Can households afford energy in Hawaii?
36th of 51. All Hawaii households: 2.2% ($2,450 of $113,838). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 17.8% on $10,377. Renters 2.6%, owners 2.0%.
Hawaii burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Hawaii: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 24% of homes (118,427 of 483,906).
Hawaii burden, % of income
- 17.8Under 30%
- 6.130% to 60%
- 4.160% to 80%
- 3.280% to 100%
- 1.6Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Hawaii down to 6% takes $1,220 off its $1,843 energy cost, or $20,340 more income.
Hawaii income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Hawaii homes | Share | Hawaii income | Electric | All energy | Hawaii burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 50,431 | 10% | $10,377 | $1,664 | $1,843 | 17.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 67,996 | 14% | $34,229 | $1,935 | $2,097 | 6.1% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 48,460 | 10% | $56,538 | $2,167 | $2,341 | 4.1% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 48,274 | 10% | $75,328 | $2,266 | $2,434 | 3.2% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 268,745 | 56% | $170,644 | $2,504 | $2,676 | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| All | 483,906 | 100% | $113,838 | $2,279 | $2,450 | 2.2% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Hawaii
Renters pay $1,900 on $71,705 (2.6%); owners $2,791 on $139,935 (2.0%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: wood, coal, solar and other, 57% of homes. Heaviest burden: utility gas, 2.9%.
| Hawaii heating fuel | Homes | Share | Hawaii income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 187,157 | 38.7% | $112,867 | $2,599 | 2.3% |
| Utility gas | 13,523 | 2.8% | $68,985 | $1,984 | 2.9% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 8,853 | 1.8% | $96,947 | $2,487 | 2.6% |
| Fuel oil | 182 | 0.0% | $158,975 | $1,702 | 1.1% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 274,190 | 56.7% | $117,228 | $2,371 | 2.0% |
Your burden against Hawaii
Help and shutoff rules in Hawaii
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 7,171 homes, 6 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $8,596,051, $73 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating, Cooling, Crisis: 60% State Median Income (11+ household members at 150% Federal Poverty Level) Weatherization: .
Benefits listed: Heating and Cooling: $375 minimum, $1400 maximum Crisis: $700 maximum.
- Hawaii LIHEAP office, phone 855-643-1643
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Hawaii
- Hawaii help with your bill
Cold-weather clause: no season or temperature ban found in the text read
Read: Hawaiian Electric Co. Tariff Rule No. 7, Discontinuance and Restoration of Service (Sheets 15, 16, 16.1, 16A), as approved by the Hawaii PUC; no statewide PUC residential disconnection rule text found, checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Hawaii utility.
Highest-burden Hawaii counties
4 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Hawaii County at 3.0%, lowest of the 4: Honolulu County at 2.0%.
| Hawaii county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii County | 72,468 | $93,536 | $2,772 | 3.0% | 10.0% |
| Kauai County | 22,978 | $112,180 | $2,600 | 2.3% | 8.2% |
| Maui County | 54,728 | $119,565 | $2,722 | 2.3% | 8.5% |
| Honolulu County | 333,700 | $117,425 | $2,326 | 2.0% | 7.6% |
Next to Hawaii in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Hawaii households spend on energy?
2.2% for all households ($2,450 of $113,838) and 8.3% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Hawaii?
Households under 30% of median income: 17.8%, 50,431 homes spending $1,843 on $10,377.
How many Hawaii homes get LIHEAP heating help?
7,171 in FY2024, 6 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Hawaii energy burden?
No: electricity is 2.0% of 2.2%; gas and other fuel are the rest.