O’ahu
Size: 600 square miles
Population in 1980: 762,565
Population in 2006: 909,863
Predominant Occupations: Retail business (both local and tourist related); government, importing, exporting, health care, some agriculture
The best thing about O’ahu: Plenty to do
The worst thing about O’ahu: Traffic
What other islanders ay about O’ahu: “Too noisy! Too crowded! Can’t wait to get home.”
What O’ahu says about itself: “We are the Hawaiian Islands. We have three-quarters of the population.”
Kaua’i
Size: 552.3 square miles
Population in 1980: 39,082
Population in 2006: 63,004
Predominant Occupations: Tourism, local business, some agriculture (including sugar plantations), military, health care, and social programs.
The best thing about Kaua’i: Waterfall and scenery
The worst thing about Kaua’i: Traffic through Kapa’a at 5 p.m.
What other islanders say about Kaua’i: “Beautiful isn’t it? Even more beautiful than here, but it rains too much.”
What Kaua’i says about itself: “We survived hurricanes Eva and ‘Iniki. We can do anything” (A popular T-shirt slogan reads: “Sharks. Centipedes. Hurricanes. Tsunamis. Kaua’I…it’s not for wimps.”)
Maui
Size: 728 square miles
Population in 1980: 70,991
Population in 2006: 141,320
Predominant Occupations: Tourism, small and large agriculture, small business and business development, technology, arts
The best thing about Maui: A good blend of small rural island community and modern sophistication
The worst thing about Maui: Cane smoke
What other islanders say about Maui: “Too developed. It’s going to be the next Waikiki.”
What Maui says about itself: “We’ve learned from O’ahu--we’ll avoid over-development.”
Moloka’i
Size: 260 square miles
Population in 1980: 6,049
Population in 2006: 8,000
Predominant Occupations: Teaching, health care, social work, farming, fishing, tourism
The best thing about Moloka’i: Deer running across a dewy meadow
The worst thing about Moloka’i: The threat of change
What other islanders say about Moloka’i: “Beautiful, quiet, but so poor, no?”
What Moloka’i says about itself: “leave us be. We are old Hawai’I and we like it that way.”
Lana’i
Size: 140 square miles
Population in 1980: 2,426
Population in 2006: 3,200
Predominant Occupations: Resort hotel and restaurant, teaching, nursing, some small business, airport, civil service
The best thing about Lana’i: Community spirit
The worst thing about Lana’i: Very confining
What other Islanders say about Lana’i: “Too quiet, but…The Lodge at Ko’ele is really something, don’t you think?”
What Lana’i says about itself: “Peaceful. A great place to raise kids.”
The Big Island of Hawai’I
Size: 4,028 square miles
Population in 1980: 92,053
Population in 2006: 171,191
Predominant Occupations: Resorts, tourist-related business; cattle ranching, coffee production and exporting, small flower and produce cultivation and exporting, real estate, arts and crafts, astronomy, geophysical endeavors, health care
The best thing about the Big Island: Economic diversification
The worst thing about the Big Island: Vog (Volcanic fog)
What other islanders say about the Big Island: “It’s nice to have space to get in the car and drive. You can’t do that on the other islands.”
What the Big Island says about itself: “We are environmental pioneers! It’s exciting, invigorating to live on an island that is still forming.”