to Hawaii? What you need to know about recent health warnings
As Bay Area families prepare for summer trips to Hawaii with the school year coming to a close, health officials on the islands are urging visitors and residents to remain vigilant against several contagious diseases. On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Health confirmed a travel-related case of Zika virus on Oahu — the first in over five years — prompting renewed warnings about the mosquito-borne illness. The infected individual had visited the North Shore beach towns of Waialua and Haleiwa, popular for their quieter beaches and hiking trails. While the virus was not contracted locally, officials said, 'Travelers should take precautions to avoid mosquito bites during their trips, and for three weeks after returning.' Zika virus poses particular risks to pregnant travelers because of potential birth defects. To reduce risk, the department recommends using EPA-approved insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and pants during daylight hours when mosquitoes are active, and staying in screened or air-conditioned accommodations. The Department of Health reported 108 cases so far this year, surpassing the 84 recorded in all of 2024, and said recent infections 'have increased at a worrying rate.' 'Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory disease spread through the air via the coughs or sneezes of an infected person,' the department said. Officials emphasize the importance of up-to-date vaccinations, noting that Hawaii's vaccination rates have declined since 2019. Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases are on the rise on the islands as summer travel picks up. More than 200 new cases were confirmed last week, though officials believe many go unreported. The rapid spread of a highly contagious new omicron variant, NB.1.8.1, detected in Hawaii and six other states, has raised concerns, even though experts say it is unlikely to cause more severe illness. On Monday, Governor Josh Green criticized U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent announcement that healthy children and pregnant women would no longer be routinely recommended for COVID-19 vaccination under the Trump administration. 'By removing the capacity to vaccinate people under age 65 for the most part, you're going to see more spread,' said Green, a physician, calling the policy a 'big mistake.' 'You want to make it easier for people to choose. I'm not mandating anything. Choose what vaccinations you want. So, I'm gonna have to fight that,' Green added. He also warned, 'these guys are going to kill Americans by making it harder to get vaccinated. And then there's going to be a lot of hell to pay, because innocent people who can't get the vaccine if they want it, I think they're going to have the right to sue the federal government, in my opinion.'
Japan Today
6 hours ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Hawaii's governor signs new hotel tax legislation to help cope with climate change
People swim in the lagoon in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort in Honolulu. By AUDREY McAVOY Hawaii's governor has signed legislation that boosts a tax imposed on hotel room and vacation rental stays in order to raise money to address eroding shorelines, wildfires and other consequences of climate change. The signing, which comes nearly two years after a Maui wildfire killed 102 people and wiped out almost all of Lahaina town, marks the nation's first such levy to help cope with a warming planet. Officials estimate the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually. The money will be used for projects like replenishing sand on eroding Waikiki beaches, promoting the use of hurricane clips to secure roofs during powerful storms and clearing flammable invasive grasses like those that fueled Lahaina's wildfire. Gov. Josh Green, speaking at a bill signing ceremony, said Hawaii needs to build more firebreaks and pay a fire marshal, a new position created after Lahaina that Green expects to be staffed within the next two months. Green said other states and nations will need to act similarly to address climate disasters roiling the planet. 'There will be no way to deal with these crises without some forward-thinking mechanism,' Green said. The measure adds an additional 0.75% to the daily room rate tax starting Jan. 1. Green said this amounts to an extra $3 tax on a $400 hotel room rate. It also levies a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills starting July 2026, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports, to bring cruise ship taxes in line with room taxes on land. Travelers to Hawaii already pay a significant room tax. With the new law, the state's existing 10.25% tax on short-term accommodations will climb to 11%. Together with other state and county taxes, visitors will pay a nearly 19% levy on their accommodations — one of the highest rates in the country. Hawaii's hotels ultimately supported the bill, saying it would help improve the visitor experience. Green said the industry looked at 'the greater good' for tourism, Hawaii and the planet. Green initially proposed a bill that would put revenue from the tax increase into a dedicated fund, but lawmakers instead put the money into the state's general fund. Their compromise measure calls on the governor to request funds from the Legislature for projects in the following areas: protecting native forests, plants and animals; enhancing climate resilience; and mitigating the effects of tourism on the environment. Green said they will collaborate to implement the law. State Rep. Adrian Tam, the chairperson of the House tourism committee, said the state must earn the public's trust that it will spend the money transparently and in the best way possible. He noted Hawaii's tourism economy relies on a brand that's in part dependent on a pristine natural environment. 'The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now," said Tam, a Democrat representing Waikiki. "There will be nothing left for them to showcase to the rest of the world if our beaches are decimated, wildfires have taken over our towns and hikes left unmanaged.' © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Hawaii becomes first US state to charge 'Green Fee' on tourists
Hawaii becomes first US state to charge 'Green Fee' on tourists Show Caption Hide Caption Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spews stunning lava fountains Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewed lava fountains exceeding 1,000 feet, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Hawaii became the first U.S. state to establish a climate impact fee on Tuesday, placing an additional tax on tourists to fund climate change resiliency projects and environmental stewardship within the islands. As the country's inaugural "Green Fee," Act 96 will raise the state's current transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75% for a total of 11% placed upon the nightly lodging rate, effective Jan. 1, 2026, according to a press release by Governor Josh Green's office. The fee will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term vacation rentals and for the first time ever, cruise ships. For a nightly hotel rate of $300, that would be an extra $2.25 each night. "As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action," Green said in a statement. "We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future." What is a tourist tax? Many destinations are raising tourist taxes, but are they accomplishing their goal? The new fee is expected to generate $100 million annually. The funded projects are to be confirmed next legislative session but will span environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resiliency, and sustainable tourism. Previously, cruise ship passengers had bypassed the TAT, but the new law seeks to promote "equity across the tourism industry" by ensuring all travelers contribute to protecting the islands' economic and natural resources. The bill came as a response to the growing frequency of natural disasters exacerbated by climate change, specifically the 2023 Maui wildfires, the deadliest wildfire in the country in over a century that decimated the community of Lahaina. In just hours, over 100 people were killed with homes, businesses and cultural sites burnt to ashes. After the fires, the governor formed the Climate Advisory Team (CAT) to develop climate disaster policy recommendations. A key measure from the group was to secure a source of funding for climate change mitigation and disaster relief, according to the release. "The Green Fee bill marks a historic investment in climate disaster resilience and environmental protection," said Chris Benjamin, the leader of CAT, in a statement. "Using the TAT to fund resiliency projects ensures that the financial burden of safeguarding our aina (island) and people doesn't fall upon residents alone. We thank the legislature, industry and countless community groups and individuals who advocated tirelessly for this bill." Tourist taxes are quickly emerging worldwide as more destinations face the impacts of overtourism and climate change. Last year, Greece, Bali and the Galápagos Islands all implemented or raised their fees on travelers to contribute to various programs based on sustainability. Experts say the effectiveness of such a tax is still up in the air and heavily depends on the outcome and goals. In some cases, like in Venice, a small tax hasn't deterred tourists, but in other places, it has successfully funded beneficial projects.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Louisiana legislator charged with DWI, child endangerment after vehicle crash
Louisiana state Rep. Kyle Green was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and child endangerment after crashing his car with his three children as passengers early Wednesday morning, State Police said. Neither Green nor the children were injured in the single-vehicle crash. The children were released to a family member. USA Today is seeking comment from Green. In a text to USA Today, House Speaker Phillip DeVillier said, "It's an unfortunate situation. He and his family are in my prayers, and we will do everything we can to support his family." Green, a Democrat from Marrero, ran off the road while traveling westbound on U.S. 90 in Jefferson Parish and crashed into a concrete barrier. State Police said when officers arrived on the scene about 2:30 a.m., they noticed signs of impairment. They placed Green under arrest after conducting field sobriety tests. Green refused to provide a breath sample after being transported to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, but police secured a search warrant from a judge to obtain blood samples at the jail. Green was charged with first offense DWI, three counts of DWI with child endangerment, careless operation and improper lane use. More: Massive New Orleans jailbreak may have been inside job as attorney general makes arrest Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Louisiana legislator charged with DWI, child endangerment after crash
