Federal ruling blocks Hawaii's climate change tourist tax on cruise ships

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Thu Jan 1, 2026, 12:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

Updated 9:26 PM EST, December 31, 2025


HONOLULU (AP) — A federal appeals court ruling on New Year’s Eve blocked Hawaii from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026.

Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new law violates the U.S. Constitution by taxing cruise ships for entering Hawaii ports. They also argued it would make cruises more expensive. The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares.

The levy increases rates on hotel room and vacation rental stays but also imposes a new 11% tax on the gross fares paid by a cruise ship’s passenger, prorated for the number of days the vessels are in Hawaii ports. The lawsuit notes the law authorizes counties to collect an additional 3% surcharge, bringing the total to 14% of prorated fares.

In the nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation in May that raises tax revenue to deal with eroding shorelines, wildfires and other climate problems. Officials estimate the tax would generate nearly $100 million annually.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-tourist-tax-cruises-climate-change-dc41e5da8c2597df47256c109ba8c196

[OldBaldy1701E]

1. Well, we shouldn't even have those islands to begin with, so...

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. Maybe we shouldn't have any of the fifty states.

We Angles and Saxons should not have eliminated the Britons from Britain, either.

But I don't think any of those will be reversed anytime soon.

Meanwhile, those who can afford the trip can continue to enjoy Hawaii.

[mahina]

6. But those of us who live with the impacts... and it was 0.75%

Last edited Thu Jan 1, 2026, 05:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Won’t have access to funds to deal with any kind of remedies. What a bummer.

[mahina]

5. But they do and I don't see that changing, unlike the climate

I’m really sad this happened

[OldBaldy1701E]

7. Me, too.

I doubt I could get any more angered than whenever I read that story.

But..

[cstanleytech]

3. Why not just simply increase the taxes on hotels and rental vacation homes without mentioning the climate?

[mahina]

8. Weʻve maxed out hotel taxes in most opinions and rental homes are proving very difficult to monitor at all.

Maui has a plan though!

[cstanleytech]

9. Increased docking fees for passenger ships?

[Wild blueberry]

4. Cruise ships are a blight

People on them should pay more for all the damage they cause, from dumping shit into the oceans to wrecking the places they stop at.