Addressing the Housing Crunch
Ensuring the Housing Sector is Healthy Despite High Demand and Even Higher Prices
Hawaii’s housing crisis is no secret. With median home prices soaring beyond one million dollars, the urgent need for practical solutions has never been clearer. At the forefront of this issue is a local association dedicated to advocating for affordable housing, enhancing education and training, and influencing pivotal legislation. Through a multifaceted approach, this association is shaping the future landscape of Hawaii’s housing industry and economic stability.
Housing 101 Through Advocacy, Education Efforts and Community Involvement
The association, serving as a critical advocate, functions through three primary pillars: legislative advocacy, community engagement through events, and robust education and training initiatives.
“Our mission remains unwavering in supporting home builders and ensuring Hawaii’s workforce can afford to live here,” shares the association’s spokesperson. Over the past seven years, while the core mission has remained consistent, the association has adeptly adapted to shifting economic landscapes, technological advancements, and unforeseen events such as the recession of 2009 and the global pandemic of 2020.
Legislatively, the association actively participates in both federal and state policy advocacy. They collaborate closely with the National Association of Home Builders for federal-level influence while maintaining a strong local presence through dedicated lobbying efforts.
A significant recent achievement was the successful passing of House Bill 420, aimed at mitigating unjust class-action lawsuits against developers, ensuring genuine consumer protection without burdening developments with frivolous litigation.
“House Bill 420 marked a huge win,” notes the spokesperson, elaborating on how prior class-action loopholes led to significant financial strain on developers and homeowners alike. This legislative victory exemplifies the association’s proactive stance on protecting both the housing market and consumer rights.
Open Dialogue with the Industry
Communication is another essential aspect of the association’s strategy. In an era of digital overwhelm, they’ve streamlined their outreach, reducing email frequency while enhancing relevance. Creative social media campaigns have captured attention, particularly humorous, educational videos that resonate across generational divides. Additionally, the association emphasizes personal interaction through increased events, strengthening one-on-one relationships, and enhancing community ties.
Membership remains central to the association’s vitality. Numbers have rebounded post-pandemic, returning to pre-2020 figures, driven by clear demonstrations of value and targeted benefit programs. Among these benefits are significant savings for small businesses, including group-rate medical insurance through local insurer HMAA and an affordable 401(k) partnership with Transamerica and Morgan Stanley. These initiatives underscore the association’s commitment to supporting the backbone of Hawaii’s economy—the small businesses.
Education and training stand prominently in the association’s offerings. Their Construction Training Center of the Pacific, established in 2009, provides critical safety and skill-building programs. Courses range from OSHA certifications to specialized training in scaffolding, fall protection, and first aid, alongside leadership development tailored for industry-specific management skills.
Addressing the Employment Gap
One standout initiative is the Pre-Apprenticeship Construction Training (PACT) program, launched to address the chronic shortage in skilled tradespeople. PACT provides underserved populations with comprehensive, hands-on training, empowering participants with practical skills in construction, safety protocols, blueprint reading, and sustainable building practices. Since its relaunch, five cohorts have graduated, with many quickly securing stable, lucrative employment in Hawaii’s thriving construction sector.
“PACT not only addresses workforce shortages but also provides meaningful pathways out of poverty,” highlights the association’s spokesperson. The program is reshaping perceptions about trades careers, emphasizing the lucrative and immediate benefits compared to traditional college pathways laden with debt.
Constructing a Bright Future
Looking forward, the association foresees significant challenges and opportunities. The critical focus remains addressing Hawaii’s workforce housing shortage. High-end developments, often purchased as second homes, contribute little to local economic sustainability. Thus, prioritizing affordable, workforce-oriented housing developments is paramount.
“The next decade will be pivotal,” the spokesperson emphasizes. “Without affordable housing solutions, we’ll continue losing essential service workers, affecting everything from restaurants to healthcare.”
The association is actively engaging with local governments, striving to streamline permitting processes, influencing building codes, and encouraging collaborative discussions between all stakeholders involved.
The ultimate goal is clear: finding balanced solutions that accommodate growth without compromising the local workforce’s ability to reside sustainably in Hawaii.
Additionally, the association is driving conversations on sustainable and environmentally friendly housing practices. They actively encourage developments that minimize ecological footprints, such as incorporating renewable energy sources, water conservation methods, and environmentally responsible building materials. These sustainable practices not only benefit the environment but also reduce long-term operational costs for homeowners.
Technologically, the association promotes digital adoption and automation within its operations and among members. Efforts include updating their training facilities to accommodate hybrid and online learning and encouraging field-level adoption of digital tools such as remote monitoring and mobile blueprint access. They also provide regular workshops to educate their members about emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital automation, and remote monitoring to enhance productivity and reduce errors.
The spokesperson concludes with optimism, stating, “We aim to be part of the solution—fostering dialogue, compromise, and education to drive meaningful change. Our mission is clear: securing affordable, sustainable housing for Hawaii’s workforce, ensuring both economic vitality and quality of life.”
In navigating Hawaii’s complex housing landscape, this association demonstrates a model approach—advocating legislatively, educating robustly, and engaging proactively, creating pathways toward a sustainable housing future. By addressing immediate needs and anticipating future challenges, they ensure Hawaii remains not just a beautiful destination but a livable home for its essential workforce.
AT A GLANCE
Who: Building Industry Association of Hawaii
What: The leading advocacy, educational and membership organization in the state for the critical building sector
Where: Hawaii, USA
Website: www.biahawaii.org
