homestate hawaii
By Ben Everidge for Thomas
Photo Credit: Go Hawaii
hawaii at the Crossroads: 10 Issues That Define the aloha state’s Future
“Hawaii is more than paradise. It’s a test of whether beauty and belonging can survive the weight of the world. The islands still whisper what America has forgotten: live with the land, not off of it.”
- Ben Everidge
Hawaii remains one of the most beautiful and complex states in America. A place where paradise and pressure coexist. Beneath its postcard-perfect image lies a series of crises that test its people, environment, and leadership. The Aloha State faces rising costs, climate threats, and a widening divide between locals and investors. Its future depends on whether it can preserve its spirit of community - aloha ʻāina, love of the land – while confronting the realities of a globalized and fragile island economy.
1. Housing Affordability and Local Displacement
Hawaii faces one of the worst housing crises in the nation. Median home prices exceed $900,000, driven by limited supply, vacation rentals, and investor speculation. The challenge: how to build affordable housing without destroying the island landscapes that define it.
2. Tourism Dependence and Economic Diversification
Tourism remains both the lifeblood and the burden of Hawaii’s economy. Over 9 million visitors a year strain the infrastructure and natural resources. Building new industries, in clean energy, agriculture, and technology, is key to long-term stability.
3. Climate Change and Rising Seas
As an island state, Hawaii is on the front lines of climate change. Rising seas, coral bleaching, and extreme weather threaten homes, beaches, and ecosystems. How Hawaii adapts, from shoreline protection to renewable energy adoption, will determine its environmental legacy.
4. Wildfire Risk and Land Management
The devastating Maui wildfires of 2023 exposed vulnerabilities in land use, emergency planning, and invasive species control. Preventing another disaster requires better coordination between state agencies, landowners, and Native Hawaiian communities.
5. Native Hawaiian Rights and Cultural Preservation
Centuries of displacement and inequity continue to weigh heavily. Movements for land restitution, self-governance, and cultural sovereignty are reshaping politics. Reconciling development with Native Hawaiian priorities will define Hawaii’s social and moral future.
6. Cost of Living and Outmigration
The high cost of groceries, energy, and housing has prompted thousands of residents to relocate to the mainland. Reversing the exodus of working families and young professionals is essential to preserving Hawaii’s cultural and generational continuity.
7. Energy Transition and Sustainability
Hawaii has set one of the nation’s boldest goals of 100% renewable electricity by 2045. Solar, wind, and geothermal projects are expanding, but grid capacity, storage, and community consent remain barriers. Energy independence is both a necessity and an opportunity.
8. Infrastructure, Transportation, and Resilience
Aging infrastructure limited public transit, and dependence on imported fuel make the islands vulnerable. Modernizing ports, airports, and broadband, while reducing congestion and emissions, will determine the pace of sustainable growth.
9. Education and Workforce Development
Teacher shortages, high turnover, and limited access to higher education hinder opportunity. Strengthening public education, expanding local colleges, and investing in remote learning could keep talent at home and diversify Hawaii’s workforce.
10. Governance, Accountability, and Civic Trust
Corruption scandals and bureaucratic inefficiency have eroded public confidence in the state government. Restoring trust through transparency, ethics reform, and community-led decision-making will be essential to sustaining democracy in an island state where politics is deeply personal.
The Thomas Take
Hawaii’s paradise is not guaranteed. It is earned, protected, and often fought for. The state’s future depends on balancing its cultural soul with economic survival and environmental adaptation. Suppose Hawaii can weave its indigenous wisdom, modern innovation, and civic renewal into one shared vision. In that case, it can again become what it has always promised to be: not just a destination, but an example.
To learn more about Hawaii’s issues, read: