Census releases migration figures
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Staff Writer
Newly released county-to-county migration figures from the Census Bureau show that Kaua'i and Honolulu lost residents to other islands in the state from 1995 to 2000, while Maui and the Big Island saw gains.
Kaua'i experienced the greatest in-state net population loss at 1,068 residents, while Honolulu's net loss was 227. That compares with a total population of 58,500 on the Garden Isle and 876,200 in Honolulu, according to the census.
Maui County — population 128,200 — led in net population gains from other islands with 736, and the Big Island — with 148,700 residents — reported a net increase of 553.
Most of the Honolulu residents who moved to a different county in the state during the five-year period went to the Big Island (5,310), followed by Maui (3,419) and Kaua'i (1,547).
The state's most lopsided migration route was between Kaua'i and Honolulu, with 421 more people moving to O'ahu than the other way around.
April Layne, a Realtor at Prosser Realty in Lihu'e, said the lingering effects of Hurricane Iniki in 1992 helped chase people from Kaua'i through most of the '90s. While construction boomed during a rebuilding period, she said, that didn't last long, forcing workers to move away for jobs.
Layne said her guess is that Kaua'i has experienced a gain in residents since 2000 because of an improving economy, although a shortage of housing and rising home prices probably is driving some to seek opportunities elsewhere.
As for migration involving Mainland counties, San Diego (5,128), Los Angeles (3,696) and Orange County, Calif., (1,618) were the top three counties that supplied new residents to Honolulu between 1995 and 2000.
San Diego (7,757) and Los Angeles (6,212) were ranked first and third, respectively, among destinations for those leaving Honolulu.
The numbers aren't surprising considering the Census Bureau released state-to-state figures earlier in the month showing California as the state of choice among people leaving the Islands during the last half of the '90s.
Nevada also saw a sizeable Hawai'i migration. Clark County, Nev., home of Las Vegas, was the second most popular destination for Honolulu residents moving out of state (7,738).
Seattle's King County was No. 4 (4,986) on the list of Mainland destinations for those moving from Honolulu, while Phoenix's Maricopa County was No. 5 (3,031).
No. 4 on the list of Mainland counties offering newcomers to Honolulu was Cumberland County, N.C., (1,491), while King County was No. 5 at 1,424.
O'ahu's military members, who typically rotate to different bases every few years, may factor into the migration. The island's military population is estimated at 50,000, which includes the Navy's 7th Fleet. San Diego is home to the 3rd Fleet, and together they make up the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Cumberland County is home to the Army's Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base, and the largest U.S. Marine base, Camp Pendleton, is in Orange County, Calif.
