For all you natives and locals...?

Question

the last time I went to Kauai, there seemed to be some resentment and a general cloud of depression among the locals. My guides said that the Hawaii residents are moving to Las Vegas and some are living in cars at the beach because of high rent.
Is this true? What's going on over there?

Answer 1

It's all true... But... It's the same wherever you go.

Hawaii has a great marketing campaign that bills this place as a paradise, with happy people living the good live. (Mostly true)

Unfortunately... We are just the same as everyone else.

I'm willing to bet that people are depressed, broke and homeless in your town as well.

Hawaii... just like Jupiter Island, Fla, The Gold Coast of Chicago, Malibu, Aspen, The Hamptons, Manhattan's Upper East Side, Vail, Santa Barbra, and many other great places to VISIT... are too expensive for many of the people who Work there, to actually be able to afford to Live there.

Rent is high in Hawaii because it's a very nice place. There are enough rich people and other entrepreneurs who can work anywhere there is a fast Internet connection to keep the housing prices up. Pay is low because there aren't very many professional level services jobs.

Life in Hawaii is not easy. There is a lot of competition for what jobs there are. Many people work two jobs.

Our best and brightest are sometimes forced to move to the mainland. There just aren't very many jobs here for engineers, scientists, architects, computer programmers and many other professions.

Gone are the old days when the land was free and the people worked together to feed each other as a tribe.

There is some resentment about that, just like the American Indians who feel cheated out of their land. Most of it is sour grapes and ancient history.

The people who live here... Want to live here. They have family here and this is their home.

I think it's a great place to live. I'm very happy here. But then again... I have a good job and I don't exactly live in my car.

Aloha,
Dave.

Answer 2

Well, I'm a part time resident on Kauai and Oahu, and I don't know what locals you are talking about. And if there is ANY resentment or a general cloud of depression amongst the locals as you perceive it to be? Then, maybe you picked it up in the wrong way? And if your guide was a "local" and I mean one who was born and raised on the islands, then he must have his own resentment toward the local natives of the island. Obviously, your guide must be doing ok to still be living on the island, let alone giving tour guides.

Next time a "tour guide" gives information such as that? Ask him to show you the areas and give you the real reason as to WHY these locals are living in their cars or at the beach. Majority are doing it based on Political reasons.

Last but not the very least, locals move to the other States due to the high cost of living and jobs. Just like everywhere else, People move for the mere fact of a lower cost of living. So if anyone wants to know if they can make it on their own? I say, take a stab at living in Hawaii. Because if you can make it there? You can make it anywhere. It all depends on the individuals themselves and not the People as a whole.

Answer 3

that's bs! people don't live in their cars, but the people that choose to only do it because they're lazy! there are a lot of people moving to vegas, but mainly because of the opportunity to make more money and cheaper rent. they're experiencing what's out there to broaden their horizons just like everyone else.