{"id":20791,"date":"2023-03-30T09:00:55","date_gmt":"2023-03-30T13:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=20791"},"modified":"2023-04-18T11:03:59","modified_gmt":"2023-04-18T15:03:59","slug":"tourism-is-hard-on-hawaiis-housing-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-537697-2997182.cloudwaysapps.com\/tourism-is-hard-on-hawaiis-housing-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Tourism Is Hard on Hawaii\u2019s Housing Market and More"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Native Hawaiians Are Begging You to Stay Home<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hawaii is known to many as a tropical escape with a beautiful landscape, refreshing waters, and abundant Mai Tais. But the islands had a rich history and vibrant culture long before the first tourists got heavily sunburnt on its beaches. It is far more than an amusement park in paradise where visitors can escape their everyday lives and let loose.<\/span><\/p>\n

In fact, overtourism and poor behavior by some are destroying the very things that draw most people to the islands- the land, waters, and culture. As more and more of the islands become dedicated to hotels, resorts, and AirBnBs, there is less and less room for the people who have called these islands home for generations.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since catering to tourists is more lucrative for the real estate investors buying up the islands, native Hawaiians get pushed farther and farther out of their homes. Too often, they\u2019re pushed all the way out onto the street and then shooed away so that the tourists don\u2019t see the effect they\u2019re having.<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of all this,\u00a0<\/span>many<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>native<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>Hawaiians<\/span><\/a>\u00a0are begging tourists to stay home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tourism Drives Up Cost of Living<\/span><\/h3>\n

Even if you\u2019ve never been there, you\u2019ve probably heard about how expensive things are in Hawaii. This might be a minor inconvenience for tourists who are only there for a few weeks. For those who live on the islands full-time, however, the high cost of living is a daily concern – especially since the average income of Hawaiians has not risen to match.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rental prices for what few full-time units remain are out of reach for many Hawaiians, and the cost of buying a home is similarly out of reach. Competition for real estate on the island is extremely high, and there seems to always be a foreign investor or developer from the mainland who\u2019s willing to pay more.<\/span><\/p>\n

This inflation of living expenses is making housing unaffordable for many native Hawaiians. It\u2019s even pushing people out of the homes they have managed to secure. With lucrative, short-term rental rates flashing dollar signs in their eyes, it\u2019s easy for landlords to evict tenants, flip the unit, and grab a slice of the tourism industry pie.<\/span><\/p>\n

At this point, Hawaii has the second-highest rate of homelessness<\/a> per capita in the nation. Native Hawaiians<\/a>, who now make up just 10% of Hawaii\u2019s total population, account for more than\u00a0<\/span>51% of the homeless population<\/span>\u00a0in Hawaii. Clearly, something is wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tourism Syphons Natural Resources<\/span><\/h3>\n

The islands of Hawaii have abundant natural resources that have supported native Hawaiians throughout history. Now, those resources are being overtaxed and even destroyed by tourists who don\u2019t care what mess they leave behind after having fun.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not uncommon for Hawaiians to be asked to forgo nonessential uses of water like washing cars or watering lawns for fear of being fined. At the same time, hotels and resorts all over the islands fill their (also nonessential) gigantic swimming pools and hot tubs without restriction. This hierarchy places the enjoyment of someone\u2019s vacation over the functionality of someone\u2019s home.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s totally backward<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This mentality can lead to more permanent environmental damage as well.\u00a0<\/span>Endangered species are threatened<\/span>\u00a0by curious tourists trying to get a good photo.\u00a0<\/span>Coral reefs are being degraded<\/span>\u00a0by too much traffic, and the very methods travelers use to get to the islands pollute the air and water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tourism Encourages Mistreatment of Unhoused People<\/span><\/h3>\n

In Hawaii, there seems to be no part of life where tourists won\u2019t be prioritized over native Hawaiians. After all of this:<\/span><\/p>\n