Hawaii’s first-in-the-nation “green fee” on visitors is moving closer to implementation after a federal judge refused to block the law’s application to cruise passengers, delivering an early courtroom win to the state as it defends a controversial attempt to make tourism help fund climate resilience.
U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake denied a request to stop enforcement of the new law, clearing a major procedural hurdle for the state as it prepares to collect additional revenue to address eroding shorelines, wildfire risk, and other climate-driven impacts.
State officials estimate the overall measure will raise about $100 million annually, money intended for environmental protection and climate adaptation projects across the
→ Continue reading at Traveling Lifestyle
