Posted on 05/31/2025 1:30:25 PM PDT by BenLurkin
Beginning next year, visitors to Hawaii will be subject to a “climate impact fee” which aims to generate funds for mitigating future environmental challenges the state expects to face.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed Act 96 into law Tuesday, effectively approving a tax — also known as the “Green Fee”
The law now increases the the state’s Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) by .75%, to 11%. This fee will be applied to costs for tourism-related activities including hotels and cruise ships that dock in Hawaii.
Unlike other state programs, the money generated won’t go into a dedicated special fund. Instead, the legislature will reevaluate priorities each year to decide where the money should go based on the greatest environmental need.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Me, none.
The tax revenues will go into a fund to line Josh and friend’s pockets.
Reading is fundamental- not for most freepers
Hawaii can kiss their tourist industry good bye. Tourist are money but they won’t pay that kind of tax.
“Um read it again increase of .75% That’s less than one percent increase”
Whew, I was only two beers in and got it all wrong. Thanks
That’s doubling the hit on tourists there in many instances.
HI already has a “kama’aina discount” where residents receive a discount (usually 10%) on events, restaurants, businesses, hotels, etc. You just need to show your HI ID.
Many taxes start small. Tiny. Miniscule, even.
…Then they grow! UP! 🙂
“Plenty of other jurisdictions have similar taxes.”
Name one state that changes an entry fee.
Actually it’s an increase of 7.3% over the current base of 10.25%.
Other states should start charging Hawaii residents an 11% surcharge when
they come to other states and DC.
...redistribute it to the wider population of private residents.
Contrary to media gaslighting, this is also an additional tax on already overtaxed locals.
No.
“While Florida doesn’t directly use tourism tax revenue to cover property taxes in the way that might offset the amount individual property owners pay, it does use tourist development tax revenue in ways that can indirectly benefit property taxpayers, as well as in some limited instances to offset property taxes in specific situations.”
The difference between the taxes is that Florida does it to assist the property owners by not raising their taxes and Hawaii does it for the ecology aspect.
Florida uses Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue:
Promoting Tourism: A significant portion of TDT funds goes towards advertising, marketing, and other activities aimed at boosting tourism in the state.
Funding Tourism-Related Infrastructure: TDT revenue helps finance the construction and maintenance of tourist attractions, convention centers, sports facilities, and beach improvements.
Debt Service: In some cases, TDT funds may be used to pay off bonds issued for the construction of tourist-related facilities, including sports stadiums and convention centers.
So it’s a little different.
wy69
I wonder if that tax will be passed on to the passengers of the Pride of American, the U.S. built in American and crewed mostly by US citizens. Just what we need, make our only ocean going cruise ship even more expensive.
Maritime Unions where are you?
Jerk
Want to charge foreigners (i.e., Non-Americans) fine. But American tax dollars go into Hawaii, so American’s already paid.
Never should have been a state.
“The law now increases the the state’s Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT) by .75%, to 11%”
This is a 0.75% increase not a change from 0.75% to 11% notice the “by” in the statement. It also doesn’t affect property owners it affects tourists accommodations so it’s a fee passed on directly to the tourists who stay in a hotel or air&b ect.
Lots of states and municipal jurisdictions do.this every stayed in Vegas they tax and grew out the wazzo for hotels and short term accommodations. Ever stay in NYC? Yeah 15+% of your hotel bill tourist taxes and fees.
People want to go they will pay the fee or not go. Hawaii is banking on people will just grumble ,make some banging noises on keyboards on the interwebs and shut up and pay the fees. Vegas and NYC know this is true , New Orleans also it’s like 12% in NOLA too.
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