Hawaii's lawmakers are debating the issue of having tourists pay to help defer the costs associated with keeping the state's natural beauty.
The Pacific island nation of Palau, for example, charges arriving international passengers $100 to help it manage a sprawling marine sanctuary and promote ecotourism.
State Rep. Sean Quinlan, a Democrat who chairs the House Tourism Committee, said changing traveler patterns are one reason behind Hawaii's push. He said golf rounds per visitor per day have declined 30% over the past decade while hiking has increased 50%. In this photo provided by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, federal and state law enforcement officers speak to swimmers in Honaunau, Hawaii, after the swimmers allegedly harassed a pod of wild spinner dolphins.
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