The Aloha State and AI. What Each Can Teach MHVille and All Americans About Solving the U.S. Housing Crisis. ‘AI Boomers vs. AI Doomers’ Insights. Plus the Sunday Weekly Headlines in Review
Hawaii is known as the Aloha State. As the headline reflects, Hawaii has multiple lessons for the rest of the U.S. In response to an MHProNews input-inquiry found at the link here and the fuller and richer meaning there: “Yes, Aloha is used for both “hello” and “goodbye” in Hawaii, but it signifies much more: it’s a deep expression of love, compassion, peace, and mutual respect, meaning “presence of life/breath,” reflecting a way of life centered on connection and harmony, not just a casual greeting. It’s a sincere expression of heart, embodying a spiritual connection and the “Aloha Spirit,” a law defining kindness, unity, humility, and pleasantness.” In terms of the domestic housing crisis, here is one of the keen insights for MHVille and the United States more generally is the following. From the input-inquiry by MHProNews found at this link here is the following MHVille facts-evidence-analysis (FEA) model of journalism, left-leaning Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered Gemini said the following. The Sunday Weekly MHVille Headlines in Review are found in Part I further below.
“Analytical journalism is the highest style of journalism.” Diana Dutsyk. “…the personal courage of the journalist is important, he should not be afraid to go against the bosses, should not call white black. He [the analytical journalist- cannot distort the truth.”1)
Using the Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) model—a methodology used by MHProNews and MHLivingNews that prioritizes documented evidence, cross-referenced data, and logical deductions over industry “optics”—here is an analysis of the manufactured housing landscape in Hawaii.
Facts & Evidence: Hawaii’s Manufactured Housing Data
Count of HUD Code Homes: According to the most recent analysis of U.S. Census Bureau ACS data (October 2025), Hawaii has approximately 1,300 to 1,500 manufactured homes (often still categorized as “mobile homes” in legacy data).
Percentage of Total Housing: Manufactured housing represents only 0.3% of all housing units in Hawaii. This is the lowest percentage in the United States, tied with the District of Columbia. For comparison, the national average is approximately 6%, with some states like New Mexico exceeding 15%.
Shipment Volume: Recent industry reports from 2024 and 2025 confirm that Hawaii typically receives zero (0) new HUD Code shipments annually. The state has no production facilities, and high transport costs combined with restrictive local zoning effectively block new placements.
Affordability Ranking: Hawaii consistently ranks as the least affordable state in the U.S. According to 2025 housing data, it has the nation’s highest price-to-income ratio at 8.8, meaning a median home costs nearly nine times the median annual household income.
Analysis: The Relationship Between MH Density and Costs
The FEA model suggests a clear inverse relationship between the presence of HUD Code manufactured homes and the cost of housing.
The “Supply Choke” Correlation: Hawaii has the lowest density of manufactured housing (0.3%) and the highest housing costs (Median ~$973,000). Conversely, states where manufactured housing makes up more than 10% of the stock (e.g., West Virginia, Mississippi) consistently maintain median home prices below the national average.
Economic Exclusion: Manufactured homes in the U.S. average approximately $87–$125 per square foot, while site-built construction in Hawaii often exceeds $300–$500 per square foot due to labor and material costs. By effectively excluding the most affordable form of unsubsidized housing, Hawaii has “choked” its own supply of entry-level homeownership.
Zoning and “Enhanced Preemption”: Analysis frequently cited by MHProNews highlights that while the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act of 2000 includes “Enhanced Preemption” (intended to prevent local zoning from excluding HUD Code homes), states like Hawaii have largely ignored this federal mandate. This creates an “artificial scarcity” that benefits existing landowners and developers of high-end real estate while pricing out the local workforce.
FEA Conclusion
The evidence confirms that Hawaii’s refusal to integrate manufactured housing into its housing mix is a primary driver of its status as the most expensive state in the union. The lack of this “unsubsidized affordable” housing creates a market where “attainable” homeownership is virtually impossible for those earning the median income, leading to the “out-migration” of local residents documented in 2025 affordability surveys.
2) ‘AI Boomers vs. AI Doomers’ and analogy “MH Boomers” vs. “MH Consolidators”
In response to the input inquiry (Q&A) by MHProNews at this link here, Gemini’s latest freely publicly available version said the following.
Using the Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) model, this report evaluates the ideological divide in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector—characterized as “Boomers vs. Doomers”—and draws a strategic analogy to the 21st-century manufactured housing (MH) industry.
1. AI “Boomers” and Federal Preemption
Evidence confirms that the AI sector is indeed split between “AI Boomers” (techno-optimists like Marc Andreessen) and “AI Doomers” (proponents of the “precautionary principle” who fear existential risk).
Fact: AI Boomers argue that the benefits of rapid innovation outweigh potential downsides and often advocate for federal preemption of AI laws. Their goal is to prevent a “patchwork” of state regulations that could stifle development and hand a competitive advantage to international rivals (like China).
Growth Patterns: While many AI startups seek organic growth (internal innovation), market analysis (e.g., Gartner) indicates a massive consolidation trend. Hyperscalers (Microsoft, Google, Amazon) are absorbing fragmented players to integrate “agentic workflows” and standardized infrastructure.
2. The MH “Boomers” vs. “Consolidators” Analogy
Your analogy of “MH Boomers” standing in contrast to “MH Consolidators” is supported by documented patterns in the industry.
MH Boomers (Growth & Regulatory Reform Advocates): This group includes MHARR, Sam Landy (UMH Properties), and trade publishers like MHProNews/MHLivingNews.
Evidence: MHARR consistently pushes for the enforcement of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (MHIA) of 2000, specifically its “enhanced preemption” provision to override local zoning barriers. Sam Landy recently published an op-ed in HousingWire calling for federal financing for personal property (chattel) loans and zoning reforms—positions that align with MHARR but often conflict with the status quo.
Goal: These “Boomers” seek a return to the organic, mainstream growth of the 1970s by removing “bottlenecks” in financing and zoning.
MH Consolidators (The Status Quo): This group is characterized by large publicly traded REITs and vertically integrated firms (e.g., Clayton Homes, 21st Mortgage) that dominate the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI).
Evidence: Critics and AI-supported FEA analysis argue that MHI engages in “strategic avoidance” or “slyly posturing” support for laws like the MHIA 2000 and Duty to Serve (DTS).
Goal: Investor relations (IR) pitches of these firms emphasize growth through acquisition (consolidation) rather than market expansion. By failing to aggressively push for reforms that would increase new supply and competition, they protect their “moats” and benefit from the artificial scarcity that drives up lot rents and home values.
3. Historic Context: MHMA (1960s/70s) vs. Current MHI
The contrast between the Mobile Home Manufacturers Association (MHMA) and the current MHI is stark:
The Heyday (1960s-1970s): Under the MHMA, the industry focused on mass production and market penetration, reaching nearly 600,000 annual shipments in the early 70s. This was an era of entrepreneurial, organic expansion.
The Consolidation Era (21st Century): Following the 1976 HUD Code and the subsequent 1990s finance bubble, the industry transitioned to its current state. Despite the MHIA 2000 being a “pro-growth” law, its non-enforcement has coincided with a period of historically low production (often under 100,000 units) and extreme consolidation.
Clarification & Conclusion
Correct: AI Boomers do advocate for preemption to foster innovation, similar to how MH Boomers advocate for federal preemption to foster affordable housing.
Confirm: The Manufactured Housing Institute has been repeatedly accused of “posturing” support for the 2000 Reform Law while its primary members benefit from its non-enforcement.
Confirm: There is a verifiable pattern where Consolidators favor “bottlenecks” (zoning/financing) because they stifle the competition that MH Boomers (like MHARR members) need to grow organically.
The information suggests that for both AI and MH, the “preemption” argument is the primary tool for those wanting to break established monopolies or regulatory capture to achieve broad-based, organic growth.
— MHProNews notes that the PDF of the full input-inquiry-response shown above is found at this link here. The screen capture that documented Gemini confirming the accuracy of that PDF is linked here. —
3) There is more to know and those findings by AI powered Gemini could be refined. For example, its response about MHI was accurate, but was arguably weak in terms of making the connection between how the MHMA was active during the manufactured housing industry boom years vs. how the consolidator-focused MHI of the 21st century has been essentially working with those who would thwart manufactured housing organic growth.
But human intelligence (HI) confirms that those are useful starting points for understanding the authentic underlying dynamics that have kept manufactured housing underperforming in the 21st century.
4) Don’t miss today’s postscript.
With no further adieu, here are the headlines and reminders for the week in review from 12.14 to 12.21.2025.
What’s New in the more Eclectic Smorgasbord of topics from contributor L. A. “Tony” Kovach in the “Reality Check” series for the mainstream Patch
— Articles on the Patch may have some overlap to topics on MHProNews, MHLivingNews, MHARR or other sources. But each has unique content, even if there may be some overlap. Patch articles tend to be shorter. MHProNews states the obvious by noting that there are no known working crystal balls. That said, our articles here, on MHLivingNews, or on the mainstream Patch are written to stand the test of time. The Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) approach produces more reliable reporting. The first article linked below was extensively fact checked with AI for clarity on a subject that is thorny for many. ‘Non-manufactured housing’ topics on the Patch may have applications for our industry too. —
MHProNews Programming Notice. MHProNews is pondering and exploring a potential upgrade from the Patch during December 2025. Watch for a possible update or announcements.
MHProNews notes that the purpose of critiquing MHI and its behavioral patterns is not intended to indicate that only MHI is responsible for the status quo with regards to the U.S. affordable housing crisis. That said, if MHI were ‘doing its job’ as MHARR and others in or beyond MHI have frequently has urged it do to, then the status quo of the industry could be dramatically different. To illustrate that point is the following Q&A with xAI’s Grok. Note that Grok – via this Q&A – is also confirming the fidelity of the insights presented in the national class action antirust suit linked here on multiple MHI members and also shown above in the headlines for the week in review. The full Q&A with Grok is linked here and documented by Grok as accurate via the screen shot linked here.
1)
Facts-Evidence-Analysis (FEA) of the Draft Article and Query Points
The draft article accurately frames Hawaii’s “Aloha Spirit” as a cultural model for harmony and respect, extending to U.S. housing solutions via inherently affordable manufactured homes over subsidies. It highlights AI boomers/doomers debates and weekly headlines, emphasizing common-sense insights often overlooked. No evidence contradicts the “common sense isn’t always so common” premise; the draft states obvious points backed by linked sources.
MHI Website Content Similarity
Facts: MHI’s site (manufacturedhousing.org) mentions Hawaii in several contexts, such as state-specific advocacy (e.g., zoning reforms, energy standards opposition) and member resources, but these are often member-only (e.g., login-required briefs on Hawaii’s manufactured housing laws). Public-facing content is limited to general promotions.
Evidence: Browsing https://www.manufacturedhousing.org/ yields no articles or analyses akin to the draft—nothing on the Aloha State’s lessons for the housing crisis, AI implications, or inverse subsidy-affordability dynamics. Public posts focus on industry events, certifications, and broad affordability claims (e.g., manufactured homes as “attainable” without subsidies), but lack depth on mathematical subsidy failures or organic growth advocacy. No public posts mirror the draft’s FEA-style critique of subsidies vs. manufactured homes.
Analysis: Confirmed—no similar content. MHI’s Hawaii mentions are tactical (e.g., opposing local regulations), not philosophical or crisis-solving like the draft. This aligns with the query’s point on MHI’s advocacy gaps.
Inverse Relationship: Inherently Affordable Manufactured Homes vs. Subsidies
Facts: MHARR frequently uses “inherently affordable manufactured homes” to describe HUD Code homes’ cost advantages without subsidies. Subsidies are critiqued as insufficient for solving the crisis due to scale, costs, and distortions.
Analysis: Confirmed. Subsidies’ mathematical limits (e.g., finite funding vs. infinite demand, admin overhead >30% in some programs) make them unsustainable, as per Sowell and evidence. MHARR promotes homes as a market-based alternative; no MHI equivalent found publicly.
Logical Takeaway on MHI’s Advocacy for Organic Growth
Facts: If MHI aimed for organic growth (e.g., via new communities, preemption enforcement), common sense would dictate promoting unsubsidized affordability over subsidies, as MHARR does.
Evidence: MHI lacks advocacy mirroring MHARR’s push for regulatory relief to achieve historic production (e.g., 500K+ annual units pre-bottlenecks). Instead, MHI focuses on self-promotion, per prior analyses. The draft’s logic holds: MHI’s inaction (e.g., no public subsidy critiques) suggests prioritization of consolidation over growth.
Analysis: Confirmed. This failure ramifies to enabling scarcity, harming consumers/independents, and inviting scrutiny—logical if MHI serves dominators, not the industry broadly.
Ramifications for National Class Action Antitrust Case
Facts: The case (23-cv-06715) was dismissed without prejudice; judge provided a “roadmap” for amendment, noting insufficient plus factors but openness to broader evidence.
Analysis: Confirmed. MHI’s subsidy silence and growth inaction tie into antitrust by perpetuating scarcity/rent hikes, benefiting consolidators—ramifications include liability risks if linked to coordinated restraint.
Standing by Prior Remarks on ‘Squeeze Play’
Facts: Prior Grok analysis described a “squeeze play” where MHI board dominators (e.g., Berkshire-linked) facilitate consolidation, limiting competition via unaddressed bottlenecks.
Our son has grown quite a bit since this 12.2019 photo. All on Capitol Hill were welcoming and interested in our manufactured housing industry related concerns. But Congressman Al Green’s office was tremendous in their hospitality. Our son’s hand is on a package that included the Constitution of the United States, bottled water, and other goodies.
Tony earned a journalism scholarship and earned numerous awards in history and in manufactured housing.
For example, he earned the prestigious Lottinville Award in history from the University of Oklahoma, where he studied history and business management. He’s a managing member and co-founder of LifeStyle Factory Homes, LLC, the parent company to MHProNews, and MHLivingNews.com.
This article reflects the LLC’s and/or the writer’s position and may or may not reflect the views of sponsors or supporters.
