Your next Hawaii trip might once again cost more, but this time, it is not just about airfare, premium seating, or hotel taxes and hidden markups. Hawaii’s new Green Fee, a 0.75% climate-linked surcharge on visitor accommodations starting in 2026, is the first of its kind in the United States.
But it is also part of a much larger and more revealing global shift. Hawaii may have just stepped into a broader experiment that puts tourism and climate directly on the same bill.
How Hawaii’s Green Fee will impact your stay.
Hawaii’s new Green Fee, passed into law in May, adds another layer to the state’s already high visitor taxes. Starting in 2026, it will tack on an extra 0.75 percent to the existing transient accommodations tax. The state plans to raise $100 million annually to support wildfire recovery, reef restoration, and long-term climate initiatives.
This law followed the devastating 2023 Lahaina fire, although the fee was already in development, and its connection to that specific disaster is questionable.
Governor Josh Green described the Green Fee as a way to offset the impact of more than 10 million annual visitors. But most travelers still have no idea it is coming, or what exactly it is supposed to fix.
Why Hawaii’s Green Fee is part of a global travel trend.
Several destinations have introduced climate or crowd-focused visitor fees in recent years. In 2024, Greece introduced a Climate Crisis Resilience Fee, with nightly rates of up to €20 on islands such as Santorini. Bali began charging a one-time environmental fee of 150,000 rupiah. The Maldives doubled its nightly Green Tax to $12. New Zealand’s visitor levy has tripled to nearly NZD 100 in 2024.
Even tourism-heavy Venice experimented with a day-tripper access fee in the spring and summer of 2024 and 2025. Visitors without overnight bookings paid €5, or €10 if booked less than four days ahead. Exemptions included those staying in hotels or Airbnbs. The system was enforced via QR code checks in key hubs, such as train stations and Piazzale Roma. The trial raised over €2 million but officially concluded on July 28, 2025.
These experiments show that far beyond Hawaii, global tourism isn’t just adding charges, it’s testing how fees can shape behavior, spread benefits, and protect fragile destinations.
How green fees are funding real change in some places.
At some destinations, these fees are more than idle promises. In the Maldives, the government publishes detailed monthly reports that show precisely where Green Tax funds are allocated, including coastal defenses, waste treatment, clean water access, and other initiatives. New Zealand tracks its visitor levy through a public dashboard that shows which conservation projects were selected, funded, and completed.
Even Greece, often criticized for its lack of tax transparency, now links its fee to visible efforts like fire prevention, water security, and ecosystem restoration.
These places are not just collecting money. They are showing where it goes and what it accomplishes.
Why Hawaii’s Green Fee needs proof, not promises.
Travelers keep asking the same question: Where will the money go? Hawaii’s Green Fee is set to raise $100 million per year starting in 2026, but there is still no tracking system, no list of confirmed projects, and no mechanism for showing what is being done.
The state released a 60-page report outlining ideas. But most visitors are not reading documents. They want to see results such as trail repairs, reef protection, and fire prevention that connect to what they paid.
Currently, they do not. One reader told us, “I don’t mind paying a green fee. But one would hope one could see this money spent to make the island of Maui a safer place to live.” Another wrote, “The green fee wouldn’t be such a hard pill to swallow if only we could be assured that it won’t be used as play money for the politicians.”
Most travelers say they want to visit more responsibly. Some say they are willing to pay more. However, that only matters if they believe the money will be effective. Other destinations show receipts. Hawaii still expects trust.
Will Hawaii lead the way on green fees or watch it backfire?
A climate-linked visitor fee makes sense here. Hawaii is already facing the impacts of rising seas, wildfires, coral loss, and overuse. Visitors know this. Many say they are willing to help protect the places they love—as long as it feels real.
However, good intentions only matter if the system functions effectively. If the state wants support, it will need to show exactly what this money funds and who benefits. That could mean clear updates, trailhead signage, or even on-site restoration tied directly to the fee.
Otherwise, the Green Fee will be just another vague charge tacked onto an already expensive trip. And Hawaii will have taken the lead only to become a cautionary tale.
What Hawaii’s Green Fee asks of travelers.
This is not just another tax. It is a test of whether Hawaii can shift from extraction to stewardship without losing the travelers who still keep the engine running.
Some visitors say they are already paying enough. Others say the fee is overdue. One longtime reader wrote, “I would be happy to pay a green fee. Tourists are causing the greatest environmental impact, and if we want to keep the lure of Hawaii, lush, preserved habitat for tropical vegetation and wildlife, then we should open our wallets and pay to protect it.”
The idea behind the fee is simple. If Hawaii’s natural resources are the draw, then protecting them should be part of the cost of admission. But that only works if travelers believe they are helping, not just handing over more money.
Would you support Hawaii’s Green Fee if the results were visible and tangible? Let us know your thoughts.
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I am wondering if state & local officials, like Josh Green, ever read BOH reader comments. People have valid concerns, which I’m sure have been voiced before this bill was passed. Yet, the powers that be ignore them.
I would be more than happy to pay the “Green Fee” if I knew that the funds spent would go to helping beaches from erosion or supporting the reef systems. However, would the fees be spread throughout all the islands or kept to each specific island? Will a percentage be given to each island based upon need? I agree that it should be as transparent as possible, after all, there are many eco conscious travelers who would love to support those efforts. And that may be the way to bring more thoughtful tourists back.
No accountability of funds generated and funds spent or diverted allows for quiet corruption. Nothing new here. Poor governance at its best is continually illustrated by the beautiful State of Hawaii and will not change anytime soon.
Well, the results will be anything but visible. The fact the money goes into the general fund tells me it will go to repay favors. But my guess is the fee will rise in another year or two. Hawaii state government is too corrupt to do anything but waste any money they collect.
Why pay for something yourself if you can find a way to force another human tourist to pay it for you. Forcing isn’t begging or asking for donations it’s flat out demanding. It’s called the pay or don’t stay game.
Don’t just blame the state government for this and I will tell you why. I was at North Shore and a local told me You’re a Haole. You need to leave. I explained educate me. He explained because of tourism they should charge each visitor that comes to the North Shore $1000 dollars per person just for being present. What part of Tourism Accomodation Tax (TAT) involves residents or locals? None. This explains why there isn’t just a flat fee where everyone that visits would pay. It eliminates island to island folk from paying just to stay at a hotel while visiting relatives. Therefore locals want the fees. It keeps the state programs flowing without increasing resident taxes.
Wouldn’t mind a green fee if I thought it would be used accordingly. I think it will disappear just as other money has. No confidence in government no oversight, no accountability for spending
I think it’s great if the money is ear-marked to environmental or malama projects to improve both the resident and tourist experience on the islands. I strongly doubt we will ever see the results such as fire mitigation, improved trails, roadways, bike paths, etc. It is just making it more difficult for middle class families who are more likely to care for the environment and the people of Hawaii than the 1% who just show up at a Four Seasons with a driver.
Stop the madness.
This is an easy fix for all of us. Stop going to Hawaii don’t spend your money there for you next planned trip. Don’t fall for the extortion of give a day , donate to this or that or even persevere the whatever fund.
Hawaii needs to take a lock in the mirror not ask everyone to fix things for them. Fix your infrastructure and pick up the trash including burned out cars and wash dryers.
Have a great day everyone
IMO a flat green fee rate of 50 dollars wouldn’t work it the fee were to be increased annually. If .75 increase is imposed on hotel tax then sure the rich or luxury hotels would bring in more income but this is what type of Tourist Hawaii wants. IMO if they can endure the hefty nightly hotel rates of a 5 star hotel then what’s the big deal. This charge would surpass any flat rate given the tax and such would be charged after hotel room charges, resort fee’s, pool amenity fee’s, parking fees, as well as the ability ot raise the rates annually. What is .75 extra TAT increase to that? $7.50 for every thousand so after $7000 dollar it exceeds the flat rate.
It’s $75 per $1000.
I’m wrong. I missed a decimal and Don is correct. My fault. Apologies, Don.
I just returned from a Nevada visit. Stopping at the rather remote Spooner Lake State Park for a hike was amazing. The Visitor Center and restrooms were absolutely beautifully maintained. On the other hand, facilities at Kauai’s Koke’e State Park are an embarrassment — especially in the heavelly-used meadow area. We definitely need accountability of where the “Green” funds are used.
Hawaii bathroom facilities are terrible. Parking lots are small or no existent. Alot of sights have no bathrooms at all. Nature calls somewhere.
If you keep nickel and diming tourists with fees, Hawaii will end up just like Las Vegas, the ninth island! Tourism has dropped 10 percent because of greed!!
In answer to the question you ask in the title of this BOH article,
It’s very simple; corrupt, one party, entrenched inefficient, incompetent,
snobbish elitist, out of touch, government bureaucracy and politicians at both the local and state level throughout Hawaii. You get what you vote for!
As long as all the refrigerators,abandoned cars, trash, and homeless trash exists Hawaii will have a reason to charge a green fee. IMO will it ever be fixed? NO. That way every year Hawaii can impose a higher fee just to make locals have somewhere to reside at no cost at the tourist’s expense. If you don’t vacation or visit Hawaii you will never have to pay. Problem solved.
Hawaii’s tax situation reminds me of Popeye’s interaction with the Tax Man:
The Tax Man: You just docked?
Popeye: I has.
The Tax Man: Ah ha, let’s see here, that’ll be 25¢ docking tax.
Popeye: What for?
The Tax Man: You’re new in town right?
Popeye: If you call this a town, yes.
The Tax Man: Well, first of all, there’s 17¢ new-in-town tax, and there’s 45¢ rowboat-under-the-wharf tax, and one dollar leaving-your-junk-lying-around-the-wharf tax, so all together, you owe the Commodore $1.87.
Popeye: Uh, who’s this Commodore?
The Tax Man: Is that the nature of your question? There’s a nickel question tax.
Gov Green’s administration needs to show accountability, as BOH shows in the examples from the Maldives, NewZealand, and Greece. And right now, there is none coming from the Governor’s office regarding the Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) of 10.75%, to which Green is adding .75% starting Jan 1, 2026, and most likely going up to 12% in 2027. A quarterly statement listing projects, funding, and completion on each island should be the minimum. The Hawaii voters need to come to their senses and demand accountability from their administration.
Seriously, do you think Hawaii’s Green Fee is anything but the ability of elected officials to get tourist to pay more so the elected officials can put more of their family and friends on the payroll.
Anyone who thinks these fees will actually be used intelligently, or not embezzled…. Is dumber than a box of rocks
I am willing to pay a Green Fee to help sustain Hawaii, but I don’t believe attaching the green fee to the cost of your hotel, house or condo rental is fair. Those who have more expensive housing costs are paying much more than those at lesser expensive rentals. I would much rather have liked to see every visitor pay a set fee, such as $50 or $100 per person, and eliminate any further addition to the taxes a visitor pays.
The whining and entitlement expressed in some of these comments are exactly why some tourists might not feel welcome any longer. Prices are up all over the country. I used to think Hawai’i was an outlier, but on a recent trip to San Diego, I was shocked to find that prices for dining out were pretty much on par with Hawai’i.
But back to the subject at hand, Hawai’i is facing a looming crisis with regards to septic conversion. I would hope that some of that green fee is spent helping underwite the cost for those who can’t afford it.
Yes, cesspools are a major problem. But what do tourists have to do with them?
Isn’t the Green Fee supposed to mitigate damage tourists allegedly create? It hasn’t even been implemented and people are proposing shifting use of the revenue.
“Hawaii is already facing the impacts of rising seas…” I’ve seen this statement, or ones like it, a number of times over the years. I’ve yet to see any evidence of this claim, however. What rising seas? Impact? What I have seen, however, is a deterioration of the infrastructure on the islands. For example, the bathrooms on the beaches in Kauai are steadily going from bad to worse. This, while the taxes that supposedly support them have gone up. And the additional “Green fee” will only make the politicians richer. I haven’t seen any real plans for where the additional $100,000,000 will be spent. Only a bit of hand waving.
Shush – you’re not supposed to openly question “climate change”, or sea level rise…
Don’t read the Paris Climate Accord – you might learn that China & India are still burning coal, and will, until 2030.
Hawaii plans to be “net zero” by 2030. How can a state with a population of 1.5 million, that imports 85% of its food, and all appliances, vehicles, building supplies, etc, Ever be net zero? The only way i’ve found is to remove all or most of the people, and all the business…
So no, Hawaii will not show where the green fee is being spent.
Just another Thursday in Hawaii.
I have lived near the Oregon coast for 64 years. Water level hasn’t changed at all.
“Hawaii is already facing the impacts of rising seas…” I’ve seen this statement, or ones like it, a number of times over the years. I’ve yet to see any evidence of this claim, however. What rising seas? Impact? What I have seen, however, is a deterioration of the infrastructure on the islands. For example, the bathrooms on the beaches in Kauai are steadily going from bad to worse. This, while the taxes that supposedly support them have gone up. And the additional “Green fee” will only make the politicians richer. I haven’t seen any real plans for where the additional $100,000,000 will be spent. Only a bit of hand waving.
Because there is no evidence.
It’s not the tourists that are wreaking the Hawaii environment. How about a tax on the local residents who are the ones trashing the islands. How many abandoned cars do you see on the sides of the road and fields? Refrigerators, water heaters, car tires, mattresses, dishwashers, stoves, and tons of general trash. Yet governor is worried about taxing the tourists (who only photograph all of this trash , not create it). Governor is not worried about helping the environment, just wants extra tax money to squander. So sad.
Pay a green fee in area’s like Waikiki and the airport where literally it is just a big concrete jungle. Pavement, concrete,stone and a few palm trees. Waikiki beach is man made with dredged in sand so my big question is What’s so green about that? Preserve what? All the homeless camps and street acts that beg tourist’s for money. IMO just a ridiculous money grab as all the tourist’s will become victim to.
Somehow I don’t feel sorry for Hawaii. I feel sorry for the average tourist’s bank account’s being gouged.
The state has done nothing to instill confidence they will use this fee for how it is intended to be used. A reporting system should have been included in the bill. Afraid this money will just disappear without anything done to protect the resources it is supposed to do.
No $100 million cannot fix the climate, not $1 billion and not $1 trillion. Has the green taxes or any of California’s taxes fixed the climate crisis? Has any taxes fixed anything in DC? No, there is no accountability in government. Give a politician $100 million blank check from taxes and he or she will use it on everything but the climate. It’s a ruse, a shakedown. Look at any state that has “green taxes” and tell me 1 thing that that state has “fixed” and I can guarantee that money is nowhere to be found. Hawaii is great as it is. Has nothing to do with the rich, it’s all a ploy in the name of “tax”
“ If Other Places Made Their Green Fees Work, Why Can’t Hawaii?”
I’ll give you 3 guesses and the first 2 don’t count. 😮
For the people that say I don’t mind spending the extra…just send it. That is if you trust how the money will be spent. They charge to go to Hanauma Bay saying it is to help preserve the ecosystem. Tell me How they are doing that, other than cutting way back on the number of people allowed in. It’s a pretty good amount of money they collect. Same with all the other parks…a new sign every year doesn’t mean a thing. SHOW me what you are doing and the results. Publish the information for everyone to see. Rules are already in place for sunscreen, trash, and so forth so don’t need to claim any of that. Protecting the Ecosystem is Very vague.
The Hawaii Leadership is just pricing current and future tourists right out of their tourist market! This multi year over the last 2 decades will find another place to visit. Will miss my Ohana because of the greed of these politician’s.
I am beginning to feel that the 20 odd times I have been to Hawaii has topped out and I need to find a more receptive and welcoming place. Why should I have to pay for your state leaders and employees ineptness with the Maui’s fire?
While other places may have fees to curb tourism, Hawaii tells tourists, many of whom return every year for extended periods, they are the root of all things bad in Hawaii and that they aren’t wanted anymore unless they want to spend double what they used to and stay hold up in some resort. Gov. Green and the local mayors have made it clear they only want rich and “mindful” tourists. In other words, if you just want to relax on a beach, make dinner in your rented condo and watch the sun go down from your lanai……your aren’t wanted. The consequences are (1)tourism is down and those who come pay a premium so they must spend more and stay fewer days (2) businesses go under (3) locals leave because they can’t afford to live there anymore which cause #4) labor shortages, and all this happens with zero accountability on the part of the Hawaiian officials as to where all those extra fees and taxes are actually going.
Agree with you. And when tourism drops even more, they will say they need to raise more money so increase the fees even more. Killing the Golden Goose and denying it. COVID wasn’t that long ago and the locals were having a hard time making ends meet because no tourist dollars. How short our memories are. Kind of reminds me of the push to make all of us use LED lights to save energy…but electricity prices had to go up to make up for a “shortfall”. These fees will be the same.
I don’t think the Hawaii incompetent track record, with everything they do, bodes well for more “tax and spend” democrat lunacy.
I tell people do other places before Hawaii.
The Green Fee as proposed by then-candidate Josh Green for Governor was based on a report that suggested the fee, but then turned around and acknowledged that in the United States, to impose a Green Fee on tourists coming to Hawaii was tanitmount to the imposition of a Head Tax, which for travel within the United States, is both illegal and unconstitutional. Governor Green tried a number of different ways, but the whole “add to the TAT” was pretty much the only feasible way to impose a Green Fee. And even the use of it has been changed, as mentioned, due to the Lahaina Fires. So the straight idea of a green fee to do what Green wanted it to do, that has even morphed