If Hawaii is so good, why is the population so small? (smog, military)

[breakaway]

Something that always intrigued me was why people like to visit there, but not that many people actually live there. What are the negatives that push people away?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

It's really, really far away. You can't drive there. A lot of people move there, live a few years, and then return to the mainland because they miss family and friends.

There are not very many good paying jobs available. Housing is expensive, as it is in any resort area. There's not a lot of land to build on, so land is expensive. Everything has to be shipped there, so almost everything is expensive. Well, ok, there is some stuff grown there, but you can't live on pineapple and mango alone.

The culture is different. The way of life is different. It takes some getting used to, and for a lot of people it will remain a great place to visit.

We like it that way. We love the rural lifestyle that we've found on the Big Island. Come visit, share the aloha.

[HankDfrmSD]

Quote: If Hawaii is so good, why is the population so small? Unquote.

There may be not that many people in Hawaii, total, but then there are not that many square miles in Hawaii, total.

When you look at the population DENSITY (the number of people per square mile), Hawaii is pretty heavily populated, ranking #13 out of 50, at 186 people per square mile, way above the U.S. average of 80 per square mile.

List of U.S. states by population density - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hank

[TERRIE]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

It's really, really far away. You can't drive there. A lot of people move there, live a few years, and then return to the mainland because they miss family and friends.

There are not very many good paying jobs available. Housing is expensive, as it is in any resort area. There's not a lot of land to build on, so land is expensive. Everything has to be shipped there, so almost everything is expensive. Well, ok, there is some stuff grown there, but you can't live on pineapple and mango alone.

The culture is different. The way of life is different. It takes some getting used to, and for a lot of people it will remain a great place to visit.

We like it that way. We love the rural lifestyle that we've found on the Big Island. Come visit, share the aloha.

well said!

[mauidude]

-Consistantly voted 50th worse state to own a business in
-3rd highest taxed state in the US
-Low paying jobs, including state/governement jobs.
-One of the top 5 most expensive states to live in.
-Average home price $600,000+

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Mahalo, Terrie! I know that we all have our own viewpoints, but I'm glad to see that you agree with me!

[Good Karma]

I have been to Maui about 5 times & Kauai and Oahu once !
Everytime I get off the plane, I feel like I am home ! I love the
warmth and the tradewinds. I have always dreamed of
living on Maui but never made my dream a reality !

I am an original Southern California girl, born and raised...
but am getting sick of it FAST ! It's getting too crowded
here and would love something slower paced !

If I had the money I would move there in a heartbeat !
I don't care if I ever see Disneyland, Magic Mountain or
a mall in my lifetime ever !

Guess I will have to wait a bit longer !

[TERRIE]

Originally Posted by Good Karma

I have been to Maui about 5 times & Kauai and Oahu once !
Everytime I get off the plane, I feel like I am home ! I love the
warmth and the tradewinds. I have always dreamed of
living on Maui but never made my dream a reality !

I am an original Southern California girl, born and raised...
but am getting sick of it FAST ! It's getting too crowded
here and would love something slower paced !

If I had the money I would move there in a heartbeat !
I don't care if I ever see Disneyland, Magic Mountain or
a mall in my lifetime ever !

Guess I will have to wait a bit longer !

we felt the same way after visits and also getting married on oahu..i wished we would have left it at that. we ended up moving here 5 mos. after our wedding two years ago and are now on our way back to the mainland for the reasons mentioned above (mostly the expense)....Hawaii has a way of getting into your heart and the good news is, I believe, it will never leave, no matter where we live!....now we will look forward to our visits and not have the daily struggle of living here......oh and we moved here from so ca. I agree on the disney,smog,drivers,crime etc. i have no desire to move back to cali ever!

[alexei27]

I lived in Hawaii for a total of about 6 years on a military paycheck. I was happier living there then anywhere else I have ever been. It was doable because of the housing allowance. However...I am a civilian meteorologist now...and even with a GS-13 salary we would be hard pressed to own a home.

I have every intention of returning to Hawaii someday...but on not less than a GS-14 salary.

That is the reason for us...cost of living. I know of at least 3 other close friends who left for the same reason. However...once money is less of an issue we plan to return.

[cynmkolohe]

starbulletin.com | News | /2007/03/22/

Here is a fairly recent article that will detail the trends.

The Big Island of Hawaii is the fastest growing of all the islands right now, according to the Census Bureau.