With visitors in an uproar. What are your feelings about the fee proposed by Green in addition and all of the other Hawaii taxes and fees?
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270 thoughts on “Updated: $50 Hawaii Visitor Fee & Reducing Tourists Confirmed By Next Governor”
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I think the place to collect such a fee would be upon check- in at a hotel, condo, air BnB, etc. For those of us mainlanders who have ohana and visit several times a year and often do not even go to the beaches, parks, etc. it could become burdensome.
Collecting at the airport will certainly add to congestion. I think back to the lines to show our Safe Travels and later wristbands. Ugh. What about residents returning home and being stuck an extra 15 minutes to “Show your papers.” I know my son and his boss would be thrilled no end.
For those who stay with family, I would be willing to pay an annual fee.
As a frequent visitor I would have no problem with this with certain requirements/earmarks for how the money is used. There definitely needs to be a systematic capital renewal of beach park infrastructure. There are plenty of other needs, with housing being to priority, but as a visitor tax I believe beach parks renewal is an appropriate use of some of the funds.
How scary for your restaurants to lose more customers.
Outrageous!
Yes residents use the beaches etc and if extra money is required all should pay in. Tourists and residents
Rob and Jeff, any idea when this would go into effect?
Hi Rob.
No idea when or how.
Aloha.
I just booked a month in Costa Rica for $3750 instead of Kauai. I’ve been going to Kauai for 14 years but the costs has turned me away. So long and say good by to the $15k that I spent in Hawaii last year on condo (taxes/cleaners), local markets, farmers, yoga studios, coffee shops, gas stations, local shops, artists, etc.
They better not try to tack it in to us residents.
At this point all the taxes and fees have become so ridiculous that it is almost comical, so hey, why not tack on another $50 and see if anyone notices! Lt. Gov. Green must be under the impression that Hawaii is such a magical place that people will do and pay anything just to experience it. Well, it will be interesting to see what kind of shape the state is left in once the magic has worn off and visitors no longer sacrifice everything for that once in a lifetime trip, or to return annually. The ones who are going to suffer from the fallout are the people who live in Hawaii. Hopefully they get smart and put a stop to Green and the other politicians who are killing their islands and their livelihoods. I love Hawaii, but enough is enough.
You’re a 100% right, Ige finally dropped the Mask Boondoggle in June, people returned, sadly, Ige-Green were still in the subsidy mode for Local’s, paying them not to return to work. Now five months in, Rooms are full, People are spending on Food and Drink, to the level they can be served, Hawaii has the highest Room Tax in the World, again, thanks to Ige taking the other Counties Revenue for the State’s General Fund (where’s that go?). With Service a Industries not back to full employment, the supporting Dining hamstrung by Labor and Product, and Retail that was what built Waikiki, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village, International Market Place, Hotels, ABC, these Tax Receipts have to be a fraction of banner years!
aloha guys, I just want to say the Maui has the cleanest and best park restrooms of anywhere I have been. Thats beaches and upcountry. Thank you parks guys! Where the money is going I dont know but things are maintained here! Visitor fee – more to encourage a certain visitor “class”. Lanai anyone???
The $50 dollar Hawaii visitor fee can alienate visitors. Booking a hotel in Hawaii especially in Honolulu is not cheap at all like service and resort fee on top of the room rates that they have to pay. Rent a cars are equally expensive not to mention eating out plus tips. Big hotel chains are already paying high taxes in Hawaii which reflects on their hotel fees.
Why not the high season visit Hawaii fee like summer breaks spring breaks? I am half Hawaiian from my mothers side and I am in for green and environmentally dedicated Hawaii.
If this all year round fee comes into effect, It wouldn’t surprise me if they add a $50 surfing fee.
Dono: If the fees really support the environment I visit 1-2 times a year and happy to keep the area pristine, but colleting is going to be a big admin burdon. Can you imagine collecting when a cruise ship docks. Hate to see a $50 fee if $40 goes to trying to collect and administer the funds and only $10 goes where its needed
Maybe I’m missing something…but…. We own a nice, but relatively modest house on the Big Island (see it coming?) and spend a few months there every year. We do not rent it out, but we very much do pay real estate etc. taxes on a yearly basis. Where does this leave us? Somehow, I would imagine that we are not quite the only people in this situation…. And, as ‘snowbirds’ we do not crowd tourist spot and the like….we just live in a house like most full time residents do.
Aloha Ben,
Be thankful you aren’t on Kaua’i. For those with “part time” residences that don’t rent them out, the property tax is triple the “Homestead” (full time resident with proof of filing Hawaiian state income tax and possessing a Hawaiian driver’s license) under the “Residential Investor” classification.
All that and a $50 per person entrance fee…parking and passenger fees for “non-residents”…Are we biting the hands that have fed us so well?
I am appalled! There had to be a better way. Many of us who travel to Hawaii are visiting family. It’s extremely expensive to visit already, and going to. Kailua on Oahu, where there aren’t any hotels makes the trip cost a small fortune. How about taxing the real politers, big agriculture?!
I think a $50 fee that is earmarked for environmental protection and that nonresidents only should pay, is a good idea.
Just cancelled my $200 round trip flight to Kauai because everything else has gotten so expensive and the Aloha vibe is getting lost in the attempt to regain what was lost during covid. Hawaii needs to refocus on the local economy instead of placing all the burden on tourists. Covid should have been a sign that there is too much of the economy relying on outside money (tourism). It’s great when everyone is doing well, but not sustainable when things go south. I have been a regular visitor to the islands, and always try to support the local businesses that sell locally made/grown products. That is where the focus needs to be placed.
Well, looks like we’ll be done with Hawaii. We’ll be visiting Kihei Maui for 10 nights in March 2023, probably for the last time. We rented a condo for almost double what we paid in 2018, $3K, plus $694 in fees and taxes. That’s one straw. Then over $110 a day for a rental car (almost double what it cost in 2018) is the second straw. Don’t know what it will cost to eat, but I’m sure that’s the third straw. The $100 Green Fee ($50 for each of us) would be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
As for the whole concept of a visitor’s fee, we’re already getting dinged at many beach and state parks. Beginning to feel like a theme park. Need a ticket for everything.
I agree! I think a good counter solution is to charge Hawaii Residents $50 for every State they visit on the mainland plus Alaska and all our territories.
Equal treatment is Justice!!
My annual visit to Waikiki has become unaffordable. I am 75 years old and visit every year for my birthday. But, my
Fixed income has been stretched to far already. This will be my last visit if another fee is imposed.9
Why are the least of us expected to carry the burden? Really sad to read this.
Sure.. let’s create another alphabet beuacracy full of Green’s cronies with endless studies and meetings. Oh and for 350 million we’ll get a few more toilets and more trash pickup.
I could almost get on-board with a green fee, but as you say, there’s no such thing as accountability or credibility in Hawaiian government. They receive so much money, and return so little.
I don’t trust any politician who says they’re going to take more money from the people. The money is Never spent where they claim it will be. But, as stated, its a foregone conclusion he’ll be the next Governor.
I think it’s great. Charge, charge, charge. For every little thing. Eventually the locals will get what they want. No tourists. At least if the tourists smarten up and go elsewhere. However I think there should be. An automatic. $50.00 for every local that gets on a plane going mainland. Tit for tat.
I am concerned that collected fees will not go to the items and areas so loosely promised. I fear the government will just take this tax and divert it to other areas and not to improving anything.
Instead of a Green Fee on Tourists Hawaii should eliminiate the GET on unprpared Food from supermarkets, Costco, Sam’s, Walmart etc. where locals buy most of their food. Then raise the GET to a higher percentage on everything else. Since Tourists, buy most of their food in restaurants as well as use Hotel rooms they would be paying for the highter GET on all that they must buy in Hawaii.
A $50 fee is great and needed for Hawaii. If there is a way to make it so that residents don’t pay it then that is even better, if not, then so be it.
If you don’t like the fee, go to Florida.
Ige, was bad, this guys a Green basket-case! If a ‘Climate Impact Fee’, it should be applicable to both residents and visitors alike. Does Mayor-Elect Greene understand Hawaii is part of the United States of America? Should all States implement this Tax, or should States penalize Hawaii Residents that enter their space/States with a Carbon Offset Tax, getting very Democrat Big Government here, and as the Authors mentioned, where are the checks and balances, what of the Kapolei Train planned since the 1960’s, once to Honolulu National, now to Ala Moana? Making it collectable by the Airline, only increases the cost and book-keeping and opportunity for malfeasance! I’m glad at 75, we’re with-in 5 Trips of a #100, but I fear 96 will be it.
How much do the state and counties already collect from tourists between the GET, TAT, County TAT, user fees for parks, rental car taxes and fees, etc?
If the Josh Green fees reduces enough tourists, perhaps the $50 doesn’t make up for it? I know, I know, it will just reduce the “budget” tourists. Rich folk don’t care.
What about my children who come at least 5 times a year to help me and their dad with the house?They are not tourists. I live in Kauai pay taxes in Hawaii its bad enough that flights are so expensive, why not add a fee to the airlines and cruise ship tickets?I think 20 dollars would still make a lot of money. Stop all the fees for beaches ,where now we are paying people to work to check on tickets.Make it simple.
The Josh Green Fee. Sounds unconstitutional on its face, at least as it applies to US citizens and legal residents, to charge non-state residents an entrance fee to a state. This is not at all the same as an entrance fee to a park.
You say “With green fees in other states, they seem to have been enforced on both residents and visitors in order to avoid this problem.”
I’ve never heard of this. Examples?
Hi David.
Denver and Georgia both have these in the form of tax surcharges for environmental purposes. Both residents and visitors pay.
Aloha.
I’ve traveled to Colorado and Georgia a lot in my life. I don’t recall getting hit up for any such tax/fee. In fact, we drive into Colorado (including Denver) earlier this year. There was no toll both at the border (or the Denver city limits). How do they charge this fee?
Hi David.
That’s all that we know. We find those referenced in multiple places online. But maybe it’s wrong. Not sure.
Aloha.
BOH:
The key phrase here being Both Residents and Visitors Pay … not just Visitors!
I live in Colorado and did not know about the Denver tax surcharge so I had to look it up. This is what it said: Denver residents in 2020 voted to boost local sales tax by 0.25 percent to raise a projected $40 million annually for climate spending, with half of those funds going to lower-income communities.
If it’s a local sales tax, then everyone pays it not just tourists.
It’s a dilemma for sure.
Hi Debbie.
Thanks for that! Yes everyone pays.
Aloha.
I think it’s a great idea and would support a visitors only fee of $50. I’m a budget traveler but would willingly pay a $50 fee to visit beautiful Hawai’i.
How about a toilet tax also?
I don’t agree with your statement: It is a foregone conclusion that the next Hawaii governor will be current Lt. Gov. Josh Green. Please correct this statement as it is a bias.
Thank you.
John
I am hoping you live here because if you do you would have to believe in the tooth fairy to think that Josh Green will not be elected.
Been a foregone conclusion for 4 years.
Oh you mean don’t believe in tooth fairies, too bad you missing out!!
Seriously, whether you vote Green or Aiona, concluding ahead of a critical election is a clear bias and has no place in this kind of platform!
Clearly you are for Green and that’s your choice…what if BOH said that Aiona was the clear winner ahead of the election…would you accept it? I dounb it!
Enough is enough. Been coming for 25+ years. I have ignored all the negativity on social media, but when leaders start the anti-visitor rhetoric, I’m out. Can’t keep our support of locals and trying to figure out what is best for everyone when it is not reciprocated. We should all be on same side, but us vs them everywhere in this country is blatant. My dollars and respect will go oversees.
How exactly does this work to reduce the total number of tourists … and why? What will Hawaii do without the Tourists and the taxes we pay? Talk about a lack of Aloha. And why are the tourists being charged with paying for affordable housing? Definitely All should pay.
“As governor, I will propose a $50 impact fee for visitors.” (Josh Green)
According to Green’s website, that will “generate up to $350 million in annual revenue to invest in protecting our environment, addressing climate change and building affordable housing, while reducing the total number of tourists.”
As an Oahu resident I think it’s more than fair and frankly residents are already doing their part with beach clean ups and all that we shouldn’t have to pay on top of that. Tourists come here and just lounge on the beaches, go wherever they want and destruct our islands with this I don’t have to do what you say mentality. It’s time to put the residents first not just in the tourism business but outside of it too. It’s time for visitors to give back not just take
Hawaii has become so outrageous in so many respects that they’ve already rid me of any desire to visit. So, mission accomplished Hawaii and let’s see how you do without the tourist dollars? These people are so one-sided and lacking and understanding it’s shocking. Bye-bye Hawaii forever used to be my favorite place but I will never ever go back too many other places without this ridiculous greed and mismanagement on every level.
Good please don’t bye
Aloha, if the new Gov implements a $50 entry fee, then he needs to fix the roads like Kam Hwy in Kane’ohe. How will it bee collected & where will it go!? Not to the disgracefully expensive Rail system. Mahalo, Snap
Interesting concept. A couple of things. $500 million with no accountability. There’s a government program rife with graft for you… and, I can afford to come, thankfully, but with increased hotel, food and service fees, adding another $50 on to all of that, surely will cause many visitors to defer or abandon planned HI vacations. Well, there is a benefit to that.. less money for the government to take in without accountability.
Let me understand your point here. You’re saying that adding a $50 fee on top of at Least a $4K cost for a vacation in Hawaii would cause people to decide it’s too expensive? I’m not sure I agree with that assessment. What I don’t understand is why that fee is really necessary? If the 18% tax isn’t enough, why not just raise that?
Good point about the potholes and embarrassing park restrooms. Take Kokee for instance. There are potholes causing bottoming out and they have been that for 6 months. So, you pay to see the Waimea canyon and Kalalau Valley but you run the risk of damaging your car. If you are going to collect monies you better keep up the bargain and fix potholes, toilets, parking lots, you name it. Mahalo I have my doubts.
Hi Kauaidoug.
Yes, the roads. Thanks for mentioning that.
Aloha.
The 18% room tax is already way too high. Hawaii needs to learn to manage their spending.
Does Lt. Gov. Josh Green know that we as visitors have other options for warm destinations? I love Hawaii, but a fee on arrival is just another cash-grab.
Well we have a trip to Hawaii planned for April it would be the first time we have been back since 2002 but if this guy becomes Gov and implements such a us vs them approach I do believe I will take my tourism dollars elsewhere. Did everyone forget about all of the federal tax dollars you already get. Guess where that comes from! It seems more and more like Hawaii residents would rather put walls around the island and have no one visit. All I can think as I read this and some of the comments is that Aloha no longer exists. Very sad.
Any fees implemented, and that includes Maui’s in-the-works parking levies, should be assessed to both visitors and local residents. Anything else is discriminatory.
Speaking of Maui, while I would benefit from the proposed “locals-only” morning parking hours, I think this is a terrible, outright hostile idea. It gets windy here. The beach is best early.