Hawaii Now Has a Tourism Tax to Offset Climate Change Costs

As nears the second anniversary of the devastating , it’s rolling out an unprecedented measure to offset costs—and it’s targeting tourists’ wallets.

Starting January 1, 2026, the Aloha State’s 10 million annual visitors will face a slightly higher price tag: a new “green fee,” raising Hawaii’s tax from 10.25 percent to 11 percent, Bloomberg . The extra charge—averaging about $2 per visitor per day—is expected to generate $100 million annually, all of which will be funneled directly into environmental restoration and climate mitigation efforts, from coral reef rehabilitation to fire-prevention projects.

The bill, championed by Governor Josh Green, marks the first dedicated climate fee on tourism in the United States. Its passage follows years of stalled attempts in the legislature, but th