Latest news with #GreenFee
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tourists Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii
In a landmark piece of legislation, Hawaii has become the first state to enact a 'green fee' – or a tax on tourists, aimed at fighting future climatological disasters – set to go into effect January 1st, 2026. The tax, specifically, will apply to travelers staying in hotels, short-term rental homes, and cruise ships. And how much exactly? The transient accommodations tax (TAT) will be increased by 0.75 percent – translation: a nightly rate of $300 in a hotel will have an extra $2.25 per night added to the bill. Senate Bill 1396 was signed by Hawaii Governor Josh Green earlier this week, enacting what they are calling the 'Green Fee,' the first-of-its-kind for any state, going into effect next year. Governor Green said via press release: 'Today Hawaiʻi ushers in the first Green Fee in the nation. Once again, Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi. As an island chain, Hawaiʻi 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.'Of course, Hawaii is one of the world's most trafficked hubs for tourism. And all those people take a toll on the historic, and culturally significant island chain. So, this tax is an attempt to get ahead of future environmental impacts the islands may experience – a reserve, of sorts, for future disasters. 'I mahalo the tourism industry for stepping up and collaborating on this initiative, which will preserve Hawaiʻi for kamaʻāina and visitors alike,' continued Governor Green. 'The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.' If you're traveling to Hawaii, and you're staying in a hotel or short-term vacation rental, starting in 2026, it's gonna cost you an extra $2.25 per day to surf. But, instead of an extra fee, consider it an investment in the natural beauty and the future prosperity of this sacred Will Be Charged $2.25 Per Day to Surf in Hawaii first appeared on Surfer on May 30, 2025
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is Green Fee? Hawaii introduces first-of-its-kind tourist tax
In a landmark move, Hawaii has become the first U.S. state to implement a climate impact fee, introducing a new tax on tourists to support environmental initiatives. Announced on Tuesday, the fee is designed to fund climate change resiliency efforts and preserve the islands' natural resources. Also Read: Who are Varun Navani and Amanda Soll? Meet Indian couple whose baraat shut down Wall Street According to a press release by Governor Josh Green's office, the nation's first 'Green Fee,' Hawaii's Act 96, will increase the state's transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, bringing the total to 11% on nightly lodging rates. Set to take effect on January 1, 2026, the added revenue will directly support climate resiliency and environmental protection efforts across the islands. The fee will apply to the travellers who will stay in hotels, short-term accommodations, and, for the first time, cruise ships. Previously exempt from the TAT, cruise ship passengers will now be included under the new law, which aims to promote 'equity across the tourism industry.' For travelers, the added cost on a $300 nightly hotel stay, the new 0.75% Green Fee amounts to just $2.25 per night, as reported by USA Today. The new Green Fee is designed to generate funding for climate change mitigation, environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation, sustainable tourism, invasive species control, wildlife conservation, beach management and restoration, and a green jobs youth corps. In a statement, 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." Also Read: Who is Robert Armstrong, columnist who coined the term Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO)? The new Green Fee tax is projected to generate around $100 million each year. While specific projects will be finalized in the next legislative session, the funds are slated to support a wide range of initiatives, including environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resiliency, and sustainable tourism across the Hawaiian Islands.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii introduces new 'Green Fee' tourist tax after Maui fires
Hawaiian hoteliers are expressing concern about a new tourist tax signed into law by Governor Josh Green this week that could keep visitors away from the popular US holiday destination. "I am extremely worried about getting too expensive for the people that come here to Hawaii," Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, said. "You always have to balance those decisions, and we're certainly getting up to a point where we need to really be careful and watch it." Gibson was speaking after Green signed the relevant bill – the first of its kind in the United States – on Tuesday. "As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action," Green posted on X. "We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future," he said. Hawaiian authorities expect the new tax to bring in almost $100 million per year. Almost 10 million visitors came to the Pacific Ocean islands during 2023. The tax is being billed as a reaction to the catastrophic wildfires that hit Maui, the second-largest island in the archipelago, in August two years ago. More than 100 people died, and Lahaina, a popular tourist destination, was devastated. That devastation was attributed in part to climate change. The 11% Transient Accommodation Tax represents a rise of 0.75% on the taxes tourists already pay, according to USA Today. It will be charged to tourists staying in hotels or holiday accommodation from January 1 next year.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hawaii Imposes the Nation's First Climate Change Tax for Tourists — And It's Expected to Generate $100 Million Annually
Legislators in Hawaii are implementing a hefty tax on tourism that they believe will help the state government take action against climate change Known as the first ever "Green Fee" in the country, Hawaii's Act 96 will raise the state's current transient accommodations tax (TAT) to 11%, meaning travelers staying in a hotel room that costs $300 per night will have to pay a $2.25 fee The money will then be used for civic projects such as replenishing sand on eroding beaches in Waikiki, implementing hurricane clips to secure roofs, and clearing flammable brush that contributed to the 2023 wildfireLegislators in Hawaii are implementing a hefty tax on tourism that they believe will help the state government take action against climate change. According to the Associated Press and USA Today, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed a bill on Tuesday, May 27, that increased a tax on hotel room, vacation rentals and cruise ships to raise money to be used for issues such as eroding shorelines, wildfires and more. Known as the first ever "Green Fee" in the country, Hawaii's Act 96 will raise the state's current transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, making the taxes on nightly lodging rates 11%. The tax will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026, according to a press release from Green's office. According to USA Today, travelers will have to pay a fee based on the nightly rate of their travel accommodations. For example, travelers staying in a hotel room that costs $300 per night will have to pay a $2.25 fee. "Once again, Hawai'i is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawai'i," Green said in a statement. "As an island chain, Hawai'i 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." Cruise ships were previously able to bypass this fee, according to the outlets, but the new bill hopes to promote "equity across the tourism industry, ensuring that all visitors to Hawai'i contribute to the islands' long-term resilience and well-being," per the press release. Officials estimate that the signing of this bill, which comes nearly two years after the Maui wildfire that more than 100 people and wiped out almost an entire town, will generate nearly $100 million annually. The money will then be used for civic projects such as replenishing sand on eroding beaches in Waikiki, implementing hurricane clips to secure roofs, and clearing flammable brush that contributed to the 2023 wildfire, according to the AP. Green added that other projects will include building more firebreaks and paying a soon-to-be-hired fire marshal — a new position created after the 2023 fire, per the AP. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The governor also said that hotels in Hawaii were largely supportive of the tax. "I mahalo the tourism industry for stepping up and collaborating on this initiative, which will preserve Hawaiʻi for kamaʻāina and visitors alike," Green explained. "The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime." Hawaii State Senator Lynn DeCoite said that it was "common sense and responsibility" to implement this tax. "I think it's really about our kuleana, to the state, to the people of Hawai'i. Climate change is here and has been a super-huge challenge for all of us," she added in the release. "...The bill shares the responsibility of caring for our home with those who come to visit, to ensure that our natural resources are cared for, for future generations." Read the original article on People
New York Post
2 days ago
- New York Post
Hawaii enacts ‘green fee' on tourists to raise $100M annually for climate, ecology protection
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a Democrat, has signed into law a 'Green Fee' bill that will raise tourist taxes to help fund 'climate-change' mitigation. Senate Bill 1396 raises the tourist tax on Hawaii hotels to 11% starting Jan. 1 — which would then increase to 12% the following year, according to the text of the bill. Advertisement Portions of the revenue raised would go into the 'Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund' and the 'Economic Development and Revitalization Special Fund,' according to the bill. The bill addresses invasive species, wildlife conservation and beach management and restoration. It will also help fund a 'green jobs youth corps' and areas of environmental concern. 'Hawaiʻi is at the forefront of protecting our natural resources, recognizing their fundamental role in sustaining the ecological, cultural and economic health of Hawaiʻi,' said Gov. Green in a press release. Advertisement 4 Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, surrounded by lawmakers and supporters, signs legislation in Honolulu on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. AP 4 A person dives off rocks as a tourist boat passes along Kaanapali Beach, a popular tourist destination, on August 5, 2024 near Lahaina, Hawaii. Getty Images The Aloha State governor added, 'The fee will restore and remediate our beaches and shorelines and harden infrastructure critical to the health and safety of all who call Hawaiʻi home, whether for a few days or a lifetime.' In 2023, 9.6 million visitors traveled to Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Advertisement Hawaii already has a 10.25% tax on short-term rentals. 4 The Carnival Miracle cruise ship is docked during a 15-day cruise on January 15, 2024 in Hilo, Hawaii. Getty Images 4 People visit Iao Valley State Monument, an important historic site and tourist attraction, on August 5, 2024 near Wailuku, Hawaii. Getty Images The state's counties each add their own 3% surcharge on top of the state's tax, according to FOX 13. Advertisement 'Hawaii already imposes what some believe are high taxes on the hospitality sector and short-term stays,' said Travel Tomorrow. The Green Fee is projected to generate $100 million annually, according to the release.
