Honolulu listed in top 10 cities with the worst traffic in U.S.

[Propulser]

Originally Posted by Ian_Lee

Commute time can be cut in half from the Leeward side by constructing a tunnel underneath Pearl Harbor. But the Defense Department definitely opposes such proposal.

There have already been a lot of building upward in Honolulu. Look at Kakaako. But the problem is those units, with one bedroom apartment asking for over $500,000, are not catered to the local Middle Class.

The State and the City are not helping either. During the last boom when the State and City actively got involved in the affordable housing market in the '90s, eligible homeowners paid about 60% of the equity while the government contributed around 40% for those developments in Ewa, Kapolei and Makakilo.

In the latest new project like Ward Village, the eligible homeowner has to pay about 90% while the government just contributes 10% to those affordable units.

The homeowner should pay 100% just like all the people that made something out of themselves. I am so sick and tired of the mindset that people who failed to accomplish are somehow owed the fruits of other's labors. They need to up their game or get off the court.

We've already experienced a nationwide collapse of the housing industry caused by government meddling forcing the industry to give mortgages to unqualified "borrowers" so they can live like their their more accomplished "neighbors".

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Middle class is roughly $42,000 to $124,000 household income in urban Honolulu according some articles I have come across.


Obviously the lower middle class is going to struggle with a $500,000 place (and there are cheaper places to be had - they just aren't going to be able to live in Kakaako). On the other hand, as you move up the middle class curve, a $500,000 place is not out of the question.

Plus, those numbers assume no existing equity. I could make 24K but if I sell and have 400k in equity when I sell, I'm good when I buy. All the middle class I know own homes from 600K on up.

All the hand waving on "how can anyone middle class purchase at these rates", well they already owned a home and sell and buy up as their income increases.