Hawaii Takes on Big Oil as State Works to Address the Climate Emergency

By Dana Drugmand for One Earth Now

Furthermore, Hawaii will now be requiring its visitors and vacationers to help contribute to climate mitigation and environmental sustainability initiatives through a first-of-its-kind “green fee” applied to lodging and cruise fares. The Hawaii legislature has just passed a bill, championed by Gov. Green, that will raise the existing transient accommodations tax rate in the state by 0.75% for the purpose of generating additional revenue to go towards climate resiliency efforts such as shoreline protection and reducing wildfire risk.

“Given the devastation we saw on Maui in August of 2023, this measure is crucial because it will help us to deal with wildfire risk resulting from the climate change crisis,” Green said in a statement. “It is foundational to our ability to provide a safe and secure Hawai‘i for our children, our residents, our visitors and the environment.”

Click here to read the full story published by One Earth Now on May 7.