First it was Venice and the Galapagos Islands. Now, it's Hawaii.
America's 50th state is considering a law that will require tourists to pay a fee to enjoy its natural beauty - part of an effort to pay for the increasing burden that a large scale tourist operation brings with it.
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Hawaiian Governor Josh Green and fellow lawmakers would require a $50 yearlong pass to be purchased for all entering tourists. The fee would go toward certain ecological cleanup, like helping to protect Hawaii's natural coral reefs, wildlife and natural landscape. The fee would apply to all who plan to visit Hawaii's "forests, parks, trails or other natural area on state land."
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"All I want to do, honestly, is to make travelers accountable and have the capacity to help pay for the impact that they have," Gov. Green told The AP. "We get between nine and 10 million visitors a year (but) we only have 1.4 million people living here. Those 10 million travelers should be helping us sustain our environment."
The fee applies to only non-Hawaiian residents and tourists ages 15 and over. Those who don't pay the fee would need to pay a civil fine.
"Hawaii’s conservation needs are great. Invasive pests are attacking the state’s forests, including a fungal disease that is killing ohia, a tree unique to Hawaii that makes up the largest portion of the canopy in native wet forests," the AP reports.
"Some conservation work directly responds to tourism. The harassment of wildlife like dolphins, turtles, and Hawaiian monk seals is a recurring problem. Hikers can unknowingly bring invasive species into the forest on their boots. Snorkelers and boats trample on coral, adding stress to reefs already struggling with invasive algae and coral bleaching."
