A federal appeals court ruling on New Year's Eve blocked Hawaii from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ships passengers, a levy that was set to go into effect at the start of 2026. Cruise Lines International Association challenged the tax in a lawsuit, arguing that the new…

A federal appeals court is blocking Hawaiʻi from enforcing a climate change tourist tax on cruise ship passengers.

A federal judge’s ruling has cleared the way for Hawaii to include cruise ship passengers in a new tourist tax to help cope with climate change, a levy set to go into effect at the start of 2026. U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake denied a request Tuesday that sought to stop officials from enforcing the new law on cruises. In the nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet, Hawaii Gov. Josh Green signed legislation in May that raises tax revenue to deal with eroding shorelines, wildfires and other climate problems.

The nation’s first such levy to help cope with a warming planet had been challenged by a cruise industry group and a local firm that services ships and runs tours.