Time to put an entrance tax on every Hawaiin resident entering the other 49.
“Climate change,” the epitome of the definition of “grift” . . .
Another leftist grift operation. They know Americans of all backgrounds love traveling to HI ... or, I should say LOVED trraveling there (past tense) ...
From your link...the rest of the article ...
Hawaii’s tourism industry pulled in over $19 billion last year. That’s the lifeblood of the state’s economy. Now, lawmakers are tapping that stream to bankroll environmental programs. The fee kicks in January 1, 2026.
The burden won’t fall on locals. That’s the pitch. Governor Josh Green made it clear. “We can’t just tax the local people anymore,” he said. So the tourists will pay. But make no mistake. When the cost of visiting rises, the ripple hits everyone.
Cruise ships, long exempt from the TAT, are now in the crosshairs. For the first time, they’ll be taxed under this new law. That’s not a tweak. That’s a structural shift.
The Climate Advisory Team, formed after the Maui wildfires, pushed this through. Their recommendation was simple. Use the tourism tax to fund climate defense. The legislature agreed. The bill passed. The governor signed.
Supporters say it’s a model for other states. A blueprint for climate funding without touching residents’ wallets. But the implications stretch further. Hawaii is setting a precedent. A state-level climate tax, aimed squarely at visitors, now exists.
This is not a drill. It’s a test case. If it works, others will follow. If it falters, the backlash will be swift.
The money will be distributed through grants. Local nonprofits and agencies will apply. The legislature will decide who gets what. That’s a lot of power. That’s a lot of money.
The timing is no accident. After the fires, after the floods, after the headlines, the political will was there. The Green Fee is the result.
Whether this becomes a national trend or a cautionary tale depends on what happens next. For now, Hawaii has drawn the line. Tourists will pay to protect paradise.
They've taken this first significant step to just coming out and saying, "We're taking money for whatever we want. Period."
This isn't taxation, it's outright fraud.
Never should have been a state.
Boycott Hawaiian tourism.
Hawaii is not alone in this.
I can’t remember if its Wyoming or Montana or Idaho, but one of those states has a special property tax on seasonal residents.
Thanks for posting.
Conventions ? Hmm they don’t want them anymore ?
Here comes the flood of new NGO's all wanting their piece of the new pie.
LOL! It’s getting expensive for them to pay all their Feral “judges” telling the mainlanders how they should live.
Prove Climate Change is not a fraud Hawaii.
There is no requirement to visit Hawaii.
... The money will be distributed through grants. Local nonprofits and agencies will apply. ...In other words, 100% graft and cronyism.
Florida is also looking to raise tourist taxes. The difference is that the revenue will be used to reduce/eliminate taxes on Florida residents. If you are Hawaii or Florida, states with natural features that draw visitors from other states/countries, then taxing revenue tourism instead of residents makes sense. This assumes it isn’t taken to the point where it offsets too tourism revenue.
So, when I see Green Programs, I assume “finding ways to throw money at political allies”. Harder to waste money like that when the revenue is used to reduce other taxes.
"Tourists will foot the bill. $100M a year. Here’s what lawmakers aren’t saying out loud."
Depending on the judge, this law may conflict with the Constitution's Article IV, Section 2, Clause 1.
"Article IV, Section. 2, Clause 1: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States."
I remember, when Chicago major Daily hiked Chicago Hotel tax and proudly declared that “out of towners” will now foot the Chicago welfare machine.
Unfortunately, the Chicago hotel industry collapsed, as everybody stayed in suburbs.
I just scratched Hawaii from my possible vacation list.
Net-Zero, carbon credits, carbon tax - are all the same.
They are a form of state/central banker counterfeiting.
Now attaching their new form of tradeable, controllable, fiat money directly to the source of wealth itself - energy.
Well, we can cross Hawaii off the list of places that I would like to visit.