The following editorial was originally published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Sunday, May 3rd as part of the “Raise Your Hand” column in the Insight section.
Zoe Lim & Bryan Watanabe, Hawaii Baptist Academy Class of 2027
Zoe Lim
Living in Hawaii is often considered a privilege because of its beauty and laid-back lifestyle. Regardless, too many people are being “priced out of paradise” due to the high cost of living, high taxes, and rising everyday expenses.
According to the 2024 State of ALICE in Hawaii report, one in three families consider moving to the continental United States. While some argue that a lack of job opportunities is the main cause of Hawaii’s brain drain, the more immediate and pressing issue is affordability. People are not just leaving for better opportunities but are being pushed out because they can no longer afford to stay.
Despite the declining population and resulting economic challenges, Hawaii’s government has not done enough to keep its people home.
Unaffordability begins with Hawaii’s restrictive zoning regulations. Although intended to protect local lands from overdevelopment, these policies limit construction so severely that only about 5% of the state can be built on. At the same time, regulations favor high-rise apartments and single-family homes, even though many families can only afford smaller and more flexible options like duplexes or accessory dwelling units.
Proposals from the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii to relax zoning laws and allow more housing conversions are a step in the right direction. However, there is no silver bullet to a problem of this scale and creating an environment where housing for local families can be built rapidly will require a more comprehensive policy response.
In addition to housing costs, Hawaii’s high tax burden adds another layer of financial pressure. The state ranks first in the nation for overall tax burden, which is especially difficult for small business owners and working families. As more people leave, the tax base shrinks, placing even more pressure on those who remain. Government projects — such as the rail and the new Aloha Stadium — while well-intentioned, have also added significant financial strain.
Although tax cuts are critical, reducing overall government spending is equally necessary. The sweeping income tax cuts that were enacted in 2024 under the Green Affordability Plan illustrate this idea well. Spearheaded by Gov. Josh Green, the plan was touted as the largest tax cut in state history, and the Department of Taxation projected that by 2031, it would reduce the taxes of a median-income family of four by 69%.
Yet lawmakers and the governor are now trying to scale back those cuts to offset federal funding reductions. Rather than looking first to increase tax revenue, the state should focus on identifying the many areas of the budget where spending can be reduced.
Certainly, the decision to leave is not an easy one, especially for those born and raised in Hawaii who want to raise their families here. I hope to eventually settle down in Hawaii because I want my children to grow up knowing our island’s unique, rich culture and loving community. However, I worry that it may never be a financially viable option.
Most people who leave are not in search of a lavish lifestyle on the mainland. In fact, many would prefer to stay in Hawaii, even knowing that their dollar would go further on the mainland than it does at home. But as things stand, even residents with stable jobs are struggling to make it in Hawaii and cannot afford even their basic necessities.
If Hawaii does not reform its housing policy, tax system and government spending, the cost of living will continue to rise. Hawaii’s brain drain will persist as residents are left with no choice but to seek a more financially sustainable life elsewhere.
Bryan Watanabe
If you ask a high school senior in Hawaii where they are headed for college, their likely answer is somewhere on the mainland. Hawaii is a beautiful place with fresh local food, strong community ties, and a deep sense of ohana found nowhere else. Why, then, would anyone want to leave such a close-knit and peaceful community for somewhere they have never lived before? Simply put, the answer is the lack of good job opportunities.
Many of my friends and I who are planning to attend college on the mainland are interested in STEM careers. Fields like mechanical engineering are high-paying and in strong demand. However, Hawaii’s tourism-driven economy offers relatively limited opportunities in STEM, manufacturing, and other industrial sectors compared to the mainland.
The belief that success requires leaving Hawaii takes shape early on. Many see a college degree from a reputable institution as the best way to distinguish themselves and ultimately secure a high-income career. Parents in Hawaii often encourage their children to attend college on the mainland to improve their future job prospects.
My own household reflects this reality. My father’s side of the family migrated to Hawaii in search of economic opportunity, yet my parents now encourage me to attend a good college on the mainland so I can find a lucrative career and achieve success.
Many students who leave for college ultimately choose to stay on the mainland, where there is a wider range of career paths and stronger long-term prospects than are available in Hawaii. While they gain valuable education and experience on the mainland, these benefits do not help Hawaii if they choose not to return.
From 2017 to today, Hawaii has experienced a noticeable population decline, largely due to domestic outmigration. A January 2021 report by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism found that mainland job opportunities are a major reason why Hawaii-born residents leave.
According to DBEDT, over 55% of Hawaii-born people with a bachelor’s degree move away, along with about 60% of those with more advanced degrees. In other words, the more education people receive, the less likely they are to return.
These individuals represent a significant loss of talent that could otherwise support Hawaii’s economy, communities and future growth. Over time, this becomes a self-reinforcing cycle. As more talented individuals leave in search of opportunity, fewer opportunities remain or will ever be created in Hawaii.
Residents in Hawaii often cite the rising cost of housing, healthcare, transportation, and other necessities as a key concern. While policy changes can help ease these burdens, the cost of living in Hawaii will likely always remain high compared to other places due to its geographic isolation and limited resources. As a result, residents need well-paying jobs to sustain their lives in the islands.
It is the state government’s responsibility to strengthen our economy so that Hawaii can become the paradise everyone once dreamed of. The government should expand internships, training programs, and career opportunities to encourage the younger generation to stay in Hawaii. Additionally, housing shortages, taxes, and tourism policies should be properly restructured to support a strong, sustainable economy.
Without meaningful change, population decline may reach a critical mass, where the loss of talent accelerates and further weakens economic opportunities in Hawaii. If Hawaii hopes to keep its young people, it must build an economy that enables future generations to build successful, sustainable careers.
Today marks the 10th anniversary of RAISE YOUR HAND, a student column we built
around that very idea. Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders, the nonprofit that facilitates this
column, has worked tirelessly to bring diverse, young voices into the editorial pages of
the Star Advertiser. We’ve welcomed writers from every island and 32 high schools.
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