The housing market across the country remains challenging for many Americans. Inflation, stagnant mortgage rates, low inventory, and high prices continue to make the road to homeownership tricky.
However, many states are starting to get creative to increase home construction and help affordability. Hawaii is among them, with an architectural firm proposing an innovative and sustainable solution: using surfboards to build houses.
David Sellers, principal architect at Maui-based architecture firm Hawaii Off Grid and founder of Surf Block—a construction material made from surfboards—tells Realtor.com® that this material could tackle several issues that are causing such a severe housing crisis in the Aloha State.
The housing crisis in Hawaii
While Hawaii is known for its beautiful landscape, culture, and nature, it is also famous for having one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
The median home price in the state is $679,000, compared to the national average of $400,500, according to Realtor.com data.
In addition, the state also has one of the most expensive residential areas in the country: Kilauea’s 96754 ZIP code, with a median price of $4.1 million in December 2024.
Additionally, Hawaii is “the most expensive state to build, costing $431,364 for the average 2,100-square-foot home ($205 per square foot),” according to Today’s Homeowner. In contrast, the national average price is $332,376, or $158 per square foot.
Due to these factors, it’s unsurprising to learn that Hawaii has one of the highest homelessness rates in the U.S.
The state saw a 187% increase in homelessness from 2023 to 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Annual Homeless Assessment Report. Making matters worse, “more than 5,000 people were in disaster emergency shelter because of the recent devastating Maui fires,” according to the report.
Sellers notes in our interview that he’s seen the state grapple with a longstanding housing crisis firsthand.
“Recent climate events have further exacerbated housing issues,” he says, adding that the 2023 wildfires in Lahaina, Maui, destroyed over 2,200 structures, with 96% being residential.
“This disaster not only displaced thousands but also intensified the existing housing shortage, leading to increased competition and higher prices for available homes,” says Sellers.
He adds that rising sea levels and coastal erosion threaten numerous properties, particularly in low-lying areas like Honolulu and Waikiki, where land subsidence has been occurring at rates faster than previously predicted.
How the Hawaiian government is trying to help
Sellers says that in response to the housing crisis, Gov. Josh Green issued an executive order expediting the construction of 50,000 new homes over the next three to five years.
“This order suspends several state and county laws related to land use, historic preservation, and environmental review, streamlining the development process,” he explains. “It also establishes a 22-person panel, the Build Beyond Barriers Working Group, to oversee housing projects.”
Following the 2023 wildfires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also extended housing assistance for survivors until February 2026, providing rentals and subsidies to displaced residents.
In addition, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement initiated the Host Housing Support Program, offering stipends to households hosting fire survivors, alleviating temporary housing demand and preserving community ties.
“During the initial phase of this pilot program, qualifying host households can receive financial support of $500 per person each month, depending on the size of the displaced family they are accommodating. Hosts may receive a monthly stipend of up to $2,000,” according to the website.
Another effort came from the American Institute of Architects, which includes Hawaii Off Grid and other local architects. They offered up free pre-approved building plans for those who lost their homes in the wildfires, according to Sellers.
Finally, Sellers underscores that the government is also addressing the impact of climate change on housing. For instance, the Department of Commerce and NOAA have recommended $68.5 million for projects to enhance Hawaii’s coastal resilience.
“These combined efforts reflect a multifaceted approach by the Hawaiian government and associated organizations to mitigate the housing crisis and support communities affected by climate events,” says Sellers.
How surfboards could help with new construction in Hawaii
Against that backdrop, Hawaii Off Grid has come up with a highly novel solution to help with any new construction: using surfboards as building material.
Surf Blocks are insulated composite concrete forms (ICCFs) made by repurposing polystyrene foam waste from surfboard manufacturing.
“These blocks are utilized to create lightweight, cast-in-place, steel-reinforced concrete walls,” according to the website.
Sellers explains there are several benefits to using them in construction:
Fire resistance
Sellers notes that walls constructed with “EPScrete,” the material used in Surf Blocks, have a four-hour fire rating, compared to 15 minutes for comparable wood-framed walls.
“This enhanced fire resistance is particularly valuable in areas prone to wildfires,” he says.
Termite resistance
He adds that unlike traditional wood construction, Surf Blocks are impervious to termite damage, addressing a common issue in Hawaii’s tropical climate.
Sustainability
By diverting polystyrene foam waste from landfills and reducing the need for traditional building materials, Surf Blocks contribute to more sustainable construction practices, according to Sellers.
Cost efficiency
Finally, he notes that Surf Blocks’ lightweight nature can reduce labor and transportation costs during construction.
“Additionally, their durability and resistance to common hazards may result in lower maintenance and repair expenses over the lifespan of the building,” he explains.
Sustainability is the future
There are other efforts in the state to address both the housing crisis and climate change.
David Gilliland, a contractor who lives in Hawaii and founder of the non-profit, The Paulele Hale Association (TPHA), says that the state has been testing out new sustainable materials.
For instance, TPHA (in Hawaiian, “Paulele” means “to have faith in” and “hale” means “house,” according to the website) has developed houses with fire- and wind-resistant exteriors, among other features.
“TPHA has developed and deployed systems where homeowners can spray a proprietary exterior coating on a new or existing home, making it wildfire resistant to over 1,200 degrees and with colors that last for over 25 years,” says Gilliland. “Wind-design features are affordably integrated into standardized designs, allowing the structure to be stable in 150 mph wind or a severe earthquake.”
