The Honolulu Advertiser has posted an interesting story, on a topic not widely reported. The story, “Hawaii renters fear cost of growth limits,” starts off by noting that development limits have downsides, which may be felt more deeply by some segments of the community:
While a recent survey showed 61 percent of Hawai’i residents wouldn’t mind paying higher taxes to protect the environment, the number drops when the respondents are renters instead of home owners.
The survey, conducted on behalf of the Hawai’i 2050 Task Force on Sustainability, also showed that respondents would pay more for housing if it meant protecting the environment and keeping wide open spaces for agriculture and conservation lands.
There are always tradeoffs when it comes to the “environment vs development” battles, of course. It doesn’t take a degree in economics to figure out that decreasing the supply of homes by limiting development will result in an increase in the cost of those homes that are built, but reports of development disputes rarely detail that consequence. After all, who among us could object to the lofty ideals of more open space, cleaner air and water, and abundant habitats for endangered species? Those goals certainly sound better than “I got mine” —
James Dannemiller, of SMS Research and Marketing Inc., which conducted the survey, isolated the survey results for renters and those living in non-rented homes. He said that renters seemed more inclined to favor changes that would lead to more affordable housing, even if it meant encroaching on land zoned for farming.
They were twice as likely as homeowners to say that unused land should be used for housing.
Interesting article, and I’m glad to see some balanced coverage of the issues. For an earlier post in the same vein, go here, and for an interesting perspective voiced in a letter-to-the-editor in a neighbor island paper, go here (scoll down to “letter writer airs pet peeves”).