Readers should understand the perspective about Honolulu.  Here are some thoughts:

1. Honolulu, with a population of about 750,000, is too small to be included in the major market MSA’s (Metropolitan Statistical Areas) like Atlanta, Las Vegas, Detroit, and other major metropolitan centers.  Thus, reports about MSA’s, such as real estate and labor statistics, do not apply nor are they necessarily relevant to Honolulu or the rest of the State of Hawaii.

2. Most Hawaii residents regard Honolulu as a noisy, crowded, urban setting useful for the occasional shopping trip, fancy dinner, or major surgery.

3. Honolulu (i.e. State of Hawaii) is rated #2 after Bismarck, North Dakota, as a good job market in recent surveys.  Bismarck hiring is in large part due to the prospects of labor to extract oil shale.  Winters are long and really cold.  Not so in Hawaii.

4. Hawaii’s ‘Neighbor Islands’ (Kauai, Maui, Big Island, and even little Lanai and Molokai) are regarded by many as the true Hawaii, each with it’s own personality and life style. National statistics never include these spectacular islands.

5. Many airlines are adding direct flights to Kauai (and to Maui and Big Island) to avoid the layover delays, potential for lost or delayed checked baggage transfers, and terminal transfers at the Honolulu airport.

6. Honolulu (i.e. State of Hawaii) is often in first place for quality of life, and this is especially so on islands such as Kauai

7. Cost of energy is often cited as a downside, yet alternative energy sources, especially solar, are booming.  Hawaii wants to move away from dependency on oil.  A corollary is the popularity of very high MPG cars which sell like hotcakes.

8. Further, a glance at the map of the islands of Hawaii shows clearly that there is no ability for long and costly road trips.  Thus less gasoline is used or needed.

9. Cost of food is also often cited, yet Farmer’s Markets are held daily, and abound on the neighbor islands where fresh, organic fruits and vegetables are sold.  Commercially, Safeway and Foodland stores offer easy-to-get discount cards allowing substantial savings.

So, in conclusion, the State of Hawaii, excluding Honolulu, is truly a paradise with islands unique in character to fit your plans and dreams.