Question: How was the Honolulu median income for 2018 calculated? Specifically, I am referring to a story on Page B5 of Sunday’s paper (808ne.ws/1118sty) that said the Honolulu median income is $81,700 for a single person. I know a lot of single people — schoolteachers, police officers, waiters, etc. — and none of us makes near that.
Answer: That figure comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates of median family income. To calculate it, information from the 2015 ACS was adjusted for inflation to estimate current amounts. Read details about how the 2018 estimates were derived at 808ne.ws/acscalc.
Median income marks the midpoint, at which half of all earners in the category earn more and half make less. It is not the same as average income.
HUD establishes eligibility for subsidized housing based on income compared with an area median.
By family size, the median family income in Honolulu County in 2018 was estimated at $81,700 for one person, $93,300 for two, $105,000 for three, $116,600 for four, $126,000 for five, $135,300 for six, $144,600 for seven and $154,000 for a family of eight, according to HUD.
See the 2018 median income estimates for all counties in Hawaii at 808ne.ws/hudincome. Check the tables titled “income schedule by family size.” Look at the “100 percent” entry for median income for a particular category.
Q: What do they count as income?
A: The American Community Survey asks respondents to estimate total net income in the past 12 months from wages, salary, commissions, bonuses or tips from all jobs; self-employment income from any owned business, including proprietorships and partnerships; interest, dividends, net rental income, royalty income, or income from estates and trusts; Social Security and Railroad Retirement; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); any public assistance or welfare payments from state or local welfare offices; retirement, survivor or disability pensions beyond Social Security; and any other source of income received regularly, such as VA payments, unemployment compensation, child support or alimony.
Q: I have never received this survey.
A: The ACS surveys only a sampling of the population, and projects findings out to the broader community. Nationwide, about 3.5 million people a year are asked to fill out the ACS, including about 9,500 in Hawaii, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Auwe
My husband, a Vietnam War veteran, went to a fish market in Waipahu on Nov. 16. While choosing some local products, he absentmindedly set his cane aside. A few minutes after leaving the store, he remembered that he had forgotten his well-needed cane. In the meantime a customer found the cane and gave it to a clerk, hoping the owner would come back to fetch it. My husband went in to claim his cane and auwe, it was gone! The clerk turned to grab the cane and was stunned to see that it had disappeared. Why would someone take something belonging to a disabled person? Is it just the thought of stealing something that doesn’t belong to you and getting away with it? My husband dearly depended on that implement to help him get around better! — A senior citizen
Mahalo
I would like to extend my mahalo to Judge (Matthew J.) Viola at the the 1st Circuit Court for making a point to speak to a roomful of us jury-poolers and thank us profusely for coming to serve the court. Something unexpected came up and we were all dismissed, but he insisted on thanking everyone himself instead of just being told to go home. His respect for our time was appreciated. — S.S.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
