I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (2024)

Table of Contents
Two years ago, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to learn more about where my father grew up and explore my native Hawaiian identity. Having previously lived in big cities like Chicago and New York City, I wasn't completely surprised by restaurant prices in Hawaii. But the grocery-store prices blew my mind. The state of Hawaii has imported more than 80% of its food for decades, so prices have always been high, but inflation has reared its ugly face in paradise. Global inflation was set to reach 8.8% in 2022, compared to 4.7% in 2021. This year, forecasters predict it will decrease slightly to 6.5%. To see how inflation is playing out in grocery stores, I visited two popular grocers: Foodland, a popular local chain; and Safeway, which can be found in 18 states. In 2022, one gallon of milk was $6.77. Today, it's regularly priced at about $9 and can be purchased on sale for $7.80 at Foodland. Safeway's milk is actually cheaper at $7.50, but it still costs almost $1 more than it did in 2022. In February 2022, a dozen eggs were $4.50. One year later and the sale price has almost doubled to $8.30 at Foodland. Safeway carries a dozen large eggs for $8.50 — a $4 increase from 2022. Last year, the price of apples ranged from $2 to $4. During this specific trip to Foodland, red delicious apples were about $3. Safeway's red and yellow delicious apples go for about $2 a pound, which is comparable to prices from 2022. Safeway had a variety of other apples selling at cheaper prices, but the honeycrisp apples were about $5 per pound, which is typical for that type of apple. Bananas seem to be inflation-resistant. In 2022, they cost about $1.80. Now, Foodland sells them for even less at $1.40 a pound. At Safeway bananas cost about $1.50 a pound — 30 cents cheaper than 2022. Local tomatoes at Foodland start at around $3 a pound, which is cheaper than the $3.24 price from 2022. However, tomato prices can run all the way up to $6 a pound. At Safeway, tomatoes range from $4 to $4.50 a pound, up to $1.50 more than they cost in 2022. A half-liter of domestic beer cost about $3.50 in 2022, but Foodland sells each one for about $4.00. At Safeway, however, beer costs about $3 a can, and members can purchase it for as little as $2.50 — a whole dollar cheaper than in 2022. Behold this watermelon being sold for about $1.60 a pound at Foodland. I couldn't find how much it cost in 2022, but this is a hefty price regardless. It's not a large watermelon — just 7.5 pounds. Nevertheless, it costs around $12. Safeway is selling these for what counts as a steal — about $7 each. At Foodland, bread is regularly priced at $5.90 (though you can get it for $1.20 cheaper with a club card) and goes up depending on the brand. In 2022 it cost $5.24. Safeway sells its sliced white bread for $5.19 or five cents cheaper than the previous year. A head of lettuce was $3.86 in 2022. Right now, Foodland has it for about $4 per pound. Safeway is definitely cheaper at about $3.30 per pound, but the price is still kind of discouraging for people who try to eat healthy. During the first quarter of 2022, retail sales increased 26% from the previous year's sales, though Hawaii Public Radio noted this was likely due to inflation. By October 2022, Hawaii's minimum wage increased from $10.10 to $12 an hour, but the staggering cost of groceries still makes it harder to manage money. It's probably not a good idea, but I try to avoid looking at how much I spend on groceries — during this grocery store visit, I winced multiple times. But all is not lost. Local lawmakers are exploring new subsidies to improve food sustainability for the state to become more independent. Still, more native Hawaiians are living outside of the state than in it, due to high rent and food prices. If things don't change, I'm worried that even more Hawaiians will continue to leave the generational home they love. I hope economists and lawmakers around the world continue to prioritize slowing inflation, but there's also much to be done about Hawaii's generally high food cost.

Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options. Top stories

Newsletters

Subscribe

Economy

Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (1)

  • Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee moved to Hawaii in 2021 and was shocked by the prices.
  • She visited two grocery stores and found that inflation has sent some food prices even higher, but not all.
  • At Safeway, for instance, a dozen large eggs cost $8.50 — a $4 increase from last year — but beer was cheaper.

Advertisem*nt

Two years ago, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to learn more about where my father grew up and explore my native Hawaiian identity.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (2)

Having previously lived in big cities like Chicago and New York City, I wasn't completely surprised by restaurant prices in Hawaii. But the grocery-store prices blew my mind.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (3)

Advertisem*nt

The state of Hawaii has imported more than 80% of its food for decades, so prices have always been high, but inflation has reared its ugly face in paradise.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (4)

Source: Civil Beat

Global inflation was set to reach 8.8% in 2022, compared to 4.7% in 2021. This year, forecasters predict it will decrease slightly to 6.5%.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (5)

Source: International Monetary Fund

Advertisem*nt

See Also
Is There A Bad Time Of Year To Visit Kauai?How Much is a Trip to Hawaii: Your Budget Planning GuideHow much does a trip to Kauai Cost? | Budget Your TripRecommended Number of Days to Spend on Kauai

To see how inflation is playing out in grocery stores, I visited two popular grocers: Foodland, a popular local chain; and Safeway, which can be found in 18 states.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (6)

Source: Foodland, Safeway

Advertisem*nt

In 2022, one gallon of milk was $6.77. Today, it's regularly priced at about $9 and can be purchased on sale for $7.80 at Foodland.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (7)

Safeway's milk is actually cheaper at $7.50, but it still costs almost $1 more than it did in 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (8)

Advertisem*nt

In February 2022, a dozen eggs were $4.50. One year later and the sale price has almost doubled to $8.30 at Foodland.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (9)

Safeway carries a dozen large eggs for $8.50 — a $4 increase from 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (10)

Advertisem*nt

Last year, the price of apples ranged from $2 to $4. During this specific trip to Foodland, red delicious apples were about $3.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (11)

Safeway's red and yellow delicious apples go for about $2 a pound, which is comparable to prices from 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (12)

Advertisem*nt

Safeway had a variety of other apples selling at cheaper prices, but the honeycrisp apples were about $5 per pound, which is typical for that type of apple.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (13)

Source: Tasting Table

Bananas seem to be inflation-resistant. In 2022, they cost about $1.80. Now, Foodland sells them for even less at $1.40 a pound.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (14)

Advertisem*nt

At Safeway bananas cost about $1.50 a pound — 30 cents cheaper than 2022.

Local tomatoes at Foodland start at around $3 a pound, which is cheaper than the $3.24 price from 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (16)

Advertisem*nt

However, tomato prices can run all the way up to $6 a pound.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (17)

At Safeway, tomatoes range from $4 to $4.50 a pound, up to $1.50 more than they cost in 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (18)

Advertisem*nt

A half-liter of domestic beer cost about $3.50 in 2022, but Foodland sells each one for about $4.00.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (19)

At Safeway, however, beer costs about $3 a can, and members can purchase it for as little as $2.50 — a whole dollar cheaper than in 2022.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (20)

Advertisem*nt

Behold this watermelon being sold for about $1.60 a pound at Foodland. I couldn't find how much it cost in 2022, but this is a hefty price regardless.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (21)

It's not a large watermelon — just 7.5 pounds. Nevertheless, it costs around $12.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (22)

Advertisem*nt

Safeway is selling these for what counts as a steal — about $7 each.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (23)

At Foodland, bread is regularly priced at $5.90 (though you can get it for $1.20 cheaper with a club card) and goes up depending on the brand. In 2022 it cost $5.24.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (24)

Advertisem*nt

Safeway sells its sliced white bread for $5.19 or five cents cheaper than the previous year.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (25)

A head of lettuce was $3.86 in 2022. Right now, Foodland has it for about $4 per pound.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (26)

Advertisem*nt

Safeway is definitely cheaper at about $3.30 per pound, but the price is still kind of discouraging for people who try to eat healthy.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (27)

During the first quarter of 2022, retail sales increased 26% from the previous year's sales, though Hawaii Public Radio noted this was likely due to inflation.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (28)

Source: Hawaii Public Radio

Advertisem*nt

By October 2022, Hawaii's minimum wage increased from $10.10 to $12 an hour, but the staggering cost of groceries still makes it harder to manage money.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (29)

Source: Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

It's probably not a good idea, but I try to avoid looking at how much I spend on groceries — during this grocery store visit, I winced multiple times.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (30)

Advertisem*nt

But all is not lost. Local lawmakers are exploring new subsidies to improve food sustainability for the state to become more independent.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (31)

Source: Civil Beat

Still, more native Hawaiians are living outside of the state than in it, due to high rent and food prices. If things don't change, I'm worried that even more Hawaiians will continue to leave the generational home they love.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (32)

Source: Star Advertiser

Advertisem*nt

I hope economists and lawmakers around the world continue to prioritize slowing inflation, but there's also much to be done about Hawaii's generally high food cost.

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (33)

Read next

Inflation Eggs Shopping

Advertisem*nt
I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done (2024)
Top Articles
TradingView Review 2023 - A Charting Platform for Active Traders
YHFINANCE - Google Workspace Marketplace
Ross Dress For Less Hiring Near Me
Southeast Iowa Buy Sell Trade
Gore Videos Uncensored
Best Transmission Service Margate
Kentucky Downs Entries Today
Mndot Road Closures
Lesson 3 Homework Practice Measures Of Variation Answer Key
Power Outage Map Albany Ny
123Moviescloud
Puretalkusa.com/Amac
Dignity Nfuse
Iu Spring Break 2024
Booknet.com Contract Marriage 2
Jalapeno Grill Ponca City Menu
Edicts Of The Prime Designate
Candy Land Santa Ana
Joann Ally Employee Portal
zom 100 mangadex - WebNovel
Sef2 Lewis Structure
Magic Seaweed Daytona
Form F-1 - Registration statement for certain foreign private issuers
Barista Breast Expansion
Drying Cloths At A Hammam Crossword Clue
Page 2383 – Christianity Today
Tire Plus Hunters Creek
800-695-2780
Jackass Golf Cart Gif
My Reading Manga Gay
Edward Walk In Clinic Plainfield Il
De beste uitvaartdiensten die goede rituele diensten aanbieden voor de laatste rituelen
Bridger Park Community Garden
Back to the Future Part III | Rotten Tomatoes
2008 Chevrolet Corvette for sale - Houston, TX - craigslist
Keeper Of The Lost Cities Series - Shannon Messenger
9781644854013
Convenient Care Palmer Ma
Check From Po Box 1111 Charlotte Nc 28201
20 bank M&A deals with the largest target asset volume in 2023
Setx Sports
11 Best Hotels in Cologne (Köln), Germany in 2024 - My Germany Vacation
Top 40 Minecraft mods to enhance your gaming experience
'The Nun II' Ending Explained: Does the Immortal Valak Die This Time?
Brother Bear Tattoo Ideas
Arch Aplin Iii Felony
The Bold and the Beautiful
Crigslist Tucson
Premiumbukkake Tour
Mail2World Sign Up
Dcuo Wiki
Latest Posts
Who Genshin Impact's Rarest Character Is
CryptoPunks NFT project has set another record for itself, this time worth $24 million
Article information

Author: Carmelo Roob

Last Updated:

Views: 5337

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (45 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Carmelo Roob

Birthday: 1995-01-09

Address: Apt. 915 481 Sipes Cliff, New Gonzalobury, CO 80176

Phone: +6773780339780

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Gaming, Jogging, Rugby, Video gaming, Handball, Ice skating, Web surfing

Introduction: My name is Carmelo Roob, I am a modern, handsome, delightful, comfortable, attractive, vast, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.