Hawaii Green Fee: Where Your Money Goes

• Launch date: January 1, 2026. • Who pays: The fee applies to non-resident visitors (including tourists arriving by air and cruise ship). • Cost: The fee adds 0.75% to Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT). For a typical $400 hotel night, this equals about $3 per night. • Purpose: To generate dedicated funding for climate adaptation, natural resource protection, and disaster recovery projects.

Hawaii's ecosystems are under immense pressure from tourism and global environmental change: • Coral reef decline: Rising ocean temperatures and chemicals in some sunscreens have contributed to widespread bleaching in some reef areas. • Wildfire recovery: The 2023 Maui wildfires highlighted the urgent need for disaster recovery funds. Visit responsibly with tips from our Post-Wildfire Maui Guide. • Invasive species: Threats like avian malaria and ‘Ōhi‘a dieback endanger native flora and fauna. • Microplastics & marine debris: Hawaii's beaches receive debris from local sources and oceanic currents across the Pacific; microplastics are an increasing concern. The Green Fee aims to create a stable source of funding to address these long-term challenges.

Funds from the Green Fee will be managed by the Hawaii Green Fee Advisory Council, which allocates resources to high-priority projects. Early plans include: • Coral reef restoration: Scaling up reef nurseries and outplanting projects across Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island. • Trail maintenance: Repairing heavily used paths in areas like Diamond Head, the Na Pali Coast, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. See our Visiting Hawaii Volcanoes After Eruptions guide for tips. • Wildfire recovery: Supporting reforestation and cultural site rehabilitation in affected communities. • Community partnerships: Funding Native Hawaiian stewardship groups to lead conservation and cultural programs. Updates and annual reports will be published by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Many visitors wonder how the Green Fee differs from existing taxes: • Hotel / lodging tax: Revenue goes to state and county governments for general use. • Car rental tax: Funds transportation and infrastructure projects. • Resort fees: Charged by individual hotels to cover amenities. • Green Fee: Specifically earmarked for environmental and cultural preservation, making it the first fee designed to directly fund conservation and resiliency projects statewide.

The Green Fee has sparked debate: • Skepticism: Some travelers worry it’s just "another tax" without guaranteed transparency. Clear reporting will be essential to build trust. • Equity: Residents argue visitors should bear more responsibility, but fees must remain accessible and fair. • Cruise line challenges: Cruise operators have contested similar fees elsewhere, raising implementation and legal questions. • Accountability: The fee's impact depends on transparent annual reporting, measurable project outcomes, and community-led stewardship.

Paying the Green Fee is just one way to protect Hawaii. Visitors can also: • Choose eco-certified lodging: Support hotels that prioritize renewable energy, water conservation, and local sourcing. See our Complete Hawaii Eco-Friendly Hotels Guide (2025). • Reduce your carbon footprint: Learn practical steps in our Carbon Footprint Guide. • Use reef-safe sunscreen: Avoid suncreens that contain chemicals harmful to coral. Check out our recommendations for reef-safe sunscreen. • Join a cleanup or volunteer project: Participate in beach cleanups, trail restoration, or reef monitoring. Organizations like Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii run regular events. • Support local, Native-owned businesses: Spend money where it directly benefits communities and cultural preservation.