Hawaii Governor Josh Green has signed a law increasing taxes on hotel rooms, vacation rentals, and cruise ships to fund climate change efforts, including building firebreaks after the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires.

The new tax adds 0.75% to daily room rates—about $4 on a $500 hotel stay—and introduces an 11% tax on cruise ship bills starting in July 2026.

The measures aim to raise nearly $100 million annually to address climate impacts from Hawaii’s 10 million annual visitors, Newsweek has reported.

The hotel tax will take effect January 1, 2026. Green called for similar actions elsewhere to tackle climate crises.

Written by B.C. Begley