Solving Hawaii’s Housing Affordability Crisis
The housing shortage in Hawaii is more than a statistic; it's a heartbreak. As a born and raised resident, I've seen friends forced to leave the islands they love as a direct result of skyrocketing costs and a limited supply of affordable homes. Between 2019 and 2023 the median family home cost rose from $780,000 to $1,100,000. A recent Census report highlighted a staggering exodus of 67,257 residents between 2021 and 2022 and we just marked the 7th year of population decline. This isn't just alarming, it's a call to action.
My commitment to you:
If elected to be your State Representative, addressing this crisis is my top priority. Every family in Hawaii deserves to live in dignity, without the constant stress of housing costs. Additionally, a tremendous amount of pressure is being placed on rural and low-density communities to upzone despite the lack of adequate infrastructure to support it. In our push to solve the housing affordability crisis, we must not pave over every green inch of Hawaii’s natural beauty.
Transit-Oriented Development in our Urban Core:
I support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), a strategic approach that concentrates growth around transit hubs and dense urban cores, in contrast to urban sprawl that consumes open spaces, agricultural lands, and low-density communities. By promoting high-density, mixed-use development near rail stations, TOD helps preserve Hawaii's and decrease of carbon footprint.
Housing Our Educators:
Lack of affordable housing is one of the main reasons that teachers move away, rather than staying in Hawaii. Developing affordable housing on Department of Education lands for public school teachers, inspired by UH Manoa’s Faculty Housing model, would help us retain our teachers. Additionally, this increase in supply would decrease competition for housing for other local residents, reducing costs for everyone.
My commitment to you:
If elected to be your State Representative, addressing this crisis is my top priority. Every family in Hawaii deserves to live in dignity, without the constant stress of housing costs. Additionally, a tremendous amount of pressure is being placed on rural and low-density communities to upzone despite the lack of adequate infrastructure to support it. In our push to solve the housing affordability crisis, we must not pave over every green inch of Hawaii’s natural beauty.
Transit-Oriented Development in our Urban Core:
I support Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), a strategic approach that concentrates growth around transit hubs and dense urban cores, in contrast to urban sprawl that consumes open spaces, agricultural lands, and low-density communities. By promoting high-density, mixed-use development near rail stations, TOD helps preserve Hawaii's and decrease of carbon footprint.
Housing Our Educators:
Lack of affordable housing is one of the main reasons that teachers move away, rather than staying in Hawaii. Developing affordable housing on Department of Education lands for public school teachers, inspired by UH Manoa’s Faculty Housing model, would help us retain our teachers. Additionally, this increase in supply would decrease competition for housing for other local residents, reducing costs for everyone.