As part of Hawaii’s new tourist tax, the state can now move forward with a levy on cruise-ship cabins, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.
The legislation, dubbed the “Green Fee” by Democratic Gov. Josh Green, “requires, in-part, cruise operators to pay their fair share of transient accommodation tax to address the threats of climate change to our state,” the governor’s office said in a Dec. 23 statement.
It is set to take effect with the start of 2026, becoming a first-of-its-kind law meant to deal with climate concerns. It also increases rates on hotel rooms and vacation rentals.
“We must protect and preserve Hawaii’s natural resources and safeguard the health of our residents. Visitors who benefit from our island’s resources have a shared responsibility to help preserve them. The Green Fee ensures that the resources needed to protect Hawaii are available for future generations,” said the Hawaii governor in the statement….