The physician shortage in Hawaii has gotten more severe over the last year according to the Hawaii Tribune Herland reported Jan. 20.
The report highlights a recent study, The Hawaii Physicians Workforce Report, which found that the state was short of 833 full-time equivalent physicians in 2025 compared with 768 in 2024.
The factors behind the state’s worsening shortage included retirement—due to both age and burnout from the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting national trends. In Hawaii specifically, many physicians leave due to lower pay compared to states in the continental U.S., as well as a higher cost of living. Lower reimbursements and administrative burdens were also driving physicians out of the state.
The report found that of the 12.688 licensed physicians in Hawaii, only 3,647 are currently providing care. Of those actively practicing, not all are full-time. The actual number of FTE physicians is about 3,044, according to the report, which is 31 less than in 2024.
About 25% of Hawaii’s physicians are already aged 65 or older. Last year alone 81 physicians in the state retired, 13 died and 88 moved out of the state, according to the report.
Primary care represented the greatest specialty area of shortage, with a gap of 180 FTE primary care physicians. There is also a significant shortage of pediatric critical care, pediatric gastroenterology, pediatric and adult endocrinology, pulmonology, cardiothoracic and colorectal surgery.
