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Tourists will soon be paying a USD 50 ‘green fee’ in Hawaii. The annual fee is intended to be used to protect, restore and preserve the local ecosystem.
A corresponding proposal has already been submitted to the Federal Statistical Parliament. It is still unclear when a decision will be made regarding him.
Carissa Cabrera, project manager at the Hawaii Green Fee Coalition, says she’s heartened by Parliament’s desire to know more regarding the issue. “This is now part of the conversation. For me, that’s a positive sign,” says Cabrera.
According to the Green Fee Coalition, Hawaii’s ecosystems, natural and cultural resources represent over $6 billion in value to the economy each year. Yet only 1% of the state budget is invested in protecting natural resources impacted by visitors and climate change to be threatened. The Green Fee Coalition estimates that Hawaii currently lacks USD 360 million per year for conservation.
The increase in conservation funding that the $50 green fee aims to achieve should enable Hawaii to reduce the visitor sector’s environmental impact, the coalition said. (OF)
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