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.”
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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 place.
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