Lawmakers pass sweeping new tax that will impact anyone visiting Hawai'i: 'The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now'
In late May, The Guardian reported that Hawai'i Gov. Josh Green signed Senate Bill 1396, which establishes the country's first "Green Fee." The proceeds will be used to combat changes happening across the state because of a shifting, warming climate.
The fee is actually a 0.75% increase to the tax charge on hotel rooms and vacation rentals — about $3 extra on a $400 per night stay. The tax will also, for the first time, apply to cruise ships that dock in Hawai'i.
Both changes take effect next year, and officials expect the fee to generate roughly $100 million per year.
"As an island chain, Hawai'i cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action," Green said in a release. "We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future."
Hawai'i made frequent headlines in 2023 for the deadly wildfires that devastated much of Maui, and less than a year later, another fire put hundreds of homes at risk in Kauai.
Supporters of the new tax say the Green Fee will put Hawai'i in a better position to deal with any extreme weather events that happen in the future.
But the money is also expected to be used toward projects such as protecting native plants, forests, and wildlife, replenishing sand on eroding beaches, and enhancing the state's climate resilience.
As an example of the impact of climate inaction, University of Hawai'i researchers have said that the sea level in Honolulu's Waikiki neighborhood is expected to rise by nearly 6 feet by 2100 without mitigation efforts.
Several hotel and tourism groups in Hawai'i supported the bill, saying these improvements will also make vacations better for the millions of tourists who visit each year.
"The visitor industry will struggle if we do not take action now," said state Rep. Adrian Tam, D-Waikiki, the chair of the House tourism committee. "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."
Should the government be paying us to upgrade our homes?
Definitely
Depends on how much it costs
Depends on what it's for
No way
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Insider
16 hours ago
- Business Insider
South Africa, Botswana ranked among the best countries on earth
South Africa has been named the fourth-best country in the world for travel in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards, emerging as the highest-ranked African nation on the list. Business Insider Africa present the African countries ranked among the best on earth. The list is courtesy of Telegraph Travel Awards. South Africa's enduring popularity was highlighted by its diverse and magnetic tourism offerings. South Africa has been named the fourth-best country in the world for travel in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards, emerging as the highest-ranked African nation on the list. The award cements the country's reputation as a global tourism powerhouse and marks its continued presence in the top 10 for more than a decade. The annual awards, voted for by tens of thousands of Telegraph readers, celebrate the world's most beloved destinations. South Africa's enduring popularity was highlighted by its diverse and magnetic tourism offerings, from the cosmopolitan charm of Cape Town to the wildlife-rich Kruger National Park, and the scenic Garden Route. Cape Town, in particular, was recognised not only for its striking landscape and culture but also ranked highly in the Telegraph's city-specific polls. In a separate accolade, Cape Town was also named one of the world's 20 best cities for nightlife in the Times' 2025 global nightlife rankings. The South African city was celebrated for its eclectic after-dark energy, combining gritty warehouse raves, glamorous rooftop lounges, and a signature soundtrack of Afro-house and amapiano beats that keep both locals and visitors dancing until sunrise. Meanwhile, Botswana earned the 10th spot on the Telegraph's list, reinforcing its standing as one of the continent's most timeless and awe-inspiring travel destinations. While the country hasn't moved up the rankings, its steady position reflects a consistent global admiration for its unspoiled wilderness and conservation-driven tourism. At the heart of Botswana's appeal is the Okavango Delta, one of the world's largest inland deltas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its spectacular biodiversity and breathtaking landscapes, the delta draws nature lovers, photographers, and adventurers year after year. These are the top 10 countries in the world, according to The Telegraph New Zealand Japan India South Africa Greece Australia Peru The Maldives Costa Rica Botswana
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-medellin-colombia-GREENSPACCITY0625-c08115ffd252418bb3f9e508ea624262.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the No. 1 City in the World for Green Space—and It Has Tropical Weather, Tree-lined Corridors, and Giant Urban Parks
There's nothing like vacationing in a new city—but in between visits to museums and restaurants, it's nice to take a break and relax in the verdant peace of the outdoors. A new study from Time Out quizzed 18,500 people all over the world to determine which cities had the best green spaces, information that nature-loving travelers can use to plan their next trip. The survey found that one destination was resoundingly loved by participants—92 percent of locals in Medellín, Colombia, rated their green spaces and access to nature positively. Medellín enjoys toasty daytime temperatures thanks to its trade-wind tropical climate and is nicknamed "Ciudad de la Eterna Primavera" or the "City of Eternal Spring." There's definitely plenty of green space to love in Medellín, and spending time outdoors here doesn't require a trip outside of the city limits. However, its extensive amount of green space hasn't always been a reality for the city. The temperature in Medellín hovers between the 60s and 80s year-round, but the urban environment, concrete, and asphalt often made the heat feel more extreme. So, back in 2016, the city started a project called "green corridors," that sought to increase the amount of trees, shade, and foliage in Medellín. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation , 2.5 million plants and 880,000 trees were planted by 2021. All of that planting, in parks, vertical gardens, and walkways, helped cool and improve the air quality of the city. It also gave locals and visitors alike ample opportunities to spend time in nature without ever needing to leave the confines of the city. Parques del Río Medellín, a riverside network of parks, alone offers 71,800 square meters of outdoor space. There's also the city's botanical gardens, the ecological preserve at Parque Arví, the Natural Park Cerro El Volador—the largest in the Medellín metropolitan area, the Sculpture Park, and a host of other options. However, as the second largest city in Colombia (following the capital city of Bogotá), there's no shortage of reasons to visit Medellín, that don't require tying on your hiking boots. There's the attention-grabbing and ever-growing food scene, a vibrant LGBTQ+ community, a world-class coffee scene, and plenty of museums and art. Plus, the scenic small town of Guatapé, where you can climb rocks and hike to waterfalls, is just two hours away by car. If you are curious about the other cities that are well-regarded for green space, you can visit TimeOut's website to see the full list of rankings.
Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business Insider
Lawmakers typically get a month off for 'August recess.' Trump wants to cancel it this year.
President Donald Trump is leaning on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the so-called "August recess," when both the House and the Senate go out of session for a month in the dead of summer. The reason: The president is eager to get more of his nominees confirmed. "Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed," Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend. "We need them badly!!!" Thune has yet to weigh in on the idea, but at least one GOP senator has indicated that he supports staying in town. "Absolutely, I'm willing to do it," Republican Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas said on Fox News on Sunday. "I'm happy to stay here as long as we're working." More than 20 of Trump's diplomatic nominees are still awaiting confirmation votes. Among them is Kimberly Guilfoyle, who was nominated to serve as US Ambassador to Greece. If Trump is successful, senators will have to stick around for lots of in August, even while their House colleagues get to go home. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened. In 2018, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell canceled recess for similar reasons. According to the Senate Historical Office, the August recess evolved out of an effort to modernize the way that Congress worked, building in more predictable breaks in the schedule rather than remaining in session until work is finished. It was also especially popular with the spouses of members of Congress, who wanted to spend more time together as a family during the summer. While many lawmakers do take vacations during the month of August or during other shorter recesses throughout the year, they often find themselves busy with other work back home. That includes constituent meetings, town halls, and during election years, lots of campaigning. A Senate GOP source told BI on Monday that senators would likely prefer to be back in their home states to talk about the impact of the "Big Beautiful Bill," the sprawling piece of fiscal and tax legislation that Trump signed into law earlier this month.
