Hawaii 2026 Travel Changes You Need to Know

HAWAII – Starting January 1, 2026, Hawaii travel is getting more complicated—and more expensive.

Four major changes are hitting at once: airline loyalty is shifting under the Alaska-Hawaiian merger, hotel taxes are going up with a new “green fee,” shipping costs just spiked 25%, and state park access now costs money at 14+ locations.

If you’re planning a 2026 trip, here’s what changed, what it costs, and how to work with it instead of getting blindsided at checkout.

2026 Hawaii Changes at a Glance

1. New green fee pushes hotel taxes higher

The biggest direct cost increase is the new 0.75% “green fee” added to Hawaii’s Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT). Governor Josh Green signed this into law in May 2025, making Hawaii the first state to implement a climate-focused lodging tax (Governor’s Office, May 2025).

Here’s what you’ll actually pay:

• State TAT: 11% (up from 10.25%)
• County surcharges: 0-3% (varies by island)
• General Excise Tax: 4-4.5%
• Total tax burden: 15-18.5% before resort fees

On a $5,000 hotel stay in Waikīkī, you’re looking at roughly $825 in taxes alone—before the resort adds its $35/night destination fee.

The green fee money goes toward climate resilience projects, but for travelers, it’s a hard cost that isn’t reflected in the advertised nightly rate.

How to work with this:

• When comparing hotels, look for “estimated taxes and fees” in the booking breakdown
• Consider longer stays in one place rather than island-hopping, which multiplies those taxes and cleaning fees
• Check smaller properties in areas like West Oʻahu, North Shore Kauaʻi, or non-oceanfront Kīhei—they often have lower base rates

Note: The green fee was also supposed to apply to cruise ship passengers, but legal challenges from the cruise industry have delayed that component indefinitely (Civil Beat, November 2025).

2. Shipping costs spike—and you’ll feel it everywhere

Another less visible but very real driver of price increases is shipping. A 25.75% rate increase for Young Brothers, Hawaiʻi’s primary interisland ocean shipper, took effect after state regulators approved the hike (KHON2, December 2024).

Almost everything visitors touch depends on those barges:

• Grocery store food and drinks
• Restaurant ingredients
• Hotel linens and supplies
• Construction and maintenance materials

So even if your room rate looks similar to last year, the on-island spend—meals, groceries, gear, even excursions—will feel noticeably higher.

Smart ways to adapt:

• Plan one big grocery run, cook some meals in your condo, and save restaurant nights for places you really care about
• Skip daily cocktails and instead enjoy a few special drinks at sunset bars or lounges
• Look for local food trucks, plate lunch spots, and farmers markets—they’re more affordable and support local families directly

3. Airline loyalty: goodbye HawaiianMiles, hello Atmos

One of the biggest emotional shifts is the end of HawaiianMiles as a standalone program. Under the Alaska-Hawaiian merger (finalized September 2024), miles and status are now folded into Atmos Rewards, a combined loyalty program.

If you’ve flown Hawaiian for years, this is a big identity change. Your familiar island-based airline is now part of a larger system. Status, upgrades, and redemptions are still there, but the rules and platforms are different.

What’s changing:

• Hawaiian Airlines will officially join the oneworld alliance on April 22, 2026 (Alaska Airlines News, 2025), expanding redemption options across 13 member airlines
• A single reservation system launches spring 2026, changing how you book, view itineraries, and handle changes
• Elite status is shared, but the perks and upgrade paths may work differently than before

What this means for you:

• Don’t assume your old perks work the same way—log in, confirm your Atmos account, and check your mileage balances now
• Before booking 2026 flights, compare cash vs. miles; the “best deal” may have shifted with the new charts and partners
• Treat loyalty as a tool, not a belief system—flexibility will save you more than sticking to one brand out of habit

4. State park and beach access fees expand

Access is changing, too. More state parks and popular sites now have paid parking, entry fees, or reservation systems for non-residents. As of late 2025, 14 state parks and natural areas require non-resident fees, with more locations under review for 2026.

Recent additions include:

• Rainbow Falls and Boiling Pots (Hawaiʻi Island)
• Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi)
• Puʻu Ualakaʻa/Tantalus (Oʻahu)
• Kekaha Kai State Park (Hawaiʻi Island)

Residents are exempt from most fees, creating a two-tier system that some visitors notice. For travelers, the main takeaway is that you can’t always “just show up” anymore.

Why the fees?

State officials point to three reasons:

• Managing overcrowding at high-traffic sites
• Funding maintenance, restrooms, and staff
• Prioritizing local access

What to do differently:

• Treat major sites like tours—check in advance if you need a reservation, parking permit, or time slot
• Plan “anchor activities” (like a key hike or lookout) around these systems, then build the rest of your day nearby
• Keep some flexibility for weather and surf conditions, but don’t wait until the night before to book the most popular spots

What hasn’t changed

Not everything is harder or more expensive:

• Interisland flights remain competitively priced, especially if you book early
• Beach access is still free at most locations (only parking may require fees)
• Resident discounts at restaurants and attractions still exist—just ask
• The aloha spirit isn’t taxed

What this means for your Hawaiʻi trip

These Hawaii 2026 travel changes don’t mean you shouldn’t visit. They do mean you need to plan with more intention.

Traveler tips:

• Add 15-20% to whatever budget you used last time you came
• Confirm your Atmos Rewards account and understand how your miles and status now work
• Book key parks, activities, and rentals early, especially for peak seasons
• Focus your spending on the experiences that matter most—time in the ocean, time with loved ones, and meaningful local connections

Hawaii is still worth the effort. The difference in 2026 is that the best trips will go to those who plan ahead, understand the new systems, and respect the islands they’ve come so far to enjoy.

Sources

1. Governor’s Office, State of Hawaii. “Gov. Green Signs Historic Senate Bill 1396 Codifying a Green Fee to Mitigate Climate Impacts in Hawaiʻi.” May 28, 2025. Link
2. KHON2. “PUC approves Young Brothers 25.75% shipping rate hike.” December 2024. Link
3. Alaska Airlines News. “A technical milestone for the Alaska and Hawaiian combination.” 2025. Link
4. Honolulu Civil Beat. “Hawaiʻi’s Green Fee Is Latest Climate Change Effort Challenged By Cruise Industry.” November 2025. Link