When Hawaii’s legislative session opens on Jan. 15, one of the first orders of business will be voting on a new fee for incoming tourists.

In a Dec. 31, 2024 memorandum, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced plans for “building a climate-resilient Hawaii” which would include a fee for tourists that would help fund the state’s conservation efforts.

“The administration has also been working on proposing the ‘Green Fee” to the legislature. The initiative will require visitors to pay a fee to help fund climate resilience initiatives,” the statement read. “These funds will support efforts to preserve and protect our environment and promote clean energy solutions. As a result, these efforts will help build a more resilient, sustainable Hawaii for our future generations.”

The fee would be in addition to Hawaii’s existing tourism tax — 10.25 percent with an additional 3 percent in some counties.

Initially, Green campaigned on a $50 flat fee for tourists during the 2022 election. A year later, officials proposed establishing a visitor impact fee program which would charge travelers a fee to buy a license to visit a state park, forest, hiking trail, or other state natural area. The initiative fell short and was not passed. 

At the start 2024, a bill calling for a “modest fee” for tourists that would generate more than $68 million in revenue each year and increase awareness of the impacts of climate change was introduced. Weeks later, state lawmakers chose not to pass the initiative despite devastating wildfires that ravaged Maui’s western coast mere months prior in August 2023, which resulted in more than 100 deaths and destruction of historic Lāhainā.

Hawaii is far from the only destination imposing a tourism tax. In September 2024, New Zealand nearly tripled the fee for international visitors and on Dec. 1, 2024 the Maldives began a departure tax that ensures travelers contribute to island preservation. The countries join a long list of locales – including Iceland and the Italian city of Venice – using fees to help combat overtourism.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Loved ones of some of the victims who were severely injured in a tragic fireworks explosion at a New Year’s Eve celebration in Aliamanu are asking for help as they fight for their lives.

Authorities said a fireworks “cake” with roughly 50 illegal aerial rockets in it tipped over and fired into a carport that set off more fireworks inside.

RELATED STORY: 3 dead, dozens injured in massive illegal fireworks explosion in Aliamanu

Three women were killed. Many others had critical injuries with burns over much of their bodies.

As loved ones begin to share more details about the victims, Hawaii News Now will continue to update this story and provide more information on how the public can help support them.

Melissa and Kevin

Family members identified two of the victims who were injured as Melissa and Kevin.

They said Kevin sustained “grave” injuries and is currently hospitalized. However, Melissa will need to be flown to the mainland for medical care because there are no available beds in the burn unit.

Melissa and Kevin have a 3-month-old son, who is being taken care of by family members.

Donations will go to Melissa’s mother to support the couple’s son as well as medical expenses.

Click here for their GoFundMe page.

Charmaine Benigno

Another victim, Charmaine Benigno, a mother of two young boys, was also severely injured in the explosion.

Her family said she will require extensive medical care.

All donations will go to her boyfriend, Jacob, to support their sons and her medical expenses once she returns home.

Click here to donate.

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