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The Hawaii State Legislature is at the precipice of approving groundbreaking legislation called the “visitor impact fee” that would provide hundreds of millions of dollars for urgently needed investments in our cultural and natural resources.

A $50 impact fee is supported by nearly two-thirds of Hawaii’s voters who strongly agree that we all share the kuleana to protect our resources for future generations.

The visitor impact fee bill, , is being considered by a legislative conference committee this week. Unfortunately, an eleventh-hour proposal has emerged to water down this landmark legislation and instead pass only a “study it more” bill.

But have already been done. No additional studies are needed to prove that many of our communities, agencies, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources are underfunded to support the current impacts of tourism.

Summer is just a month away, bringing an increased burden on our communities and our natural resources. Communities and DLNR need immediate support for restoration and management projects that build on management initiatives we have seen succeed at Haena on Kauai, on Maui at Waianapanapa, and on Oahu at Hanauma Bay.

Plenty of legislative hearings have aired all the issues, generating testimony from hundreds of community members, agencies, and organizations that recognize the urgent need for the proposed visitor impact fee.

DLNR, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Office of the Attorney General, the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission — and more — all support these efforts and are ready to get to work now to implement the visitor impact fee program and ensure monies collected offset visitor impacts to our precious parks, reefs, beaches and trails.

Ask any community suffering from over-tourism — “no need mo’ study!” Visitor levels have bounced back, but, despite destination management plans, funding for protecting impacted natural and cultural resources and communities has not.

“Overwhelmingly Approved”

Many visitors are shocked by the poor condition of what were once some of our most spectacular natural areas. Shameful.

We ask the Legislature to take action, this session, to enact the Hawaii Visitor Impact Fee program now.
Visitor fees are successfully used in various parts of the world to raise funds to protect natural resources impacted by tourists.

As submitted, SB 304 would charge non-resident tourists $50 for an annual pass to enjoy Hawaii’s iconic beaches, reefs, forests, and trails, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for government and communities to manage and soften the impacts of 10 million visitors a year to our islands.

This approach works!

Senate President Ron Kouchi has applauded successful fee collection programs at Haena on his home of Kauai and Waianapanapa on Maui, saying they are leading the way by implementing visitor impact fees.

SB 304 has been overwhelmingly approved by every legislative committee that has reviewed it this year.

The attorney general has testified and offered many helpful amendments that set this program up for success, including ensuring funds are used to offset visitor impacts at the most trafficked areas, and allowing DLNR to identify areas of need through rule-making.

What are we waiting for?

As time slips by, our natural and cultural resources take the brunt of the uncontrolled tourism arrivals with visitors increasingly driven by social media to remote trails, beaches, and sites.

Aside from a few places that have wisely imposed restrictions such as Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, and Haena, most of Hawaii’s spectacular natural and cultural destinations are not sufficiently protected from foot traffic, litter, vehicles, noise, or vandalism.

Plenty of legislative hearings have aired all the issues.

And they do not have adequate infrastructure such as informational signs, gates, restrooms, limitations on human usage, or consistent observation by enforcement authorities.

Hawaii residents pay the price for all those impacts — either through taxpayer dollars or by degraded recreational opportunities. Better managed beaches, trails, and natural areas not only benefit residents, they also provide visitors with a higher quality experience that many are willing to pay for.

Hawaii deserves the best. The best-managed trails, the cleanest beaches, the most protected cultural sites and coastal ecosystems.

Without more investment, beginning this year, our irreplaceable natural resources that sustain us like our reefs, forests, trails, and more will continue to deteriorate. The quality of life enjoyed by current and future generations depends on the Legislature giving DLNR — and the communities impacted — this powerful new legislative framework and tool for protecting and loving the aina.

It is time to turn words into actions.