Hawaii is America's Worst State for Business in 2026, Even Its Legendary Quality of Life Takes a Dip Hawaii's recent ranking as America's worst state for business in 2026 has sent shockwaves through the Aloha State.
But it's not just the bottom line costs that are causing concern. Behind this dismal assessment lies a more nuanced issue: access to childcare.
The nation's most expensive childcare system is crippling Hawaii's competitiveness, and its impact on quality of life is alarming. A significant factor in this trend is the state's geography.