Hawaii is a sought-after destination for tourists worldwide, including Alaskans. However, the influx of visitors may be straining the state’s natural resources, and Gov. Josh Green has proposed a solution to alleviate the burden.
Green’s proposed legislation seeks to implement what could be called a “Green Tax,” requiring residents and visitors alike to pay up to $50 for the use of of parks or trails. With over 10 million visitors annually, the funds collected would be utilized to combat climate change and address environmental damage.
Initially, Green campaigned for a $50 license to enter the state, which was met with constitutional challenges regarding free travel between states. However, the current proposal, the first of its kind in the country, aims to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism by charging visitors for park access.
Checking on visitors’ licenses to use trails may be an enforcement nightmare for those places that are not heavily used, however. And having trail cops may take away from the islands’ Aloha spirit.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Hawaii hired hundreds of people who used a heavy hand as they enforced the Covid quarantines the state had in place for visitors.
$50 is nothing. Rent a car out of SeaTac Airport lately? The fees and taxes meet or exceed the cost of the car itself.
The difference is tax dollars don’t pay for rental cars. They do pay state and local parks.
Paradise lost. As another state that enjoys the tourist dollar, one has to think of what their first impression of Alaska is when they arrive in our key cities. But adventurous types do like that third world experience.
The locals are leaving the islands. There are other destinations for tourists. Lots of good red states with hospitality.
Red state tourism is about to become a reality.
Conservatives will avoid Blue states, or at least their regional areas………the big cities.
As long as both visitors and residents have to pay a fee I don’t mind. Being an Alaskan resident I pay a yearly fee of $60 for a State of Alaska parking permit. I see the 50 dollar as you call it “Green Tax”, but in reality, it would be a State of Hawai’i parking permit. The issue that I have is that with Hawai’i it seems that with all the various taxes that are collected there never really seems to be any improvement to the infrastructure on any of the islands. Where does all the money go that I am taxed long before I ever set foot on the islands? The road system is lacking. the trails are never maintained. The parking lots are mostly haphazard parking along already too-narrow roads. To be honest I seriously think that Hawai’i needs to get its politician’s hand in the cookie jar problem fixed first before adding new taxes. With New competing airlines flying to French Polynesia the airfare prices have come down, making Bora Bora almost a better option than overpriced and tax-happy Hawai’i.
Went to Maui in 2019. It was like witnessing what they call “critical mass” compared to 10 years ago. Too many people trapped on an island. You invite that much tourist garbage that is what you get. Now they wanna implement high fees for their parks?? Yeah we will not be back. People are literally on top of each other…. That isn’t paradise… Its a tourist trap!
“$50 is nothing……….”
Yeah, well, I think I’ll keep my ‘nothing’……….along with airfare, car rental fees and taxes, lodging, equipment rental, groceries, restaurant bills, et al. They can battle “climate change” with their own nothingness. I never found Hawaii to be much of a friendly place, anyway.
As the plundering piles up for access to PUBLIC areas, the real-world effect is to limit access to only those who can afford it. So much for the Left’s much decried “equity”, eh?
All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
Is this penalty only in place if one uses parks and trails, or is it implemented into airfare as a defacto entry fee?
So how will they use the funds to “combat climate change”? I am ok with a user fee to help with trail maintenance and damage remediation but I will not pay a penny toward their climate cult chapter.
Think about how the locals feel. Hawai’i is filled with anything but Hawaiians. Why you might ask, is because people from all around the world move there with lots of money and drive the housing market through the roof, and yes they’re politicians. Think how much we love Alaska and now imagine 10 million people coming here annually all wanting to move here you’d be pissed too, I know I would.
Couldn’t agree more Ms. Henry.
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