Hawaii residents have been moving away from the islands in droves in recent years; in fiscal 2019, more than 13,000 people departed — the highest negative net migration ever.
Why are so many people leaving the Aloha State?
We think it’s mostly because of Hawaii’s limited opportunities, brought on by high taxes, excessive regulations, unaffordable housing, exorbitant consumer prices and other factors that make up its back-breaking high cost of living. However, rather than assume on their behalf, we decided to create an online forum called “Why we left Hawaii,” where former residents can explain in their own words why they left paradise.
If you are among those who felt they had to leave the islands, and haven’t yet shared your mo’olelo with us, please feel free to do so.Our hope is that these stories will educate our lawmakers as to what is needed to make sure that you and your loved ones, and others like you, can someday come home.
Their Stories
Why Jennifer Smith left Hawaii
I will miss Hawaii’s great year-round lovely weather, beautiful blue waters and amazing flora and fauna, but there are so many reasons why my husband
Why Colyn Slocum left Hawaii
Having been born and raised in Hawaii to a local family that has been in the islands for several generations, the decision to leave the
Our broken education system: Why Eric Lee left Hawaii
I chose to leave Hawaii because it is expensive, crowded and lots of locals seemed to have a sense of entitlement. My wife is a
‘I didn’t know how much better it is outside of Hawaii’; Why Pearl Hori left Hawaii
I was born and raised in Kona. I was 49 years old when I left for the mainland in 2017. Kilauea had been erupting constantly
‘I don’t believe we could ever afford to live there again’: Why Kirk French left Hawaii
We lived in Waimanalo for over 20 years and even with two incomes, we were never able to get ahead. We still have family there.
From mainland college to mainland job: Why Bert Kanoa Jr. left Hawaii
I was born and raised on the Big Island. My wife and I both grew up in North Kohala and graduated high school from there.
No opportunity for tech: Why Daniel Ornelas left Hawaii
I moved to Hawaii when I was 11, back in 2010. I lived on Maui for 11 years. I was so fortunate to spend the
‘The government in Hawaii destroyed Hawaii’: Why Martina Light left Hawaii
We lived on Maui for over 10 years. I used to manage vacation rentals and my husband worked for Maui Electric. He was a lineman.
Why Doug and Jane Howard left Hawaii
After almost 20 years in Hawaii living on three islands — Maui, Molokai and Oahu — we had finally had enough and in October 2020
Dreams of homeownership: Why Johnette fa*gaale left Hawaii
It was always a dream of mine to be a homeowner. Realistically, I could not have fulfilled that dream staying in Hawaii. My parents worked
Why Judy Fujimoto left Hawaii
I lived in Hawaii for 53 years. I arrived in March 1966 on the SS Lurline, and left in September 2018. I was with a
Why Carol Collis left Hawaii
I lived on Maui for 10 years. I moved there from Laguna Hills, California, after losing my business. My husband Paul and I owned a
Why Margo Lynn left Hawaii
Originally from upper Michigan, I moved to Hawaii in 1968. My intention was only to stay for only a year. I loved the island lifestyle.
Why Tom and Ycrem left Hawaii
The cost of life in Hawaii is just too much for us to raise a family there. We wanted to be able to provide our
Why Marly Galindo left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Wahiawā, Oahu, and lived there until I graduated from Leilehua High School in 1978. “Growing up, I never had
Why Tailee Schrock left Hawaii
“Hawaii was home my whole life. “My parents met at BYUH in Laie and stayed. I met my husband at BYUH, and we stayed. When
Why Ashlynn Sakaria left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Oahu. I lived there all my life until this past February, when I moved to Arizona with my husband
Why Jania Hoover left Hawaii
“I moved to Hawaii when I was in fourth grade. I lived there until I graduated from Radford High School. I left Hawaii to attend
Why Kaloku Holt left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Hawaii. My parents split up while I was in elementary school. Before going into high school, my mom decided
Why Shannon Nery left Hawaii
“I was born at Wahiawa General Hospital and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, in the town of Haleiwa, for 16 years, until I
Why Rosemary Garrido left Hawaii
“I am not a native of Hawaii, but I am a Chamorro descendant. I relocated to Hawaii from my island Guam because I had just
Why Guy Monahan left Hawaii
“I came to Oahu from Colorado on April 1, 1980, and moved away on August 31, 2016. I lived there longer than anywhere else. It
Why Karen Nutt left Hawaii
“Lived in Maui for seven years. It kept getting more expensive but our salaries never changed. It was hard to get ahead, even though my
Why Barney Pickard left Hawaii
“We moved to O‘ahu in 2003. I worked for Windward Dodge in the auto sales business and my wife went to work for the Navy
Why Eliaza Holokahi left Hawaii
“I lived in Hawaii for 18 years. I have two sisters and a brother who still live there. But for me it was too expensive.
Why Kenneth Malubay left Hawaii
“I was born and raised on Oahu. The primary reason for my leaving was the cost of living and living from paycheck to paycheck. I
Why Courtney Dang left Hawaii
“I was born and raised on Oahu, lived in Portland off and on for seven years. I decided to go back home to Hawaii with
Why Chanson Rego left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Hawaii, on the island of Kauai. I had to move with my family away from our roots due to
Why Warren Rodrigues left Hawaii
“I was born in Wailuku, Maui, not long after the original Maui Memorial Hospital was built. I had a great childhood being raised in Upcountry
Why Jan Farmer left Hawaii
“I moved to Oahu in 1986, and moved to Maui a couple months later because I found a job at a new Longs Drugs in
Why Robert Dunn left Hawaii
“I lived and worked in Hawaii from 1980 to 2016. I’m originally from Texas, but joined the Navy in 1978 and was assigned to a
Why Josi-Kona Hahn left Hawaii
“I was born in 1944 and graduated from James B. Castle High School in Kaneohe in 1962. “After graduating, I spent a year living in
Why Michael Hernandez left Hawaii
“Born in 1979, I lived on Oahu for 28 years before I decided to move to the mainland in 2007. “I decided to move to
Why Reg Baker left Hawaii
“I moved to Hawaii from Florida in 1973 when I was 18. I left for Vietnam in December 1973 to serve in the Navy, for
Why Chelsea Wright left Hawaii
“I am Native Hawaiian, born and raised on Oahu. Being stuck at an 8-to-5 desk job for two years with no room to move up
Why Kimberlyn Racoma left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Kailua, Hawaii. In high school I met my husband, and we have been together ever since. We were engaged
Why Cynthia Wafer left Hawaii
“Born in Queen’s Hospital, lived with my family lived in Palolo Valley. Our family had land but my mother sold it when dad left. We
Why Natasha Luciano left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Wai‘anae on the island of O‘ahu. I knew that Hawai‘i was expensive all my life — it’s hard to
Why Bob Haber left Hawaii
“We moved to Hawaii in 1966 when I had finished sixth-grade. I lived there until my second year of college, then went to the mainland
Why Jen Snow left Hawaii
“I wasn’t born or raised in Hawaii, but when I visited for my best friend’s wedding and felt the aloha spirit, I knew it was
Why Barbara Hornbeck left Hawaii
“My husband and I were born on the mainland, but we fell in love with Hawaii during our first visit there as a married couple.
Why Jena Orozco Dickson left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Kona, Hawaii. I graduated high school and college in Hawaii. “When I was 21 years old, I could no
Why Natalie Uehara left Hawaii
“I originally came to Hawaii from Florida as a dancer on the Norwegian Cruise Line America fleet in 2006. Through that job, I met my
Why Lynn Fanene, Sr. left Hawaii
“I come from the Fanene/Keawemauhili family. I was born and raised in Kahuku and Laie until I graduated from Kahuku High in 1968. The draft
Why Dawn Lehuanani Hutchinson left Hawaii
“I was born in Wahiawa and raised on Oahu. I left in May 1993 after I got married, then returned Sept. 21, 1994 after a
Why Kayla-Anne Goo left Hawaii
“I was born and raised on the island of Kauai before moving to Arizona in 2007. At the time, my dad was offered a job
Why Amanda Bjornen left Hawaii
“My family and I moved to Hilo from Texas when I was a young teenager. I spent my teen and young adult years in Hawaii.
Why Brandie Henderson left Hawaii
“We are originally from Texas but we lived in Lahaina for eight wonderful years. We had all three of our children on Maui and still
Why Rachael Rich left Hawaii
“After a nasty split from my son’s father, some friends on the island offered to have us come live with them until we could get
Why Nate Hara left Hawaii
“Born in Waimea, Kauai. Raised in Hilo. Lived in Hawaii until I was 26. Cost of living, continuous raising of taxes and fees raised due
Why Chad Blanton left Hawaii
“While stationed on Oahu while in the Marine Corps, I met my wife, who was born and raised on Oahu. Our first son was born
Why Toby Clairmont left Hawaii
“My wife and I left Hawaii in September 2018. Hawaii was my home for over 60 years. We left because we wanted to retire in
Why Darrah Yamamoto left Hawaii
“I’m a local girl, Native Hawaiian, born and raised in Kaneohe. My husband got sick and couldn’t work anymore, so we decided to leave because
Why Hayley Borges left Hawaii
“I was born and raised in Hawaii, and left after I graduated from Sacred Hearts Academy to go to college. I went to Northern Arizona
Why Michael Cheney left Hawaii
“I was born in Kahuku and raised in Hauula. I lived in Hawaii for about 26 years. It was a hard decision to move out
Why Christopher Peralta left Hawaii
“I left Honolulu in 2009 because I was working three jobs and had nothing much to show for it. My home was a cinder block
Why Liane Jackson left Hawaii
“I was born in the 70’s at Queen’s Hospital and raised by my parents in Waipahu. I grew up running barefoot and making mud pies
How to keep people from leaving
