Rory Padeken, a sophomore at Punahou, thinks he might want to go to Stanford. Once they become tracked into mainland life, however, the urge to return diminishes. Those who put down roots on the mainland are least likely to return. Students who are waiting for the right career opportunity to surface in Hawaii have found it difficult to postpone building a life wherever they are. They've bought homes.
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.