Who Are Hawai‘i’s Working Poor? | Insights on PBS Hawai'i

According to a recent Aloha United Way report, nearly 50 percent of Hawai‘i households are unable to make ends meet. Around 11 percent are living below the poverty level, and about a third could be considered Hawai‘i’s “Working Poor,” or “ALICE,” an acronym coined by United Way that stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
These households have income above the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford basic necessities including housing, child care, food, transportation and health care. How does this affect our community’s economic outlook, if nearly half of our population struggles to make ends meet?
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#hawaii #poverty #living

[@Skidkid]

I am Hawaii’s working poor. What I’ve learned here is to not give up, to remain grateful and if things keep moving in the direction they have been it won’t be long till I’m making up some ground.

[@alohastateofmind3565]

Should be mandatory viewing for someone considering a move to Hawaii.

[@ajrichards1190]

Some people move to the islands to take advantage of working poor by buying their houses, fixing them up, and selling them for a mass profit.

[@hothotheat3000]

People think they’ll just move and “make it work”. After a year, the honeymoon is over and reality kicks in.

[@utubecomment21]

With the greatest respect, why would this need to be mandatory viewing? Personally, before the first lockdown I bought my third multimillion pound (UK) property, for cash, no mortgage (like my other properties. I did the 9-5, I did the degree education route, and it got me nowhere. When I started to learn about money, my life changed. Now, I can afford to buy a property in what ever country I like. And if It doesn't work out, I have the money to move! Most don't have the ability to do that! If you want to help, teach people about money/finance. I saw my friend the other day. Two years ago, he asked me what he could do to get ahead, as he hates his job, he's got a mortgage, and he's struggling. I told him; "Monday morning, sell your house, ... rent ... , take the collateral, and put it in the markets." Obviously he hasn't done it, and he's in a worse position because of covid where he's probably gonna get house repossessed in a time when i've never made so much money in so short a time. The markets are shooting up, bitcoin has gone up over 500% Amazon over 50%, Tesla 100%+ etc, etc, and my friend and his family staring down the barrel of homelessness, because he's acted on bad advice (Anton Kreil - Mortgages - THE ... Worst Way To Buy A House! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/jImyeZ6pbZl_a9U ), and when he's given good advice, he won't act on it. I have wasted so much of my time, trying to tell people around me, the people who I grew up with, went to school with, my family members to simply do what I did. None of them act on my advice, and none of them are in the comfortable financial position as I am! Instead, they sit and complain about how much their life sucks … just like the people in this video. Meanwhile, I spent all of yesterday watching videos of this sub $1,500,000 power boat capable of 200mph kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIrYfZaimpycfas&ab_channel=THEBOATSHOW which i'm contemplating buying ... in cash, instead of buying another supercar! Mines a GTR BTW This (video link below) should be mandatory viewing, because taking the advice here is when my life turned around. And my friends and family will take time to watch a fictional character dance around on screen for 2 hours, yet they won't take 2 hours to take advice that will change their lives if acted upon … shocking! Priorities!!!! I hope you'll be different, and take to time to watch and act on the advice given. kzbin.info/www/bejne/apKYYqqHdrR6iJY&ab_channel=InstituteofTrading All the best

[@rching5039]

We need a Update on this show since covid 19 happened

[@cbhaessig]

You mean since the Plandemic .. I’d like to see it after they con everyone to take that MRNA jab . We dealing with some very evil criminals in Government.

[@susan638]

This was a very important detailed discussion about poverty in the workforce, yet the video barely gets over 10,000 views in 3.5 years? I bet the government is pleased that the You-Tube algorithms are doing their job. It's almost 2022, so has the quality of life for the working poor improved? Please update what is going on with these issues now.

[@loisaustin6200]

I am just watching this video today in May 2023 and from all I read and see, the situation in Hawaii has gotten worse with more homeless, stagnant wages, locals fleeing because they can no longer make it. A lot of talk always about wanting to help, but I honestly believe NO ONE has any answers or knows just what to do. It is very sad to see how horrible things have become, not only for beautiful Hawaii, but nationwide in America is just three years. People are in dire straights and suffering.

[@karensparks2509]

I’ve been seeing where Hawaiians are leaving. I lived there in the 70’s. The aloha spirit is one thing I remember. It was like stepping into a different zone I’d never experienced. I loved it there. I would hate to think true Hawaiians leave their beloved Hawaii for the Mainland. No matter what you do always keep your solutions to keep them there. Not only will you allow them to lose their land, you will lose the people themselves. Please do what ever it takes for this not to happen.

[@eugenegauggel1000]

Maybe the universe is telling us to export and share the Aloha spirit ....Americans could sure use it right about now! suerely ther is an upside to this crisis in many places beyond Our beloved Hawai'i nei.....

[@bn3807]

Thank you 🙏

[@alanwilson2073]

I like the tiny homes idea. That would be an excellent start to getting ahead in these islands.

[@eugenegauggel1000]

My father taught music at Kam school as well as at Punahou. My uncle Robert Clopton was head of the Education Dept. at UH Manoa in 1954. He got me into University high school where I grad in 1960. He was also instrumental in getting my father a position in the Music Dept., the very reason my family re-located from East Texas.

[@ryohn5468]

Banks. Commerce, Tourism, Development, Racism, Statehood, Militarization, US government have a lot to do with the economy and cost of living there.

[@utubecomment21]

I what way. Please give us the break down?

[@casper-z9rkls6gl]

It's the same situation all over the world, outside of Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway.

[@cbhaessig]

It’s because all the countries are run by a bunch of human hating Satanic Worshippers

[@cbhaessig]

This is sad and it’s sad the criminals in Government get richer while everyone is ending up in the streets

[@viethuynh6808]

I lived in Waikiki from 2009-2019. I ride the bus 8 to kuhio to Ala Moana. I worked at times supermarket and kalani high school. I love Hawaii and now I live in Turlock, California. I made less than $20,000/yr.

[@eugenegauggel1000]

I grew up in Honolulu from 1954 to 1972. I grad U o H Manoa with a BFA in Art in 1972. I left for the mainland. I cried a river of tears, in search of who I am. I landed in SAn Fran, Calif. where I found myself. I favor the idea of houselessness for those Kama'ainas who can live on the aina, be it beach parks, or tents in the woods up Aiea Heights or Halawa Heights, etc. We lived in Aliamanu.......My folks played viola in the Honolulu Symphony orchestra for 35 years.

[@user-lvqk2wdp8sjn]

Hon, SF, NY . . . the 3 most expensive cities in the USA, along with struggling workers, houselessness, taxes, exodus and influx of people.

[@patriciayomes8800]

Governor Ige should release Hawaiian money/land to help the Hawaiians who are homeless. Helping the poor n homeless is a gift of kindness--dealing with violence n other dangerous issue is the Law responsibility. Doing the graph of individuals income on TV. How does that help those who is in need for immediate resources?

[@angelanatasha4418]

Yes like they do for the Native Americans ; they get aide and tribal benefits for they're blood quantum.The Hawaiians should at least be entitled to the same 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@patriciayomes8800]

@@angelanatasha4418 Thank you!

[@eugenegauggel1000]

I suggest every resident, Malihinis and Kama'ainas alike, doing Ho'oponopono to get harmony with each other and the land and government. [Ben Caetano was governor back then]. Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona was a kahuna lapa' au since childhood. She was 90 plus percent Hawaiian. I met her when she ran the health spa downstairs in the Royal Hawaiian Hotel ...the grand pink hotel, one of the first two dating back to the 1920's. She found a way to adapt the traditional amends-making systems practice so that any individual could practice it. It was originally a systems phenomenon, involving an enitire extended family in old Hawai'i nei.

[@howellwong11]

I'm 1/4 Hawaiian and left Hawaii in 1953 to get an electrical engineering degree on the mainland. I never returned except for visits.

[@NuEyedeas]

Well based on todays standards houses were super affordable all the way up till 2012. There are a lot of families who were able to scoop up 4-5 properties back in the day. Now, buying one house seems nearly impossible.

[@commonmandenver7370]

Whoever came up with the acronym "Alice" to describe the working poor in Honolulu shows just how Un-serious they are with this reality.! WTF.

[@dustinauclaire1813]

Need to keep families together, strength in numbers. Cut the cost of living in about half by marriage alone. Also talking about education in jobs remember it only takes a signature to eliminate thousands of jobs without having jobs available to fill. Instant poverty. Raising taxes only tips the scales long term.

[@utubecomment21]

"Cut the cost of living in about half by marriage alone." How does marriage cut the cost in half? Please give me the financial data on how that happens.

[@dustinauclaire1813]

@@utubecomment21 instead of paying for everything twice, rent/mortgage, utilities, and discounts. Are just examples of several ways to reduce debt.

[@utubecomment21]

@@dustinauclaire1813 Marriage doesn't cure that, as most people simply live together nowadays. So what is it about marriage that's an advantage? Example, my sister isn't married, has two kids, and my (sub) brother-in-law has just secured a job @ just over £200,000 plus benefits that could run at 50% of salary. Now … as I'm the older brother with a sense of old school morality, I would like my younger sister(s) to get married … however from a financial standpoint, marriage isn't really an incentive for them! My baby sister, of whom, I'm very proud, models for Rebok, has had her face posted all around the UK in a well chain of shops, and more recently, she played an Amazon Warrior in Wonder Woman 1984 (now you can understand why I'm proud of her). Unfortunately, her scene was cut from the final cut (might be in the extended version when it comes out) but she got the accreditation in her IMDB page (which for the sake of anonymity I won't share here). She was also in the film adaptation of Aladin. But again, I can't see what her, and her famous partner would gain financially by marrying. Now again, I have to press that I'm very much for marriage, but I'm also positive that it shouldn't be induced through any kind of financial, governmental incentive. One shouldn't be rewarded for being in marriage above any other hard-working, tax paying citizen.

[@dustinauclaire1813]

@@utubecomment21 sounds like great success, I myself is a bit old school and biblical so when I think of people living together I thing of marriage, but yes in today’s world it can represent several different things, roommates or similar. I just thinking in long term relationship with a good foundation. Typically higher incomes don’t feel the effects of lower income individuals because they have disposable income unless they are living beyond there means. Lower income every penny counts even the ones you actually pick up on the streets.

[@utubecomment21]

@@dustinauclaire1813 "sounds like great success" I come from a very average working class family. We have had some very hard times, but we never let that stop us! As for my baby sister, she loved to dance, so she went through dance school in south London … managed to get into a West End Show (London) … she's beautiful anyway, and so I guess that's how/why she got the modelling jobs. As for her stint in Wonder Woman 1984, I asked her; "Why didn't they just get actresses to play the part" She told me that due to the physical nature of the role, they decided to hire dancers because they felt they were fit enough to cope with the role. They all went through a rigorous 4-month weight training regime. My sister, I remember changing her nappies (UK for - Diaper) when she was a baby, and now she's in the biggest movie (flop) of the year. WW1984 … wasn't the best film I've seen TBH! But still, I'm very proud of her.

[@davidtobita2285]

Aloha everyone the lord is kind in these hard times l love living in a van close to my love the shorelines of Lahaina surf dive fishing I love to share food to help people give from the heart God will provide for our needs not wants yea just sharing a meal talking story with others really helps compassion the love of Jesus over comes evil be filled with Gods love and evil will have no room in your heart Kokua help with out being told with in your means a little is better then none love all of you we can make it our home hawaii❤❤❤😊

[@dustinauclaire1813]

Question how many in government policies are from California and Washington? Just seem Hawaii is going the same direction and nothing is really being done about it.

[@user-lvqk2wdp8sjn]

It's the other way around; some decades ago, lots of Hawaiians moved to California and Washington (State). But now they're going to Vegas.

[@RunTheComps]

when actual hawaiians...cant live in hawaii...we have a problem...

[@jessiv841]

It seems millenials aren't so much minimalists as they are seeking a level of financial security that enables them to connect with family and community.

[@utubecomment21]

"seeking a level of financial security that enables them to connect with family and community." Or in other words, they want it all now, yesterday, and they don't want to work for it!

[@hnttakata713]

Time to build a place where people can transition. Find the money Governor; build a transition location with social services and identify those in need of housing, mental health support and or to be reunited with family which may mean sent back to their country somewhere else.

[@wilfredmotosue2615]

We have to put a limit on how many years a family can stay at a affordable unit. It could be 5 years to be able to stay in a affordable unit where they can get on their feet and get ahead during that time. Then they have to move out and give the next family chance to get ahead in life. We don't have the properties or money to keep building affordable rentals forever to house all the qualified families on Oahu. No way.

[@princesssadieloo]

I just returned from a trip to Oahu and it is massively expensive that I see California as cheap and that’s saying a lot… I don’t know how people in Hawaii can survive with such a high cost of living… it’s paradise but it definitely comes at a high cost when you have to work 3 jobs just to survive…😔

[@SunnyIlha]

Everybody.

[@louhawk559]

Help the people by not being greedy. Or dump all the poor in the ocean by plane..

[@ryohn5468]

They're all welcome to come to Ohio!

[@tednguyen8310]

is life cheap there?

[@Scorch1028]

Why is it spelled "Hawaii", if the natives pronounce it as "Huh-vuh-ee"?

[@alexcarter8807]

It's to piss you off.

[@GonkDroid0923]

Its actually because in the hawaiian language, w is pronounced like a v.

[@ryohn5468]

@@GonkDroid0923 yes you're correct. W is a v sound in many words

[@eugenegauggel1000]

Aloooha and A hui hou