If I could change one thing to make it possible for not just me, but any local resident to stay in Hawaii, it would be to: Address the housing affordability crisis by significantly reducing the cost of housing through policies that prioritize affordable homes for residents over outside investors or vacation rentals. Housing is the primary reason many local residents are being forced to leave. The median home price in places like Oʻahu or Maui has soared well above what most working families can afford, while wages have remained relatively stagnant. Much of this is driven by: 1. Investment from non-residents (who don’t live full-time in the homes they buy) 2. Short-term vacation rentals reducing long-term housing supply 3. Limited land availability due to geography and zoning While this is just one policy change, it could include: 1. Restrictions or higher taxes on non-resident purchases 2. Stricter limits on short-term rentals 3. Expanding community land trusts to keep housing permanently affordable 4. Zoning reform to allow more multi-family or ʻohana units 5. Incentives for local ownership and rental stabilization Introducing policies that give local residents first dibs on housing opportunities – through tax credits, down payment assistance programs, or “local preference” in housing lotteries – could level the playing field. A rent-to-own model could also help families transition from renters to homeowners.