Hawaiʻi Island
CommunityNews & Updates
February 6, 2026
Civil Beat

It's Not Just the Cost of Living — It's the Lack of Good Jobs

Policymakers and media outlets often point to Hawaiʻi's high cost of living when discussing why people leave the state. But a new study argues there's another, equally important factor: a lack of high-paying jobs.

View Article
Related reading

You Might Also Like

More stories and updates from Kohala Coast Community Fund.

The Real Cost of Surviving in Hawaiʻi

The federal poverty level for a family of four in Hawaiʻi is just under $36,000 — but the actual household survival budget is closer to $107,795.

Career Training Programs Aren't Reaching Girls Equally

Enrollment in career and technical education pathways has surged in Hawaiʻi, but the programs aren't serving boys and girls equally across the state.

A Stark Look at Hawaiʻi's Worsening Cost-of-Living Crisis

This survey paints a stark picture of a worsening cost-of-living crisis in the state, with more residents living paycheck to paycheck and spending unsustainable portions of income on essentials.

An Evening Exploring the Science of Why We Love Music

Learn more about the science, psychology, and sociology behind why humans love music and how our brains process it.