Hawaii Tourism Tax: Cruise News

On Dec. 23, 2025, a federal judge denied CLIA’s attempt to overturn Hawaii’s 11% cruise tax, still scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The cruise lines’ trade group sued Hawaii in August and had filed a motion to stop the law from taking effect.  CLIA and the federal government, which is supporting CLIA in the lawsuit, have both appealed the decision.

Hawaii plans to use the tax revenue to fund environmental resiliency efforts.

Related: Hawaii Poised to Make Big Changes, Levy a New Visitor Tax