Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 40, Number 4, 1 April 2023 — “Brain Drain” - An Exodus of Kānaka Moving to the Continent [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

“Brain Drain” - An Exodus of Kānaka Moving to the Continent

By Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton Young kānaka are opting to move away from Hawai'i to chase their careers and save money, leaving the future of the islands uncertain. "It's easier to make a living for yourself here on the mainland than back home in Hawai'i," said 25-year-old Josiah Factora. The Hilo native now resides in Marysville, Wash. He's one of many "young, educated workers" ffom Hawai'i who are relocating (predominantly) to the western U.S. - California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado - as well as to the American South, including Texas, Florida, Georgia and Virginia. This trend has been dubbed "brain drain," according to Hawai'i's Department of Business, Eeonomie Development & Tourism. "Onee I got to high school, I already knew I wanted to get off the islands," Factora said, pointing to a laek of opportunities in Hawai'i. After receiving a scholarship to play baseball, he moved to Tacoma, Wash. He returned to Hilo with his girlfriend for a few years but, faced with the high cost of living and low wages, the eouple eventually moved back to the continent. Factora admits that rent in the Seattle area is getting

nore expensive, but "it's not iearly as bad as back home," le added. He has since se:ured a good-paying HVAC ob despite having no prior :xperience. Factora says his biggest ;acrifice for relocating to :he continent is "being away ?rom my parents and my sibings," but recently several if his friends have made the ;ame decision to move away ?rom Hawai'i. One day, he plans to return. "Home will always be home," Factora said. "You ean always go back." The most significant factors influencing decisions to move include new jobs and i

job transfers, along with family and housing reasons, reports Hawai'i's Department of Business, Eeonomie Development & Tourism. But young Hawaiians living on the continent also take advantage of higher pay and "significantly cheaper" housing costs.

In the Honolulu area, overall costs rose about 5% higher in January than the year prior, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The cost of food jumped around 6%, gasoline gained by about 16%, and energy surged by almost 21%. And over the past decade, the price of housing has steadily swelled year over year, especially in urban Hawai'i. The median household ineome for the U.S. sits at almost $70,000, but Hawai'i's is even higher at about $85,000, the U.S. Census Bureau reports. Still, about 11% of Hawai'i residents live in poverty, with those under the age of 18 impacted at the highest rate at almost 14%. But for some Hawai'i natives, it doesn't eome down to money. The lifestyle change is attractive, too. Kaylen Cabatu Gapusan, 24, is planning a move to Las Vegas, Nev., from Hilo in June. He's owned a car detailing business for about four years and wants to expand to the continent "and just try new things." Gapusan described himself as both nervous and excited at the prospect. "Onee I move, it'll be like starting ffom scratch all over again," he said. He considers Hawai'i laidback, but "so limited." Gapusan is looking forward to new adventures, like exSEE "BRAIN DRAIN" ON PAGE 18

Josiah Factora left Hilo for Washington State citing the laek of opportunities, high cost of liv- ( ing, and low woges in Hawai'i. - Courtesy Photo

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"BRAIN DRAIN" Continued from page 15 ploring California "and not having to spend over $1,000 just to get there," he said. He admits that he won't be able to see his family as often, although his mom already resides on the continent. Still, Gapusan hopes this move will be long-term. "A part of me wishes I grew up on the mainland, just because there's a lot more to do. But, at the same time, home is always home," he said. "Eventually, I wouldn't mind coming back home to raise a family." For almost three decades, 66-year-old Cyndi Pa has called Washington State home after leaving Hawai'i. When she first moved, she didn't know any other islanders who had done the same. Pa originally eame to the continent for love, but stayed to grow her store - Colors of Hawai'i Gifts and Treasures, a Hawai'i specialty store in located the city of Everett - even as others doubted her. "Now, it's 10 and a half years, and I've still got my business," she said. "It was meant to be for me to eome up here." Pa says the islands are "too expensive." She encourages other Hawaiians to relocate to the eontinent, although she sympathizes with the difHculties in making that decision. "Everybody wants to take over our islands," she said. "Well, let's take over the mainland." ■ Author Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton reports on the business beat at The Denver Post, and has covered the Venezuelan refugee crisis in Peru, parliamentary affairs in England, White House press briefings in Washington, D.C., and midterm elections in Arizona. She writes for Ka Wai Ola, Delish and other publications. Megan previously covered agriculture and trade policy for Bloomberg Government.