Hawaii’s population fell 0.7% between July 2020 and July 2021, the third-largest per capita population decline in the country, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Hawaii trailed only New York (-1.6%) and Illinois (-0.9%).

According to the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, Hawaii’s net population loss for fiscal year 2021 was 10,358, marking the fifth consecutive year that the state has experienced a population loss.

 #Hawaii, #Laws, #Taxes, #News, www.Hawaii.Bio

In December 2020, census data showed that Hawaii’s population decreased by 8,609 people in fiscal year 2020 and by 7,487 people in fiscal year 2019.

“Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, but residents continue to leave for better opportunities elsewhere. If there are any state or county politicians who are not already aware of this fact, hopefully this latest information will clear things up.”

According to census data, Hawaii had a population of 1,441,553 as of July 2021, up from 1,451,911 residents the previous year. This includes 15,904 births and 14,648 deaths, corresponding to a “natural increase” of 1,256 people. The bureau also estimated a net influx of 1,077 people, including both immigrants and returning U.S. citizens who moved to Hawaii from other countries.

Thus, the entire decline was due to continued emigration to the mainland, with the difference between people moving to and from the mainland being minus 12,603.

Early last year, results from the 2020 Census showed that the state’s population increased by 7% from 2010 to 2020. The timing and composition of this increase remains poorly understood pending the Census Bureau’s ongoing estimate of the 2020 Census and a revision of its population estimates for the previous decade, the results of which are expected later this year.

In any case, the underlying reasons for Hawaii’s population decline remain. All data points to a steady exodus of Hawaii residents to the mainland over the past decade, increasing since 2016 and continuing last year. For the most part, the reasons boil down to Hawaii’s high cost of living, housing shortages, and lack of jobs and business opportunities.

According to a 2019 survey by the Pacific Resource Partnership , the top reasons people left Hawaii were the high cost of living, 86%, and the high cost of housing, 83%.

In 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that Hawaii’s cost of living is the highest in the country, 12% higher than the national average.

In 2021, the BEA found that Honolulu was one of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country, with the cost of living 13% higher than the metropolitan average.

Commentary Series for Hawaii Biography “Why Did We Leave Hawaii?” documents the stories of dozens of people who felt compelled to say “Aloha” to Hawaii. Here’s what some former Hawaii residents have to say:

• “Most of my family is still in Hawaii. Some are in different states. They moved because of the schools, the lower cost of living and higher pay.”
• “I don’t believe we will ever be able to afford to live there again. We miss Hawaii.” 
• “My family moved to a place where housing and land are affordable. There are many job opportunities and better pay.”

With thousands of people leaving Hawaii every year, it is high time the Legislature focused on policies that will lower the cost of living and expand opportunity. Cutting taxes, reducing barriers to new housing, and promoting Jones Act reform would be good starting points. We just have to create a better environment for our family, friends and neighbors who right now seem to see a better future for themselves anywhere but Hawaii.

* If you have personal experience of life in Hawaii and want to share your impressions and tell us about it, please write to us contact@hawaii.bio or fill out the form on the “Contact” page 

**We also invite residents of Hawaii or those who have left this state to participate in the radio/video broadcast on the Hawaii Biography platform.