“It’s like you’re in that middle zone where you’re making too much to receive help, but you’re not making enough to really prosper.”

The federal poverty line already doesn’t take into account the state’s high cost of living.

“A big concern of mine is maintaining the quality of life and not being in a position where my kids feel a sense of lack.”

“Being frugal is an important aspect to living in Hawaii.”

“Even if you save $5 a month, you’re closer than you were last month.”

Kristina Ballina wants to move out of her parents’ Honolulu home but at age 28, she doesn’t think she can afford to.

Adults aged 25 to 34 are facing higher college tuition, higher rents and bigger housing prices than previous generations.

“I’m 31 years old and people think I shouldn’t be getting help from my parents, but I think that’s a reality that a lot of my generation is facing.”

“If we sold our house and got rid of all our debt and then tried to start afresh, we wouldn’t come back to Hawaii. There would be no way to come back.”

“This is the community that shaped me, that taught me the values that guide my life day to day. I want that for my child.”