The Real Crisis in Hawaiʻi: Why High Costs and Low Wages Are Driving Residents Away

Hawaiʻi is often portrayed as a paradise with unbearable costs — but the true economic crisis runs deeper. Recent research from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization reveals a compelling, yet overlooked truth: it’s not just the high prices pushing people away, but a dangerous combination of soaring living costs paired with stagnant wages and a shrinking job market.Why Are Middle-Class Families Struggling to Stay?This isn’t simply about price tags on groceries or rent checks. It’s about the fundamental ability for hardworking families to earn enough to keep up with expenses. The report draws a stark comparison, showing Hawaiʻi’s...