Overview

• Starting January 1, 2026, the green fee will boost the transient accommodations tax by 0.75 percentage points to 11% and impose an 11% levy on cruise-ship visitors to generate about $100 million each year.
• A stakeholder-driven process launched in July will gather annual input from local communities, tourism businesses and environmental organizations to guide the allocation of green-fee revenues.
• Supporters say dedicated funding is vital to close Hawaii’s $560 million conservation shortfall and back projects like invasive grass control, coral reef rehabilitation and wildfire mitigation.
• Critics warn that raising visitor fees risks deterring tourists and could strain Hawaii’s economy by increasing travel costs.
• Inspired by Hawaii’s law, legislators in Oregon and other states are debating similar tourism levies to fill budget gaps for environmental restoration and hazard mitigation.