How America Destroyed Hawaii

Summary

Hawaii, despite its beauty, faces a severe affordability crisis with high costs of living, especially for Native Hawaiians, who suffer the most from low income and high homelessness rates. The islands' economy has shifted from sugarcane production to tourism, but military presence and land ownership by wealthy mainlanders exacerbate housing shortages. Native Hawaiians are fighting for land reclamation, yet the progress is slow. While awareness of their plight grows, especially after the 2023 wildfires, solutions remain insufficient, making Hawaii's struggle a reflection of broader systemic challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hawaii's extreme unaffordability is driven by its isolation, with high costs for utilities, milk, and housing, far exceeding those of states like New York.
• 😀 The state's income level is near the middle, meaning many local jobs do not provide a livable wage, contributing to financial strain for residents.
• 😀 Native Hawaiians experience the worst of the affordability crisis, facing the lowest income, the highest poverty rate, and a homelessness rate twice that of other populations.
• 😀 The historical context of Hawaii's socio-economic struggles includes the transition from a sugarcane economy to one focused on tourism after the U.S. annexation and statehood.
• 😀 The military's growing presence in Hawaii from the late 1800s to the 1950s contributed to cultural suppression and land loss for Native Hawaiians, with much of the land being used for military purposes.
• 😀 Hawaii's tourism sector boomed in the mid-20th century, but this coincided with the decline of sugarcane production, leading to an over-reliance on tourism as the primary economic driver.
• 😀 The Department of Hawaiian Homelands aimed to return land to Native Hawaiians, but long waitlists and minimal progress in land allocation have left many without opportunities for land ownership.
• 😀 A significant portion of Hawaii's land is owned by wealthy mainlanders, including figures like Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison, exacerbating the housing affordability crisis.
• 😀 The increasing demand for housing coupled with a sharp decline in new housing completions has made the existing housing stock more expensive, fueling the state's affordability issues.
• 😀 The 2023 wildfires on Maui destroyed thousands of homes, especially those that were affordable, and the rising construction costs have left many residents homeless or displaced.
• 😀 Despite small steps toward addressing these issues, such as returning land to Native Hawaiians, Hawaii's affordability crisis remains largely unresolved, with only limited progress being made.

Q & A

What are some of the main reasons Hawaii has such high living costs?

Hawaii's high living costs are mainly due to its isolation from major markets, which forces it to import most goods. This results in inflated prices for utilities, housing, and basic necessities. Additionally, the demand for housing from tourists and wealthy outsiders further drives up costs.

How does Hawaii’s income compare to the cost of living?

Hawaii ranks near the middle in terms of income, but the cost of living, including housing, utilities, and food, is much higher than in other states, such as New York. Local wages are often insufficient to keep up with the rising costs, contributing to the affordability crisis.

How did Hawaii become strategically important to the United States?

Hawaii became strategically important to the U.S. during the Spanish-American War in the late 1800s. The islands' location in the Pacific Ocean made them ideal as a military outpost to defend shipping routes and serve as a base for future military operations in the region.

What role did sugarcane production play in Hawaii’s economy before statehood?

Before statehood, sugarcane production was the backbone of Hawaii's economy, with American settlers owning large plantations. Native Hawaiians worked on these plantations, but the control over the economy and land was in the hands of American settlers, while Native Hawaiians retained political power in theory.

How did the military presence in Hawaii affect Native Hawaiian culture?

The military presence in Hawaii, especially during World War I and World War II, led to the suppression of Native Hawaiian culture. Cultural practices, such as hula dancing, were even outlawed in attempts to Americanize the islands. Many sacred lands were taken for military use, further displacing Native Hawaiians.

What happened to Hawaii's agricultural sector after it became a state?

After Hawaii became a state in 1959, its agricultural sector, particularly sugarcane production, declined due to new labor laws that made it harder to rely on cheap imported labor. This coincided with the rise of tourism as the main economic driver for the islands.

What is the Department of Hawaiian Homelands, and how has it impacted Native Hawaiians?

The Department of Hawaiian Homelands was created to return land to Native Hawaiians. It allows Native Hawaiians to sign up for a waitlist for land, but progress has been slow. Many Native Hawaiians have been waiting for decades for land to be allocated, and land is particularly scarce on Oahu, where the highest-paying jobs are located.

How has military land use in Hawaii affected local development?

Military land use has significantly limited local development. One-fifth of Oahu is occupied by the military, with large portions of land contaminated by military activities, making it unsuitable for development. This not only reduces available land for housing but also worsens the affordability crisis.

What is the extent of homelessness in Hawaii, particularly among Native Hawaiians?

Hawaii has a severe homelessness crisis, with over 6,000 homeless individuals. Native Hawaiians are disproportionately affected, comprising 41% of the homeless population, despite making up only 11% of the state's total population.

How did the wildfires in 2023 contribute to the housing crisis in Hawaii?

The wildfires in 2023, particularly in Maui, destroyed over 2,000 homes, many of which were older, more affordable homes. Due to the rising cost of construction, many residents could not afford to rebuild, leading to increased displacement and homelessness in the region.