by Julia Pierrepont III
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Though long perceived as a modern paradise, Hawaii is witnessing a growing crisis: The number of students experiencing homelessness is rising on the west side of Oahu island, home to the state capital, state Department of Education officials said.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act, families complete MV-1 forms each year to identify students who lack stable housing. According to a recent report by Hawaii News Now, in the Nānākuli-Wai'anae complex, nearly 9 percent of the student body across nine schools in the district have been identified as homeless or living in transitional housing this year -- the highest level in recent memory, teachers said.
The surge in student homelessness is not limited to Oahu island. The latest national U.S. report released in July of 2025 comparing all 50 states and the District of Columbia on education, employment and health found Hawaii tied with urban Washington, D.C., New York and Alaska for the highest rate of homeless youth in the country.
For many of Hawaii's young people, the climb toward stability feels steeper than ever. Years that should be defined by growth and career opportunities are instead marked by housing instability, limited job prospects and mounting hardship.
"It sucks. I know kids who are homelessness," a young Oahu dockworker who required anonymity told Xinhua recently. "There's no affordable housing anywhere on the island."
Seeking to address the problem, local lawmakers recently allocated millions of dollars for homelessness services, though none was directed specifically to University of Hawaii students.
Tehani Keanini, the system-wide basic needs coordinator, described the current arrangements as temporary solutions to structural problems. Professor Albie Miles of UH West Oahu who is helping update a survey on basic needs insecurity for youth, especially students, argued that the absence of state funding specifically for student basic needs hampers long-term planning.
Across the United States, homelessness can happen to anyone, often triggered by the loss of a single paycheck, family conflict or unexpected setbacks. Kids in Crisis, an American charity organization providing emergency shelter for homeless youth, indicated on its official website that homeless youth are extremely vulnerable during a critical time in their social and academic development.
"They are at high risk for sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Severe mental health problems are prevalent, oftentimes attributed to past trauma. Anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem are common concerns, and a high percentage have considered or attempted suicide," the group said.
For Hawaii's youth, the stakes are not only personal but collective. Local teachers noted that ensuring access to education, health care and safe housing is an investment in the islands' future -- one that can not be deferred without consequence.
Health outcomes also dragged down the state's standing. Ranking 46th in health metrics that include obesity, substance use and other risk factors, Hawaii faces persistent challenges in supporting the physical and social well-being of its youth.
Analyst Chip Lupo, who worked on the report, warned that high numbers of young people disconnected from school and work can jeopardize a state's future.
"A high share of youth who are not working, not getting education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future," he told local media after the report was released.
The alarming trend in youth homelessness is nationwide, Lupo said. "States that are most impacted by this problem, as well as related issues like high youth poverty rates, widespread drug use and low test scores, need a wake-up call to invest more into improving conditions for young residents."
According to a story published by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in 2025, each year, an estimated 4.2 million youth, young adults and teens experience homelessness in the United States, 700,000 of whom are unaccompanied minors -- meaning they are not part of a family or accompanied by a parent or guardian.
"These estimates indicate that approximately one in 10 adults ages 18 to 25, and one in 30 youth ages 13 to 17 will experience homelessness each year," the NCSL said. ■