Cost of Living

...It is universally acknowledged that Hawaii residents need more homes. So why is it so hard to build them?....

...Hawaii residents have been moving away from the islands in droves in recent years; in fiscal 2017, more than 13,000 people departed — the highest negative net migration ever....

...Out of Reach documents the significant gap between renters’ wages and the cost of rental housing....

...Honolulu residents spend the 2nd-most for food, 3rd-most as a percentage of income....

...and Hawaii has the 4th-lowest home ownership rate in USA....

...Study concludes that ratepayers are being gouged to the greatest possible degree and no other system could gouge us more effectively without us noticing....

...For decades now, the young ones have heard this message loud and clear....

...in Hawaii the dollar has less buying power than in any other state....

...the population of urban Honolulu declined in 2018 for the second year in a row....

...the proposed schedule also includes decreases in resident and non-resident graduate school tuition rates that will increase the university’s competitiveness in attracting graduate students....

...Honolulu and Pearl City tie with Juneau, AK as the cities with the lowest average starting salaries when adjusted for cost of living.... 

"...Years needed to afford down payment: 25.68...."

...the Jones Act equals a 7.2 percent tax on food and beverages, or about $367 million extra for island residents....

...The rules took effect on March 31 and implement the affordable housing requirements in Ordinance 18-10 and other approvals issued by the city....

...Hawaii policymakers cannot mandate people into prosperity....

...Multiple carbon-dioxide tax bills are under consideration in the current session of the Hawaii State Legislature....

...For many Maui families, purchasing a home is a pipe dream. However, there may be an opportunity for them to realize that dream, if county residents would be open to reforming local housing regulations....

...Elon Musk is going to get even more of your money....

...Is There A Way Of Living In Hawai'i Without All The Problems?....

...the State (in 1967) and the City and County of Honolulu (in 2004) passed legislation designed to dismantle leasehold housing on private lands....

Editor's Note: The Big Island is different because the subdivisions in Puna and Kau change the supply-demand equation. 

...Utility bills have dropped ranging from less than a dollar a month for the average residential customer in Hawaii to about $14 for the same group in Florida....

“Would you accept a rate increase to modernize the grid? How much of an increase? What about a 5%, 10%, 15% increase to your current bill?”

...As much as a third of the food waste in Hawaii is due to food that has gone bad before it reaches the consumer....

...it is never enough....

... it is expected at least 130 electric buses will be added to fleets during the course of the pilot, including tour buses, school buses and public transit systems like TheBus on Oahu....

...Interest-free home down payment loans now available....

...The Hawaii Legislature is considering a bill to add 0.5 percent to the 4 percent state general excise tax....

...The share of low-income households experiencing severe housing cost burden continues to increase....

...Grassroot Scholar Randal O'Toole faults artificial land scarcity for high Hawaii home prices....

...Zumper National Rent Report: March 2019....

...14 Hawaii communities compared -- Hilo is the most affordable, Kailua the least....

...Hawaii ranks among top half of all states for babies, according to a first-of-its kind report. The State of Babies Yearbook: 2019....

...If an eligible person deposits money into the account, a sponsor such as a government agency matches the deposit....

...The tuition schedule for the 2019–20 academic year at the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10 campuses will remain as previously approved ....

...People who use any of Hawai‘i’s small boat harbors, offshore moorings, landings or wharfs will have a chance to comment on new proposed fees and rules....

...‘Perry & The Posse’ hosts Keli'i Akina on morning radio show....

...Here's How Much Generation Zers Will Need To Save For A Honolulu Home in 2031....

...Goods and services are 61.4 percent more expensive...Housing is particularly unaffordable...an average of 9.7 percent of the city's labor force has been out of work over the last five years....

... Thursday, Feb. 21, noon to 1:30 p.m. at the state Capitol, Room, 312 ....

...House Bill 1315 proposes an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution that would enshrine a “right” to housing....

...Hawaii already does more than any other state to discourage car ownership....

...percent of average wages to rent--Santa Cruz County, California (81.7 percent); Honolulu County, Hawaii (74.4 percent); Spotsylvania County, Virginia (73.0 percent); Maui County, Hawaii (69.5 percent)....

...Hawaii residents now owe $4.1B in student loans, up from $2B in 2008....

...The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division has released its annual sample premium comparison guides for motor vehicle, homeowners, condominium, and renters insurance....

Among conditions for the buyers of these “ALOHA homes”....

...The Real Cost of Smoking by State....

...Jay Griffin becomes PUC chair immediately....

...Reinsurance programs help insulate insurers from heavy losses if they end up enrolling a higher-risk population with higher claims. Insurers can thus lower their premiums, instead of raising rates....

...It’s too expensive.....