Hawaii’s state government is considering a new law that would require tourists to pay for a yearlong pass to visit parks and trails as part of an effort to offset the damage done by travelers to the coral reefs, dolphin habitats and other environmentally sensitive areas.
According to The Associated Press, Hawaiian Gov. Josh Green originally pitched a $50 fee for tourists to enter the state, following a similar model presented in Venice, Italy, and Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands to avoid overcrowding and to repair damage done to the local landscape.
While there are concerns about the legislation being unconstitutional — the document protects free travel within the United States — state Rep. Sean Quinlan said travel patterns have changed and social-media-influenced visitors are seeking obscure locations the government doesn’t have the money to manage.
