People leave Hawaii for one reason, then become attached to their new home for another. Hawaii can fall victim to its own easygoing image as a tourist escape from the real world. After graduating from the American University in Paris, Chu returned to Hawaii and now works in the state Legislature. To me it's sad because I felt that way. Many assume that it's impossible or unambitious to live in Hawaii, and they leave even before they have looked for jobs here.
People are very fickle about what cities they think are hip.
A perceived lack of opportunity makes people look elsewhere for jobs. They leave, so the skilled work force diminishes. Then companies coming in decry the lack of a skilled work force and fill skilled positions with non-Hawaii employees. It is probably making Hawaii less attractive to high-tech industries. Lack of innovation Ordway also said he thinks the brain drain is partly responsible for a dearth of innovation here.