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Need houses? Then build houses
The prediction that the median price of a single-family home on Oahu in 2015 will increase by 37 percent compared to last year to almost $800,000 is a reminder that more homes need to be built on Oahu, if we want home prices to ever fall or at least stabilize.
Economists at the University of Hawaii said the recovering economy, historic low interest rates, low housing inventory and the almost total lack of new home construction were among causal factors. But the problem is deeper than that.
We need to closely examine Hawaii’s laws, cultural norms and social expectations to see what is constraining homebuilding in these islands. If we don’t look at this problem systematically, and soon, forget ever talking again about "affordable housing."
Hawaiian Air raises a toast
Are you up for a free meal with wine? That’s what Hawaiian Airlines flights between Hawaii and the mainland are offering while many other airlines are charging for food and drink, says Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s CEO.
The airline will spend $25 million a year to invest in creating what Dunkerley calls "a sense of difference in association with the community that we call home and the responsibility of selling Hawaii."
Peter Ingram, Hawaiian’s chief commercial officer, says the freebies are in recognition that food "is part of the Hawaii host culture."
Indeed. Pass the guava jelly, please.