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

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

Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee   

I live in Hawaii, where grocery prices have always blown my mind — but take a look at what inflation has done
Lee moved to Hawaii two years ago and was shocked by grocery store prices.Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider
  • Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee moved to Hawaii in 2021 and was shocked by the prices.
  • She visited two grocery stores and found that inflation has send some food prices even higher, but not all.

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

Two years ago, I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii to learn more about where my father grew up and explore my native Hawaiian identity.
Lee at Lokea Farms, a locally-owned family farm in Haleiwa (North Shore) in O'ahu.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

Having previously lived in big cities like Chicago and New York City, I wasn
Produce display at Safeway grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Imported foods typically have higher prices.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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%.

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%.
Shoppers purchasing groceries.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Safeway and Foodland grocery stores.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

Source: Foodland, Safeway

I compared current grocery store prices against February 2022 figures from Numbeo, a database where users from around the world share costs-of-living.

I compared current grocery store prices against February 2022 figures from Numbeo, a database where users from around the world share costs-of-living.
Inside the Safeway grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

Source: Numbeo

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.

In 2022, one gallon of milk was $6.77. Today, it
Milk prices have increased by at least $1.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

Safeway
Milk for sale at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

In February 2022, a dozen eggs were $4.50. One year later and the sale price has almost doubled to $8.30 at Foodland.
A dozen eggs for sale at Foodlands.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

Safeway carries a dozen large eggs for $8.50 — a $4 increase from 2022.
A dozen large eggs at the Safeway grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

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

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

Safeway
The apple aisle at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Honeycrisp apples at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Bananas at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

At Safeway bananas cost about $1.50 a pound — 30 cents cheaper than 2022.
Bananas at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

Local tomatoes at Foodland start at around $3 a pound, which is cheaper than the $3.24 price from 2022.
Local tomatoes at the grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

However, tomato prices can run all the way up to $6 a pound.
Tomatoes at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

At Safeway, tomatoes range from $4 to $4.50 a pound, up to $1.50 more than they cost in 2022.
Tomato display at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

A half-liter of domestic beer cost about $3.50 in 2022, but Foodland sells each one for about $4.00.
Coors and Bud Light beer sold at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Beer on the shelf at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

Behold this watermelon being sold for about $1.60 a pound at Foodland. I couldn
Watermelon display at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

It
A 7-pound watermelon costs over $10 at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

Safeway is selling these for what counts as a steal — about $7 each.
Watermelon display at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Bread at the Foodland grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

Safeway sells its sliced white bread for $5.19 or five cents cheaper than the previous year.
Bread display at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

A head of lettuce was $3.86 in 2022. Right now, Foodland has it for about $4 per pound.
Lettuce display at Foodland grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

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.
Lettuce heads at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

During the first quarter of 2022, retail sales increased 26% from the previous year
The self-checkout aisle at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

By October 2022, Hawaii
Grocery store worker stocking produce at Safeway.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

It
Inside a Hawaiian grocery store.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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

But all is not lost. Local lawmakers are exploring new subsidies to improve food sustainability for the state to become more independent.
Local tomatoes at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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.

Still, more native Hawaiians are living outside of the state than in it, due to high rent and food prices. If things don
Lee and friends making a traditional Hawaiian food called pa'i 'ai, which is made from taro.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider

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 hope economists and lawmakers around the world continue to prioritize slowing inflation, but there
Produce aisle at Foodland.      Morgan Pōmaikaʻi Lee/Insider
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