Hawaii’s Green Fee: Tourists to Pay More for Climate and Ecology Protection

Hawaii’s latest move to protect its pristine landscapes comes with a price tag for visitors. Starting January 1, a new Green Fee will bump hotel taxes to 11%, climbing to 12% the following year. This isn’t just another tax grab—it’s a bold step to fund critical environmental initiatives, from battling invasive species to restoring beaches battered by time and tides. The revenue will flow into a Climate Mitigation and Resiliency Special Fund, alongside efforts to bolster economic development and create a green jobs youth corps.

Gov. Josh Green, with a nod to the islands’ ecological and cultural soul, called the fee a lifeline for Hawaii’s natural treasures. With 9.6 million tourists flocking to the Aloha State in 2023, the fee is expected to rake in $100 million annually. That’s no small change for a state already juggling a 10.25% tax on short-term rentals, plus county surcharges. Critics argue Hawaii’s hospitality sector is already stretched thin, but supporters see this as a necessary trade-off to preserve paradise.

The islands’ beaches, wildlife, and infrastructure are under strain, and this fee aims to ease the burden while ensuring Hawaii remains a bucket-list destination. Whether you’re a sunseeker or a local, the message is clear: protecting paradise comes at a cost.