What is the housing problem in Maui?

There has been a housing shortage in the state for decades, but the problem has recently gotten worse. Homes cost three times the national average. (On Maui, the median price of a house has passed $1 million.) Getting permits for new affordable housing also takes three times as long because of the amount of regulation.



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The roots of Hawaii's housing crises run deep. The state has “the most restrictive land use regulations in the country.” Only 4% of land in the state is zoned for residential housing. Multifamily homes are only allowed on 0.3% of land in the state.

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You'll enjoy living on Maui. No, it's not always the postcard-perfect paradise, but it's home. You'll be happy to live here, and the people living there are grateful to be able to share their island with tourists from all over the world.

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Unfortunately, homelessness is especially common in Hawaii. Hawaii high cost of living, homeless from the mainland, drug use, and natural disasters like the recent Maui Fires.

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Maui County leads the state with 36 percent of households in the ALICE category and 16 percent below the poverty line. Another 48 percent are living above the ALICE threshold, the lowest in the state.

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But the main point is that Hawaii has more housing regulation than any other state in the nation, and that's limited the supply of housing, which is why we have the highest median home prices in the nation. And until people decide to rise up and change that, housing in Hawaii will probably remain very expensive.

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Is vacationing in Maui expensive? Based on our calculations, a trip to Maui for two people can easily cost $500 per person, per day. So yes, Maui deserves its reputation as an expensive vacation destination.

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