Hawaii has enacted a brand new “inexperienced price” geared toward addressing the rising impacts of local weather change. Signed into legislation on Tuesday, the measure provides a 0.75% surcharge to the state’s current lodging tax, elevating it from 10.25% to 11% on lodge room charges.
Beginning in January, the price may also apply to cruise ship cabins when vessels dock in Hawaii for the primary time. State officers say the added income will help catastrophe preparedness and environmental safety efforts throughout the islands.
The state estimates it might increase round $100 million yearly.
The funds will go towards initiatives reminiscent of shoreline safety, wildfire prevention, and sustaining the pure ecosystems that draw hundreds of thousands of vacationers annually.
“As soon as once more, Hawaii is on the forefront of defending our pure sources,” mentioned Governor Josh Inexperienced on the signing ceremony. “As an island chain, we can not look forward to the subsequent catastrophe to hit. We should construct resiliency now.”
Lawmakers from each tourism-heavy and climate-vulnerable areas backed the invoice. Senator Lynn DeCoite known as it a matter of “kuleana,” a Hawaiian idea referring to duty.
“Local weather change is right here,” she mentioned. “The invoice shares the duty of caring for our residence with those that come to go to.”
Consultant Adrian Tam, whose district consists of Waikīkī, mentioned the price is a “win-win” that balances tourism and environmental safety.
Skift’s in-depth reporting on local weather points is made potential by way of the monetary help of Intrepid Journey. This backing permits Skift to convey you high-quality journalism on some of the essential subjects going through our planet as we speak. Intrepid is just not concerned in any selections made by Skift’s editorial group.
