Tourists Will Pay Hawaii’s Unprecedented ‘Green Fee’ To Combat Climate Crisis

Paradise comes with a price tag now. Hawaii just slapped a first-of-its-kind climate fee on tourists, and visitors are about to feel it in their wallets. The state’s new “Green Fee” charges tourists $2.25 daily for activities like surfing, plus a hefty 10.75% tax on tourism that pushes total lodging taxes near 19%. Even cruise ship passengers can’t escape this one.

Governor Josh Green signed Act 96 into law on May 27, 2025, making Hawaii the first U.S. state to milk tourists specifically for climate cash. The goal? A cool $100 million annually from the nearly 10 million visitors who flock to the islands each year. That money’s supposedly earmarked for fixing beaches, preventing wildfires, and “hardening” infrastructure against climate disasters. Whatever that means.

The timing’s not random. Hawaii’s been getting hammered by climate-induced disasters – shoreline erosion, wildfires, the whole nine yards. Officials claim this fee is essential for protecting the state’s ecological, cultural, and economic health. They’re calling it a national model for environmental protection through tourism. Sure, why not.

Not everyone’s thrilled. Critics see it as a vague cash grab that’ll hurt local businesses when tourists spend less on restaurants and activities. Some Hawaii residents get stuck paying the fee too when they stay at hotels or vacation rentals. That’s gotta sting. Tourism industry professionals worry the added costs could trigger a visitor decline, potentially undermining the very economy the fee aims to protect.

Supporters, though, they’re calling it “groundbreaking.” A Climate Advisory Team will oversee spending, with budget reviews each legislative session. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe worldwide, Hawaii’s proactive approach could serve as a blueprint for vulnerable coastal regions. At least they’re promising transparency and accountability. We’ll see how that goes.

The debate rages on about whether this fee will actually deliver the promised climate benefits or just pad the state’s coffers. One thing’s certain – Hawaii’s betting big that tourists will keep coming despite the extra costs. The new law kicks in January 1, 2026, giving tourists about six months to plan their last fee-free Hawaiian vacation. After all, where else can mainlanders pretend they’re in paradise while simultaneously funding its survival? The irony’s not lost on anyone.

But hey, somebody’s gotta pay for keeping those beaches Instagram-worthy, right?