March 27, 2026 News Read > Hawaii Free Press

Hawaii Daily News Read

Friday, March 27, 2026

March 27, 2026 News Read
By Andrew Walden @ 2:18 PM :: 90 Views

Ways to cut spending, not tax relief

VIDEO: Judge Rips Hawaii AG, Legislature for Changing Gun Laws to Evade Judicial Rulings

56,144 people flee Hawaii since 2020

PBN: … Hawaii County’s population grew by nearly 5% from 2020 to 2025 as Honolulu and Maui saw population declines of more than 2%, according to a Business Journal analysis of population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The number of residents on Hawaii Island grew from 200,744 in 2020 to 210,043 in 2025, a net gain of 9,411 over the five-year period, or 4.63%. Most of that growth, 6,054, came from domestic migration, while another 3,291 came from international migration, or immigrants.

Oahu lost 27,801 people from 2020 to 2025 — the majority of that in urban Honolulu — a percentage drop of 2.33%. The population fell from 1.01 million in 2020 to 988,703 in 2025. Much of that decline can be attributed to domestic out-migration — 56,144 people left Hawaii for other states in the U.S.

(PC FREE ZONE: ‘Great replacement theory,’ Hawaii-style.)

At the same time, Oahu gained 17,684 new residents through immigration, the data shows, lowering the net loss to out-migration to 38,460.

Maui County saw the greatest decline, 2.53% over the five-year period as the population fell from 164,762 in 2020 to 160,592. Most of that decline occurred between 2023, the year wildfires destroyed Lahaina and parts of Kula, and 2025.

Nearly 8,000 residents left Maui for other places in the U.S., but the arrival of 2,587 immigrants meant a net loss of 5,411 residents to out-migration.

Meanwhile, the population on Kauai was relatively stable, posting a 0.26% gain from 2020 to 2025, or a gain of 105 residents for a total of 73,400 people….

read … Hawaii County population grew 5%, Census data shows - Pacific Business News

Hawaiʻi marriages stay strong amid rising stress: Report

KHON: … Pressure shows up in our daily lives across the state, but divorce rates remain amongst the lowest in the United States. New data highlighted the divide between life in Hawaiʻi and life on the continent.

A new report from WalletHub ranked Hawaiʻi #39 overall for stress, with a total score of 39.14. The lower ranking reflected less stress across categories for Hawaiʻi residents.

Despite the many pressures that Hawaiʻi residents deal with, divorce rates in Hawaiʻi remain amongst the lowest in the U.S….

The state ranks #46 out of 50 states to place near the bottom for divorce prevalence. Only Minnesota, North Dakota, New Jersey and Utah report lower rates….

LINK: Most & Least Stressed States in 2026

read … Hawaiʻi marriages stay strong amid rising stress: Report

Bill 21: Drive up the Cost of Construction, Let me Count the Ways

SA: … Private builders who seek zoning incentives like density and height bonuses or financial incentives like monetary grants from the city to construct transit- oriented development projects near Skyline stations will first need to (1) give more back to surrounding communities, new city-initiated legislation dictates.

If adopted, Bill 21 would amend Honolulu’s TOD ordinance for so-called “community benefits” offered to such developers in TOD special districts. Those benefits include (2) more walkable neighborhoods, (3) more open space and parks, (4) more mixed-use housing, (5) more streetscape improvements and (6) more transportation options….

Builders would have to (7) show the project’s overall urban design concept, (8) building height and density, (9) the use of its active open space as well as active ground-floor uses such as shops and restaurants, among others….

(10) Bill 21 also adds “gray water reuse systems” to the mix….

Huynh recommended “several amendments” to Bill 21. (11) “Expand affordable housing requirements to include residential projects seeking height or density bonuses, not just hotel projects,” he wrote. “Strengthen transportation demand management with specific requirements for (12) car-sharing, (13) bicycle parking, (14) unbundled parking, and (15) transit pass provision.”

Huynh noted streets should also feature “(16) protected bicycle lanes, (17) traffic calming measures, and (18) universal accessibility features” for the disabled….

read … Council advances measure to enhance TOD communities | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Economist warns Maui Council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations

MN: … University of Hawaiʻi economist Carl Bonham warned Maui County Council members Wednesday that a stagnant job market and a precarious reliance on wealthy tourists leave the county vulnerable as it begins annual budget deliberations.

Bonham delivered a presentation on his economic forecast to members of the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee shortly after Mayor Richard Bissen released a proposed $1.616 billion spending plan for fiscal 2027, which begins July 1.

The University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization executive director said that, according to the most recent data, US visitors make up 87% of all arrivals to Maui….

read … Economist warns council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations : Maui Now

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