Letter: Green fee workable if projects are impactful

By Aaron Magee for Honolulu Star-Advertiser

George F. Lee / Honolulu Star-Advertiser

I grew up on Oahu hiking, snorkeling and bodysurfing. I started Global Preservation Initiative because I wanted to protect the places that defined my childhood and made me love nature.

Today, our organization stewards sites like Mauliola (Sand Island State Recreation Area) and Makapuu Beach Park, planting native plants, clearing invasive plants, removing litter and hosting community workdays that build connection to the spaces we love. The green fee can scale work like this — and the first year of project recommendations are too important to overlook.

The green fee was designed so visitors help fund environmental protection and restoration, but real impact depends on how well projects are chosen, supported and tracked. The proposed green fee project recommendations emphasize community co-management, which is essential, while the Green Fee Resiliency Impact Dashboard Bill provides transparent, open access to project funding, locations, goals and outcomes, including community and visitor benefits.

Click here to read the full letter published by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Mar. 2.