Grocery and Thanksgiving costs in Hawaii are running well above the national average, which is bad news for local households already stretched thin.

• Hawaii ranks 5th highest in the country for the share of income people spend on groceries, over 11% of household income.
• A Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people costs about 24% more in Hawaii than the national average, making it the most expensive state for the holiday meal.
• Rising food costs are also hitting restaurants, with some raising prices on dine-in Thanksgiving meals this year, though by small amounts as they try to keep costs down for customers.
• High food prices are squeezing budgets even as many households plan bigger-than-usual gatherings this year.

Outlook: Food costs in Hawaii are likely to stay elevated relative to the rest of the country, keeping pressure on household budgets through the holiday season.