Hawaii to impose environmental tax on tourists

Hawaii, a group of islands of outstanding natural beauty, is to become the first US state to impose a climate impact fee on visiting tourists.

Funds raised will be used to fund climate change projects and environmental stewardship, travel media outlet Travel Mole reports.

The ‘Green Fee’ is being added to Hawaii’s current transient accommodations tax, as a 0.75% increase. That will take the per night lodging tax imposed on visitors to 11%.

The new tax becomes effective January 1, 2026.

It is payable for guests staying in hotels and short-term vacation rentals and those arriving on cruise ships.

“As an island chain, Hawaii cannot wait for the next disaster to hit before taking action,” Hawaii governor Josh Green said.

“We must build resiliency now, and the Green Fee will provide the necessary financing to ensure resources are available for our future.”

The fee could generate up to $100 million annually - let's hope it is put to good use and not absorbed in consolidated revenue.

Specific projects funded by the Green Fee revenues will be announced will be announced during the next legislative session.

They are expected to cover sustainable tourism initiatives, environmental stewardship, and climate resiliency.

Cruise ship guests were added to the transient accommodation tax to ensure "equity across the tourism industry".

Image: Kauia, Hawaii Tours

Explosive times in Hawaii as volcano eruption begins

The Mauna Loa volcano on Hawai‘i Island has begun to erupt.

The lava currently contained within the summit caldera at the top of the 4170-metre volcano. Hawaii Tourism reports.

The situation is being closely monitored around the clock by scientists from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, which are providing regular updates.

The last time Mauna Loa erupted was 38 years ago in 1984. The island’s most recent eruption took place in 2018 when Kīlauea Volcano erupted, and lava flowed for several months.

There is currently no lava flow down the slopes of Mauna Loa and no danger to residents or communities on Hawai‘i Island right now.

Local officials says there is no need for tourists to change travel plans to any of the Hawaiian Islands at this time.

But residents and visitors staying in communities downslope of Mauna Loa have been told to have emergency preparedness plans ready in the event an evacuation becomes necessary

People who suffer from asthma, emphysema, COPD, or other types of breathing problems have been warned to take precautions to avoid the ash and vog (volcanic fog) that are characteristic of volcanic eruptions.

Mauna Loa is located on Hawai‘i Island, the southernmost island of the main island chain. Travel to the other islands - Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i - is unaffected by the eruption.

Hawai‘i Island’s two major airports in Hilo and Kona are currently open and the eruption is not expected to affect their ability to handle the regularly scheduled flights that arrive and depart each day.

But tourists are advised to check with their your airline for the status of their flight.

For information you check out these websites:

https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo, https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/ and https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense