Hawaii residents are increasingly unsure whether they can afford to retire, and free local workshops are stepping in to answer the basics.

• The most common worry is simple: do I have enough money to retire, and when should I start taking Social Security.
• Many people already have an advisor but leave meetings confused, and others assume they need a certain level of wealth before they can even ask for help.
• Hawaii's high cost of living and storm risk make planning harder than on the mainland, so local advice matters more.
• Retirement planning now covers more than investments — Social Security timing, Medicare, and Roth conversions all affect the outcome.
• Stadia Financial, a Hawaii-only firm, is running education sessions and publishing articles rather than leading with products.

Outlook: Expect more free local financial education as confused savers near retirement look for plain answers, with the first step being simply writing down what worries you.