Many, like the Purdys, have headed to Las Vegas. According to 2021 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the biggest growth of Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations was in Clark County, Nevada, which includes Las Vegas, and Sacramento County, California.
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Also, the cost of living is significantly lower. So in 2017, they uprooted their family and moved to Henderson, a Las Vegas suburb in Clark County, where they could afford to rent a two-bedroom apartment for $1,000 a month. Far from Hawaii's shores, they felt like “fish out of water,” Purdy said.
The state's population decline coincided with the worst months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Hawaii experienced high unemployment and escalating inflation and housing costs, forcing many residents to move away for jobs and more affordable living on the mainland.
Thousands of homes were lost in the fire that destroyed the town of Lahaina on Maui. Hawaii has the highest cost of the living in the nation, and many evacuees worry they won't be able to find affordable housing.
As a result of this exodus, nearly 50% of all Native Hawaiians live outside of Hawaii. California hosts the largest Hawaiian diaspora community, followed by Washington state and Nevada.
Oahu is the most populated of all the main Hawaiian Islands. With nearly one million residents, it is home to Honolulu-- the state's capital-- as well as Waikiki and Pearl Harbor. Oahu is the most popular island to move to because the job opportunities and salaries are higher here.
What mainland city is most like Hawaii? San Diego seems so far removed from the mainland U.S.A. and every city in the 49 continental states. It has a tropical climate, a deep-rooted surf culture, and boasts a more relaxed way of living, drawing easy comparisons to the Hawaiian islands.
Lower Tourist Population = Lower PricesThis means greater room availability and lower prices for accommodations in and around Hilo, making a Hawaii vacation within easier reach for those traveling on a budget.
The Cost of Living is HighThe cost of living in Hawaii is high. That goes for housing costs, but it also applies to the food on grocery store shelves. Everything that has to be shipped or flown to the islands will cost more. Hawaii is also a high-tax state.
Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. while California ranks third. When you compare the cost of living in Hawaii and that of California, you will likely find that Hawaii's cost of living is considerably higher. The cost of living index in Hawaii is 196.3 while that in California is 138.5.
Unfortunately, homelessness is especially common in Hawaii. Hawaii high cost of living, homeless from the mainland, drug use, and natural disasters like the recent Maui Fires.
Once upon a time, insects like mosquitoes, centipedes, and house flies did not exist on Maui. However, as people fell in love with Maui and decided to stay here permanently, horrific creatures came along hiding in shoes, carpets, and clothes. Ever since, these creatures also claimed permanent residence in paradise.