Contributing Issues
• High costs of living and housing have led to net migration losses, though international immigration from Asia and the Pacific Islands helps offset some of these declines.
• Tourism remains a key economic driver, contributing $17 billion in 2023, but rising housing prices and workforce shortages challenge affordability and growth.
•Delayed healthcare access affects 58% of residents, especially in rural areas, with workforce shortages further straining the system.
•Population is expected to stabilize and grow slightly to 1.56 million by 2050, with strategic economic and policy efforts needed to sustain growth and quality of life.
This new program will implement the sustainability priority guidelines and principles enacted through Act 181, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2011. The development of this sustainability planning and coordination program began in June 2017, to liaise among state and other government agencies, as well as private or non-profit organizations, on various sustainability initiatives being performed statewide. This program is responsible for establishing broad work plans for state initiatives that promote sustainability, including developing programmatic priorities and budgets, conducting program analyses, making sustainable policy recommendations, and preparing sustainability or initiative reports.
