She Strengthens

The Hidden Truth About Living in Paradise

Beyond the Postcard Perfection

When people think of Hawai’i, they often imagine a tropical island getaway, complete with sun-kissed beaches, lush greenery, and a laid-back atmosphere. And who can blame them? As a local born and raised in Hawai’i, I’ve had the privilege of calling this beautiful place home. But there’s more to living in Hawai’i than meets the eye.

The High Cost of Living

One of the biggest challenges of living in Hawai’i is the exorbitant cost of living. Due to our remote location, we have to import almost all of our goods by sea or air, which drives up prices. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Hawai’i has the highest cost of living in the country, with sky-high prices for housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, and healthcare.

The Price of Paradise

Take, for example, the cost of consumer goods in Honolulu, the state capital. A website called Expatistan reveals that the average prices of goods, rent, and entertainment are significantly higher than in other parts of the country. And it’s not just goods – even essential services like gas and electricity come at a premium. Hawai’i has the highest average gas price and the highest electricity price in the country, thanks in part to our reliance on oil and a unique pricing policy that allows the Hawai’i Electric Company to charge customers a certain amount per kilowatt-hour to cover fixed costs.

The Housing Crisis

But the biggest concern for locals is the cost of rent. Research shows that Hawai’i has the most renters spending 35% or more of their household income on rent, with many homeowners also struggling to make ends meet. The root of the problem lies in the shortage of affordable housing, which has been exacerbated by the rise of vacation rental units (VRUs). These units, often owned by nonresident investors, are more lucrative than long-term rentals, but they take much-needed housing stock out of the market, driving up prices and leaving locals struggling to find affordable options.

Low Wages and High Expectations

Another challenge facing locals is the low wages that barely cover living expenses. Despite being a tourist-driven economy, wages in the service sector are often too low to make ends meet. In fact, Hawai’i residents earn the lowest real wages in the country when adjusted for cost of living. It’s no wonder that many locals are forced to live paycheck to paycheck, or even experience homelessness.

The Unspoken Reality

So why do I share these facts and figures? Not to discourage people from moving to Hawai’i, but to paint a more realistic picture of life in paradise. The beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and warm aloha spirit are all part of the story, but so are the struggles and challenges that come with living in one of the most expensive places in the country.

A Love Letter to Hawai’i

Despite the difficulties, I’m proud to call Hawai’i my home. It’s a place of breathtaking beauty, rich history, and resilient people. I want to ensure that Hawai’i is represented fairly, beyond the postcard-perfect images and romanticized notions of island life. Paradise may come at a cost, but it’s a price worth paying for those who call Hawai’i home.