Study: Hawai‘i is 9th Most Independent State

Hawaiʻi is the nation’s 9th most independent state according to a new study exploring just how free Americans are feeling.

The study, conducted by the personal-finance website WalletHub, measured how dependent Americans are on the government and other people for finances, their jobs and personal vices.

According to the report, Hawaiʻi ranked 1st in its share of jobs supported by exported goods; 2nd in its under-employement rate; and 4th in its share of adults who smoke every day.

The study also ranked Hawaiʻi 18th in median debt per income; and 22nd in share of adults saving for children’s college education.

Other findings of the report:

• Hawaiʻi was tied for third in the report for the Highest Median Credit Score.
• Hawaiʻi was in a six-way tie for first for the Lowest Unemployment Rate.
• Hawai’i holds the top spot for the Lowest Percent of GDP Generated by Exports to Other Countries.

According to the report, Hawaiʻi was ranked: 21 for Financial Dependency; 16 for Government Dependency; 25 for Job Market Dependency; 9 for International Trade Dependency; and 6 for Vice Dependency.

Meantime, Utah was the most independent state in the study and Kentucky was the least independent.

Fourth of July fireworks display. Lahaina, Maui (7.4.18) PC: Rachael Johnson