Reports
Progress and Vulnerability Two Years After the Wildfires: A Data-Driven Update from the Maui Recovery Survey
By Daniela Bond-Smith, Sophia Davis, Marceline Kanaiaupuni-Naff, and Caleb Wood Two years after the devastating August 2023 wildfires, thousands of fire-affected people continue to navigate a long and complex path to recovery. While many are still facing hardship — including displacement, financial uncertainty, and unmet needs — others have regained stability in many aspects of […]
Read MoreFrom Crisis to Recovery: Health and Resilience Two Years After the Maui Wildfires
By Ruben Juarez, PhD, Alika Maunakea, PhD, Krit Phankitnirundorn, PhD, Binh Le, PhD, Carl Bonham, PhD, Daniela Bond-Smith, PhD, Marsha Lowery, ND, Chris Knightsbridge, PsyD, Samia Valeria Ozorio Dutra, PhD RN, Martina Kamaka, MD, and Pauli Amornkul, MD Research support by Rafael Peres David, Keeton Krause, Braden Kunihiro, Quan Zhang, Noelle Rubas, Amada Torres Salazar, […]
Read MorePublic Health Report: Hawai‘i’s Health and Wellbeing Journey Over Time — Monitoring Equity and Access
By Ruben Juarez, Daniela Bond-Smith, Carl Bonham, Caleb Wood, Binh Le, Sophia Davis, Adrian Amaya, Marzuka Tartil, and Quan Zhang The UHERO Rapid Health Survey is a statewide longitudinal study offering one of the most comprehensive real-time assessments of health equity in Hawai‘i. Launched in 2022, the survey has completed four major waves, with the […]
Read MoreThe Hawaii Housing Factbook 2025
By Justin Tyndall, Trey Gordner, Rachel Inafuku, JoonYup Park, Jack Driggers, and Emi Kim Hawai‘i remains in a severe housing crisis. High prices and mortgage rates have made homeownership unaffordable for most residents. Housing production remains slow, with county and state regulatory barriers posing a major obstacle to new construction. Meanwhile, shifts in the U.S. […]
Read MoreAn Economic Analysis of the Proposal to Phase Out Transient Vacation Rentals in Maui County Apartment Districts
By Carl Bonham, Steven Bond-Smith, Peter Fuleky, Justin Tyndall, Dylan Moore, Trey Gordner, Emi Kim, and Hamza Essaidi This report examines the Maui County proposal to phase out transient vacation rentals (TVRs) in Apartment districts, including removing long-standing exceptions for pre-1989 properties widely known as the “Minatoya List.” The policy aims to improve housing affordability, […]
Read MoreReturn on investment for watershed protection on Kaua‘i
By Conrad Newfield, Nathan DeMaagd, Christopher Wada, Kimberly Burnett, and Leah Bremer Native forests provide many societal benefits, including protecting freshwater resources that provide drinking water and sustain culturally, economically, and ecologically valuable springs, streams, and groundwater dependent ecosystems. The objectives of this report are to: (1) model future management scenarios for Kaua‘i’s native forests […]
Read MoreConstruction Defect Litigation, Housing Affordability, and Homeownership in Hawai‘i
By Trey Gordner, Justin Tyndall, Kimberly Burnett, Emi Kim, and Kaila Ronquilio Hawai‘i faces a severe housing shortage, driven by high costs and regulatory barriers that hinder new development. One emerging factor is the rise of construction liability litigation. While issues like land use constraints, infrastructure availability, and permitting delays have long been recognized as […]
Read MoreInvestigating and Tackling Barriers and Needs for Small Business Success in Honolulu
This report examines the state of small businesses in Honolulu in 2024, using both quantitative data and qualitative insights to identify key needs, challenges, and opportunities for growth. A combination of a large-scale survey with 1,024 respondents and in-depth interview discussions with 11 small businesses provided a comprehensive view of the small business ecosystem.
Read MoreAging and Hawai‘i’s Generational Economy
Hawai‘i’s population is aging rapidly. By 2035 one in four people will be 65 or older according to the most recent projections. The purpose of this study is to assess how aging is affecting Hawai‘i’s economy and steps that could be taken to prepare for this unprecedented change in our population.
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