Editorial: Green fee, HECO bills pass muster

By Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board

Amid more than 250 bills just passed by the state Legislature and poised to become Hawaii law, two stand out for their far-reaching potential to seed needed green shoots in the name of environmental stewardship. Senate Bill 1396 creates a climate “green fee” — finally — while SB 897 will help Hawaii’s major power utility, Hawaiian Electric Co., stay solvent and push ahead on crucial improvements for wildfire and disaster prevention. Both measures, though, come with caveats that will require the public, administrators and regulators to stay sharp so these prime opportunities aren’t squandered.

Under SB 1396, a 0.75% increase to the 10.25% statewide transient accommodations tax (TAT) on hotel rooms and short-term rentals will pay into a new fund to help the state respond to climate change and prevent wildfire spread; also, a new 11% TAT will be imposed on cruise ships docking in Hawaii.

Click here to read the full story in the May 11 Honolulu Star-Advertiser.