Hawaii conference showcases nexus between green fees, tourism

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARADVERTISER.COM

By Allison Schaefers for Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Members of the Green Fee Advisory Council updated Hawaii’s visitor industry Monday on the process that they are using to ensure that the nation’s first-ever climate impact fee strengthens Hawaii’s environment, builds resilience and enhances the visitor experience.

Jeff Mikulina, the chair of the new, volunteer climate fee advisory group, provided an update during a luncheon panel, “Green Fee in Focus,” on opening day of the Hawaii Tourism Conference, which concludes today. He was joined by advisory group member Jeff Wagoner and Dawn Chang, chair of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The pressure is on for the 10-member volunteer Green Fee Advisory Council, who were appointed by Gov. Josh Green about a month ago, to come up with recommendations on how to spend the new green fees that were established in Act 96, Senate Bill 1396. Effective Jan. 1, the new law raises the transient accommodations tax (TAT) by 0.75%, which brings the TAT to 11%.

Click here to read the full story from the Sept. 23 issue of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser