Hawaii cruise passengers to pay new climate change tax.

A federal judge’s ruling allows Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to address climate change impacts, starting in 2026. The tax, estimated to generate $100 million annually, will raise rates on hotel stays and impose an 11% tax on cruise passengers’ fares. The Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax, citing potential negative effects on tourism. The U.S. government intervened, calling the tax a “scheme” conflicting with federal law.

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