SENATOR DELA CRUZ CALLS FOR EXPANDED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOLLOWING RELEASE OF 2026 QUALITY OF LIFE SURVEY

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI – State Senate Committee on Ways and Means Chair Donovan M. Dela Cruz (District 17 – portion of Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipiʻo Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village) emphasized the importance of expanding economic opportunities and investing in workforce development following the release of the 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard.

The dashboard, released October 12 by the Social Science Research Institute’s Health Policy Initiative in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resilience under the Office of the Governor, presents findings from a statewide survey that assesses well-being, quality of life and workplace wellness among Hawaiʻi residents. Based on responses from more than 10,000 residents statewide, the findings show improvements in overall health and life satisfaction but also highlight ongoing concerns about the cost of living and a growing number of residents considering leaving Hawaiʻi.

One of the most significant findings reveals that 46% of residents considered moving out of state in the past year, compared to 40% in 2024, with the cost of living cited as a major factor.

“Repeating the statewide quality of life survey, which we funded through Act 106 in 2024, helps us understand what is working, where challenges remain, and how conditions are changing over time,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. “When nearly half of our residents are considering leaving Hawaii, that is a clear signal that we must continue diversifying our economy and expanding economic opportunity. That means investing in workforce development, creating pathways to good-paying careers, and reversing the brain drain so our residents can build their futures here at home.”

Other key findings from the 2026 survey include:

• Challenges for younger residents: Adults ages 18-34 reported more mentally unhealthy days than older residents (65 or older).

• Continued financial pressures: More than half (52%) of households earning $25,000 to $49,000 considered leaving Hawaiʻi in the past year.

• Continued food insecurity: 27% of households earning less than $25,000 face food insecurity.

The survey was funded through Act 106, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2024, which Senator Dela Cruz championed. Conducted for the second time, the statewide survey allows policymakers and community organizations to track changes over time, identify ongoing challenges and use the findings to help guide decisions that improve the quality of life for Hawaiʻi residents.

The interactive dashboard allows the public to explore findings by county, demographics and other categories, and compare results from 2024 and 2026.