HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaiʻi has been named the fifth most independent state in the United States, according to a new report released June 24.
The annual ranking evaluated all 50 states using 39 indicators across five areas: consumer finances, government dependency, the job market, international trade and personal vices.
The study looked at how much states rely on outside support. A higher score reflected more self-reliance which placed Hawaiʻi in the top five behind Utah, Colorado, Virginia and Idaho.
Here’s what we know from the report:
Rainy day readiness and employment strength
Hawaiʻi ranked first in the U.S. for the percentage of households with rainy-day and emergency funds. It also ranked fifth for access to and participation in employer-based retirement plans. The state’s unemployment rate tied for the lowest in the country, alongside South Dakota, Vermont and Maryland.
These rankings came from the report’s measurements of financial and employment independence. In those categories, Hawaiʻi placed 12th in financial dependency and 15th in job-market dependency. Lower numbers in the rankings indicate more independent conditions.
Limited ties to global markets
Hawaiʻi ranked lowest in two major trade categories. It had the smallest share of jobs supported by exported goods and the lowest percentage of state GDP generated by exports to other countries.
According to the report, Hawaiʻi had way fewer export-related jobs and made much less money from exports than Louisiana. In fact, Louisiana had 61 times more jobs from exports and made 67 times more money from exports than Hawaiʻi did.
In the report’s international trade section, Hawaiʻi came in fifth place. In this part of the ranking, a higher number means a state depends less on trade. Because Hawaiʻi doesn’t export much, it was seen as more independent when it comes to trade.
But the report does not account for Hawaiʻi’s geographical location and our extreme dependence on imports.
Low levels of vice-related dependence
Hawaiʻi placed fourth in the nation for vice dependency. This category included rates of drug use, gambling disorders and binge drinking.
States with lower rates of these behaviors were ranked more independent. Utah was ranked the most independent state overall and also placed first in the vice dependency category.
Understanding the numbers
The report ranked Hawaiʻi 33rd in government dependency. While the state scored well in financial, job market, trade and vice categories, its position in government dependency was higher on the scale.
This category included metrics like public assistance usage and federal support levels.
The total score for Hawaiʻi was 59.19. The state’s strong showing across multiple areas placed it just behind Idaho and above Massachusetts.
You can click here to read the full report.
All together, the numbers show that Hawaiʻi does well in several important areas, like saving money, having access to jobs, and avoiding unhealthy habits.
That’s how Hawaiʻi earned the number five spot in the 2025 ranking of the U.S.’s most independent states.