Hawaii plans to increase its hotel tax by 0.75% to support projects addressing climate change and environmental resilience. The additional revenue, expected to reach $100 million annually, will fund initiatives like beach replenishment and wildfire prevention measures. Following previous disasters, lawmakers believe this tax adjustment is crucial for safeguarding the future and enhances existing lodging tax rates close to 19%. This measure, with active support from leaders, positions Hawaii as a pioneer in utilizing lodging tax for environmental protection funding.
"We had a $13 billion tragedy in Maui and we lost 102 people. These kind of dollars will help us prevent that next disaster," Green said in an interview.
"I was unaware of any other state that has set aside lodging tax revenue for the purposes of environmental protection or climate change," Yushkov stated.
The increase would generate $100 million in new revenue annually, aimed at funding environmental projects in Hawaii.
Hawaii's cumulative lodging tax will approach 19%, making it one of the highest rates in the United States.
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