Hawaiʻi’s housing costs are among the highest in the nation with workers earning the lowest wages in the country after accounting for cost of living.

Data from the report shows that:

– 43% of Hawai‘i residents are renters, the fourth highest percentage in the nation
– Rent is more expensive in Hawai‘i than any other state
– In recent years, rents have been increasing at more than twice the rate of wages
– Hawai‘i has the highest rate of homelessness in the nation
– In 2016, almost 13% of homeless services clients came from homes they were unable to retain

…The report adds that 1 in 7 housing units on Maui is a vacation rental unit. In Lahaina, it is 1 in 3.

Maui Now : Report: Vacation Rentals Impact on Maui

sigh….