Latest news with #TransientAccommodationTax
Yahoo
4 days 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
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landmark climate fee becomes law: Visitors to help fund Hawaiʻi's fight against climate change
HONOLULU (KHON2) — After years of political back and forth, the pen finally hit the paper. 'I hope the world is watching because having something that is a balance between industry and environment is gonna be the way to go forward to protect our people, to protect our states protect your economy,' Gov. Josh Green said. 'And most importantly, to protect the lifestyles and the lives we want our children to have for generations to come.' Gabbard pressed on omission of climate change from threat report Green today signed into law Senate Bill 1396, now Act 96. It's the first of its kind in the nation and creates what's being called a 'Climate Impact Fee' also known as 'The Green Fee.' The .75% increase to the state's Transient Accommodation Tax hikes the TAT to 11% for tourism-related activities including hotels and cruise ships. To break that down, for every $400 spent, $3 will go towards natural resource protection. The bill is projected to raise an estimated $100 million a year to address what the state says is about half a billion dollars in critical funding needed to protect Hawaiʻi's environment. 'The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now,' said State Rep. Adrian Tam, chair of the House Committee on Tourism. Unlike other programs, the new funds won't go into a dedicated special fund. Instead, the legislature will reevaluate priorities each year to decide where the money should go based on the greatest environmental areas of priority are protecting land and aquatic resources, climate and hazard resiliency and sustainable tourism. The Grassroots Institute of Hawaiʻi, a longtime opponent of the bill, says it could end up hurting more than it helps. 'There's nothing like a Hawaiʻi vacation and that is 100% true. But that doesn't mean that it won't affect visitor spending and the attractiveness of the Hawaiʻi as a destination,' said Malia Hill, policy director at the Grassroots Institute of Hawaiʻi. They argue the fee won't just fall on tourists, it will also impact local residents and small businesses. Check out more news from around Hawaii 'We travel interisland, for work, to see family, to see friends. So it is a tax on locals, and you cannot get away from that,' Hill said. Act 96 takes effect Jan. 1, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Hawaii Raises Hotel Tax to Fund Climate Change Relief
WASHINGTON: Hawaii lawmakers have passed a 'first of its kind' bill that increases the US state's hotel tax to fund climate change relief efforts, the governor's office said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said he intends to approve the legislation which raises the tax on short-term accommodations like hotels and rentals by 0.75 percent. 'This legislation, which I intend to sign, is the first of its kind in the nation,' Green said in a statement issued by his office on Friday. 'Hawai'i is truly setting a new standard to address the climate crisis.' The state, which hosts roughly 10 million yearly visitors, currently imposes a 10.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) on vacation stays and other rentals. Hawaii's counties also impose an additional three percent tax, which with the new hike, will bring the overall hotel tax to 14 percent statewide. The tax hike will raise an estimated $100 million annually for disaster mitigation in the state, according to the governor's office. It described the levy as a 'climate impact fee' or 'green fee,' adding that it 'will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change.' A devastating wildfire swept through the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, killing more than 100 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. 'Given the devastation we saw on Maui in August of 2023, this measure is crucial because it will help us to deal with wildfire risk resulting from the climate change crisis,' Green said in the statement.
Malay Mail
03-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Hawaii passes ‘green fee' hotel tax hike to fund climate relief
WASHINGTON, May 3 — Hawaii lawmakers have passed a 'first of its kind' bill that increases the US state's hotel tax to fund climate change relief efforts, the governor's office said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said he intends to approve the legislation which raises the tax on short-term accommodations like hotels and rentals by 0.75 per cent. 'This legislation, which I intend to sign, is the first of its kind in the nation,' Green said in a statement issued by his office yesterday. 'Hawai'i is truly setting a new standard to address the climate crisis.' The state, which hosts roughly 10 million yearly visitors, currently imposes a 10.25 per cent Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) on vacation stays and other rentals. Hawaii's counties also impose an additional three percent tax, which with the new hike, will bring the overall hotel tax to 14 percent statewide. The tax hike will raise an estimated US$100 million (RM426 million) annually for disaster mitigation in the state, according to the governor's office. It described the levy as a 'climate impact fee' or 'green fee,' adding that it 'will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change.' A devastating wildfire swept through the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, killing more than 100 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. 'Given the devastation we saw on Maui in August of 2023, this measure is crucial because it will help us to deal with wildfire risk resulting from the climate change crisis,' Green said in the statement. — AFP
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hawaii passes 'green fee' hotel tax hike to fund climate relief
AP file photo WASHINGTON: Hawaii lawmakers have passed a "first of its kind" bill that increases the US state's hotel tax to fund climate change relief efforts, the governor's office said. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said he intends to approve the legislation, which raises the tax on short-term accommodations like hotels and rentals by 0.75 percent. "This legislation, which I intend to sign, is the first of its kind in the nation," Green said in a statement issued by his office on Friday. "Hawai'i is truly setting a new standard to address the climate crisis." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Suvi Do: New Container Houses (Take A Look At The Prices) Container House Search Now Undo The state, which hosts roughly 10 million yearly visitors, currently imposes a 10.25 percent Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) on vacation stays and other rentals. Hawaii's counties also impose an additional three percent tax, which with the new hike, will bring the overall hotel tax to 14 percent statewide. The tax hike will raise an estimated $100 million annually for disaster mitigation in the state, according to the governor's office. It described the levy as a " climate impact fee " or " green fee ," adding that it "will help the islands to mitigate the impacts of climate change." A devastating wildfire swept through the Hawaiian island of Maui in 2023, killing more than 100 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. "Given the devastation we saw on Maui in August of 2023, this measure is crucial because it will help us to deal with wildfire risk resulting from the climate change crisis," Green said in the statement.
