Paradise for Tourists, a Struggle for Natives: Native Hawaiian Homelessness in the Hawaiian Islands Noah Jordan Magbual || HUMBIO 122 Introduction islands. The brief will then identify current Every year, millions of visitors travel to the initiatives that have been taken to tackle Hawaiian islands unaware of the impact their homelessness and the next steps to ensure vacations have on local communities. Enclaves housing for the indigenous community of the of homeless camps that dot various popular Hawaiian islands. spots among the islands have become more and more common. The tourism industry, alongside Background a multitude of other institutions and social Colonialism and Loss of Land factors, contribute to the egregiously high level Hawaii’s past of unwarranted Western contact of homelessness in the island chain. Currently, and illegal annexation under U.S. imperialism Hawaii is ranked second highest in the nation for has undeniably contributed to the current plight 1 rates of homelessness per 10,000 people . Native of homelessness. From the moment Captain Hawaiians, the indigenous residents of the James Cook stepped foot in the island nation, the islands, are overrepresented in the homeless Native Hawaiian people and culture were population. Of the 4,448 people facing decimated. Infectious disease ravaged through 5 homelessness on the island of Oahu, 51% Hawaii cutting the population by 90% . This did identified as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander not stop, as missionaries, U.S. businessmen, and (NHPI) despite accounting for only 10% of the more Western influences continued the practice 2,3 population . of stripping Native Hawaiians of their land, culture, politics, and economy. In 1893, a Homelessness has proven to be a significant U.S.-backed coup d'etat overthrew the Hawaiian determinant of health. Homeless folks in general monarchy, and the United States annexed are at increased risk for contracting Hawaii. After, foreign labor imports from China, communicable disease, experiencing violence, Philippines, Japan, and Puerto Rico increased malnutrition, and a range of behavioral and causing the continual decline and displacement mental health issues including (but not limited of Native Hawaiians. In recognizing their to) depression, alcoholism, and other substance wrongdoings, the U.S. instituted lackluster 4 abuse disorders . In fact, 24% of homeless on reparations through an apology resolution and 5 Oahu and 35% of neighbor island homeless were the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1921 . deemed chronically homeless (defined as The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act was an experiencing homelessness for at least a year attempt to provide affordable housing and some while simultaneously suffering from a disabling land after the violent displacement and removal 2 5 chronic mental or physical condition) . of Native Hawaiians .
Because of these adverse health outcomes, this Tourism on Housing Affordability brief will explore avenues to ameliorate Native Though the events of colonialism occurred over Hawaiian homelessness. More specifically, this a century ago, the long-term impacts are still brief will describe how the colonization of seen. After annexation, Native Hawaiians lost Hawaii has contributed to homelessness of autonomy over their land and their agricultural Native Hawaiians, and how tourism perpetuates way of life. Not long after, the island chain patterns of indigenous homelessness within the turned to a new economic industry: tourism. with the fact that a higher proportion of Native Neocolonialism under the pretense of tourism Hawaiians are living at the poverty level continues to assert itself as a dominating force in compared to their white counterparts (15.4% vs the Hawaiian economy. 9.6%) makes it unsurprising that the once indigenous population of the Hawaiian While the coasts are saturated with hotels and archipelago are now outcasts in their own home 12 resorts, a much more hidden aspect of tourism . that greatly exacerbates the housing affordability crisis is the vacation rental unit (VRU) industry. Aside from the vicious housing market that VRUs are rental properties used for transient results from foreign-owned VRUs, Hawaii’s parties visiting for less than 30 days. The issue tourism industry has also led to the conception with VRUs is that many of these are owned by of many laws that criminalize homeless folks for non resident buyers -- on Maui alone, 52% of occupying spaces that may deter visitors away. homes are sold to nonresidents, and 60% of For instance, Ambrose, et. al, wrote that condos and apartments have gone to investors Honolulu city ranks 8th in the nation for its 6 10 and second homeowners . Foreign-owned VRUs unfriendly homeless policies . These policies pose two primary concerns. First, they limit the include the removal from sidewalks, supply of available housing to locals and Native illegalization of sleeping at most parks and Hawaiians. Currently, 64,700-66,000 homes are beaches, the retrofitting of bus stops, and needed at an affordable price to accommodate “cleanups” that displace homeless folks to the the growing demand for homes while many outskirts of the city, away from high-density 10,11 VRUs remain unoccupied for a majority of the tourist areas . While the intention of this is 7 year . Secondly, cities like San Francisco who to move homeless folks off the streets and into also struggle with VRU market issues have shelters, reports have shown that these cleanups 13 found that VRUs result in the withdrawal of do not increase homeless shelter occupancy . housing from the residential market, resulting in 8 higher housing costs . Homelessness Impacts As mentioned, homelessness has shown to In fact, lack of affordable housing is one of the adversely impact one's health. In homeless primary drivers for Native Hawaiian Native Hawaiians specifically, they suffer rates homelesssness. Hawaii’s Point in Time report of asthma and hypertension at 7.3% and 2.4% surveyed those who were homeless and found (respectively) higher than non-native homeless 10 that 17% were unable to pay rent, 15% lost their members . More generally, homeless folks have job, and 12% suffered from some form of money a higher prevalence of infections, COPD, and 9 14 loss . Fiscal losses are incredibly important in mental health disorders . Compounded by determining home affordability. Moreover, the multiple risks and lack of access to care, cost of housing in Hawaii is at a whopping homeless people also suffer from mortality rates 14 149% above the national average, with a cost of 2-31 times higher than housed people . These living index that is 65.7% higher than the rest of health impacts often lead to increased 10 the nation . Studies have shown that an average hospitalizations for preventable ailments. From of 40% of Native Hawaiian households are 2013 to 2016, the Queens Hospital on the island 13 cost-burdened by housing prices, meaning that of Oahu rose from 6,958 to 11,000 . Overall, more than 30% of their income goes toward the homelessness among Native Hawaiians is an 11 housing . Egregious housing prices coupled unfortunate byproduct of Western colonialism and the tourism industry and has life threatening political and legislative support to ensure Native health impacts. Hawaiians are housed.
Current Efforts Policy Recommendations One of the largest (and only) efforts to address The first and perhaps most important policy Native Hawaiian homelessness specifically is recommendation would be to increase the supply the Hawaian Homes initiative. Initiated in 1921, of housing. Implementing stricter sanctions on the act set aside over 200,000 acres of land to VRU violations to decrease the number of 15 build affordable houses at an annual rent of $1 . illegally occupied VRUs may be one potential However, this policy does come with route. Throughout the state, many VRUs rent out limitations. To qualify, one must prove a blood whole homes illegally rather than the legal quantum of 50% Native Hawaiian ancestry. 6 rent-a-room/rent-a-unit . Cracking down on Through the import of foreign labor and the these either through fines or requiring more dwindling of “pure” Native Hawaiians from transparency of who owns these homes and who colonial times, the number of mixed race Native they are renting to may free up more homes Hawaiians have increased substantially. 6 within the real estate market . As we’ve seen, Currently, Mokuau et al, reported 70% of Native housing affordability (and subsequently, housing Hawaiians report being multiracial with one or availability) are directly impacted by the VRU 5 more races . As if the barrier to entry was not and tourism industry. enough, the quality of these houses are typically sub par. Prior to 20 years ago, a permit was not Moreover, reforming the Hawaiian Homes required for construction. Many residents Commission Act may prove effective in reported increased repair costs stemming from providing housing for Native Hawaiians the lack of eaves on their homes (an issue that specifically. For instance, reducing the blood leads to rotting exteriors from rain and quantum as the proportion of mixed-race Native 15 weather) . Hawaiians grows is one avenue to lowering the barrier to entry for housing. Additionally, On the more community level, there are several engaging and assisting pre-existing grassroots organizations that work to reduce homelessness organizations that are hard at work to address in the islands. The Housing First project works homelessness in Hawaii may prove vital in to find permanent housing for chronically housing Native Hawaiian communities as well. homeless people and equips them with life-skills However, engaging directly with Native 13 to ensure they stay housed . Additionally, the Hawaiian communities, acknowledging the Hawaii Pathways Project (HPP) used an historical trauma of colonization, and evidence-based experimental strategy to help prioritizing their needs will be essential to homeless people who specifically struggle with mitigate homelessness in Hawaii. substance abuse. From their three-year pilot, HPP estimated that they’ve been able to assist Additional Resources clients in reducing health care costs by almost ● Hawaiian Homes: Information, Application half and produce an average net savings of Requirements, and more: 16 $2,370 per month per client . These grassroots http://dhhl.hawaii.gov/ organizations and evidence-based supports may ● Key legislation related to homelessness: be key in addressing chronic homelessness in http://www.hawaiilodging.org/homelessness Hawaii. However, their efforts must be met with .html ● The socio-cultural impact of tourism on 7. Measuring Housing Demand In Hawaii, local communities: 2015-2025. 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