Hawaii Considering New Climate Impact Fee for Travelers

There is a proposal to charge visitors a climate impact fee, or a green fee.

Natural disasters and the subsequent high rental fees have devastated the state’s tourism economy. It has the endorsement of Governor Josh Green, who has long been an advocate of charging such a fee to bolster Hawaii’s environment.

Hawaii can pattern itself after New Zealand, which last week more than doubled the amount of its tourist tax. It is a growing trend to ensure that tourists pay their fair share for the use of the environment and infrastructure.

The measure was defeated by the Hawaii Legislature earlier this year. Critics say that adding another fee would actually discourage tourism.

But Hawaii’s Dawn Chang, Chair of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), said: “Next year, the year of 2025, the governor is going to declare that, ‘The year of climate action’ and I think there will be a concerted effort to advocate for the green fee at the next legislative session.”

Green has declared 2025 as “The Year of Climate Action.”