MSW Programs in Hawaii

The state of Hawaii is made up of the Big Island of Hawaii and eight smaller islands. It is the most isolated population center in the world, being as it is over 3,800 miles from Japan, 2,400 miles from California and 5,280 miles away from the Philippines. It is the sole producer of coffee in the United States and the producer of over a third of the world’s supply of pineapples. It is also a world leader in the production of orchids and macadamia nuts (1).

Hawaii is a small state with a population of only 1.4 million. According to the United States Census Bureau, about 50 percent of the population is either Asian (37.6 percent) or Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (10.1 percent). Only 25.5 percent of the population is Caucasian (2). The state relies heavily on tourism and is known for its gorgeous beaches, volcanoes, tropical fruit and incredible vacation destinations.

A Beautiful But Expensive State

One of the biggest issues in Hawaii is the high cost of living. The median home price in Hawaii is $683,470 (3), which is much higher than the national average median home price of $269,039 (4). According to CNN Money, a person relocating from Atlanta, Georgia to Honolulu, Hawaii would pay 53 percent more for groceries, 475 percent more for housing, 113 percent more for utilities, 51 percent more for transportation and 13 percent more for health care (5).

The United States Census Bureau reports that the median salary in Hawaii is higher than the national average – $81,275, compared to $62,843 – but that higher median salary is often not enough to compensate for the higher cost of living (6). The population is well educated when compared to the rest of the country. Hawaii has a higher percentage of the population that has graduated from high school and gotten a bachelor’s degree than the national average. However, it has a lower percentage of home ownership (only 58.9 percent of residents own their homes, compared to the national average of 64 percent) (7).

According to the state’s Office on Aging, Hawaii’s population of adults over the age of 60 continues to grow. Between 1980 and 2010, this segment of the population grew by 139.8 percent, whereas the total population of Hawaii only increased by 34.2 percent. Between 2020 and 2030 the number of adults 60 years of age and older will increase by 17%. This population will represent 28% of the State’s total population. The growth of the elderly population (85+) is even more pronounced. This demographic is projected to grow by 31.7 percent from 2020-2030. It is estimated that 29.7 percent of the total population in 2035 will be comprised of adults over 60. Medical and healthcare social workers will be needed to meet the increasing demand for social workers in gerontology and medical social work (8).

Options for Social Work Education in Hawaii

According to the 2019 US News & World Report school rankings, the University of Hawaii’s Manoa School of Social Work is ranked number 51 in the country and Hawaii Pacific University’ School of Social Work is ranked number 96 (9).

You can also find other online MSW programs through online colleges and other universities and colleges all over the country. Just make sure you check state licensing requirements and work with a school advisor to ensure the degree you get will translate into a license and a useful degree that is recognized in Hawaii.

All social workers should look into the National Health Service Corps loan forgiveness program (NHSC) after graduating to see if they qualify for a loan repayment plan. If you can find work in a “Health Professional Shortage Area” (HPSA), you may be eligible for loan forgiveness.

Working in Paradise

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, child, family or school social workers in Hawaii can expect a median salary of $56,910. Healthcare and medical social workers earn a median salary of $72,700. Mental health and substance abuse social workers can expect a median income of $46,860 (10).

The State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations determined that by 2020, child, family and school social work jobs in Hawaii should grow by 9 percent (11). Healthcare social work jobs are expected to increase at an even higher rate – 21 percent per year (12). Mental health and substance abuse social work positions are anticipated to grow by 19 percent (13). The outlook for social work in Hawaii is promising. Social workers in any specialty area should be able to find work in this state thanks to an above-average growth rate.

Licensure and Professional Development Resources

• Social Work License Requirements in Hawaii
• National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter
• Hawaii Department of Health

Universities offering Master’s in Social Work Programs in Hawaii

• Hawaii Pacific University (MSW Program)
• University of Hawaii at Manoa (MSW Program)

Sources Cited

1. Hawaii Facts and Trivia, 2014. 50 States.com. http://www.50states.com/facts/hawaii.htm#.U9N9boBdWzU
2. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/HI,US/PST045219
3. Hawaii Home Prices & Values, 2021. Zillow. https://www.zillow.com/hi/home-values/ 4. Real Estate Market Reports, 2021. Zillow. https://www.zillow.com/home-values/
4. Cost of Living: How Far Will My Money Go In Another City, 2021. CNN Money. https://money.cnn.com/calculator/pf/cost-of-living/
5. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/HI,US/PST045219
6. State and County QuickFacts, 2019. United States Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/dashboard/US/PST045219
7. Hawaii State Plan on Aging, 2019. Hawaii State Office on Aging. https://www.hawaiiadrc.org/Portals/_AgencySite/State%20Plan/StatePlanOnAging2019_2023.pdf
8. Graduate School Search – Social Work Programs, 2019. US News and World Report. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/social-work-rankings?location=Hawaii
9. Statewide Statistics for Hawaii, 2013. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
10. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Child,%20Family,%20and%20School%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102100&location=hawaii
11. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Healthcare%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102200&location=hawaii&lang=en
12. America’s Career InfoNet – Career Profile, 2019. Career One Stop. https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/Occupation-profile.aspx?keyword=Mental%20Health%20and%20Substance%20Abuse%20Social%20Workers&onetcode=21102300&location=hawaii&lang=en