Taking care of Hawaii’s unique natural environment takes time, people and money.
FILE - People spend time on the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park in Hana, Hawaii, on Sept. 24, 2014. Taking care of Hawaii's unique natural environment costs money and now the state wants tourists to help pay for it, especially because growing numbers are traveling to the islands to enjoy the beauty of its outdoors including some lured by dramatic vistas they've seen on social media. – Repairing coral reefs after boats run aground.
The governor campaigned last year on a platform of having all tourists pay a $50 fee to enter the state. Legislators think this would violate U.S. constitutional protections for free travel and have promoted their parks and trails approach instead. Either policy would be a first of its kind for any U.S. state.
“It’s not like it was 20 years ago when you bring your family and you hit maybe one or two famous beaches and you go see Pearl Harbor. And that’s the extent of it,” Quinlan said. “These days it’s like, well, you know, ‘I saw this post on Instagram and there’s this beautiful rope swing, a coconut tree.’”Most state parks and trails are currently free.
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