Imperfections

Mikayla Hinkle

Period 4

November 23, 2013

Imperfections

Cost of living in Hawaii

Hawaii is viewed internationally as “Perfect” and “The ideal Vacation spot” but “Paradise” has become to costly to live in.  For years prices have been going up and we aren’t questioning it. The questions float through our head. Why? Why does electricity have to be so expensive?  Why are are food prices so high?  Can the average single family home afford a home on Oahu?  The  cost of living has risen to the point where only tourist can enjoy the island. 

Electricity has been sky rocketing here in Hawaii. The national average electricity rate in cents per kilowatt is 9.90. While in Hawaii it is 39.74. To me this is a drastic amount over our national average. Why should ours be so much more when we have such a small state. On average we spend $175 on electric a month. That is just outrageous. Electricity is a necessity and the price is sky high.

Groceries cost an average of 30 percent more in Hawaii than on the Mainland. This is due to the high shipping costs. Shipment is only small part to this insane amount more that we pay. only adding around a little but less than five percent to the retail price of food. But this is not the main reason. A much bigger factor is the need for grocers to maintain larger inventories in order to keep things on the shelves at all times. The more they means they wont run out and they will keep the customers happy. Happy customers means more money for them. One more tiny addition to the cost in Hawaii is the 4% tax on everything you buy. These things impact the cost of food in Hawaii.

Housing is extremely high priced in Hawaii. Average monthly cost of a house in the US is $1,540. The average home in Hawaii cost around $630,000 with fair a fair credit rating, no down payment and a low property tax of 1.25%. Your monthly payment would be $3,663. That is a shocking amount more. In articles it states that maximum 28% of your income should go to your housing. In Hawaii on a average income 66% of that goes to housing. We pay more than the US average.

After reading about the imperfections maybe you will see we aren’t the “perfect” Or ideal vacation spot” you saw us as. With the food costs, electricity and housing it is difficult. Honestly I feel bad for the people that are living here. Getting a job and paying for all of these needs and not having enough for some of our wants. We may seem like a astonishing place but really we have our fair share of flaws.