Editorial: Green fee must get full funding

By the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Editorial Board

George F. Lee / Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Hawaii’s climate impact fee, aka “green fee,” on visitor accommodations is an innovative solution to fund urgent state needs, including issues shunted aside in the past for lack of resources. It’s vital to use the money allocated strategically and effectively — and also vital that the Legislature serves as a partner in leadership on this effort to invest in Hawaii, raising the state to desirable levels of resilience.

Act 96, the legislation establishing Hawaii’s green fee, specifies that money allocate be divided equally between environmental stewardship, climate and hazard resilience and sustainable tourism. It’s expected to bring in as much as $100 million annually, with projected revenue of about $87 million in 2026. That has given Gov. Josh Green’s administration leeway to request $42 million for the budget cycle ending on June 30, and another $43.5 million in the 2026-2027 cycle.

Click here to read the full editorial published by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Mar. 1.