You know, if I was trying to destroy the wealth of a state where the entire economy is based on tourism I might try something like this.
Yes, Hawaii wants to make sure they make it even more difficult to travel and stay on their islands by charging you a global warming tax on hotel rooms to save the planet.
This bill passed in both the Hawaii House and Senate, which are controlled heavily by Democrats.
Gov. Josh Green supports the bill, indicating he will sign it. The bill adds a 0.75% levy to the state's existing tax on hotel rooms, timeshares, vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations. It also imposes a new 11% tax on cruise ship bills, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports.
Officials estimate the tax will generate nearly $100 million annually.
And I'm sure that every penny of that $100 million will go to saving the planet, right?
Maybe some "climate justice" initiatives and stuff like that?
They say the money will be used for projects like replenishing sand on eroding Waikiki beaches, promoting the use of hurricane clips to secure roofs during powerful storms and clearing flammable invasive grasses like those that fed the deadly wildfire that destroyed downtown Lahaina in 2023.
Well, at least that's somewhat practical. I'm all for taking care of the environment, but I'm not sure a "climate change tax" that makes it more expensive for people to travel to your impossible-to-get-to state is the best idea.
And to be clear, it's only these newly added taxes that go towards the fight against the sun monster.
Only funds raised by the 0.75% addition and the new tax on cruise ship stays will go exclusively toward natural resources and climate change. Revenue from existing state lodging taxes would continue to flow into state's general fund and to help pay for the construction of Honolulu's rail line.
Oh yes, the other great and bizarre lib fascination: building railroads!
John Pele, the executive director of the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association, said there's broad agreement that the money raised will go to a good cause. But he wonders if Hawaii will become too expensive for visitors.
'Will we be taxing on tourists out of wanting to come here?' he said. 'That remains to be seen.'
We found him. The one man with common sense in all of Hawaii!
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