A proposed constitutional amendment would let Hawaiʻi use property taxes to fund schools
The Legislature passed a similar bill in 2018, but the state Supreme Court invalidated the ballot measure for using vague and unclear language.
Thousands of houses are empty on Maui. Would higher taxes change that?
An estimated 15,000 housing units—about 1 in 5 throughout all of Maui County—are vacant, according to 2020 census estimates.
Aloha Friday Conversation: Seizing affordable housing opportunities in Hawaiʻi
This episode of "The Conversation" is packed with discussions about Hawaiʻi's housing and homelessness crisis and policy solutions advocates are working to implement at the state and county level.
One year later: The effects of Hawaiʻi’s illegal short-term rental ban
Illegal vacation rentals have worsened Hawaiʻi’s affordable housing shortage while contributing to an overrun of high-impact, low-spending visitors.
Hawaiʻi has the highest housing wage in the U.S.
Researchers analyzed rent prices in all 50 states to determine how much was needed to rent a two-bedroom apartment at fair market value without spending more than 30 percent of one’s income.
No one knows how many homes are sitting empty despite housing shortage
There’s a big discrepancy between city and federal estimates of vacancy rates.
Hawaiʻi weighs measures to curb Airbnb
Sky-high housing prices and limited land make the negative impact of short-term rentals in Hawaiʻi especially acute. Regulatory measures may provide some relief.
Short-term rental regulation advances at Honolulu Hale
On Wednesday, the Honolulu City Council held a public hearing on the latest proposals to rein in Oʻahu’s vacation accommodations, like those rented on Airbnb.
Short-term vacation rentals on Oʻahu could soon be regulated
A 2018 report from Hawaiʻi Appleseed stated more than 80 percent of short term vacation rentals in Hawaiʻi are not owner-occupied.
Report: one in 24 homes in Hawaiʻi is now a vacation rental
The number of short-term vacation rental units in Hawaiʻi rose 35 percent over the last two years—from 17,000 units in 2015 to 23,000 in 2017.
Report: out-of-state buyers, vacation rentals squeeze local housing market
A new report by Hawaiʻi Appleseed estimates a quarter of homes sold in Hawaiʻi during recent years were bought by non-residents.
Property values soar, depleting lower-cost options
Clearly, there’s a gap in what the housing market alone will provide. And time is running out for government to build bridges.
Advocates weigh whether property tax increase could help house homeless
Instead of an across-the-board tax hike to address homelessness, Appleseed suggests raising fees for non-residents with second homes in the islands.