2026 Quality of Life Survey: Hawaiʻi residents healthier with higher life satisfaction
UH News, October 12, 2026
The Social Science Research Institute’s Health Policy Initiative in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, in partnership with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, launched the 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard on October 12. Based on responses from more than 10,000 residents statewide, the dashboard shows people are more satisfied with their lives and healthier than in 2024, yet more are thinking about leaving the islands.
“Overall, well-being is improving and that is very encouraging,” said Governor Josh Green. “But there are still gaps between households that are doing well and those that are struggling. Too many residents, especially our younger adults and families, are questioning whether they can build a future here. We will continue to do more to make sure our children can come back and make a life here.”
“Two years after our initial survey in 2024, the newly released 2026 data let us see not just where Hawaiʻi stands, but which way we are heading on various measures of health and well-being,” said Jack Barile, principal investigator and director of the Social Science Research Institute in the UH Manoa College of Social Sciences. “While younger adults continue to report significant mental health and affordability concerns, the data also point to stronger family, friend and community support. Building on these sources of resilience can help create the conditions for younger residents to remain, thrive and build their futures here.”
Key findings from the dashboard
Life satisfaction and overall health and well-being are up: 88% of residents say they are very or somewhat satisfied with their lives, up from 82% in 2024. Residents averaged 5.10 physically and 6.36 mentally unhealthy days in the past month previous to being surveyed, down from 5.26 and 6.69.
Younger residents face added strain: Residents ages 18–24 and 25–34 report 8.5 and 8.9 mentally unhealthy days per month, respectively, compared with about five or fewer among those 65 and older.
More residents are considering leaving: 46% considered moving out of state in the past year, up from 40% in 2024, and 37% cited the cost of living. This figure was 52% among households earning $25,000 to $49,000.
Gaps by income are widening: Food insecurity fell from 11.6% to 8.5% overall, but remains high at 27% among households earning less than $25,000.
Preparedness and workplace safety improved: 23% of residents feel well or very well prepared for a disaster, up from 12% in 2024. Workers reporting violence on the job fell to 24% from 34%.
Healthcare access varies by county: 21% of residents statewide said having enough nearby doctors, specialists or facilities is a major problem, ranging from 14% in Honolulu County to 39% in Hawaiʻi County.
Policy implications and future directions
The 2026 findings let policymakers, grantmakers, advocates and community members track whether efforts are moving the needle. Data from the dashboard highlight several areas for action:
- Economic stability: Addressing the high cost of living through affordable housing, wage increases and employment benefits to help residents, especially younger adults, remain in Hawaiʻi.
- Income equity: Directing programs and resources to lower-income households, where gains in well-being have lagged.
- Disaster preparedness: Sustaining progress through outreach, planning and resilient infrastructure, as many residents still do not feel ready for a major emergency.
- Workplace well-being: Encouraging Hawaiʻi employers to adopt trauma-informed, family-friendly practices.
“Repeating the statewide quality of life survey, which we funded through Act 106 in 2024, helps us understand what is working, where challenges remain and how conditions are changing over time,” said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz. “When nearly half of our residents are considering leaving Hawaiʻi, that is a clear signal that we must continue diversifying our economy and expanding economic opportunity. That means investing in workforce development, creating pathways to good-paying careers and reversing the brain drain so our residents can build their futures here at home.”
Empowering residents with data
The interactive dashboard lets residents explore findings in their communities and statewide, and compare results across demographics, years, occupation, geographic region and more. Data were collected between February and May 2026, and the survey garnered close to 30% more responses this year compared to 2024. It is the largest data set on health and well-being in Hawaiʻi, and the largest data set in the nation using measures from the Center for Disease Control’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Worker Well-Being Questionnaire.
Explore the interactive dashboard and request support using the data.
The 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard is a partnership between the Health Policy Initiative in UH Mānoa’s College of Social Sciences and the Office of Wellness and Resilience in the Office of the Governor. All survey data is housed exclusively with UH Mānoa.
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PBN: Nearly half of Hawaii residents weighed leaving the state in 2026
KHON: 2026 Quality of Life Survey: Hawaii wellbeing improves since 2024
HNN: Survey: Life satisfaction rises, but more Hawaii residents consider leaving