"The next generation has a different ethic," Ryan said. "It is literally, pick a place to live and then find a job. The idea of graduating from college and moving to the highest bidder's zip code is just not happening."

What's at stake is no less important than the future of America's workforce and economy.

For every two baby boomers who retire by 2006, only one Gen-Xer will fill their spot in the workplace.

"Knowledge work is driving the economy right now," Ryan said. "But this generation is a smaller generation. We've literally got fewer knowledge workers to go around."

Younger workers are interested in quality-of-life issues and entrepreneurship, she said, not long commutes and lifetime employment for a mega-size company.

Ryan believes that smart, in-demand workers in an information economy are drawn to "stroll districts" — or neighborhoods where young workers can live, work and play all within a radius of a few blocks.

"The coolest communities, the ones that are attracting this next generation of workers, have very defined stroll districts," Ryan said, such as parts of Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; Chicago and even Milwaukee.

Honolulu's "Chinatown is a natural stroll district, but there's not a lot of residential density right there," Ryan said. "... You need to provide all of the amenities they want. Live music, and not just Hawaiian. They want blues and jazz and piano bars. There are some holes in what's offered here."

Younger workers also want bike paths surrounded by greenery, Ryan said, and light-rail systems that will take other workers back and forth to suburbs, such as Kapolei.

And, of course, one of the biggest draws will be higher salaries, she said.

"I've had people whisper in my ear every time I meet someone here: The standard of living is as high as San Francisco, but the wages are a third to a half," Ryan said. "I'm not saying throw money at everybody. But how you treat people directly affects profit."