Hawaii is among the world's most popular tourist destinations, bringing millions of people each year to experience its clean beaches, lush forests, rich culture, and volcanic vistas. This flood of tourists nevertheless poses a major threat to the island's delicate ecosystem, which provides vital services and benefits to both local populations and visitors. Over-tourism, or the presence of an excessive number of tourists in a destination, can result in environmental damage, cultural erosion, social problems, and economic losses.

To solve this issue, state leaders in Hawaii are proposing a new Hawaii Green Fee: a $50 per person annual cost to visit the state's natural treasures to help safeguard them for future generations. The green fee is an effective strategy to regulate over-tourism in Hawaii for three reasons: it will provide much-needed cash for conservation, it will lessen the negative impacts of tourism on the environment and culture, and it will improve the visitor experience.

First, the green fee will produce much-needed income for conservation. According to Hawai'i Green Fee, a nonprofit group that promotes the green fee program, Hawaii's ecosystems and natural and cultural resources contribute nearly $6 billion to the economy each year, benefiting communities and the visitor sector. Yet these resources are under increasing threat from climate change, invasive species, pollution, development, and tourism. It is anticipated that Hawaii currently confronts a conservation funding shortfall of $360 million per year, limiting the ability of state and municipal agencies, charities, and community groups to properly manage and conserve the environment.

The green fee program would fill this void by collecting $50 from each tourist aged 15 or older annually. That's approximately $400 million per year. This money would be used to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs for residents across the state, as well as to assist existing conservation efforts by various stakeholders and to invest in new initiatives and projects that would repair, conserve, and give back to the 'ina (land).

Second, the green fee will mitigate the detrimental effects of tourism on the environment and culture. Tourism is a two-edged sword: it can offer economic benefits and cultural interchange, but it can also inflict cultural loss and environmental damage. Tourism, for instance, may lead to coral reef deterioration by increasing sedimentation, overfishing, pollution, and physical harm from snorkelling and diving excursions. Tourism can also have an impact on the cultural identity and integrity of the local people by altering their traditions, practices, and values for tourist consumption.

The green fee program would help to counteract these effects by incentivizing visitors to be more responsible and appreciative of the environment and culture. Visitors, for example, would be required to sign a pledge committing to a respectful stay upon arrival, similar to what Palau does with its Palau Pristine Environmental Fee. Visitors will also be educated about the value of conservation and stewardship through various channels such as signage, pamphlets, websites, and social media under the green fee program. The green fee program would encourage guests to adopt environmentally friendly behaviors during their stay and beyond by creating awareness and appreciation among them.

Finally, the green fee will improve the overall visitor experience. One of the main reasons people travel to Hawaii is to see its natural beauty and diversity of culture. However, if these resources are deteriorated or lost as a result of over-tourism, the visitor experience will suffer as well. For instance, visitors may come across overcrowded beaches, filthy seas, damaged coral reefs, trash pathways, or endangered species. Visitors may also feel unwanted or alienated by the locals, who may hate their presence or see them as a risk to their way of life.

The green fee program would enhance visitors' experiences by ensuring that Hawaii's natural and cultural resources are well-managed and protected for future generations. Visitors would be able to enjoy state parks and beaches that are safe, healthy, and beautiful by paying a nominal fee of $50 per year. Visitors would also be able to learn more about Hawaii's rich history and culture through genuine interactions with locals empowered and supported by the green fee program. The green fee program would assist Hawaii's tourism business in the long run by improving the visitor experience.

The green fee program is not a new concept; it has been used effectively in other destinations across the world that confront comparable issues as Hawaii. It is also supported by the vast majority of Hawaii residents and visitors who understand the importance and urgency of preserving Hawaii's 'ina. The time has come to take serious action for Hawaii's future. Hawaii's state legislature should pass and make the green fee bill a reality.