A new statewide survey reveals that Hawai‘i residents are facing a sharp decline in health outlook, with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Filipino, and low-income communities bearing the brunt of worsening disparities. The University of Hawai‘i Economic Research Organization’s Rapid Health Survey, which has tracked over 2,000 adults since 2022, shows a troubling drop in self-reported health and access to care.
Only 40% of adults rated their health as “excellent or very good” by the end of 2024, down from 44% in mid-2023. Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander respondents and those living in poverty, that number plummeted to just 23%.
Mental health challenges are also on the rise. Thirty-one percent of respondents reported symptoms of depression, with severe symptoms highest among young adults, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Filipino, and low-income groups. A separate study on the aftermath of the 2023 Maui wildfires found more than half of Maui residents reported depression, with 30% experiencing moderate or severe anxiety.
Access to care is deteriorating. Adults missing needed mental health care jumped from 5% to 22% in just 18 months. Young adults were hit hardest, with 39% missing care. Provider shortages and cost were the most cited barriers.
Food insecurity remains high, especially among those near or below the poverty line, where only 33% reported being food secure.
“These inequities are not isolated; they stem from systemic barriers that demand coordinated, equity-driven action,” the report concludes.
See “Hawai‘i’s health perceptions declining: New survey reveals widening disparities” (May 21, 2025)