The average cost of living in Hawaii last year was a staggering 80.3% above the national average. That is being driven primarily by housing expenses, which are 213% higher, too.
![Soaring Hotel Rates in Hawaii Have No Place To Land Because of This](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FreeParkingWaikiki-01_copy_720x290_1-720x290.jpeg)
![Soaring Hotel Rates in Hawaii Have No Place To Land Because of This](https://beatofhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FreeParkingWaikiki-01_copy_720x290_1-720x290.jpeg)
The average cost of living in Hawaii last year was a staggering 80.3% above the national average. That is being driven primarily by housing expenses, which are 213% higher, too.
Attacking tourism will cause significant economic harm which will directly impact locals. Wait and see.
Have been to Maui for 20 years . it has reached the point of looking elsewhere for new vacations. Prices are through the roof. Thought I would never say that however it is out of touch with average travelers.
Part 2
Next would be for the State of Hawaii to grant these houses to residents in Hawaii at a sliding scale rate. Those who can pay more would do so and those who can pay less would pay less.
Who will pay for the maintenance?
Who will pay for the insurance?
Will those who have been given these houses at a reduced rate be able to afford the high costs of home ownership?
So, is it again the State of Hawaii who would pay for the maintenance and insurance of these houses?
It is a suggestion to take away the strs from those who legally own them and somehow this would solve the problem of the housing shortage, but it does not seem to be a viable solution.
I do not know the solution, and I do care about the kind people of Hawaii.
Part 1
Dear People who Love Hawaii and want to help and do not know exactly what to do to solve the lack of housing issue,
Many have made the suggestion to eliminate short term rentals as the solution. “If those houses were available for the people of Hawaii, there would no longer be a housing shortage.”
Let’s follow the logic on this suggestion:
People who own strs, if forced to sell, would need to have their str purchased from them. The State of Hawaii would have to purchase the str at market rate. Also, it is reasonable for the people being forced to sell their str, that the related expenses would be reimbursed and loss of future rental income for ‘x’ amount of years.
So, do you think the State of Hawaii is going to do that?