Hawaii’s governor said his environmental impact fee will raise up to $600M per year and simultaneously reduce the quantity of Hawaii’s “low-end” visitors.
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199 thoughts on “Hawaii Visitor $50 “Green” Fees: How, When, Where?”
Hawaii’s governor said his environmental impact fee will raise up to $600M per year and simultaneously reduce the quantity of Hawaii’s “low-end” visitors.
Aloha Rob+Jeff. This article really generated a lot of posts. Mostly against the fee I would say. Seems that the airfare would be the one to collect the fee. Part of the “taxes” for flying to Hawaii. If Hawaii is a layover to Tahiti, wonder if the fee would also be added. Basically I think this is going to shift down travel not only for visitors, but also locals who live there from travelling. So then the airlines will take a hit on their profits. Will be interesting to watch how this plays out. $25.00 is more fair.
You must be joking – airlines take a hit on profits due to an airport usage fee? No, airline will simply add that fee to the airfare, and the passenger pays. Done and done, no muss, no fuss. Its what they do!
If the free fee were to be collected by the airlines, wouldn’t that mean residents that fly back and forth would be caught up in paying it too? In the end for residents that travel a lot, we’d be paying a disproportionate amount compared to once a year visitors?
No, locals would probably be exempt, same as they don’t pay beach fees, etc.
What I resent most is there is all this money is made off visitors, but absolutely no accountability where it is being used. I think Green needs to explain what exactly is a “low end visitor”. I think someone, journalist perhaps or Hawaii News, should really explore where this money is going, what’s it being used for, and who’s pockets are getting bigger.
Fees, fees, and more fees. At least they can’t charge you for breathing the Trade Winds! So, we have a HI ‘entry fee’, then there is the beach ‘user fee’, the rental car companies will charge you a ‘highway use fee’, based on the number of miles driven on HI roads, and the hotels can charge a ‘utilities fee’ for water and electricity, payable to the city, and so on . . . . . Man, there is money to be made here, and no ‘accountability’ by the legislature on how it is spent. Wonder if this could qualify for investigation under the RICO act??? As an annual visitor of over 25 years, I’m really beginning to feel like ‘the goose . . . ‘, and the legislature has the hatchet.
I cannot cheer this enough. Im tired of entitled, complaining tourists who use our resources with no thought to the impact upon residents trying to survive within an infrastructure where we pay for them, and is built thousands of miles from the rest of the US. We face a water shortage that worsens annually. Tourism is the largest consumer of water. Enough. Put the money towards addressing that.
Dianna the simple and plain lie exists that Residents Money Supports the Tourists and Tourism Industry and that is far from the truth. Without the Unbelievable Transfer of Wealth from the Tourists and Industry, much of what You are referring to would Never Occur. Residents Property Taxes, subsidized to the extreme, are the Lowest in the Country and doesn’t pay for much. Try doing Everything Necessary Without Any Tourism Money and within a short period of time you’ll begin to experience what the Islands were like prior to Statehood and it will Regress from there.
Remember that the Offensive Offenders are mostly the Rich, guess you’ll realize that soon enough! The 2 groups that Hawaiians want to keep, the Rich and the near do well 30 and under are also the same people you’ve been complaining about, hoping that you will have plenty to be talking about Soon!
Then California could do a quid pro quo…
Low-end visitors? Excuse M, but that smacks of elitism. Guess that rules out teachers, those who work for non-profit charities, and others who do good in this world. As a retired teacher who lives in Silicon Valley it’s been noted that so-called “high-end” people don’t always behave well & act as though they are entitled. Good luck with the “high-enders”. p.s. Visited for 2 weeks each year for over 40 years & always enjoyed & respected the culture/aloha.
Don’t forget the cruise ships Governor Green
Wow Dave, $5000.00 to Benefit what? You do realize that at that price point You’ll be spending a lot right along with the Tourists? I do like this “Unity” being Fostered by Gov. Green, I wonder how soon before the Fee gets raised. Aloha really has died without much of a whimper or whine.
Thanks for the article, BOH, lots of opinions on this one! I say “no!” Visitors to Maui (and maybe other counties) have to pay 3% more Transient Accommodation Tax, started in 2021. I think it’s because the state decided to keep 3% of the tax, so counties raised the tax.
As a vacation rental owner, responsible for collecting and submitting the tax) I really wonder where all the tax money goes. Schools are terrible, roads are bad, sewer treatment is horrible, mo recycling, I could go on and on.
The cost of administering the tax will cost quite a bit, then the lawsuits, just forget it.
This, from a pro-environment, liberal person.
Mahalo for letting me voice my opinion.
Lanell, I say “No” also. They’ve All, County/Municipal/State/Fed, have Seen/Felt/Tasted/ Smelled and probably have rolled around in the piles of loose money. They all want more but for the Most Part refuse to be Transparent with the Intended Uses for it. I can remember 6 to 10 years ago Boasting about how wonderful the Roads and Highways were, today they Officially Rank as “Some of the Worse” compared to the other 49. Where has All of the Considerable Monies Collected Gone? Demand Absolute Transparency and get to the Answers before they mysteriously Disappear!
The price of tourism here (i.e. what it costs a tourist to vacation in Hawaii) has always been undervalued. It’s been a B-A-R-G-A-I-N, considering the remoteness of the place and the extreme challenges to local infrastructure resulting from this remoteness. Visitors to Hawaii really do need to face up to the fact that they should be paying more, to reflect the True Cost of their experience. If they disagree, they are free to drive to their local beaches or ski resorts, or fly to countries that pay workers subsistence wages that would be unethical and illegal in the US.
Want to frolic in the sun on the most isolated islands in the world and still enjoy first-world amenities? Come on over – but expect to pay extra.
Fair enough Well we are lacking water here in the deserts so expect to pay a $100 impact fee when you come. Getting that water ain’t easy. Look for our pay showers and toilets. Pools an extra $25.
With “Currency Rates” taken into consideration, free Education, free Housing, free Medical, free Medical for the Entire Family including Parents, Siblings and sometimes Grandparents, Money paid to the Parents, Advancement, Clothing Provided, Food, the list keeps going and they get Paid decently, Your Point is absolutely wrong, Eldo. You read 1 article and still don’t know the Truth and Impact of the Employers, Amazing. Hawaii is nice, many other places are as good if not much Better…head/sand, get it out!
The same could be said of the residents of Hawaii. Extending Eldo’s logic: the islands should only be the home and playground of the ultra-wealthy. This is, of course, crazy, but it sounds like the typical bias from someone who is blessed enough not to be one of us evil, poor tourists. The appropriate action is to get control of vacation rentals and perhaps limit development of new resorts through land use regulations. But it is easier to vilify poor (are we kidding? It’s never been “cheap” to come to Hawaii) tourists for the lack of vision and discipline from the voters’ representatives. What is the total revenue and disposition of that 18% accommodation tax? There is a dearth of accountability in HI government, not a lack of revenue.
There is a fundamental difference between a tourist (in HI or anywhere else) and a local resident. The tourist spends money on a luxury, on an accessory: the trip and the costs associated with it. The local is just living life, working to put food on the table, clothe the kids, pay for the car loan, etc. So who is the economically advantaged party in this dichotomy?
There should be no pity for people who have the disposable income and time to travel thousands of miles across open ocean, stay at a resort or hotel or B&B, eat at restaurants, take surfing lessons, play golf, etc., etc. Nobody owes anybody a vacation anywhere, and certainly no one owes anyone a cheap vacation on an isolated island with limited resources.
Wow! I was “just living life, working to put food on the table, clothe the kids, pay for the car loan, etc.” Then I remarried, then fell into a job @ $16.00 an hour that I stayed with until I retired. We live a very miserly life, but that’s so we could enjoy things such as traveling, mostly to Hawai’i, when we could. I plan way ahead to find the cheapest flights/cars. We buy groceries and cook in the place we stay. We live on vacation just as we do at home, relaxing, but on a “isolated island”. “There should be no pity” for those who can travel but should be no shame because we save throughout the year, or years, to have a one week visit the beautiful islands.
When Hawaii Vacationers, typically, are paying more than they would for the same vacation in England something is totally wrong. England is the Most Costly Vacation Destination in the World if Hawaii wouldn’t be part of the list, at least there’s Much More to do and see in England and the residents don’t try to harass and tell you that you’re not wanting, go home! Enjoying a Vacation is what people want, in Hawaii there’s constant reminders why you Can’t.
No so fast, amigo. You are comparing a huge, ancient European metropolis with a remote chain of islands. If it’s museums and shopping you want, then London’s your best bet (although the Bishop Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art are both nice, and Waikiki’s got lots of high-end shops) . If it’s good food, iconic beaches, clean air, perfect weather, swimming with dolphins, surfing, et. al. that you crave….well, won’t find any of that in London. Oh, I almost forgot: I just checked Expedia for the lowest roundtrip fares form Dallas: Flying to London costs twice as much. Weird, Huh?
You make me laugh, Eldo…you almost sound like an advertisement from the Chamber of Commerce trying to drum up some travel business. This, after trying to convince tourists they should be emptying their bank accounts happily to support the local economy. It’s one thing to be welcoming, hospitable and grateful for the folks that support the islands economy….it’s quite another thing to encourage fleecing of travelers. Share the islands as though they are your home and appreciate the folks paying the bills.
Thanks Steve, now I recall where I have heard similar words and sentiments before, the Chamber’s of Commerce.
Thankfully Eldo I wouldn’t be flying from Dallas, JFK is definitely more reasonable. As for all of the descriptives my mind was taken to the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana. I get all of that experience there at a reasonable price, including airfare. They actually like tourists.
When 90% of the population in the Dominican Republic is living below the poverty level, of course they like tourists. It’s either that or they starve. Think about what you do when you crow about the fact that you save money going to a Third World poverty stricken nation. Just ruminate on that for a little while. Thank you.
Are you suggesting it’s better to not go to a poor country. Suggesting tourists do nothing to help those folks escape poverty?
Tourism is the largest source of private capital in Hawaii. Perhaps Hawaiians would end poverty if tourists didn’t come.
I’m suggesting that tourism is an exploitative industry in most (not all) situation that takes advantage of the disenfranchised and the impoverished to meet the leisure needs of the wealthy. It’s a vicious cycle that is difficult to break. But if nobody makes the effort, it’ll never end. and people who beat their chest about how great a deal they get by traveling to an impoverished country vis-à-vis paying more elsewhere… I find, to be honest, ….. I don’t know you personally, I’m just reacting to your comments. Thank you.
Rod, ending poverty in Hawaii without Tourism, even David Copperfield couldn’t pull that off. Despite the Heavy Red Ink that continues to pile up daily from unrealistic vision of lollipops dancing with elves, I am confident that the correct people can bring solvency but Tourism must continue. The pains of discontinued programs, including subsidized property taxes, etc. would be essential, can you imagine the push back? Hawaiian Solvency is achievable, some Suffering will occur, the Jobs will be filled. Take Care Buddy, God Bless!
Hi Ernie,
Hope you know I support tourisn and each city, state, country should maximize investments on that they do best.
In Hawaii,it’s tourism. So figure how to maximize it while building and supporting the underlying infrastructure. Hawaii may have to figure out how to encourage visitors to come in the low/shoulderseasons. And, to other islands and other less visited areas of Oahu. This is where the state has to play a stronger partnership role with infrastructure builders.
Gotta go.
Take care,
Rod
Eldo! Unbeknownst to you the Dominican Republic has been investing in itself. The amount of jobs not dependent upon the Tourism Industry have increased exponentially putting them to work that has brought financial stability to life. The “DR” has changed considerably, the amount of businesses and industry, actual foreign investment by bringing their businesses to the “DR” has been a Boon for the Country. Housing Starts are amazing. Your views are based on almost 20 years ago. Sorry to point that out, buddy.
Ernie, unbeknownst to you, the poverty level in the Dominican republic, which is defined as daily income of five dollars or less per person, has increased to about 20%. I won’t feed you the source because we can’t post links here, but use a computer and can find it for yourself. Despite your verbal gymnastics, the fact remains that the DR is a profoundly poor country. Sorry to point that out to you buddy!
Harvey H, I am able to “sometimes” take a step back away from the comments and evaluate everything with a clear and reasoning mind. I can understand “some” of Eldo’s comments, not all. I think that he is fearful for the Islands if things continue as is, in that position he is mostly misinformed thus correct. Eldo doesn’t realize that many of us “non-wealthy” Deplorable Undesirables are the ones Not doing the Damages, leave that to the Gen Z ultra rich wannabes. You’re targeting the Wrong People, Mostly. There’s 2 sides, only 1 is being pushed.
There is no particular socioeconomic group of tourist “doing the damage” (your words, not mine) nor have I implied that there is. Damage to the environment is a numbers game: more people = more damage. Although one could make a case that the rich, with their overwatered and over-fertilized lawns, gardens and golf-courses, yachts and private jets and huge swimming pools cause a disproportionate amount of pollution and waste. What I cannot agree with is that Hawaii owes everyone a vacation. And that entitlement is something that is common on this board. Hawaii no more owes everyone a vacation than the M. Benz dealership owes everyone an affordable car. Free market capitalism at work, like to or not.
Eldo I have reread your comment and we have more in agreement than first thought. Just remember that 1 or 2 comments don’t make a close and cozy relationship. No one should expect a “Free” vacation anywhere, or the Benz. There’s enough “Houseless” already enjoying that pleasure. The “younger” and upcoming generations persists in the notion of a Socialist Society where they should be Given everything for free. That is a primary cause of Entitlement and Disrespect of everything everywhere, the End Result is what has been described. Combating ignorance isn’t easy, they’ve been educated this way. Eldo, be well and Pray things will be better!
We’ve been paying ‘extra’ all along. Flight costs, hotel costs, rental cars, food and dining costs. These new fees are just ‘extra-extra’. There are prices for ‘locals’ (or free!) but the tourists get fanged. HI doesn’t have to be as expensive as it is, but people, as in ‘tourists’, have been programmed to believe it must be expensive, so they accept it. The ‘cost of living’ is determined, to a certain extent, by ‘demand’, and those who have what is in ‘demand’ determine the cost, not the consumer. Look at all the money hotels and restaurants charge. Reminds me of London, one of the most expensive cities in Europe, where tourists are advised to dine at ‘pubs’ because the ‘restaurants’ are too expensive.
I hear you, but I have to respectfully disagree. Have you priced a round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland New Zealand? Or to Sydney Australia? Or to Tokyo Japan? Do that then compare to a round-trip flight to Maui and you’ll be amazed at how cheap it is to fly out here. Yeah, it’s not as far, it’s only about a third of the distance. But still. Exotic beautiful places cost money. Unless you’re visiting a Third World country . That’s why I don’t travel to Mexico or Central America, because it feels like exploitation. It is exploitation.
Exploitation, the Key to Hawaii! While “Accusing” every tourist of this the Real Exploiting is being done to Tourists by Taxing and Increasing Fee’s of every possible kind. Now, the attempt to make STR’S unaffordable and unattainable as an alternative to Ridiculously priced accommodations at hotels and resorts will, if successful, add even more costs. I thought Pick Pocketing was Illegal. Hawaii is a vacation destination, there are Many around the world that measure up and even surpass with much less cost While being hospitable, unlike Hawaii. Aloha is DOA, I can find Similar alive and well elsewhere. Tired of being exploited by Hawaii and I never Exploit!
Awwwww, everyone Suffers together ❤️ What’s wrong with that, now you’re going to have some “skin” in the game. Hope that You don’t travel too often, that could really add up quickly. Before this is over even Hawaiians can feel Proud with all of the Money that they will have paid to Benefit the environment or wherever the money really disappears to. Can’t You feel the Aloha!