Although Hawaii would be the last state most people would associate with a declining population, that’s exactly what is according the U.S. Census statistics, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii said in a news release.
The state’s population dropped by 8,609 in fiscal year 2020, exceeding its decline in the previous year when it lost 7,487, the Institute said. It’s the fourth year in a row the state has lost population.
“This isn’t a new problem for our state,” Keli’i Akina, president and CEO of the Institute, said in a statement. “For some time now, our neighbors, family and friends have been moving away to states such as Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, Utah and Texas, which have lower taxes and fewer regulations, and offer residents more freedoms and opportunities.”
Hawaii’s high cost of living and the lure of better jobs in other states are prompting residents to leave, Akina said.
COVID-19 just made matters worse.
“Hawaii’s unemployment numbers are among the worst in the nation,” Akina said. “The state and county lockdowns have hit the state especially hard. Given such bleak economic prospects, it’s no surprise that residents are leaving the state quicker than ever.”
He is calling for policies to lower the cost of living and improve the economy.
“The people of Hawaii are our greatest resource,” Akina said.
Losing population will reduce state revenue, making the state’s budget problems even worse.
“It also means the loss of vital workers and professionals,” he said.
Hawaii has about 1.4 million people.
The University of Hawaii has projected that the state’s population will continue to decline, reaching 1.3 million by the end of fiscal 2022.
However, the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is predicting a slight increase in fiscal 2021 and in the following two years, the news release said.