Post #221498 by lanikai on Fri, Mar 17, 2006 3:28 PM

On 2006-03-17 14:48, TikiSan wrote:

And still, to this day, there is a "brain drain" as we continually see an exodus from all strata of the work force and the swarm to the mainland. Even cops are courted (no pun intended) by other states, and they gladly accept.

Why do you think people leave Hawaii for the mainland?

tanx fo da question...
It would be for many reasons, but here's the short list...
It is generally from what we see in the dailies, and what we see and hear firsthand;

Cost of living is skyrocketing. This is caused by many factors.
Housing shortage.
Too many want to move here, and the median home price zooms upward.
Too many of the low level older structures that exhibit the charm of Old Hawaii are being raized and supplanted by 35 story condo towers. This is happening too often, throughout Honolulu, a well as too much overdevelopment in the country and outlying neighborhoods, taxing the already overburdened island infrastructure.
Too many absentee owners.
Mainland "investors' trying to make a quick buck, or even a medium slow buck in the real estate arena.
This in turn, raises property tax values which shoot sky high, making it very difficult for those born and raised here, kanaka maoli and others, to even afford to live in, not only their own town, but even their own state. this will, understandably cause in much resentment.

Now, one may well respond with: "hey. get used to it. That's how real estate works"
But again, many here didn't invite the american way of life to their own culture. Contrary to popular belief, the majority did not joyously celebrate here, when Hawaii became the 50th state.
http://www.kaleo.org/vnews/display.v/ART/2002/11/15/3dd495231de1c
many have greivances of how america stole Hawaii, and to this day, they perceive the stealing continues.
Doesn't matter anyone else's slant on it:
"hey! ya lost the war so get used to the cars and highrises we gave ya. yer better off now."

basically, kama'aina ( a Hawaiian word, contrary to redefining by others, which means a native born or long term resident... an old timer who has lived in the islands most or all their life... ) don't want to leave their homes. but economically it is the only feasable solution, for many growing families, or even singles and couples.
apologies to fil for the thread drift and sorry to be a buzzkill with the gory details, cuz I know this is "family hour" but that is, in a nutshell an answer to your query...
I do know this kinda thing is annoying, but hey; someone asked. Please delete if it's not wanted...

[ Edited by: lanikai 2006-03-17 16:41 ]