This was a tough video to make. A lot of things going on right now. However, whether you agree with my solutions or not, I hope we can agree that we need to start thinking differently about Hawaii's problems if we're going to make Hawaii a better place for more people. 🤙

I am 100% with you on addressing these issues. And yes, run for public office. I will support you Sir 🤙

To be honest I believe they should I increase the taxes on those who purchase homes for investments if they don’t live in Hawaii. We had a guy come to Lana’i and purchase 5 homes in cash well above the going prices. Blew everyone’s mind. He bought them for vacation homes as an investment. There needs to be some kind of give if they are going to help drive up the cost of rental units. Just my two cents worth.

I love all of these ideas! They seem well thought out and most importantly, possible. I especially like the idea of a hydroponic tower to help with produce on the island. We have the perfect temperatures to grow many things, but not much space to grow the quantity and variety that would help the locals on the island. It seems brilliant to me! The incentive you suggested for teachers could/would put hope back into a struggling profession. The better we pay our teachers, the better we find quality teachers in for the long haul. When provided a reliable living wage and housing, people have a chance to flourish instead of struggle to survive. The housing along the rail seems like a realistic and good way to help local families retain affordable housing in their homeland. Perhaps allow some multi-generational homes to find their own place if desired. I really appreciate this video and see hope in your ideas!

We had the same issues back in 1978 when I left Hawaii to move to California for better opportunities. However, they weren't as bad as today. When I go visit my relatives who still live in Hawaii, I hear about their struggles after a few beers talking stories..lol!. Anyway, great video. I love your ideas and suggestions to better Hawaii. I'll share your youtube link with one of my cousins. Mahalo!

What an astute video! Good for you for putting forth some interesting and innovative ideas. There will be many naysayers but we need to keep the vision of an affordable and productive place to live. Bravo!!

A lot of it, I think, comes from the fact that Hawai'i has politicians that are far too secure in their positions. Even when they're destructively useless, there's no risk that they'll be swept out of office.

Howzit! First time commenting on a youtube vid. A timely topic indeed. You have brought up some solutions to start a conversation we all need to have. Have seen how much Hawaii has changed in the past fifty yrs. Would like to see State, City & Business leaders have a plan on how to keep more locals from moving away before we lose enough families that Hawaii changes from the home many of us grew up in. We know most of the pressing problems we live every day that has been dragging down what use to be & making life here more challenging. I appreciate the common sense focus you brought up. If you ever plan on running for public office, really think you have a perspective that needs to heard by the powers that be. Agree wholeheartedly that we do need to do more on growing our AG business opportunities & anything to help lower our cost of food, energy & just getting from A to B. Glad to have found you on youtube.

Great video to start the dialogue. Since my experience is as a teacher, I think that’s where I’d feel comfortable in sharing an alternative viewpoint. I taught in HIDOE for 11 years before moving to the mainland. I think a housing stipend, while nice, doesn’t address a systemic problem faced by all Hawai’i residents. I think at the end of the day, we need to revisit compensation and teacher expectations if we are to see results. Here’s my own experience - I was a 12-month teacher when I left HIDOE (making roughly 20% more than a regular classroom teacher). In my first year with my current school district, I made $10,000 a year more than I did in HIDOE, and I was just a regular, 10-month teacher. I also received 100% employer covered medical insurance for me and my family (I previously paid about $225/month for individual medical coverage in HI). My school district accepted all of my university credits for salary credits so I entered up here at basically top of the pay scale (I have 2 masters degrees, two post-baccalaureate certificates, and two bachelors degrees). HIDOE was and still is selective on credits for reclassification, so I never made it to the coveted Class 7. Since teaching requires specific licenses, HIDOE really needs to look at the competition. What are competing school districts offering teachers? What kind of career ladder can be instituted to allow and encourage great educators to stay and be a part of ongoing school improvement processes? Disconnect labor negotiations involving HSTA from that of HGEA and acknowledge the teacher shortage as a reason why raises may be different. Consider differentials for potential performance and longevity incentives. Institute a pay scale that includes annual increments. It is my hope that I can end my career back at home teaching in Hawai’i….so, hopefully engaged Hawai’i residents like you can highlight the need for this dialogue so that I have a home to return to,

Great fresh ideas. Keep it up! Enjoyed your perspective. Aloha!

Great video and an inspiring vision of Hawaii’s future. Definitely run for office!

Aloha Chris - you've put in a lot of time and effort in your videos, but this video in particular is multi faceted and deep. I don't have any solutions and can't even hope to wrap my head around at the moment - I feel like I need to provide a power point presentation. It's all so overwhelming.

Agree Indeed!! Housing In Hawaii Is First And Foremost The Biggest Problem!!!!!! We left Hawaii in 2000 for Military Transition..,. And there’s no way we can afford a house ( just like we have now in Georgia ) if we want to go back!!😩😩 Aloha Ke Akua!🙏🌺❤️🤙

Excellent video. I know you are talking about very complex and layered issues but you gave a nice concise view of them. Good ideas - I hope some of them could become a reality. Hawaii is such an amazing and wonderful place - there has to be a way for it to thrive for everyone. Locals *first* but visitors also. It can happen.

Hi, Hello From Hawaii guy, cool shirt. I have so much to comment on this video but I will watch it one more time & I will comment again ASAP.

Fantastic video. Great ideas.

This is a great start for dialogue for solutions! Great stuff!

My husband’s family has lived on the island since the turn of the 20th century. We currently live inCA but our older dd attends UH. We don’t have intimate understanding, but we feel pretty informed about the state of affairs in HI. You are spot on!!! Love your ideas!!

Just catching this video. Excellent. Definitely need to expand Ag, especially to service local needs, and would cut costs significantly. Would also be perfectly in line with our cultural values. I caught some of your other videos. I don't agree 100% with all your points but I think you have such a good heart that you actually should consider representation of your district. In the meantime, keep up the great content! Aloha from Ohio!

I feel you raise some valid points and if the last 2 years of Covid have taught us anything, it has shown us that many people can work effectively from home. Of course, the broadband situation would need to be fixed! I work in a hospital lab so I clearly couldn't work from home.

First step to fix the state… you should run for office. Governor of great state of Hawaii. Do it, and serve the full max two terms. You have good ideas. Perhaps you can make some meaningful changes. You’ll probably get pushback from certain groups, but that’s politics. Hopefully that won’t block such proposals.

You are the greatest ❤ give us more. You have the right vision

Good thinking

If more people prioritize the keiki in their choices, we would have a much better neighborhood, city, state, country and world. Best wishes and hoping that people listen to your ideas.

Very good video my friend i like this video

I agree with your focus on education; but beyond the housing needs and retention of teachers. We all need to be involved and educated about what Hawaii values and what's needed to maintain those values. A values based, sense of place and security for all keiki and their future children is essential for living long term in Hawaii. That's the uniquenesss of Hawaii culture. Those values might be, as you say, "different." Different than what is happening now. Yet also different from what is on the continent. It's not necessarily better there...maybe just cheaper. If the core values of what makes living in Hawaii are meaningful and clear, then those who contribute to the solutions benefit most in the richness of Hawaii's struggles. For many of us here, this is what makes it worth the work. Perhaps rather than different, our common goals could be revised into modern versions of Aloha, Kuleana and Pono. Mahalo nui for bringing these real issues to your viewers.

Good thoughts! Thanks 🌴🌴Aloha

I agree that Honolulu has a major housing problem. But Chris you did hit on some of the solutions. So when you run for office, you'll get my vote. Lol 👍🤙💯👊

Excellent video. After moving back to Hawaii from the mainland, I was thinking the same thoughts. I agree, if we had better internet more businesses would come to Hawaii, it'll help diversify the economy. And you are absolultely correct. We need to educate in conjunction with luring potential businesses to Hawaii, so we can provide the labor. After seeing the high vegetable prices in the markets I was thinking the same thing why can't we grow our own food, we have good soil, year round sunshine. Great idea about using hydroponics. I also like your idea of multi use commercial / residential properties near the rail stations. A suburb development is a money loser for many cities because large parking lots and shopping centers don't generate enough revenue to maintain the infrastructure required to maintain the sprawl. A city is better able to sustain itself with revenue generated in more densely populated areas such as a downtown and multi use areas with commercial business downstairs and housing upstairs as you described. I know its controversial but can we think about an inter-island ferry? Farmers and local businesses will be able to move their product easier and cheaper inter-island. Load up your truck and go. I was on the mainland when the push for an inter-island ferry was happening and was eventually canned. If it harms the environment, then I understand, but how do inter island barges navigate the waters between the islands? Can't the ferrys follow the same protocol? I'm guessing there was also push back from airlines, shuttle services, shipping companies, rent a car companies and I know Kauai vehemently protested against it. But a ferry would be good for Hawaii's economy. Tourists will make up for any drop in revenue these businesses may incur and the benefits will make it worthwhile. It'll spur business between the islands and should bring down the prices of locally produced products. Residents can travel between islands more freely, restaurants, golf courses and many other businesses would benefit with increased business from residents from other islands visiting more frequently. More importantly it'll save local residents money and we all need that.

Brah, is that a Univ Northern Colorado water bottle? I'm a local in Colorado. Your videos are great and very informative. I have a number of uncles, aunties and cousins on Oahu. Things need to get better soon or homelessness will be out of control and locals will be priced out of the islands. Sad......

Hi. I watch your videos time to time. Could you do a video on your banking system? I am curious.

We need more people in politics that want to do what's best for the people and not there pocket. More people like you.

Everything you say is true and your solutions can happen if there are officials who care. Instead of waiting for them to reach out, you should run for Governor, you care!

I love every part of this video. I've only been to Oahu a couple of times but I feel a deep love of the island. I think your plan to use public transportation to spread out housing is a great idea and should be expanded to include more parts of the island - this may even help ease the traffic a bit (and I sympathize as I have lived in Boston the last few years.) I think having a solid community plan, from being able to build new housing, educating the children of the families in that housing, and finding a way to employ the people who live there is the biggest challenge for every city and you have come up with a very well and thought out plan. I hope the people in government on Oahu see this video and use your suggestions.

I love your channel, great ideas, great discussion…. One point that stuck out to me in your conclusion, is that “it’s not the responsibility of The People, it’s the politicians”. I must disagree, because the politicians ARE The People. For example, are YOU not part of The People? If you ran for an elected position, are you not still not part of The People? This is key, because the best politicians are the Individuals who are truly impacted by education, economy, and Hawaii in-general.

Good video again. Yes Hawaii is seriously broken. Not sure how to fix it. I think you are going to have to remove all of the politicians and start over. So much corruption it is mind boggling. How can Hawaiian home lands group get by with doing nothing for so long. Lots to do before it gets better.

Kudos on your excellent Video...I would have changed your Set background to the lettering of "TEDxHelloFromHawaii"...really. Your points were spot on man. Lecture on. Cheers!

Why is it that people that make sense and are pragmatic are never in position to move the needle. Great ideas! Corruption is a major issue in Hawaii.

I’ll say, you should only be able to buy a house if you plan to live in it. And I’m an investor. I just choose to not buy in the islands until I can afford to live there. Once I live there, any homes I plan to own as investments will only be long term and rented at UNDER market rates. I would never want to be a part of the problem. Still working on a lease to own plan that could eventually put the renter in a position to actually buy the homes at a reduced price. It’s just not right to take without giving back.

CHRIS FOR GOVERNOR! lol Ahhh that line "is that really living?" so sad but so true. These are AWESOME solution that should definitely be considered! I hope your voice gets heard by the right people.

One reason teachers don’t stay long is so many are from the mainland and mainlanders don’t stay long. Pay a bonus to local teachers? Tuition discounts at the state universities for education majors or a grant to be paid back if they don’t work for at least 2 years in the state after graduation? So many college bound assume they will leave. Give them a chance to see if they could stay and make a living.

Clearly you have you have put a lot of thought into this video. Your ideas are solid. I think you should run for office. We in California have many of the same problems. In some we are finding successful solutions and in some we are not. We have thousands of people living on our streets in every city in the SFbay area. We have no services for the mentally ill & our veterans are languishing. The cops harass the homeless, sweeping through the camps, dumping peoples' possessions. Pay for restaurant workers and home care workers is still so low that no one can afford rent who is less than a professional worker. As for teachers, it is the same here. Have you noticed that no one asks teachers what they think. These are smart folks and they need a pay raise and have for decades. Private schools and so called public charter schools have syphoned off all the families who can afford them. Except for the Punana Leo schools, none of the charter schools are any better than public schools. Even Punahou and Iolani leave big chunks of education out & only teach what the elite will need to learn. The public charters take a big chunk of our tax money, leaving the public schools who have to take all students with just the most difficult to educate kids. Too many in a classroom & not much in the way of supplies. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. We need good candidates and we all need to vote, no matter how inconvenient that is. The entire economic system of the U.S. has to be overhauled and then we'll all see a brighter day.

I think a trade would be good to raise teachers salaries. Fair to get rid of the pension and move to a traditional 401k. Then a nice yearly raise. The healthcare for all state employees after retirement is such a blessing. That's one of the reasons why the pay is low.

One thought about building up remote job work for mainland companies is the time zone. You could be 3 hours difference to west coast, and 6 hours difference to east coast, so if you start 9AM in west coast, that's 6AM in HI, or starting 3AM for east coast. I mean, that's doable, but probably not desired. But honestly, I dont have better solutions, so who am I to say lol

You are the greatest ❤ aloha

Hawaii is not broken --it is what it is. Housing has always been expensive. Our first place was a 700 square foot townhouse in Makakilo for $200,000 back in 1992. It was all we could afford, with both my wife and I college educated. Why was it so expensive then? Because a certain amount of housing was discounted via land grants to developers for "affordable" housing. The joke was that those that could qualify could sell after three years at market value and reap a huge profit. In our complex, the same townhouse was $120,000 for that select group. Hopefully that has changed? Secondly, land is exceptionally limited, and what is available is controlled by a small group that, in there own best interest let it out at a trickle. Not to mention that everything to build must be shipped in. And finally, the highly regulated environment. "Mainland Haoles" buying multi-million dollar condos at Ward is not the problem. Education in Hawaii has always been sub-standard. Think Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas... When your teacher talks Pigeon in class ...do I need to say more? Finally, the economy. Tourism, the military and Bishop Estate. That's it. It will not change (Bishop Estate!). The economy will not diversify -- ever. You want to worry about something? Worry about the US Military pulling out.

Considering that remote work is the way things are going, Hawaii needs to catch up with it.

Aloha! You really should run for office. Common sense solutions! I love Hawaii. 🤙

This would make a great TED talk.

Hi guys could you recommend a good air b&b on the main island but somewhere quite?

All great points. I also would provide tax free for educators as an incentive to attract teachers and keeping them on the island. Just my 2 cents.

I agree with a new type of agricultural industry as you proposed. However, I wonder how ‘Vertical farming’ can be justifiable in a tropical islands where year round sunshine is available with warm temperature? It’s for the densely populated place unfit with agriculture. By the way, solar panel is highly inefficient and produce toxic waste.

A group of people could buy a large piece of land and build a community of homes. Each family who buys into the project gets a home on a 30 year loan for the cost spread across the community. This could be done with a Blockchain "Dao". This would reduce monthly "rent" (long term loan) nearly 50%. The Dao could form as a corporate structure.

In the past, there were teacher cottages. Develop affordable teacher high rises with resources available. Ex. Alphabet announced this week that it’s proposing constructing a massive company-town project in Mountain View, California. The tech behemoth will build a combination of houses, retail stores, parks and recreations and a corporate campus spanning 40 acres. Use the stadium project. Teachers will collaborate in this educational bubble.

I loved living there but I was living on the side of a home. Nice area wonderful people but I could not see buying my own place. And I could not see getting a job in my profession that would make that happen. My daughter and son in law lived there and left after the twins turned 1 because they could not see a home,school for their family at the time .. again I miss Hawaii and want to live there again and truly I had the best but I am older and really wanted my home . And I looked at the people that have been there all their life living in multi generational homes and saw no way that would change. I still hope I can go back it is my hearts home

Consider giving teachers a $1100 credit for lodging for every month they teach up to 10 years lid of $1,000 monthly and then also offer a 12 month option instead of a 10 month option. My wife is a retired teacher and we did this with her salary ea year - CA.

Maybe you’ve found your calling- politics. Or, a shaker as we call it. Someone who gets the ideas rolling and the support to back it. Great thoughts.

I visit my family and they all stayn at Kuhio Park Terrace and I told them they better off loving in Gold Coast Queensland in Australia with us guys, they thinking about it

13:30, Me too. I still eat rice because it's good for my health.

Run for office. You have great and interesring ideas. Go for it.

Urban farming is a great idea. Imagine if costco farmed their produce above ground floor. No transportation, less spoilage.

Good video. Missing home very badly. Cannot afford to Live at home.

How about a video on the Natatorium....... And why decades go by in Waikiki's best real estate & it is not repaired or torn down!

Excellent video as usual. I think you’re on the right path regarding stipends for teachers. I’d go a step further and would love to see a statewide UBI since wages have not kept up with inflation in decades and the people of Hawaii are its greatest asset.

Maybe a Community Land Trust model could help with affordable home ownership for locals. Homestead CLT in Seattle is working with minority communities to deal with the effects of gentrification.

Aloha Nephew, Use the State's bonding authority to pride significant money to build affordable housing. Also make the bonds tax-free. The transportation oriented development makes complete sense. Also, eliminated the parking requirement because residents are living on public transport. Also, the amount of money that you are talking about is relatively peanuts.

Vote the people out who put You into this predicament, that would be a good start.

Singapore makes public housing work. Can we do the same here for the locals?

I'll be moving to Oahu in 3 months. I've spent around a year there before, homeless. I'll be homeless again when I move back, but I'll be applying with IHS for subsidized housing.

I would vote four you

Chris for Governor of Hawaii!. Aloha from Los Angeles.

I almost wonder if Hawaii would need something like cheaper housing with some laws with things like "you must have been a hawaiian resident for the past x years" or something as well as a no rental clause. Otherwise I could see them just being swept up and rented at inflated prices or put up on AirBnB or something. It seems like it might conflict with the fair housing act but not really. it does not "make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status or national origin" anyone from any race religion etc could move in as long as they have been living in Hawaii for a number of years. Maybe that is pretty out of line but living in a state where real estate is a tool to get even more rich for the already wealthy and locals are struggling to afford living here, I just don't see what else can be done, and something needs to be done.

🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏼‍♀️ I have a question ~ why don’t you run for office those were brilliant suggestions ~ why don’t the ones in office think outside the box as you just did??????

oh man, just landed in ohau, evrything is sooo expensive

It starts with voters not electing people like UFC fighters. Seattle successfully built affordable multi family housing along it’s new light rail lines. It can be done.

I would mention something about anti-haole hate, but last time I did, you removed my comment. It is extremely disappointing that this issue is something you wish to cover up Chris. It's here, it's real, and it's worthy of discussion. And when I ask haole haters what their solution is to the problem............they have no solution..........just more hate.

Brah you should run for Governor or Mayor of Oahu! Republican ticket tho!!! I’d vote for you!!!! You some great ideas!! Mahalo!

I lived in kauai and experienced the racism at the beginning of covid and experienced the price increase at the same time! I have moved away and live in colorado but am planning to move back by the end of 2022. Your videos are great! Thank you!

so, are you running for public office? Sounds like you have a platform. Fully agree on Agri-Tech, but I think it needs to be home-grown entrepreneurs.

It is so true that we have too many out of state developers, leading to mainly a for profit. Look what happened on Kauai. And yes, lets provide better salary for our teachers. They lay the ground work for our future. Wonder why our children fail or we have a brain drain. We don't provide for our peoples. We need to be more sustainable here and not depending only on visitors. Tech can work from home. California is also expensive.

No luxury builds for 5 years. Any developer that does not build a particular amount in the 5 years doesn’t get permits after the 5 years.

Many are good ideas on the surface but doesn’t address actual issue and may lead to other issues. For example, why not just give teacher a raise instead of giving housing subsidy. The 5 year rule will cause a lot of confusion and people start to game the system and the resource and human effort wasted to maintain this rule. For tech, good idea to improve communication but this will cause housing price inflation. Diversification of business sound a good idea but if it is done wrong it will hurt the tourism business and then overall gain might be negative.

I do think you might consider running for Office. At high level Public Servant.

Charge homeowners an extra tax for homes valued above a certain amount, like 2 mil or whatever makes sense

Aloha! I hear you and thanks for providing solutions and not just problems. Your ideas are noble but I think they would treat the symptoms but not fix long term. I’ve met a lot of hard working and smart Hawaiian’s and if the barriers were removed great things would happen. I’m an educator and I’m not a believer that money would long term fix the retention. Teachers used to have the same level of respect in a community as Dr’s and Executives. Not any more. Big Shaka 🤙🏾 agreement on the Tech Ag would love to be involved in that movement. Keep up the hard conversations. Aloha!

You should consider running for local office, I’d be the first one to volunteer.

Chris for governor!!! 👍👍🤙🤙😃😃🙏🙏

You have some great ideas, why r the politicians notmtalking about this. Are they prisoners of the rich.

It’s terrible that native Hawaiian people can’t afford to live in their own state because of money and rich people!

Assist on teachers student loan , housing is a great idea

Great solutions for affordable housing on Oahu, yes a good transit system is the key to build cluster of communities, offering affordable housing, providing easy commute to the residents. Honolulu and Waikiki are just way too crowded and traffic on H1 puts LA traffic to shame during the rush hour. The pandemic really exposed how dependent Hawaii’s economy is on tourism, diversification is needed, offering incentives to high tech companies will help, and out of box solutions are needed. Agriculture is another field, where lot of local land can be used to provide for items, which are shipped from the mainland, the major suppliers to the food chains are making money & have no incentives to produce the stuff locally. I believe the State leadership & politicians will have to start thinking differently, since the business as usual is not working for the people who have elected them to serve.

You're probably the last generation that will be able to afford to buy their own place in Hawaii the way things are going. Everybody else missed the last boat.

Hawaii has been and has become the playground for the rich. That has caused native Hawaiians and locals to move away from the islands due to the unreasonably high prices of goods and services.

When we bought our home here in California, it was a matter to going to the model home office, pick a model and lot, and tell them to start building. For $220,000 we got a 2400 sq ft home in a gated community in one of the nicest areas of the Central Valley. Something went terribly wrong there in Hawaii, and everyone is paying for it now.

8:15 Not a good idea. 1st, the salary for beginning teachers is so low, that $500 would seem like a drop in the bucket. 2nd, what about teachers with over 5 years of experience who come from the mainland? 3rd, what about teachers who are military dependants? Your idea seems not fair and too abstract to be plausible?

Would a Hawaiian Homelands Casino at Kamakaina Alii Shopping Center offer any solutions or more social ills to the island? A casino at end of rail line would give the rail more purpose. Asian tourist would come to Hawaii for gambling. Hawaiian Homelands now gets money for building homes. You make Kapolei and Ko-Olina a booming real estate area. Added tax on money collected equals the funds you want for teachers. Only problem .... Would the casino be the biggest Creditor / holder of mortgage notes due to Hawaiians love to gamble?

Hawaii has some great schools in psychology and social studies - why not help deal with the massive homeless/mental health issues the state has by funding post graduate fellowships.

The best way to incentivize developers to develop under market housing units is fast pass on permits. Time is money. From planning to completion of a high rise often take years. If planning department can dole out permits at lightening speed for under market housing units, you can be sure developers will jump on the opportunity. Btw, Oahu def don’t want to have high tech companies relocate to the island because high salaries means medium price for housing go up even more. Anyone who’s not in high tech jobs will get left behind. See example… San Francisco.

😔

Such a pity. With it being close to many major countries in Asia. Hawaii could have taken this advantage and become sort of like the hub or gateway to Asia. Hawaiian leadership has always been very short sighted. Which is a shame.