#transient accommodations tax

The advisory council reviewed over 600 projects worth $2 billion before selecting the final 75 for recommendation, including several measures to improve hazard prevention and awareness after the 2023 Lahaina wildfires.

Hawaiʻi’s new first-in-the-nation climate impact fee to be paid by tourists took effect Jan. 1, but for now it will not include cruise ship passengers due to an 11th hour ruling by a federal appeals court.

Hawaiʻi’s Green Fee will go into full effect on Jan. 1, 2026, after a majority of legal claims challenging Act 96 were dismissed, the state Department of the Attorney General announced.

The council will provide crucial guidance on how the newly enacted “Green Fee” funds are allocated to bolster Hawaiʻi’s environmental resilience and sustainable tourism. 

The Green Fee increases the state’s transient accommodations tax from 10.25% to 11%, which is expected to generate about $100 million annually. For example, a $400 hotel room will incur an additional $3 per night in taxes, with proceeds dedicated to protecting Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources.

The Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi hailed the 2025 Legislature’s passage this week of bills intended to increase the state’s housing stock, speed up the recovery of Lahaina and increase government accountability. 

Members of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives Native Hawaiian Affairs Caucus presented their 2025 Legislative Package, with four priority bills aimed at representing and advocating for the needs of the Native Hawaiian community.

A study funded by a group representing “travel technology innovators,” including short-term rental platforms, is forecasting vast amounts of tax income losses for Maui County if Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposed bill to phase out 7,000 vacation rentals in apartment districts were enacted out to make way for resident housing.

Maui County’s Department of Finance was under-staffed and ill-prepared to collect transient accommodations tax money beginning in November 2021 when a state law allowing the county to tap millions of visitor-generated revenue went into effect, according to a report by the Office of the County Auditor.

The County of Maui has a new online payment portal for Maui County Transient Accommodations Tax. The new service streamlines the payment process and is designed to be more user-friendly.

The Maui County Council unanimously passed Bill 101 last month– that creates a 3% transient accommodations tax in Maui County.

The Maui County Council unanimously passed Bill 101 today–a bill that creates a 3% transient accommodations tax.

The “Business Matters” show is hosted by Pamela Tumpap, President of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, who welcomes business, government and community leaders to share information and insight on Maui’s “sustainable quadruple bottom-line efforts” to embrace the island’s economy, environment, social wellbeing and our culture.

The mayor believes the surcharge will serve as an incentive for Maui County to crack down on the growing number of illegal vacation rentals that don’t pay TAT.

First reading of Maui County’s fiscal year 2021 budget has been moved from Friday, May 22 to Tuesday, May 26. Council Chair Alice L. Lee, who made the announcement, said it is to allow for inclusion of additional funding from the state and federal government. This includes an estimated $66 million from the Coronavirus Relief Fund, approved by Congress in the CARES Act, and additional money in transient accommodations tax revenue.

Several conservation projects on Maui and Moloka’i are receiving grants for their efforts to protect and manage natural resources. 

Governor David Ige will veto 18 of 20 bills on his Intent to Veto list, and allow two items to become law without his signature.

Hawaii Tourism CEO: “Make no mistake, HTA will be forced to make significant cuts to its marketing programs that support Hawaiʻi’s number one industry, and…”

For Maui that means there’s additional $15 million in TAT revenues, going from the current $23.4 million to $38.3 million.

Arakawa, provided a list of legislative priorities, which include: Front Street Apts; funding for Kula Ag park; and CIP funds for a central Maui transit hub.