Maui Now released a survey on Friday, Sept. 2, asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County.

The survey questions focused on local topics including:

• The quality of public education in Hawaiʻi,
• Mail-in ballots vs. in-person voting,
• Capping visitor accommodations to mitigate over-tourism,
• Change in household expenses in the past month, and
• Persisting population growth of axis deer.

Survey responses were collected for 14 days from Sept. 2 to 15, 2022.

Announcements inviting the public to take the survey were posted on Maui Now’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, website, newsletters, and mobile app.

Maui Now received 449 verified responses with 96% identifying as Maui County residents and 4% identifying as non-residents. A total of 92% of respondents identified as registered voters and 8% as non-registered voters.

In September 2022, only 5% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that the quality of public education in Hawaiʻi has improved, 29% said the quality stayed about the same, and 67% said that quality declined.

For the 2022-2023 school year, Hawai‘i K-12 schools will receive $58,193,270 in new federal funding to support programs aimed at helping to educate students in low-income communities.

This year’s funding is an increase of $1,675,317 from the 2021-2022 school year. Read more about how the new federal funding will be allocated here.

As the Nov. 8 general election nears, 71% percent of Maui Now survey respondents reported that they are very or somewhat comfortable with mail-in ballots. An estimated 29% of survey respondents reported that they are not very or not at all comfortable with mail-in voting.

The state Office of Elections advises voters that they can sign up to receive ballot tracking alerts via text, email, or voice alerts letting them know where their ballot is in the voting process. Read more about the ballot tracking service here.

Maui Mayoral candidates Richard Bissen and Michael Victorino will answer questions from a panel of Maui reporters on Saturday, Oct. 15. The mayoral debate will be broadcast live on Akakū from Seabury Hall in Makawao. Read more about the upcoming event here.

A estimated 78% of Maui Now readers reported that they support capping the number of visitor accommodations to help mitigate over-tourism, 11% are undecided, and 12% said they will not support capping visitor accommodations.

There are currently more than 24,000 visitor lodging units, according to 2021 data from the county’s Real Property Assessment Division.

Read more about the over-tourism and transient accommodations debate here.

A majority or 80% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that their overall household expenses have increased in the last 30 days, 2% reported a decrease in expenses, and 18% said their expenses stayed about the same.

The axis deer population on Maui County has grown to approximately 60,000 or more with state officials saying it cannot be sustained by the environment.

On Sept. 20, Gov. David Ige issued a fourth proclamation establishing another emergency relief period for the axis deer crisis in Maui County.

According to state officials, the large number of deer has devastated pasture forage and vegetation that are already scarce because of continuing drought conditions.

An estimated 45% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that they are very concerned with the persisting issue, 32% are somewhat concerned, 15% are not very concerned, and 8% are not at all concerned.

Read more about the persisting issue and fourth proclamation here.

NOTE: This is not a scientific survey, the results only reflect the opinions of survey respondents.

NOTE: This is not a scientific survey, the results only reflect the opinions of survey respondents.

Maui Now released a survey on Thursday, June 16, asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. The survey questions focused on local topics including:

• Residential rental prices spiking 41% on Maui,
• Community confidence on Maui County government is helping to create more affordable housing,
• Persisting drought conditions affecting Maui County’s water supply and the looming projected 20% rise in electric bills,
• Maui Police Department’s report of an increase in violent and property crimes, and
• Upcoming Maui County mayoral and the council races.

Survey responses were collected for 14 days from June 16 to June 29, 2022.

Announcements inviting the public to take the survey were posted on Maui Now’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, website, newsletters, and mobile app.

Maui Now received 910 verified responses with 93% identifying as Maui County residents and 7% identifying as non-residents. A total of 91% of respondents identified as registered voters and 9% as non-registered voters.

In June 2022, 46% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that residential rental prices spiking 41% on Maui strongly affected them, 25% said they were somewhat affected, and 29% said that they were not at all affected.

Residential rental prices surged 41% in asking prices compared with the same time last year, according to a May 2022 report from University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization.

In March 2021, the median-priced Craigslist posting for a rental unit on Maui was $1,850, while in March 2022 it had risen to $2,600, according to rental postings on Craigslist, which may not be representative of the overall market, UHERO said. Read more about this issue here.

Majority of Maui Now survey respondents are not confident that the Maui County government will help to create more affordable housing – with 83% reporting very little or no confidence in the county government.

2% of survey respondents reported that they were confident that Maui County will help to create more affordable housing, 15% are somewhat confident, 43% are not very confident, and 40% are not at all confident.

On June 30, a Maui County Council committee recommended approval of a measure that aims to make affordable housing more affordable. Read more about this measure here.

96% of Maui Now survey respondents reported concern about persisting drought conditions in Maui County affecting the county’s water supply, combined with a projected 20% rise in electric bills – 3% are not very concerned, and 1% are not at all concerned.

In March, Hawaiian Electric forecasted that residential bills for customers in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties will rise about 20% over the next several months, while O‘ahu customers will see an estimated 10% increase. Read more about the forecast.

Beginning June 30, the Department of Water Supply prohibited Upcountry and West Maui water consumers from using water for irrigation, watering lawns, washing vehicles or other nonessential activities. Learn more here.

70% of survey respondents reported that they are very concerned with the Maui Police Department’s recent report of an increase in violent and property crimes this year, 23% of respondents are somewhat concerned, 5% are not very concerned, and 1% are not at all concerned.

In May, Maui police saw a 4% increase in violent crime and a 17% increase in property crime so far this year. Meanwhile, arrests for violent crimes are up 2% and arrests for property crimes are up 43% year to date, as of Monday. Read more about this report here.

With Maui County voters expected to select their favored candidates at the primary election in August, Maui Now asked its readers if they are planning to vote in this year’s mayoral and council races.

82% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that they plan to vote in the Maui County mayoral and council races this year, 8% are undecided, and 10% do not plan on voting this year.

Information on key races of Maui interest can be found here.

• Hawaiʻi’s Safe Travels Program ending,
• Reports of historic drought conditions and record low stream flow in Maui County,
• The growing number of fast food chains opening,
• Easing regulations to create more housing units,
• Over-tourism and its impacts on Maui’s resources and infrastructure.

Survey responses were collected for 14 days from April 22 to May 5, 2022.

Announcements inviting the public to take the survey were posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Maui Now’s website and newsletters.

Maui Now received 608 verified responses with 87% identifying as Maui County residents and 13% identifying as non-residents.

A total of 89% of respondents identified as registered voters.

According to the Maui Now reader survey, 45% of respondents were very satisfied with Hawaiʻi’s Safe Travels Program ending on March 26, 21% were somewhat satisfied, 15% were not very satisfied, and 11% were not all satisfied.

As of Saturday, March 26, at 12:01 a.m., the mandatory quarantine for incoming passengers and the Safe Travels program ended. Passengers arriving from any domestic destination will not have to show proof of vaccination or a pre travel test. They will not have to create a Safe Travels account or provide travel information and trip details as they have been.

All pre and post arrival screening ended. This includes post-boarding screening at the airports by participating airlines. This is for domestic travel only, and does not apply to international travelers who must follow federal guidelines. Read more.

Maui Now survey respondents are divided whether Maui County should ease regulations to create more housing units – with 51% saying “yes” to easing regulations and 49% saying “no” to easing regulations.

In a new report from the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization, rent prices spiked over the first few months this year, with Maui seeing a 41% surge in asking prices compared with the same time last year. Read more.

According to state data, more Maui County homes were purchased by out-of-state buyers last year than in recent years. Read more.

With at least four fast food chains opening this summer in Kahului, 40% of survey respondents expressed concerned with the increase of national fast-food chains opening in Maui County, 24% are somewhat concerned, 16% are not very concerned, and 20% are not at all concerned.

Chick-fil-A, Raising Cane’s, Sonic, Taco Bell and Teddy’s Bigger Burgers (which has ties to Hawaiʻi) have each announced plans to open this year. Read more.

Maui Now survey respondents expressed their concern with over-tourism’s impact on Maui’s resources and infrastructure with 75% saying that the county needs to do more to address over-tourism, 18% are neutral, and 7% saying that all possible actions to address over-tourism has been taken by the county.

An estimated 62% of Maui Now survey respondents reported that they are very concerned with recent reports of “historic” drought conditions in Maui County accompanied by record low stream flow, 28% are somewhat concerned, 7% are not very concerned, and 3% are not at all concerned.

In March, state officials described current drought conditions in Maui County as “historic,” and advised people to take immediate action to reduce water use.

“Most of Hawai‘i is beginning to experience drought conditions, during the time of year when rain is normally plentiful and regular,” according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Read more.

NOTE: This is not a scientific survey, the results only reflect the opinions of survey respondents.

On Thursday, March 17, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. The survey questions included topics from booster shot requirements, the return of cruise ships to Maui, staff shortages, and commercial downhill bicycling tours on the roadways of Haleakalā.

Survey responses were collected for 14 days from March 17 to 30, 2022.

Announcements inviting the public to take the survey were posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the Maui Now website.

Maui Now received 544 verified responses with 90% identifying as Maui County residents and 10% identifying as non-residents. A total of 86% of respondents identified as registered voters and 14% as non-registered voters.

In the March 2022 Maui Now Reader survey, 70% of respondents were very concerned with the recent increase of out-of-state Maui home buyers in the past year, 12% of survey respondents were somewhat concerned, 10% of survey respondents were not very concerned, and 8% of survey respondents were not all concerned.

According to state data, more Maui County homes were purchased by out-of-state buyers last year than in recent years.

Mainland and international residents purchased 1,124 homes in Maui County last year, compared with 689 units in 2020 and 760 units in 2019, a recent fourth quarter report from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism showed. Read more about this issue here.

83% of Maui Now survey respondents think that Maui County should cap transient accommodations – visitor units, while 17% of respondents think Maui County should not cap transient accommodations.

In a Maui County Council committee meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 23, some residents supported a plan to cap Maui’s transient accommodations while industry testifiers questioned whether a ceiling would have unintended legal and financial consequences. Read more about the debate here.

69% of Maui Now survey respondents believe that Maui County should raise property taxes on second homes, while 31% of respondents believed that Maui County should not raise property taxes on second homes.

In a presentation at Maui County council's Affordable Housing Committee on Monday, March 14, leaving property taxes at the lowest in the nation could actually spur investment home buys in Maui County. Read more about this report here.

About 70% of purchases in 2020 were non-owner occupied, second homes, Hawaiʻi Information Service said. Meanwhile, Hawaiʻi this year ranked lowest in the nation for property taxes by state, according to a WalletHub study published this month. 

38% of Maui Now survey respondents said that they are driving less after the recent increase of gas prices, 1% said they are driving more, and 61% are driving about the same.

Hawaiʻi gas prices began heading up quickly in the last week, setting even more daily records over the last few days, according to the AAA Hawaiʻi Weekend Gas Watch.

The average regular unleaded gas price for Hawaiʻi is $5.20, which is 11 cents higher than last week and a new record for the state. The average national price is $4.23, down one cent from a week ago. Read more about AAA Hawaiʻi's report here.

71% of Maui Now survey respondents said that they are very concerned with Hawaiian Electric's forecast of Maui residential bills rising to 20% in the coming months. 22% of respondents said that they are somewhat concerned, 5% were not very concerned, and 2% not at all concerned.

Hawaiian Electric forecasted last month that residential bills for customers in Maui and Hawaiʻi counties will rise about 20% over the next several months, while O‘ahu customers will see an estimated 10% increase. Read more about Hawaiian Electric's forecast here.

On Thursday, Feb. 3, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County. The survey questions included topics from booster shot requirements, the return of cruise ships to Maui, staff shortages, and commercial downhill bicycling tours on the roadways of Haleakalā.

Survey responses were collected for 14 days from Feb. 3 to 16, 2022.

Announcements inviting the public to take the survey were posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the Maui Now website.

Maui Now received 1,402 verified responses with 83% identifying as Maui County residents and 17% identifying as non-residents. A total of 89% of respondents identified as registered voters and 11% as non-registered voters.

At the time the Maui Now survey was released, vaccine booster shot requirements were in place to access certain Maui County businesses.

On Monday, Feb. 21, the longstanding rule regarding proof of vaccination status to dine-in at restaurants or to visit other “high risk” businesses like bars and gyms was lifted. Read more about the Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino's announcement here.

On Friday, Feb. 4, Mayor Victorino announced relaxing the restriction that had required patrons to show proof of “updated” vaccination status reflecting booster completion for those who qualified, if they wanted to dine inside restaurants, or visit other businesses considered by the county to be “high-risk.” Read more about the announcement here.

*The following question was posed when the booster requirement was in place. It has since been lifted.

More than half of survey respondents, 51% are dissatisfied with the decision to allow cruise ships back to Maui.

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, the Grand Princess cruise ship arrived at Kahului Harbor with an estimated 1,188 passengers aboard and 900-plus crew members. The cruise ship was the first with passengers to disembark in 22 months. Read more about the vessel's arrival here.

A majority of survey respondents, 96% believe that local families are being priced out of Maui County due to rising costs. In addition, 44% of survey respondents reported experiencing staff shortages at their place of employment .

In a video interview with Maui Now, attorney Shannon Sheldon shared her thoughts about the out-migration of talent and long-time residents from Hawai’i to the mainland. Sheldon identified increasing costs as a primary factor for Hawai'i's "brain drain."

Recent reports by employers also show that staff shortages are widespread. For instance, in December 2021, trash collection for many areas in Upcountry Maui was delayed.

An estimated 52% of respondents feel that commercial downhill bicycling tours on the roadways of Haleakalā should not be allowed, 26% have no opinion and 23% feel that they should be allowed.

Decades-old concerns over Maui downhill bicycling have resurfaced in recent months, and many hope Maui County Council deliberations on the topic will help pave a new, safer path forward. Read more about this issue here.

To help ensure accuracy, all participants were required to verify their information by logging in through one of the following services: HubHawaii.com, Facebook, Amazon or Google. Email addresses were also compared for duplicates to ensure each respondent received only one vote.

On Friday, Dec. 17, Maui Now released a survey asking its readers to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County from the omicron variant of the coronavirus including: inflation, real estate and employment.

Responses for the survey were collected for 14 days between Friday, Dec. 17 to Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Announcements to the public to take the survey were posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the Maui Now website.

Maui Now received 234 verified responses with 94% identifying as Maui County residents and 6% identifying as non-residents.

Employment

A total of 53% of Maui Now survey respondents were employed, 7% unemployed and 40% identified as neither - as self-employed, retired, etc.

Despite the hardships brought on by the coronavirus, 20% of Maui Now readers started a new job and/or business in the last year.

Holiday Consumer Spending

Nearly half or 47% of Maui Now survey respondents spent less on holiday shopping this year compared to last year, 14% spent more and 38% spent the same as before.

A significant percentage, 47%, of Maui Now survey respondents chose to fulfill more of their holiday shopping online this year compared to last year. An estimated 12% of respondents shopped more in-stores and 41% spent about the same in-store and online.

Inflation

An estimated 57% of Maui Now survey respondents are very concerned about inflation, 36% are somewhat concerned, 5% are not very concerned, and 2% are not at all concerned.

An estimated 68% of Maui Now survey respondents had to reduce their discretionary spending because of increasing costs while 32% did not have to adjust their spending.

Travel

As for travel, 41% of Maui Now survey respondents are planning an out-of-state vacation in the next six months while 59% have no plans to travel out of Hawaiʻi.

Housing and Cost of Living

A strong percentage of Maui Now respondents are concerned about the cost of living on Maui with the majority feeling like local families are being priced out of Maui real estate.

Coronavirus

Concerns regarding the omicron variant of the coronavirus show mixed results among Maui Now survey respondents: 22% are very concerned, 34% are somewhat concerned, 17% are not very concerned and 27% are not at all concerned.

Government Coronavirus Policies

An estimated 48% of Maui Now readers approve of Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino's current coronavirus-related policies with 52% disapproving of the current policies.

The survey found that 45% of Maui Now readers approve of Hawaiʻi Governor David Ige's current coronavirus-related policies with 55% disapproving of his current policies.

To help ensure accuracy, all participants were required to verify their information by logging in through one of the following services: HubHawaii.com, Facebook, Amazon or Google. E-mail addresses were also compared for duplicates to ensure each surveyee receives only one vote.

On Monday, Sept. 20, Maui Now released a survey asking the public to share their opinions and attitudes toward current issues affecting Maui County from the coronavirus pandemic, the economy and its leadership.

Responses for the survey were collected for seven days between Monday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. Announcements to the public to take the survey were posted on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and the Maui Now website.

Maui Now received 1953 verified responses with 98% identifying as Maui County residents and 2% identifying as non-residents.

The survey showed that concerns towards a coronavirus infection are roughly evenly divided amongst survey participants with more respondents leaning towards "not very" or "not at all."

On the contrary, the majority of the respondents are more concerned about Maui County's economy - 67% of participants saying that they are very concerned and 27% of participants saying that they are somewhat concerned about the economy.

The majority of survey respondents also showed disapproval of Maui County Mayor Victorino's handling of the coronavirus pandemic - with 81% of survey participants saying they disapprove and 19% saying they approve of his handling of the pandemic.

On the state level, survey takers showed a slightly higher percentage of disapproval regarding Governor Ige's handling of the coronavirus pandemic with 85% of survey participants saying they disapprove and 15% saying they approve of his handling of the pandemic.

In regards to the state's actions with vaccine mandates, 74% of respondents think that it is not a step in the right direction while 26% agrees that the mandates are a step in the right direction.

To help ensure accuracy, all participants were required to verify their information by logging in through one of the following services: HubHawaii.com, Facebook, Amazon or Google. E-mail addresses were also compared for duplicates to ensure each surveyee receives only one vote.