Yet part of that mood is also what's behind a new era of spirituality, including the rise of evangelical movements and megachurches. Can we do that with enough aloha?

The list of larger questions about the nation and world could go on to book length. But on the theory that readers want more answers than questions, here are some of the main Hawai'i trends I see after talking with various experts, longtime observers and younger folks:

Economically, Hawai'i is booming with tourism, construction and military activity. Not only that, there are growing islets of diversification — high tech, medical research and other life-science ventures, plus agriculture, from import replacements to new products, to major seed-corn production and ocean fish farming. All this is likely to continue.

Still, on islands of limited size and with the nation's lowest unemployment, some questions are being asked. With tourism hitting more than 7 million visitors this year and rising toward 9 or 10 million, we may get a new round of the old 1960s and '70s limits-to-growth debate on our biggest industry. For some people, tourism limits are still free-market heresy, but at least others are looking at sustainability and balancing growth with saving our environment.

And what about the military, vital as it is now and looking toward more needs and emphasis in the Asia-Pacific area? Hawai'i may be fortunate not to have been hit in the latest round of base closings and in getting more needed military housing. But how much may be too much?

So some may ask whether we really need that aircraft carrier based here with its support ships. Some may suggest sending it to Guam would be better for everyone.

Politically, Hawai'i seems to be leaning more conservative, or at least more centrist, although we still have a ways to go by many right-wing Mainland standards. This is not surprising with the fading of the old plantation influences, voter disenchantment, the mixed past record of the Democrats, and the decline of union clout (except in the public sector, where labor power in the Democratic Legislature may stir a rightist backlash.)

Now may be a key time. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's election in 2002 was a landmark after a half-century of Democratic dominance. Yet it's far from certain that means a longish trend of GOP rule. The 2006 election will say more about that — if the divided Democrats can find a strong candidate, and if the Lingle administration provides a clearer focus and stronger image than now.

"Delocalization," "Californiazation" and "Republicanization" were terms used to describe trends in central O'ahu, as well as in West Hawai'i and areas of Maui where more-affluent Mainlanders have moved. At the same time, several people cautioned it would be a mistake to brand all such newcomers as retired conservative red-staters or rich rednecks. Some are both transplanted liberals and bringing new economic ventures.

On social issues, Hawai'i presents both similarities and contrasts with the rest of the nation.

As on much of the Mainland, our population is aging. The massive baby-boom generation (now mid 40s to early 60s) is getting older. Its members are often both taking care of aged parents and are worried about their own retirement income and health needs. Many boomers will have to or want to work past age 65 or even 70. This has positive and negative implications for Hawai'i.

Nationally, immigration will continue to be important as a needed low-income labor source and sometimes a tough political issue. That means Latinos, legal and illegal, as the country's largest and fastest-growing minority, one in every seven Americans.

Among Asians on the Mainland, those from South Asia (such as Indians and Pakistanis) are now the largest group. In Hawai'i, Filipinos are our fastest-growing segment, and one with quietly growing political influence.

Racial harmony continues to be impressive here (and in various parts of the Mainland.) Also the intermarriage rates. Hawaiian culture is getting more attention and respect. So are Hawaiian issues, although how that will turn out remains unclear.

In contrast, I was impressed with how many people cited our rich-poor gap and saw a shrinking middle class as a trend in Hawai'i.

This is most obvious with the homeless population. (Last Sunday's worthy Hawaiian Humane Society Pet Walk in Ala Moana Park unintentionally featured a contrast between the sleeping poor folks under the trees and the hundreds of us parading dogs that may often eat better and get more human concern.)

Yet also noted is the rise of spirituality here, most evident in evangelical religion. Let us hope it will remain in forms that avoid some of the rough political edges seen on the Mainland as it adds to the good work done by such groups as Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and the Institute for Human Services. In any event, it looks to me like an old-new missionary-like but do-it-yourself dimension in Hawai'i.

Hawai'i's brain drain of bright young people moving to the Mainland is often noted with concern. Still, on the positive side of our generational picture is the fact that some talented young people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s have remained here or moved back.

Most often, quietly so far, they are taking activist roles in both new industry and civic volunteer organizations. (A meeting yesterday at Kapi'olani Community College was planned to bring many of them together.) How or whether this may translate to politics later is a good question.

Other plus trends for me are a growing interest in improving public education, including by business leaders; more realization of the broad contributions of the University of Hawai'i; and the real but underappreciated East-West roles Hawai'i plays around Asia and the Pacific.

Of course, all this comes with caveats: Present trends are not predictions of the future. And one major and tragic event can change much. Think, for example, of the fallout if China and Taiwan went to war. Or the impact on our economy and lives if one Bali-type bomb went off in Waikiki, in Kailua, Kona, or in Lahaina.

Still, if I had to list the positive-negative balance in Hawai'i today, I guess I would say it's about 60-40 percent for the good — maybe even 70-30 on the good days. In an election, that might look like a landslide, but we can and should do better than today's trends.