2025 Hawai‘i’s Housing Survey

Where Residents Stand–and Want Hawai‘i To Go

PEOPLE ARE FRUSTRATED ABOUT HAWAI‘I’S HOUSING SHORTAGE

At Housing Hawai‘i’s Future, we want to understand the thoughts and sentiments of Hawai‘i’s residents. What will it take to make progress? 

We surveyed 662 Hawai‘i residents in March 2025 from across all islands. The results reveal deep concern over the state’s housing affordability crisis.

Here’s what we found: 

Housing Is The Top Concern

Housing is not just a policy issue. It is a lingering political priority. Stakeholders must center housing in all future legislative agendas, especially in those contexts of other issues like the state’s high cost-of-living and homelessness.

What is the single biggest issue that needs to be addressed in Hawaii?

25% of residents say affordable housing is Hawai‘i’s most pressing issue.

Cost of living comes in 2nd at 19% and Homelessness 3rd at 18%.

The Cost of Housing Is A Crisis

The severity of housing costs spans income levels and tenure. Focusing on one demographic alone will not rise all tides. Solutions must address both rental and ownership affordability across a wide swath of income brackets and age groups.

Is buying or renting the issue?

BOTH! Hawai‘i residents are sounding the alarm—91% say buying a home is a major problem, and 83% say the same about renting.

“45% of young adults are seriously considering leaving Hawai‘i in the next FIVE years.”

There Isn’t Enough Affordable Housing

There is near-universal consensus that Hawai‘i simply lacks enough housing that residents can afford. The majority of Hawai‘i’s people believe strong, consistent national and international demand for housing in Hawai‘i contributes to the shortage. Let’s settle the debate because there is no debate. Our housing crisis is caused by a larger ‘finite supply and- chronic demand’ problem.

Do you think there are enough affordable homes in Hawai‘i for residents to rent or buy?

85% of residents say there aren’t enough affordable homes to rent or buy in Hawai‘i.

Residents Want Action

Lawmakers have strong political capital to enact bold reforms. Residents are not only concerned—they’re ready for action. By the time the 2025 Legislative Session ends, will legislators be able to communicate their work’s impact on Hawai‘i’s chronic housing shortage.

Should state legislators make housing a priority?

87% of residents want lawmakers to make housing a top legislative priority. The public isn’t just asking—they’re expecting bold action, especially from communities hit hardest by the housing squeeze.

High Housing Costs Are Driving Residents Away

Housing insecurity threatens the state’s workforce, tax base, and cultural fabric. This phenomenon is especially pronounced among renters, young adults, and residents of multigenerational households. Such statistics reflect not only individual hardship but a threat to Hawai‘i’s long-term economic and demographic stability.

1 in 3 residents have considered leaving Hawai‘i recently.

32%

have considered leaving in the last two years.

45%

under 35 are considering leaving in the next 5 years.

Support levels are generally higher among renters, residents with children, and those in union households—communities that are likely to benefit most directly from new housing policies.

Public Support for Bold Solutions

75% support incentivizing housing development along transit lines like bus & rail. 

68% favor faster affordable housing creation that restricts counties from adding additional costs.

69% favor more diverse housing types for different life stages and incomes.

Local Priority Housing Market

There’s an appetite for targeted, incentive-based programs to preserve local housing stock. These results show broad readiness among residents to support programs that prioritize local occupancy, provided they are backed by meaningful incentives.

79% support a “locals-only” housing market to keep homes in the hands of Hawai‘i residents. 

51% of homeowners would consider selling at a discount to local buyers.

76% of residents expressed their willingness to participate in locals only program — for the right price.

Will Younger Residents Give Up on Hawai‘i?

The housing crisis is reshaping the lives and decisions of young adults across Hawai‘i. As a whole, young people are found to be more likely to (1) rent; (2) live in urban areas, and (3) consider leaving Hawai‘i. While young people share the broader societal view that housing costs are a major concern, they are also more open to long-term housing solutions.

1. Housing Costs Are a Major Concern

  • 84% of young adults view homeownership costs as a major problem.

  • They are highly likely to rent, and 88% of renters say rental costs are a major problem.

2. Many Are Planning to Leave the State

  • 45% of young adults are seriously considering leaving Hawai‘i in the next five years.

  • Of those considering a move, 61% say the lack of affordable housing plays a significant role.

3. Strong Support for Pro-Housing Policies

Young adults strongly support proposals to:

  • Create a locals-only housing market (57% strongly support)

  • Streamline state approvals for affordable housing projects (33% strongly support, highest among age groups)

  • Fund the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to develop new units

  • Incentivize housing near transit and accessory dwelling units (ohana units)

4. Desire for Bold, Inclusive, and Future-Oriented Planning 

  • 74% want cities to offer diverse housing types for different life stages and income levels.

  • In contrast, only 26% prioritize preserving existing neighborhoods look and feel.

5. Young People Want Reform 

Young people in Hawai‘i are more alarmed by the cost of housing. They are more likely than the average resident to consider leaving Hawai‘i and more open to systemic reform. They want housing policies that prioritize locals, increase supply, and lower barriers to affordability—and they favor state-level action over county-level control.