What Hawaii Locals Would Fix First (And What It Means For Your Visit)
I've called Oahu home for over three decades. Not as a tour guide or someone selling you paradise, but as someone who's watched this island transform in ways that break my heart. I've lived through the changes, the struggles, and the moments when I wondered if my kids would ever afford to stay here. Right now, there's a conversation happening in Hawaii that tourists don't usually hear. It's time you did.
The Housing Crisis Nobody Talks About
Here's what's really happening.
Property taxes have jumped 20-40% in a single year for some homeowners. I remember talking to my neighbor last year – tears in her eyes – because her vacant parking lot got assessed at $3 million. Not a house. A parking lot.
The numbers don't lie. In 2023, over 12,000 people left Hawaii. California became the top destination for people fleeing paradise. Think about that. People are leaving literal paradise because they can't afford to stay.
Surveys show 70% of residents either plan to leave or aren't sure if they can stay. I've lost count of how many friends have moved to Vegas, Portland, or Texas in the past five years. These aren't mainlanders going home. These are kamaaina – people born and raised here – getting priced out of their own homeland.
To afford a median single-family home in Hawaii, you need to earn about $150,000-$160,000 annually. That's 180% of the median income. Nearly 40% of Hawaiian households are crushed by housing costs.
Pro tip: When you're booking that $400-a-night hotel room, understand that many people serving you breakfast can't afford to live within an hour of where they work.
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Honolulu hit $2,100 in 2024, compared to $1,600 on average in the entire U.S. More than eight in 10 renters in Honolulu spend at least 30% of their income just on housing.
But the housing crisis is only part of what's draining resources from this island. There's something else locals see every day that makes their blood boil even more…
The Rail Project Everyone Hates
Let me tell you about the biggest waste of money you'll see during your visit.
The Honolulu rail project has a price tag of $10.1 billion. Ten. Billion. Dollars. And only about 30-40% of Oahu residents support it.
It's been plagued by mismanagement, cost overruns, and delays for years. One resident called it “a really big waste of money and resources”. That's putting it mildly.
I drive past the construction every day. That massive elevated rail you'll see? Most of us wish it had never been started. The money could've gone to fixing our crumbling infrastructure, improving schools, or addressing homelessness. Instead, we got this monstrosity that's billions over budget and years behind schedule.
People are still debating where it should even end. The project has divided the community and drained resources that could've actually helped residents.
🚆 Pro tip: Don't ask locals what they think about the rail unless you've got time for a rant.
And if you think that construction nightmare is frustrating, wait until you try to find somewhere to park…
Parking and Traffic Are Brutal
Waikiki parking is a nightmare.
Loading zones get occupied for 8+ hours when they're supposed to be 30-minute zones. Commercial trucks and tour buses circle endlessly, making congestion worse. Transportation officials literally described the traffic situation as “The Wild West”.
Street parking is difficult to rely on, and parking lots charge $25 for 24 hours. Budget extra time and extra money for parking. Or just use rideshare and save yourself the frustration.
The H-1 freeway has been the only mechanism to move vehicle traffic through Honolulu for 60 years. Sixty years without ANY major modifications. We deal with the same bottlenecks at every on-ramp during the same times daily.
I leave for work 30 minutes early just to avoid the worst of it. Even then, some mornings I'm stuck in traffic wondering if I should've just moved to the mainland like everyone else.
Traffic is worse than you think. Plan extra time getting anywhere. The roads aren't great, especially outside downtown.
But beyond the concrete and metal gridlock, there's a human crisis playing out on these same streets – one that will hit you the moment you step out of your hotel…
The Homelessness Crisis You'll See
This is hard to talk about. But you need to know.
A 2013 count found 263 unsheltered homeless people in East Oahu, but the real number is much higher. Visitors have told hotel managers they won't return because of the homeless situation.
One police officer said homelessness is one of Waikiki's biggest problems. Hotels have banned public restrooms and set sprinklers to go off at 3 a.m. to discourage people from sleeping on the grass.
Each night at midnight, homeless people trek from Kapiolani Park to the mauka side of Kalakaua Avenue to set up makeshift beds on the sidewalk. A similar pilgrimage occurs at 2 a.m. when the beaches and pavilions close.
One tourism official described seeing a half-naked homeless person in a Burberry store entrance who had just defecated, with tourists taking pictures. That's not paradise. That's a crisis.
The homeless in Waikiki include chronically homeless people born and raised in Hawaii or who came from the mainland years ago. Often these people have a drug addiction, mental illness, or disability – which makes them the most visible on the streets.
I feel for them. Many are local people who got priced out, lost their jobs, or fell through the cracks. The system failed them. We failed them.
💔 You will see homelessness downtown and in Waikiki. It's a real issue the city is struggling with.
The visible poverty on the streets is just the surface problem. Underneath Waikiki's glittering hotels, something much worse is literally falling apart…
Infrastructure Is Falling Apart
Only 2 in 10 residents gave positive ratings to infrastructure quality. That should tell you everything.
Sewer overflows happen regularly during heavy rain – the stench of raw sewage mixing with tropical humidity, transforming paradise beaches into hazard zones. The city needs $10.1 billion for sewer upgrades. Residential sewer fees are set to increase 115% over the next decade.
Roads, power, water, drinking water quality – all received poor ratings from residents. The beautiful beaches hide serious infrastructure problems.
Waikiki generates 41% of the state's tourism revenue, but the sewers can't handle it. Think about that next time you're swimming at Waikiki Beach after it rains.
I remember one summer when sewage overflowed near Ala Moana. The smell… you don't forget that. The beach got closed for days. Tourists were furious. But locals? We just shrugged. It happens every year.
Church Street hasn't been repaved in four years according to some residents. Our infrastructure is crumbling while billions get poured into that rail project nobody wants.
All these crumbling systems are symptoms of a deeper problem – one that's crushing every family on this island…
Cost of Living Is Crushing Everyone
88% of residents say the cost of goods has gotten worse. 81% say affordable housing has worsened.
Everything is expensive here. A gallon of milk costs $8. Gas is over $5 a gallon. A simple meal at a local plate lunch place runs $15-20 now.
Locals are struggling. Wages are stagnant while the minimum wage increase just made costs go up more. When you're paying $15 for a cocktail at some corporate bar on Kalakaua, remember that locals can't afford to live in their own home anymore.
The ALICE report shows more people are struggling to get by, especially on neighbor islands. These are families working full-time jobs who still can't make ends meet.
I have friends who work three jobs. Three. And they're still barely scraping by. One friend drives Uber after his day job, then does DoorDash on weekends. He hasn't taken a vacation in seven years because he can't afford to miss the income.
Reality check: Everything costs more than it should here. Factor that into your budget.
But who's profiting from these sky-high prices? The answer might be sitting in your Airbnb reservation right now…
Vacation Rentals Are Destroying Communities
This one makes my blood boil.
About 35,000 homes and apartments currently sit empty in Honolulu. Empty. Not housing families. Not helping teachers or nurses find affordable places. Just… empty.
Approximately 13% of housing units on Oahu are owned by people who don't even live in Hawaii. These properties sit vacant for extended periods, limiting housing supply for residents, driving up prices, and pushing locals out.
On Maui, 85% of apartment-zoned vacation rental owners are from out-of-state. Let that sink in. Mainland investors are buying up properties, turning them into Airbnbs, and locals can't find anywhere to live.
I have a friend – born and raised in Kalihi – who works two jobs and still can't find an apartment she can afford. Meanwhile, the unit above her parents' place sits empty nine months a year because some investor from California uses it twice a year and rents it out on Airbnb the rest of the time.
The anger is real. Multiple residents expressed fury about mainland buyers and investors making it impossible for locals to find affordable housing.
Insider knowledge: If you're staying in a residential neighborhood Airbnb, locals see you as part of the problem. I'm not saying this to make you feel bad. Just… know that's the reality.
The housing squeeze has created another problem locals deal with daily – one that might affect your vacation more directly than you think…
Crime Concerns Are Growing
63% of residents say violent crime is an urgent issue, jumping to 73% on Oahu. While violent crime is actually down 24% from 2019 to 2024, perception doesn't match reality.
Property crime is common. About 91% of crimes are theft, burglary, and vandalism. Honolulu has a crime rate higher than 88% of Hawaii's cities and towns.
Don't leave valuables in rental cars. Seriously. My cousin had her car window smashed at Hanauma Bay – glass exploding across the pavement like diamonds in the sun, everything gone in seconds. They took everything – bags, camera equipment, even her kids' snorkel gear. Total loss was over $2,000.
You'll probably be fine, but property crime is real. The crime rate is considerably higher than the national average.
Residents mention problems with enforcement, prosecution, and feeling like criminals get “slaps on the wrist” rather than real consequences. There's frustration with how the city handles crime.
Authentic Culture Is Disappearing
This is the one that hurts the most.
Locals feel like authentic Hawaiian culture is disappearing. Hula dances get reduced to dinner show entertainment. Sacred chants become background music for luaus with plastic leis.
Culture gets packaged for quick consumption, and its deep spiritual meaning disappears. The tourism industry uses Hawaiian culture as a marketing tool while native Hawaiians lose space for their traditions.
The language and traditions are disappearing as the native population is forced to adjust to living in a highly-visited area. In Lahaina, we lost one of a handful of places that still had the power to remind us of who we once were.
Those corporate luaus and Hawaiian “experiences” aren't what locals recognize as our culture. If you want authentic culture, you have to look way past the hotel shows.
I took my niece to a “authentic Hawaiian luau” once at a major resort. She looked at me and said, “Auntie, this isn't how Tutu taught us.” She was eight years old and already knew it was fake.
🌺 Insider tip: Skip the hotel luaus. Go to a community event, visit the Bishop Museum, or attend a real hula halau performance if you can find one open to visitors.
Native Hawaiians feel like they're being pushed out of paradise. We're down to fragments of authentic culture. And fragmented ecosystems are vulnerable.
Speaking of things vanishing before our eyes, even the iconic beach you're planning to visit exists on borrowed time…
Waikiki Beach Is Man Made and Vanishing
Here's something that'll blow your mind.
Waikiki Beach is almost entirely man-made. It was wetland before developers filled it in. All that sand you're lounging on was trucked in from other parts of Oahu and Molokai.
And it's disappearing. Without beach nourishment, Waikiki Beach could completely disappear in 20-30 years. 25% of Oahu's sandy beaches have already vanished.
Two-thirds of Lanikai has no beach at all anymore – just wet sea walls. The state spends millions trucking in sand to maintain the beach.
That iconic beach you're visiting could be gone within decades. Climate change and erosion are real threats to the tourism industry that Hawaii depends on.
I remember Waikiki Beach being twice as wide when I was a kid. Now during high tide, there's barely any beach left in some spots. My kids might not have the same beach memories I do. That terrifies me.
Locals Are Leaving in Droves
This is the exodus nobody talks about.
In fiscal 2019, more than 13,000 people departed Hawaii – the highest negative net migration ever. In 2023, over 11,000 people left, with California being the top destination.
One in four Honolulu residents planned to be gone by 2025. Only 26% say they're definitely staying, while the rest are unsure or planning to leave.
Why? High taxes, excessive regulations, unaffordable housing, exorbitant consumer prices, and a back-breaking high cost of living. Limited opportunities and the inability to build wealth keep pushing people away.
I've had three close friends move away in the past two years. One went to Texas. One went to Nevada. One went to Oregon. All of them said the same thing: “I love Hawaii, but I can't afford to raise my kids here.”
The downside of a tourism-reliant economy is that most highly educated people leave for better economic opportunities. It's a vicious cycle.
One resident born and raised in Kalihi said it's easier for white Americans to assimilate in various parts of the mainland than it is for Locals of color to assimilate. Native Hawaiians and descendants of plantation workers face unique challenges.
😢 Real talk: When you visit Hawaii, you're seeing it in crisis. The character that made Hawaii special is fighting to survive.
And who's leading us through this crisis? That's where the frustration reaches a boiling point…
The Political Frustration
There's real anger with city leadership.
The mayor faces criticism for handling of various issues. Residents want better enforcement, better prosecution, and accountability.
License plate readers, better prosecution, and actual enforcement came up as desires from residents during my research. People feel like criminals get away with too much while regular folks struggle to follow the rules and pay the bills.
Some residents just said “fire the mayor” or wanted leadership to resign. The frustration with how the city is being run is palpable.
I've been to community meetings where people are crying, yelling, begging for someone to do something. Anything. The feeling of helplessness is overwhelming.
So what does all this mean if you're still coming to visit?
What You Need to Know Before You Visit
Let me be straight with you.
Honolulu is expensive. Everything costs more than it should. Parking costs money. Food costs money. Activities cost a fortune. Budget accordingly.
The islands are changing fast. What you see might not be what locals recognize as “their Hawaii.” We're in the middle of a transformation that's pushing out the people who made this place special.
Traffic and parking are terrible. Infrastructure is struggling. Plan extra time for everything.
The authentic culture is there, but you have to work to find it. Look for locally-owned businesses. Hit up farmers markets. Seek out community-led cultural experiences. Don't just stick to the corporate tourist traps on Kalakaua Avenue.
🌴 We say “malama ‘aina” – care for the land. If you visit, please respect it. Respect the culture. Respect the people who call this home.
Locals are frustrated. We love our islands, but we're watching Hawaii transform into something different. Property values are pushing us out. Tourists are everywhere. The soul of Hawaii is at risk.
You're seeing Hawaii in crisis. The homelessness crisis is visible. The cost of living is the highest in the nation. Native Hawaiians feel like they're being pushed out of their own homeland.
Where To Stay If You Must
Look, I get it. You're still coming. Tourism is what keeps Hawaii's economy going. Just… be mindful.
If you're booking accommodations, consider staying at properties that give back to the community. The ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach gets decent reviews from locals for employing kamaaina and supporting local businesses.
Prince Waikiki is another option that locals don't completely hate – at least it's all ocean view and not blocking as many beach access points.
The Hilton Hawaiian Village is massive and corporate, but they do employ a lot of local families.
Pro tip: Whatever you book, tip your housekeeping staff well. They're probably commuting an hour each way and working multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Skip the residential area Airbnbs if you can. Stay in the hotel zone. You'll piss off fewer locals that way.
The Bottom Line
I'm not trying to scare you away from visiting Hawaii.
But I am asking you to visit with your eyes open. Understand that your vacation is happening in the middle of someone else's housing crisis. Your Instagram photos are being taken in a place where locals can't afford to live anymore.
The Hawaii you're visiting is in the middle of a major identity crisis. Some of what made it special is still there – you just have to look harder for it. Respect the land and culture. Understand that your presence is part of a larger conversation about who Hawaii belongs to.
Spend money at local businesses, not corporate chains. Eat at the hole-in-the-wall spots, not the celebrity-branded restaurants. Learn some Hawaiian phrases. Ask locals for recommendations. Be respectful at sacred sites. Don't touch the turtles. Don't take sand or rocks. Leave only footprints.
And maybe – just maybe – when you get back home and someone asks you about Hawaii, tell them the truth. Tell them it's beautiful, but it's struggling. Tell them the locals are being priced out of paradise. Tell them that authentic Hawaii is worth saving.
Because it is. And we need help saving it.
Me ke aloha (with love),
Your local friend who's still fighting to stay home 🌺
Quick Reference for Visitors:
✅ Do: Support local businesses, respect the culture, tip generously, learn some Hawaiian words, visit community events
❌ Don't: Stay in residential Airbnbs, take shells or rocks, touch wildlife, expect everything to be cheap, ignore the struggles locals face
💰 Budget Reality: Add 30-40% more than you think you'll need. Everything costs more here.
🚗 Transportation: Use rideshare or accept paying $25/day for parking. Traffic is worse than you imagine.
🏖️ Best Times: Early mornings before 9am, late afternoons after 3pm to avoid the worst crowds and heat.
Remember – you're visiting someone's home. Treat it that way.
