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Cost of Living Summit to address outmigration of Hawaii’s young professionals

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Cost of Living Summit to address outmigration of Hawaii’s young professionals


HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Every year, more people leave Hawaii than move here, and young adults make up nearly 25% of those departures.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s Young Professionals (YP) Program is hosting a summit to discuss solutions to the brain drain.

Organizers Jessica Yuhara and Alena Kangas Auyoung joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about efforts to retain top young talent in Hawaii and its Cost of Living Summit on October 25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Alohilani Resort in Waikiki.

Among the factors prompting the outmigration of young adults are the high cost of living and lack of civic engagement in Hawaii. According to UHERO and DBEDT, young adults ages 25 to 34 represent 13.8% of Hawaii’s population, yet account for 24.3% of departures.

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More than 150 young professionals, community leaders and policymakers will discuss solutions at the summit, which aims to empower young professionals with tools and knowledge so they can turn the tide.

“This is a summit of and for our generation. We have to be the solution. Our families invested in their children not to bring those gifts to bear elsewhere. The summit will empower young professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to actively engage in their communities and make their voices heard on the issues that matter most,” organizers said.

A UHERO report shows only 1 in 5 local households can afford a mortgage for an $875,000 median priced home, while Child Care Aware of America says child care in Hawaii costs 18 percent of the median income for a married couple.

Tickets for the Cost of Living Summit, presented by Tradewind Group. are $50 for members and $65 for the general public. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/YPCostofLiving.

The YP Program aims to create a movement and change by building a stronger coalition to solve some of the state’s biggest challenges.

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To join, visit cochawaii.org. Membership rates start at $50.

Here are some event highlights:

1. “Surviving in Today’s Hawaii” Pre-Summit, Presented by American Savings Bank

  • Focus on financial literacy with sessions on growing and investing money, starting a side hustle, buying a home, preparing for college, taxes and more.

2. Cost of Living Summit presented by Tradewind Group

  • Cost of Housing Panel: Address housing affordability and discussion of potential solutions
  • Workforce Retention & Cost of Childcare Panel: Explore the impact of childcare costs on workforce retention
  • Interactive Breakouts: In-depth sessions and solutions-driven discussions on workforce retention, childcare costs and affordable housing.
  • Lunch & Learn: Enjoy lunch with notable change makers including Housing Committee Chairs Senator Stanley Chang, Representative Luke Evslin and others.

Cost of Living Summit registration includes attendance to all sessions including a Pau Hana Networking event.



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The Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations And How To Avoid Them

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The Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations And How To Avoid Them


A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

The first 24 hours can make or break your trip.

Many visitors plan their Hawaii trips for months or even years, then arrive and expect joy and aloha to hit them immediately. But as with other destinations, the first 24 hours can seem anything but relaxing, between long flights, jet lag, airport delays, and room check-in issues.

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One Beat of Hawaii reader told us, “We were exhausted from the flight, then waited an hour for our rental car. By the time we got to the hotel, nothing felt relaxing anymore.”

So what helps? Start with a soft landing. Don’t overbook arrival day. Build in time for rest, easy food, a beach walk—something gentle that puts you into Hawaii smoothly. Don’t count on your first day being the best one. Let it be the slowest one.

When a budget trip to Hawaii still costs a fortune.

In the Go City survey, 88% of travelers said they’re willing to sacrifice comfort to afford a better vacation. But in Hawaii, that trade doesn’t always work. You might book a more affordable hotel or vacation rental, only to discover you’re still paying hundreds a night after taxes and resort fees, with no view, breakfast, or daily cleaning.

One reader told us, “We spent months cutting costs to afford the trip. Then we got there and felt like second-class citizens for not splurging on every little extra.”

So what helps? Know clearly what’s included before you book, even down to the exact view. Then add up the parking, cleaning fees, taxes, tips, and how much food will cost. You’re not cheap for choosing a budget—you’re smart for making it work where it matters most. In a word, knowing what you’re getting helps avoid wrong expectations and disappointments.

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When your Hawaii vacation turns into a marathon.

Many Hawaii visitors overpack their itineraries, especially if they’re island-hopping or trying to hit every beach, hike, and lookout. Honestly, this is the most unrealistic part of Hawaii travel that we see.

With today’s reservation systems, worse-than-expected traffic, and long drive times even without congestion, a packed schedule can quickly turn into a stress spiral. We’ve known people who planned to start the day hiking on Kauai’s north shore and end it at Waimea Canyon. Technically possible—but not if you came to relax. That’s not a vacation. That’s a marathon.

One reader described it perfectly: “We spent more time in the car than in the water.”

So what helps? Pick fewer priorities and do them better. If you’re visiting more than one island, allow buffer days. Book one or two must-do experiences—like a boat trip or cultural event—early. Then leave open time to explore without pressure. The less you chase Hawaii, the more it tends to show up.

When the welcome feels different than you expected.

Some travelers come to Hawaii expecting unshakable cheer and constant warmth. However, the tone of tourism here has changed, just as many destinations are facing intense visitor pressure. While many here remain gracious hosts, others are understandably fatigued. Visitors who arrive with a demanding mindset, or are unaware of that tension, may feel it more sharply.

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One commenter put it: “The Aloha wasn’t there this time. We felt tolerated, not appreciated.”

But another offered a different take: “Visitors who come with entitlement won’t get Aloha back. I meet respectful travelers every day—and they’re the ones who still feel it.”

So what helps? Think of yourself as a guest, not a customer. The warmth is often still there, but it meets you where you are. A little patience and kindness go further than you might expect, especially in a place where the welcome used to be automatic and now takes more effort on both sides.

What still works—and why it matters more than ever.

Not every Hawaii trip ends in disappointment. We’ll suggest that most don’t. Visitors still return home glowing after being here. And often, the difference isn’t the weather, room, or cost—it’s just the mindset.

One reader told us that the moment they stopped expecting to be catered to and started seeing themselves as a guest, “everything shifted. We had a wonderful trip.” Another pointed out that while Hawaii doesn’t work like it did in 2005, approaching it with curiosity still led to “moments of magic.”

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That shift toward flexibility, curiosity, and extra patience might provide the most reliable experiential upgrade money can’t buy.

The dream of Hawaii hasn’t disappeared. But it’s no longer quite so automatic. As pointed out in the survey, travel today is more complicated everywhere—it’s not just in the islands. But here in Hawaii, where expectations naturally run high, the contrast feels sharper when things go even slightly sideways.

If you know where the traps are, it can help you step around them. You can plan wisely, move slowly, spend intentionally, and show up with a great mindset.

That’s not just how you avoid a ruined trip. That’s how you still find the Hawaii that lives in your imagination.

We’d love to hear how you’ve done it. What worked? What would you change? And how do you make Hawaii feel like Hawaii again? Let us know below.

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“Sailing with Phoenix,” Oregon man who quit job to sail with cat, arrives to cheering fans in Hawaii

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“Sailing with Phoenix,” Oregon man who quit job to sail with cat, arrives to cheering fans in Hawaii


Oliver Widger, an Oregon man who quit his job at a tire company and liquidated his retirement savings to set sail for Hawaii with his cat, Phoenix, reached his destination Saturday, welcomed by cheering fans at the end of a weekslong journey that he documented for his mass of followers on social media.

Widger, known online as “sailing_with_phoenix,” was also greeted by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green at the Waikiki Yacht Club on Oahu, acknowledged he was nervous facing the crowd, which included reporters. Widger said he was feeling “really weird” — not seasick, but, “I just feel like I have to, like, hold on to things to not fall over.”

He became an online sensation with his story, which followed a diagnosis four years ago with Klippel-Feil, a syndrome that carried a risk of paralysis and made him realize he disliked his managerial job. He quit his job with “no money, no plan” and $10,000 of debt — and the goal of buying a sailboat and sailing around the world.

In this photo provided by Oliver Widger via his Instagram account on Thursday, May 15, 2025, his cat, Phoenix, sits inside their sailboat somewhere in the Pacific Ocean as both make their way from Oregon to Hawaii.

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Oliver Widger / AP


Who is Sailing With Phoenix?

The 29-year-old set sail for Hawaii with Phoenix in late April, documenting their experiences for his more than 1 million followers on TikTok and 1.7 million followers on Instagram, many of whom he gained over the past week. He said he thinks his story, which made national news, resonated with people.

He said he taught himself to sail mostly via YouTube and moved from Portland to the Oregon coast. He spent months refitting the $50,000 boat he bought.

“I think a lot of people are, you know, you’re grinding at your job all day long and it doesn’t really matter how much money you make at this point, everybody’s just trying to do enough to get by and that just wears you out,” Widger said. “It’s just the world’s in a weird place, and I think people have seen that it’s possible to break out.”

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Sailing with Phoenix welcome party at Waikiki Yacht Club

Sailing With Phoenix

Oliver Widger, 29-year-old Oregon man who sailed from Oregon to Hawaii, arrives at the Waikiki Yacht Club, on Saturday, May 24, 2025 in Waikiki, Hawaii.

Michelle Bir / AP


Gov. Green presented Widger with a proclamation after he arrived on Oahu. Fans swarmed Widger after the news conference, many holding cameras and seeking selfies.

The scariest point of the trip came when a rudder failed, Widger said. Highlights included seeing dolphins and whales and periods of calm Pacific waters. “Being in the middle of the ocean when it was completely glass in every direction was an absurd feeling,” he said.

Widger said he never truly felt alone, since he was communicating with friends by means including video conference. But he also lamented not experiencing the open waters in a way that other sailors — who didn’t have access to tools like Starlink internet satellites — have in years before.

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He said he may travel next to French Polynesia. But he said he had been focused on getting to Hawaii and not on what he’d do after that. He said he also needs to make repairs to his boat.

Sailing With Phoenix

In this screengrab taken from a video posted on Oliver Widger’s Instagram account on Saturday, May 3, 2025, Widger talks to the camera somewhere in the Pacific Ocean as he and his cat, Phoenix, sail from Oregon to Hawaii.

Oliver Widger / AP


What is Klippel-Feil syndrome?

Klippel-Feil syndrome, or KFS, is rare skeletal condition in which two or more cervical vertebrae are fused together, according to the Cleveland Clinic, which causes abnormalities in the spine.

The disorder is congenital, meaning a person is born with it. However, some people go undiagnosed until later life when symptoms worsen or first become apparent, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

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“It took three years of battling fear and facing the reality that, as a result of my cervical spine condition, I’m at risk of paralysis,” Widger said. “That truth pushed me to finally choose a life worth living. I hated my job. I despised the corporate machine.”



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Hawaii’s offensive surge knocks out Fullerton from Big West tourney | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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Hawaii’s offensive surge knocks out Fullerton from Big West tourney | Honolulu Star-Advertiser


JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Hawaii infielder Jordan Donahue makes a barehanded catch against Oregon State on May 3.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Hawaii infielder Jordan Donahue makes a barehanded catch against Oregon State on May 3.

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FULLERTON, CALIF. >> In a knock-out game, the Hawaii baseball team KO’d Cal State Fullerton with today’s 16-4 victory over Cal State Fullerton at Goodwin Field on the CSUF campus.

Both teams lost on Thursday, setting up a win-or-go-home showdown in the double-elimination phase of the Big West Championship tournament.

Shortstop Jordan Donahue drilled a two-run homer, Kamana Nahaku smacked a solo shot that cleared the scoreboard, and the Rainbow Warriors scored five runs in the seventh and six in the ninth innings to power their way into Saturday afternoon’s game (noon Hawaii time) against second-seeded Cal Poly. The winner of that game faces No. 1 seed and 20th-ranked UC Irvine in the evening game.

The ’Bows pitched their way out of jams in the first two innings and then in the sixth and seventh.

Sebastian Gonzalez yielded singles to the first three batters as the Titans took a 1-0 lead in the first. But Gonzalez induced a double play and then struck out Eli Lopez to minimize the Titans’ output. The Titans loaded the bases with two outs in the second. But first baseman Ben Zeigler-Namoa fielded a hard-hit grounder and lobbed to Gonzalez sprinting to the first for the third out.

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Jared Quandt, Hunter Faildo and Matt Miura had RBI singles to give the ”Bows a 3-1 lead in the second.

Leading 5-2 in the seventh, the ‘Bows scored five runs to move out of reach. Donahue’s two-run homer, his third in six days, made it 7-2. Nahaku then hit a solo drive over the scoreboard in left field and onto the parking lot. After Shunsuke Sakaino’s doubled home two runs, CSUF was forced to bring in closer Andrew Wright to stop the bleeding. He did not, allowing six runs — four earned — 1 2/3 innings.

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Donahue drove in four runs and scored two. Miura went 4-for-6 with three RBIs.

After recording an eight-out save on Wednesday, UH closer Isaiah Magdaleno entered with one out in the sixth. He earned the 11-out save, his ninth of the year.




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