Big Island residents urged to complete 15-minute Hawaiʻi quality of life survey

The State of Hawaiʻi and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa launched the 2026 Hawaiʻi Quality of Life and Well‑Being Survey on March 5, urging Big Island residents ages 18 and older to complete the anonymous online questionnaire by the end of March. Officials said the survey can be finished on a phone, tablet or computer and that responses will help ground state policy in residents’ lived experiences.

State and University materials describe the instrument as taking about 15 minutes to complete, while HawaiiNewsNow reported a 10 to 20 minute range for completion. The Office of Wellness and Resilience and the Office of the Governor are promoting the effort statewide, emphasizing that the survey is open to all Hawaiʻi adults and that responses are anonymous.

Survey questions span health and well‑being, housing and cost of living, transportation, community concerns and solutions, work and school, and access to services; HawaiiNewsNow additionally noted questions on disaster preparedness. The inclusion of cost‑of‑living issues is underscored by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa student Baula Kulanikoro, who told HawaiiNewsNow, “Hawaii being one of the most expensive states in the United States is a real struggle for most income earners here. Hawaii is very difficult to sustain life here, especially the quality of life.”

Officials framed the 2026 effort as a follow up to the 2024 Hawai‘i Workplace Wellness and Quality of Life Survey, which drew more than 10,000+ responses and was described by state materials as the largest statewide dataset using the CDC’s NIOSH Worker Well‑Being Questionnaire. Tia Roberts Hartsock, director of the Hawaiʻi Office of Wellness and Resilience, said, “The first survey showed us just how powerful it is to listen directly to our communities. 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.”

Governor Josh Green also urged participation, saying, “When we ground our decisions in the lived experiences of our neighbors, we create smarter policies and stronger communities. This survey helps ensure every voice has a role in shaping the future of Hawaiʻi.” OWR communications noted that the Hawai‘i Quality of Life and Well‑Being Dashboard based on the data has launched and encouraged use of the dashboard to inform policy and programming.

State materials stress a stronger outreach emphasis for 2026 on underrepresented groups, explicitly including neighbor islands such as the Big Island, to ensure data reflect the full diversity of experiences across Hawaiʻi. Officials plan to use 2026 results to brief lawmakers, sharpen funding proposals and guide community programming statewide.

Residents on the Big Island who are 18 or older are asked to complete the survey by the end of March so their responses can be included in the statewide analysis that OWR and UH Mānoa say will inform briefings and funding decisions later this year.