Hawai'i Community Development Profile
Hawaiian Emigration
Of the 680,442 total Native Hawaiian population, only 317,497 remain on the Islands. A lack of high-paying jobs and a high cost of living put 41% of all residents at or below the ALICE Index. Current estimates state that the remaining Native Hawaiian population is emigrating to the mainland at a rate of nearly 15k people per annum. In 2019, the Hawai'i Financial Health Pulse deduced that 69% of residents are either Financially Coping or Financially Vulnerable. Only 31% of Hawaii's residents are in a Financially Stable environment.
Cost of Living
The Islands currently scored 179.2 on the Cost-of-Living Index. Hawaii's average cost of living is 1.79x higher than the National average. The average Hawai'i median household income is $91,000; the average 100% median income home price is $722,000. The average 100% median 1br rent is $2,456/unit. Hawai'i is the only state where a gallon of milk, on average $5.98, is more expensive than a gallon of gasoline at $4.66. Electricity is also twice the national average at $0.42/kWh.
Food Security
Hawai'i imports more than 90% of all food consumed in the Islands. With over 10 million visitors to the Islands annually, direct cost pressure exists on residents competing for the same imported resources. At present Hawai'i remains one of the most expensive states regarding food costs.
Homelessness
Homelessness in Hawai'i occurs at a rate of 42.4 individuals per 10,000 residents. The Native Hawaiian / Generational Islander population is overrepresented on all statistical sampling surveys by a rate of 2.1x. Hawai'i also has the 2nd highest rate of Veteran homelessness across the nation.
Energy
90% of all imported petroleum products produce roughly 70% of all electric energy consumed throughout the Islands. Hawaii is mandated to have 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2045.
Aggregate Infrastructure Grade
In 2021, America's Infrastructure Report Card Survey completed a nationwide infrastructure condition report. Hawaii received one of the lowest aggregate scores across all 17 categories, with a D+ average cumulative score.