Your voice matters: Hawaiʻi launches second statewide Quality of Life Survey

Contact:

Researchers and leaders will be available to answer questions at a news conference at (UH Mānoa) and online (Zoom) on Wednesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. RSVP to [email protected] if you plan to attend in-person (for location and parking details) or online (Zoom link).

What does it take to build a healthier, more resilient Hawaiʻi? More than 8,000 residents helped answer that question in 2024 when they participated in the first Hawaiʻi Quality of Life Survey. Their voices informed policymakers about issues facing their constituents, supported grant proposals that brought new resources to communities, and were shared through a public dashboard, legislative briefings, as well as events attended by hundreds of community members.

Now, the state of Hawaiʻi and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa are asking residents to once again share their experiences by taking the second statewide Hawaiʻi Quality of Life Survey, launched in early March 2026.

The anonymous survey takes about 15 minutes to complete on a phone, tablet or computer, and is open to all Hawaiʻi residents ages 18 and older. The survey asks about health and well-being, housing and cost of living, transportation, community concerns and solutions, work and school, access to services and more. Respondents are asked to complete the survey by the end of March.

"When we ground our decisions in the lived experiences of our neighbors, we create smarter policies and stronger communities," said Governor Josh Green. "This survey helps ensure every voice has a role in shaping the future of Hawaiʻi."

"The first survey showed us just how powerful it is to listen directly to our communities," said Tia Roberts Hartsock, director of the Hawaiʻi Office of Wellness and Resilience. "We used the findings to brief lawmakers, strengthen funding proposals and connect with partners across the state. It gave us real data to guide real action and we're excited to continue that work with the 2026 survey."

Residents' input is key

Understanding Hawaiʻi residents' needs and everyday challenges is critical to developing public policies and programs that improve quality of life and well-being. Building on the success of the first survey, this next effort will help track progress over time, identify emerging concerns and ensure decisions are grounded in the lived realities of people across the islands. In this iteration, the survey will place a stronger emphasis on reaching residents who were underrepresented previously, including those living on neighbor islands, to better reflect the full diversity of experiences across Hawaiʻi.

"For policymakers, having reliable, local data makes all the difference," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz. "The dashboard helps us better understand the challenges my constituents are facing, from economic pressures to access to services and it directly informs the priorities we bring to the legislature."

"The survey gives us the opportunity to hear directly from the people of Hawaiʻi about what it is like to live and work in our communities," said Jack Barile, UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences associate dean for research and project principal investigator. "By listening consistently, we can better align resources and solutions with what residents truly need."

The project is led by the Partnership for Wellness and Resilience, a collaboration between the Hawaiʻi Office of Wellness and Resilience and the UH Mānoa Health Policy Initiative. As with the 2024 effort, results will be shared publicly through dashboards and reports to better inform legislative activity, coordination across agencies, and investments that support families and communities.

"This collaboration underscores our commitment to research that serves the public good," said Denise Eby Konan, UH Mānoa College of Social Sciences dean. "By gathering these insights, we are empowering our communities to help drive the data that informs meaningful policy changes and improves the quality of life for all residents across the islands."

More information about the survey will also be shared through a public webinar scheduled for March 4 at 11 a.m. Join the webinar (password: 724333).