Gov. Green appoints Green Fee Advisory Council ahead of tourism tax taking effect

Written By Lisa Huynh Eller

Gov. Green has named his advisory council that will provide guidance on what funds collected by the state's new "Green Fee" should be spent on.

By HNN Staff

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii Gov. Josh Green announced the creation of a Green Fee Advisory Council, who will be responsible for giving guidance on how to spend the newly enacted Green Fee funds.

Green signed into law the country’s first-ever lodging tax that tourists pay to offset the impacts of climate change back in May.

The money collected from the fees is intended be spent on projects that strengthen Hawaii’s environmental resilience and sustainable tourism.

The Green Fee goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and is expected to bring in an estimated $100 million annually.

The council will allocate that money to programs that promote environmental stewardship, hazard mitigation, infrastructure resilience, and enhancing visitor experiences.

Click here to watch the full segment aired by Hawaii News Now on Aug. 22

Lisa Huynh Eller
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