Introduction

Lahaina

Lahaina, situated on the western coast of Maui, Hawai`i, has a rich historical heritage and is a prominent tourist destination. Once known as Lele, meaning “relentless sun” in Hawaiian, Lahaina served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawai`i and a major contributor to whaling industries during the early 19th century (Lahaina Timeline). Today, Lahaina is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant arts scene, notable historical sites, such as Banyan Tree Park and Front Street, and shops and restaurants (Lahaina Timeline). 

Primary Urban Center (PUC)

The Primary Urban Center (PUC) in Oahu, Hawai`i, which encompasses Honolulu, unfolds a different yet equally intriguing narrative in the context of Airbnb and its ramifications. Serving as the state capital and a pivotal hub for international business and military defense, Primary Urban Center stands as a melting pot of diverse cultures, mirrored in its culinary offerings, architecture, and urban layout. Iconic landmarks such as Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, and the historic Iolani Palace characterize the city. 

Housing Crisis and Short Term Rentals (STRs)

The Hawaiian Islands have been afflicted by the tourism industry for the past decades. In particular, both Lahaina and the Primary Urban Center have felt the impacts of the growing tourism industry due to the fact that the neighborhoods house multiple popular beaches and important tourist centers. These factors have transformed them into attractive hubs for short-term vacation rentals, particularly through platforms like Airbnb. The increased popularity of short-term rentals (STRs) is pronounced against the backdrop of Hawai`i’s ongoing housing crisis, which has intensified over the last decade. 

For years, Hawai`i has been dealing with a housing crisis as the demand for housing grows at a rate faster than the the rate of housing construction, a problem further exacerbated by the fact that housing prices are increasing at a rate that is not sustainable for locals (“Hawai`i Vacation Rentals”). Hawai`i faces the some of the lowest wages when adjusted for the cost of living, alongside the highest rates of chronic homelessness and housing overcrowding in the nation (“Hawai`i Vacation Rentals”). The existing struggle for affordable housing is further exacerbated by nonresident investors entering the market and homes being converted into STRs, further limiting available housing for residents and increasing rent in highly desirable neighborhoods. As the housing crisis persists, communities in Hawai`i are compelled to explore measures to mitigate the negative impact of illegal short-term rentals, emphasizing the need for solutions that balance economic interests with the housing needs of the local population (“Hawai`i Vacation Rentals”).

Given the intertwined nature of tourism, STRs, housing, and community in Hawai`i, numerous inquiries have surfaced regarding the impact of Airbnb on local communities in Hawai`i, prompting our research into the following pivotal questions:

Research Questions

1. To what extent has the presence of Airbnb affected housing accessibility in the neighborhoods of Lahaina and the Primary Urban Center of Lahaina during the timeframe of 2022-2023?
2. How do the challenges posed by Airbnb manifest in Hawaiian neighborhoods, particularly exploring the impact on socioeconomic and community dynamics in Lahaina and Primary Urban Center (PUC)?

Beyond a mere abstraction of data through graphical representations, our approach acknowledges the social dimensions of information. Data, in this context, transcends quantitative depictions to embody the narratives of individuals from diverse and intricate backgrounds. Its societal implications extend to ethical considerations, compelling a heightened awareness of issues that may have previously been overlooked. The significance of these research questions lies in the urgent need to investigate the consequences of Airbnb’s rapid expansion, particularly amid escalating gentrification rates in locales such as Lahaina and Primary Urban Center (PUC). This research endeavor aspires to examine how STRs may contribute to the challenges of housing insecurity and impact local communities.

We hope to better understand the intricacies of the housing crisis in Hawai`i and create actionable measures and solutions for the state.

Our Tools

In the data processing phase, we employed RStudio to identify missing values and remove variables that did not align with our research objectives or that had too many missing observations. Specifically, we used the dplyr library as it allows for easy mutation of dataframes. In particular, we utilized the dplyr library, which allowed us to easily mutate and subset the data sets.

For creating visualizations, our team utilized Tableau. Tableau was our primary data visualization tool due to its robust capability in handling large datasets, enabling us to create diverse visualizations with efficiency and precision. Additionally, one of the visualizations was created in Jupyter Notebook using Python and the following libraries: pandas, matplotlib.pyplot, and numpy. One of our members is proficient in Python and was able to utilize these libraries to manipulate the data and create visualizations.

In our data processing and visualization endeavors, our team utilized a multifaceted approach, employing RStudio, Tableau, and Python for comprehensive analysis. Additionally, we integrated Google Maps into our analytical toolkit to enhance geospatial analysis and visualization, providing valuable insights into location-based patterns. This incorporation of Google Maps added a crucial layer of analysis, especially in scenarios where geographic context was pivotal for understanding underlying trends or patterns in the dataset. The versatility of Google Maps seamlessly complemented our data processing and visualization efforts, contributing to the depth and breadth of our analytical findings. This multidimensional approach allowed us to harness the power of various tools, combining them efficiently to extract meaningful insights from our datasets.

Our Website

We have opted to use WordPress to showcase our research project, incorporating all the data visualizations, statistical models, and maps we generated directly onto our website. Our entire process has been thoroughly documented and is accessible in a web-friendly format. Our decision to use WordPress was driven by its user-friendly interface, flexibility, and robust support for multimedia content.

The platform allowed us to seamlessly integrate our data visualizations, statistical models, and interactive map while providing a dynamic and engaging experience for our audience. Through this web-accessible format, we aimed to ensure accessibility and transparency, enabling readers to explore our research methodology and findings with ease.