How Hawaiʻi’s historic green fee is shaping the future of climate resilience
By Staff for Hawai‘i News Now “HI Now Daily” (Sponsored by Fund for a Better Future)
HI Now Daily / Hawai‘i News Now
Care for ‘Āina Now (CAN) is a coalition of more than 70 community leaders, cultural practitioners, and organizations dedicated to advancing climate resilience and environmental stewardship in Hawaii. Our advocacy was pivotal in the passage of ACT 96 last year and the “Green Fee” becoming law.
The passage of Act 96 last year was a historic milestone in Hawaiʻi’s climate resilience journey, establishing the nation’s first statewide “green fee” to generate dedicated funding for climate preparedness, environmental stewardship, and tourism infrastructure. It positions us as partners with the 10 million visitors Hawaii hosts each year and lets them be reciprocal to the natural beauty they seek out here. Hawaii has a $560-million annual shortfall in protecting its natural resources so dedicated funding is critical now.
“We are so grateful dedicated funding through the green fee will go into effect this year,” Kupu VP of External Affairs, Keone Nakoa, explains. “Passing the fee was an important act of leadership, but it is only the beginning. What will ultimately determine success is whether residents and visitors can see the positive outcomes these funds make possible.”
Green fee revenues will support critical work across multiple state agencies in partnership with community partners, including reef restoration, invasive species management, watershed protection, climate adaptation and infrastructure improvements. Yet today, there is no simple way for the public to understand where the money goes or what it is accomplishing as a whole.
CAN is so grateful dedicated funding through the green fee will go into effect this year, but the coalition’s work is not done. They hope to achieve two things: 1) Show real impacts statewide through the Green Fee Resiliency & Impact Dashboard (“GRID Bill”) so the public can see how Green Fee revenues are collected, spent, and evaluated, and 2) ensuring that community-based organizations are meaningful partners in Green Fee–funded projects already serving communities on the ground.
Click here to watch the full segment published by Hawai‘i News Now “HI Now Daily” on Mar. 4.
