Changing racial demographics (Honolulu, Hilo, Kaneohe: condos, houses, buying)

[tropical87]

I was just wondering if the racial demographics are changing significantly as more locals move to the mainland and if there has been a noticeable shift in race numbers in your area. Is Hawaii moving to a more mixed state, or more whiter,or more of the same?

[Balad1]

Originally Posted by tropical87

I was just wondering if the racial demographics are changing significantly as more locals move to the mainland and if there has been a noticeable shift in race numbers in your area. Is Hawaii moving to a more mixed state, or more whiter,or more of the same?

It varies by island and locations within each island. Any loss of residents to the mainland is offset by births; some of the locals can crank out the kids.

Hawaii has always been a mixed state but I think that it is turning whiter, at least in areas.

[TheRickShawMan]

Originally Posted by tropical87

I was just wondering if the racial demographics are changing significantly as more locals move to the mainland and if there has been a noticeable shift in race numbers in your area. Is Hawaii moving to a more mixed state, or more whiter,or more of the same?

I think Hawaii is the same, at least the last time I went back, which was in December 2009.

But it is true and sad though, that a lot of the locals who cannot afford living in Hawaii move to the mainland, while the rich people from the mainland move to Hawaii to buy those expensive houses or condos to live in.

BTW, I'm a Kama'aina who was born and grew up on Oahu. Moved to the mainland after high school.

I really miss the islands!

[Tiger Beer]

Seems like Maui is becoming more caucasian. Sorry, can't back that up though...

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

Seems like Maui is becoming more caucasian. Sorry, can't back that up though...

Maybe not Caucasian, but definitely retired, rich, of any background. That is what drives up housing prices and makes it so that true locals can no longer afford to live there.

[tropical87]

So would Maui be the "whitest" island?

[whynot?]

I've been on Maui for almost 10 years now. Maybe that's not long enough, but it was a decade with a lot of building and buying, and I don't see it getting any whiter. There are just as many whites as non-whites that have moved to the mainland during the economic downturn, probably more, as they tended to be people who'd moved here during the boom. I don't personally get the preoccupation with race, but as a casual observer, Maui's demographics seem much the same as in 2000.

[MickeyE]

Dang, maybe my wife and I should move to help even out the white/non-white population! I am white, she is black. That should even things a bit I would think.

Mickey

[City Data Guy]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hawaii's non-Hispanic white population is increasing.

In the year 2000, non-Hispanic whites stood at 22.9% of Hawaii's population (277,091 individuals). Here is the source.

According to the 2006-2008 estimates, the percentage of non-Hispanic whites was just under one-quarter (24.8%) and they numbered at 317,026.
Here is the source.

Counties

Honolulu County

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Honolulu County (2000): 20.0% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Honolulu County (2006-2008): 20.9% (Source)

Hawaii County

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Hawaii County (2000): 29.7% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Hawaii County (2006-2008): 33.7% (Source)

Maui County

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Maui County (2000): 31.9% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Maui County (2006-2008): 35.2% (Source)

Kauai County

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kauai County (2000): 27.9% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kauai County (2006-2008): 31.9% (Source)

Cities

Honolulu

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Honolulu (2000): 18.7% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Honolulu (2006-2008): 20.2% (Source)

Hilo

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Hilo (2000): 15.9% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Hilo (2006-2008): 23.1% (Source)

Kailua

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kailua (2000): 42.3% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kailua (2006-2008): 48.6% (Source)

Kaneohe

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kaneohe (2000): 19.3% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kaneohe (2006-2008): 20.4% (Source)

Waipahu

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Waipahu (2000): 4.1% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Waipahu (2006-2008): 5.7% (Source)

Pearl City

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Pearl City (2000): 16.0% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Pearl City (2006-2008): 13.8% (Source)

Waimalu

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Waimalu (2000): 16.1% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Waimalu (2006-2008): 14.4% (Source)

Mililani Town

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Mililani Town (2000): 19.2% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Mililani Town (2006-2008): 16.7% (Source)

Kahului

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kahului (2000): 8.6% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kahului (2006-2008): 7.6% (Source)

Kihei

Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kihei (2000): 45.2% (Source)
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites in Kihei (2006-2008): 48.2% (Source)


In conclusion, the state of Hawaii and all of Hawaii's most populous counties are gaining non-Hispanic white residents. Hawaii's major cities are gaining non-Hispanic white residents; the exceptions are Pearl City, Waimalu, Mililani Town, and Kahului. Honolulu, Hilo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Waipahu, and Kihei all saw growths in the percentage of non-Hispanic white residents.

Happy posting!

-City Data Guy

[kapohokaiyo]

Demographics in Hilo as of 2000 census showed it as the most ethnically diverse city in the US.

The demographics may have changed slightly one way or the other a small % but I think we will find in 2010 census not a great deal.