Across the pae ʻāina, Native Hawaiian families continue to face challenges that test our resilience and our connection to home. Rising costs of living, limited access to affordable housing, and the steady displacement of local families are not isolated problems. They are shared struggles that affect the entire lāhui, and they call for unity, understanding, and collective action.
Each island experiences these pressures in different ways. On Hawaiʻi Island, land is more available, but wages often fail to keep pace with costs. On Oʻahu, overcrowding and high rents force difficult choices. On Maui and Kauaʻi, limited land plus strong visitor demand has pushed housing prices beyond what most local families can afford.
The result is heartbreaking but familiar: our people are leaving Hawaiʻi in search of more affordable places to live, separating families from ʻāina, culture, and community.
If we are to remain strong as a people, we must come together to support thoughtful positions on issues that affect us all. Unity does not require that we agree on every detail, but it does require a shared commitment to keeping our people home. When we speak with a unified voice, we strengthen our influence and demonstrate that housing is not merely a market concern, but a matter of cultural survival.
As a real estate broker, I understand the realities of housing supply, demand, and investment. I work in the system. But I also see the human side of this crisis. I see young families unable to purchase their first home. I see kūpuna worried their children and grandchildren will not be able to remain in Hawaiʻi. Supporting affordable housing is not at odds with my profession; it is rooted in a responsibility to serve my community.
The recent passage of Bill 9 by the Maui County Council marks a significant moment in this ongoing conversation. While the bill has sparked strong opinions on all sides, its passage reflects the recognition that action is needed to address the housing crisis. Bill 9 is now a policy tool that, if implemented thoughtfully, can help prioritize housing for local residents rather than speculative and short-term uses that reduce long-term housing availability.
Passing Bill 9 does not solve Maui’s housing challenges, but it sends a clear message that the community’s concerns are being heard. Its success will depend on transparency, and continued community engagement. It is essential to monitor its implementation to ensure the support of working families, respect to property owners, and its meaningful contribution to the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
More importantly, Bill 9 demonstrates the power of participation. When our people testify, organize, and stay engaged, change becomes possible. This momentum must continue. We cannot afford to be divided or disengaged once legislation passes. True progress requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration among residents, policymakers, cultural practitioners, and industry professionals.
Affordable housing must remain a top priority for Maui and for Hawaiʻi as a whole, along with continued advocacy for living wages, infrastructure, and the protection of ʻāina. These issues are connected and addressing them together strengthens our communities.
Our ancestors understood the strength of unity. Guided by values of mālama, kuleana, and aloha ʻāina, they built thriving communities. Today, as we face modern challenges, those values must guide us again.
By coming together, supporting responsible policies like County Bill 9, and remaining actively engaged, we can prove that the Hawaiian people are a strong and influential voice – one committed to keeping our families rooted in the land that has always been home.
