IT'S GRADUATION SEASON HERE IN HAWAII, AND MANY STUDENTS ARE ASKING THEMSELVES SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

WHETHER IT'S OFF TO COLLEGE OR SEEK BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITY THE, YOUNG PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE STATE.

AND IT'S NOT KNOWN IF THEY'LL IT COME BACK.

THE LOSS NOT ONLY IMPACTS OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT IT CAN ALSO AFFECT OUR ISLAND CULTURE.

SO CAN WE STOP THE BRAIN DRAIN?

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF KAKOU HAWAII'S TOWN HALL START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ >>Yunji: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO KAKOU, HAWAII'S TOWN HALL.

LIVE FROM THE HARRY AND JEANETTE WEINBERG MULTIMEDIA STUDIO.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

KNOW THE LUCKY SAY WE GO LIVE HAWAII.

HIGH COST OF LIVING IN A TIMES LIMITED ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, IT IS PRETTY LUCKY IF CAN YOU MAKE IT HERE ALOHA UNITED WAY SAYS BASIC SURVIVAL BUDGET FAMILY OF FOUR INCREASED 18% TO NEARLY $86,000 A YEAR BETWEEN 2019 AND 2021.

UP 26% TO NEARLY $37,000 PER YEAR FOR INDIVIDUAL.

THAT MAY BE PART OF WHY WE SEE RESIDENTS LEAVING HAWAII.

THE LATEST CENSUS DATA HAWAII IN THE TOP FIVE STATES WHERE POPULATION DECLINED BETWEEN 2021 AND 2022.

PARTICULARLY CONCERNING IS THE LOSS OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THOSE RAISED HERE BUT TAKING THEIR TALENTS ELSEWHERE.

HOW DO WE ADDRESS HAWAII'S BRAIN DRAIN?

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TACKLING TONIGHT.

KAKOU MEANS ALL OF US.

WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

BECAUSE WOULD MAKES HAWAII HOME AFFECTS US ALL.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU IN OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS.

ALSO STREAMING LIVE AT PBS HAWAII.ORG AND ON THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES.

IF OUR TOWN HALL ATTENDANT, PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, COMMUNITY LEADERS LEADING ECONOMIST, RECENT GRADUATES AND MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2023 FROM ALL COUNTIES MUCH JOINING ME AS MODERATORS ARE MINA SUZUKI GRADUATED FROM APPALLED WIN HIGH SCHOOL ON MAUI HEADING TO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IN OREGON.

BALDWIN AND REES GRADUATED MCKINLEY HIGH SCHOOL.

HEADING TO PRINCETON.

SHARE IN LEADING OUR DISCUSSION TONIGHT.

START WITH OUR MODERATORS GOING OUT OF STATE FOR COLLEGE.

>> HARD TO PREDICT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

LET'S START WITH YOU.

HOW MUCH IS HAWAII IN YOUR FUTURE PLANS?

>> I HOPE IT'S IN MY FUTURE PLANS.

MY FAMILY AFTER GETTING OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE, A LOT TO TAKE IN.

I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIKE COME BACK AFTERWARDS.

BUT FOR MY FAMILY ESPECIALLY, THEY'RE LIKE, JUST GO.

JUST DON'T COME BACK.

AND I'VE LIVED HERE ALL MY LIFE.

STILL KIND OF WANT TO COME BACK.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I REALLY ALSO HOPE THAT I CAN RETURN.

I THINK IT REALLY DEPENDS ON ONE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF IT STATE.

ALSO, IF CAN I GET A CERTAIN GRANT FOR OPTOMETRY THAT WILL MAKE ME HAVE TO COME BACK AND PRACTICE HERE.

OR IF I DON'T GET IT, THEN I WOULD STAY ON THE MAINLAND.

PRACTICE FOUR YEARS, MAYBE COME HOME AFTER THAT.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO TURN IT OVER TO THE STUDENTS NOW.

FIRST I WANT TO START WITH JACOB.

HOW ARE WE DOING TONIGHT.

>> I'M DOING ALL RIGHT.

>> GREAT.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO COLLEGE AND HOW COME YOU PICKED MAINLAND VERSUS STAYING HOME TO COMPETE YOUR EDUCATION?

>> SO I AM GOING TO BE MAJORING IN CREATIVE PRODUCING FOR FILM.

I DECIDED TO GO UNIVERSITY TAKE PART IN DODGE COLLEGE FILM AND MEDIA ARTS.

I CHOSE TO GO TO THE MAINLAND BECAUSE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE A LOT MORE THAN THEY HERE.

HOPEFULLY, ONE DAY I'LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK.

>> ASK KATE THE SAME QUESTION.

HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY.

>> I'M DOING GOOD.

>> TELL US WHERE YOU'LL BE HEADING TO THE FALL AND WHETHER OR NOT HAWAII FITS IN YOUR PLANS.

>> WILL BE ATTENDING ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY MAJORING IN JOURNAL.

>>.

REALLY HOPE THAT I RETURN BACK TO HAWAII BECAUSE AS A STORYTELLER, IN JOURNALISM, MY FAVORITE STORIES TO TELL ARE FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE ISLANDS.

I FEEL VERY UNIQUE AND SHARING THEM WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FROM HAWAII, THEY SEE ALOHA SPIRIT WENT PEOPLE HERE.

I HOPE I RETURN TO HAWAII AFTER COLLEGE.

>> OVER TO CHANEL.

HOW ARE WE DOING.

>> GREAT.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU'RE GOING IN THE FALL AND IF YOU HOPE TO COME BACK TO HAWAII.

>> ATTENDING VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY HOPING TO MAJOR POLITICAL SCIENCE AND HUMAN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

I WOULD LOVE TO COME BACK TO HAWAII TO PRACTICE HERE.

ALSO TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS GIVEN ME SO MUCH.

I THINK THE AMOUNT OF TIME I SPENT ON MAINLAND, VARIES BETWEEN OPPORTUNITIES THAT I HAVE BACK HOME BUT I DO EVENTUALLY WANT TO WORK MY WAY BACK HERE.

>>Yunji: TURN TO OVER TO DAVID LASSNER WHERE A PERSON DECIDES TO GO TO COLLEGE CAN OFTEN DICTATE WHERE THEY GET THAT FIRST JOB AND ESTABLISH THEMSELVES PROFESSIONALLY.

THERE'S A SURVEY THAT I LOVE TO SHARE WITH OUR PANEL TONIGHT.

ROADWAY RECENT SURVEY 63,000 STUDENT, 61%EL COLLEGE STUDENTS PLAN ON STAYING PUT, FINDING A JOB CLOSE TO WHERE THEY ATTENDED COLLEGE.

A LOT OF PANELISTS GO OUT OF STATE.

SHOULD THERE BE A PUSH FOR STUDENTS IN HAWAII GO TO UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII?

>> FIRST THING I WANT TO SAY IS CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY FOR GOING TO COLLEGE.

HALF OF OUR PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES DID NOT MAKE THE WISE DECISION THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE MADE.

HALF.

AND WE KNOW THAT IN THE RANGE OF 70%, 65 TO 70%, OF THE GOOD PAYING JOBS IN THIS COUNTRY WILL REQUIRE SOME KIND OF POST SECONDARY EDUCATION.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IS GREAT.

TEN CAMPUSES.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY.

SOME OF YOU ARE GOING TO AMAZING COOLS WITH AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT EVERY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERS COLLEGE.

SO I'M ALWAYS SADDENED BECAUSE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IS GREAT UNIVERSITY.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOU COMING THERE.

BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF REASONS PEOPLE LEAVE.

IT'S TIME TO GET AWAY AND OUT HOUSE AND FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM PARENTS.

SOMETIMES PARENTS ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN FAR ENOUGH AWAY FROM THEM.

IN SOME CASES THERE ARE SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ON THE OPTOMETRY IN HAWAII.

LOTS OF GOOD REASONS TO GO AWAY.

SOME SCHOOLS PRINCETON CANNOT POSSIBLY ABSORB EVERY GRADUATE FROM PRINCETON.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF MOBILITY AFTER COLLEGE.

AND I THINK I HOPE EVERY ONE OF YOU CAN GET AN EXPERIENCE.

LEARN SOMETHING YOU MIGHT HAVE LEARNED HERE AND COME HOME AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: THERE IS A PUSH FOR I THINK A LOT OF STUDENT IT'S MAYBE SOCIALLY, AT LEAST THAT'S MY PERCEPTION, GO TO SCHOOL OUT OF STATE.

DO YOU THINK THERE'S A STIGMA STAYING HOME?

>> UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, ALL GOING TO GREAT UNIVERSITIES, UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA IN PARTICULAR IS A GREAT GLOBAL UNIVERSITY.

THAT IS SO UNDERAPPRECIATED IN HAWAII.

IT'S BECAUSE IT'S LITTLE SISTER OR SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT'S A STIGMA BUT IT IS ON UNAPPRECIATED AND RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

I WILL SAY COST CAN BE A FACTOR AS WELL.

AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IS INCREDIBLY AFFORDABLE OPPORTUNITY MANOA MOST EXPENSIVE OF OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES.

>> U.H.

HILO AND U.H.

WEST OAHU ARE MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE.

AND OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE A GREAT WAY TO GET STARTED LAUNCH INTO A CAREER, AND CONTINUE EDUCATION.

THEY'RE EVEN LESS EXPENSIVE.

U.H.

MANOA IS INCREDIBLY AFFORDABLE, 70% OF OUR STUDENTS GRADUATE WITH NO DEBT AT ALL.

THE AVERAGE DEBT FOR THOSE WOULD DO HAVE DEBT, THAT IS THE 31%, IT'S ONLY $18,000.

LESS THAN YOUR FIRST CAR.

AND FOR THAT, YOU GET A COLLEGE EDUCATION THAT OUR ECONOMISTS HAVE IDENTIFIED IS WORTH ABOUT $1.5 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL LIFETIME EARNINGS OVER A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE.

I'M HAPPY WHEN HAWAII KIDS GO TO COLLEGE.

AND I'M EVEN HAPPIER WHEN THEY CHOOSE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII CAMPUS.

>>Yunji: COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELOR AT CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU HELP STUDENTS TRY TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS WHERE TO GO.

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM STUDENTS THAT YOU HELP NAVIGATE THIS PROCESS?

HOW MUCH OF WHERE THEY ULTIMATELY WANT TO END UP FACTORS INTO WHERE THEY CHOOSE?

>> YES.

SO WE DON'T HAVE GREAT DATA.

>>Yunji: THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

QUESTION IS I KNOW.

YOU'RE IN MY LINE OF SIGHT HERE.

GIVE IT TO ELAYNE BEHIND YOU.

>> IT'S OKAY.

YOU COULD HAVE ANSWERED.

STUDENTS WHEN THEY COME IN, THEY HAVE THESE IDEAS AND WHAT THEY DO IS THEY COME IN MAYBE THEY DIDN'T TOTALLY RESEARCH EVERYTHING.

>> WANT TO KNOW MORE OPTION.

STUDENTS ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO COLLEGE, THEY WANT TO SEE OPTIONS.

THEY MIGHT JUST LOOK AT MAYBE ONE SCHOOL.

BUT THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS MORE.

WHAT'S MORE OUT THERE.

AND FOR US, AS COLLEGE COUNSELORS, CAREER COLLEGE COUNSELORS WE COME FOR OUR STUDENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT YOUR SCHOOLS YOU CHOOSE WAS WISELY YOU KNOW ALL FACTS LOOK AT SCHOOLS AT HOME NOT JUST OUT AND BEYOND HAWAII.

IN THE END, YOU MAY LOOK AT A SCHOOL AND MAY WANT THAT COLLEGE, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH OUR CHOICES TOO.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT FIT FOR YOURSELF.

BUT IT'S ALSO FINANCIAL FIT TOO NOWADAYS.

LIKE MR. LASSNER SAID.

TALKED ABOUT.

>>Yunji: TURN IT OVER TO SUMNER.

PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

MANOA.

RESEARCH FELLOW AT UHERO.

BRAIN DRAIN REFERENCES.

TALK ABOUT GET INTO A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL AS TO WHO IS LEAVING AND WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT REALLY SURE THERE'S THAT MUCH OF A BRAIN DRAIN.

IF WE'RE LOOKING AT PEOPLE WITH BACHELORS DEGREE, ABOUT EVENLY BALANCED FLOW.

LITTLE BIT OFTEN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS THAN ANY PARTICULAR GIVEN YEAR.

FOR PEOPLE WITH PROFESSIONAL DEGREES, IT'S ALSO PRETTY MUCH OF A BALANCED FLOW.

SO I THINK THE IDEA THAT WE'RE HAVING A BIG BRAIN DRAIN IS JUST NOT REALLY THERE IN THE DATA.

WHERE WE ARE HAVING A DRAIN IS WITH PEOPLE WITH COUPLE YEARS COLLEGE.

ASSOCIATES DEGREES.

THEY'RE FINDING THAT THEY EVERYONE A LOT MORE WITH THE ASSOCIATES DEGREE BETWEEN 3 AND $400,000 LIFETIME, MORE.

A LOT OF MONEY.

>> HIGH COST OF LIVING IN HAWAII.

IN PARTICULAR, HIGH COST OF HOUSING.

MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO LIVE HERE.

LOOK ELSEWHERE AND SEE SIMILAR IF NOT BETTER OPPORTUNITIES AND MUCH LOWER COST OF LIVING MUCH FINDING A BIG DRAIN OF PEOPLE WHO EITHER HAVE HIGH SCHOOL DEGREES OR ASSOCIATES DEGREES.

THAT IS A BRAIN DRAIN FOR HAWAII.

IT'S NOT THE BRAIN DRAIN PEOPLE OFTEN TALK ABOUT.

BUT THOSE PEOPLE ARE REALLY VITAL FOR THIS ECONOMY.

THEY HAVE SKILLS THAT ARE VITAL, PROFESSIONALS WORK WITH PEOPLE WITH ASSOCIATES DEGREES.

AND THAT MAKES FOR TEAMS IN BUSINESSES, HOSPITALS, UNIVERSITIES.

>> WITHOUT THOSE PEOPLE, HARD FOR THIS ECONOMY TO FUNG.

>>Yunji: TELL US WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF LOSING THAT SECTOR THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

THE HARD TO FUNCTION.

>> CONSEQUENCES JUST THAT WE HAVE SHORTAGES IN THOSE AREAS.

BIDS UP WAGES, MAKES IT MORE EXPENSIVE FOR BUSINESS TO FUNCTION.

STAFF SHORTAGES.

>> MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO THRIVING ECONOMY.

AGAIN, THAT IS STILL A TYPE OF BRAIN DRAIN.

JUST NOT THE BRAIN DRAIN THAT IS OFTEN TALKED ABOUT.

OFTENTIMES FEELING BRAIN DRAIN UPPER LEVEL.

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL.

NOT PARTICULARLY TRUE.

ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL WE NOT HAVE OUTFLOWS OF PEOPLE FINDING NOT OPPORTUNITIES HERE SEE OPPORTUNITIES ON MAINLAND AREN'T HERE.

IF THAT HAPPENS WE'RE GOING TO END UP WITH A SMALLER ECONOMY SMALLER MARKET, FEWER FIRMS ATTRACTED START BUSINESSES HERE.

FEWER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE.

THIS CONSEQUENCE TO THAT.

>>Yunji: ONE OF THE PRECIOUS OF COURSE IS THE PRESSURE AFFORDABILITY PIECE.

HOUSING HAWAII FUTURE.

NONPROFIT HOPES TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE FOCUSING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THE COST OF HOUSING FACTORS INTO THIS ISSUE?

>> ONE OF THE PRIMARY FACTORS.

COUPLE COST OF HOUSING, WHICH CAN ANYWHERE FROM 30 TO 50% OF HOUSEHOLDS INCOME, WITH THE COST OF TRANSPORTATION, WHICH RANGES FROM 15 TO 20, SOMETIMES EVEN 25% OF HOUSEHOLD EARNING THAT CAN EAT UP THE MAJORITY OF MONEY FAMILY IS MAKING.

AND A LOT TIMES, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE COST OF LIVE, IF WE FACT FOR IN TRANSPORTATION, REALIZE FAMILIES DON'T HAVE MUCH LEFT FOR FOOD, ALL OF THE OTHER EXPENSES.

JUST TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF ISSUE WITH SUMNER IF I CAN, SINCE WE'RE HAVING THE TOWN HALL, ONE OF THING WE DON'T THINK ABOUT IS THE LOSS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO IAN TONGI IN THE NEWS.

GREAT VICTORY FOR HAWAII.

HE'S 18 NOW.

LEFT WHEN HE WAS 15.

SO WE THINK ABOUT THE LOSS OF DEGREE HOLDERS, AND ADULTS.

BUT THEY TAKE THEIR FAMILY WAS THEM.

MY WIFE AND I HAVE FOUR KIDS.

OLDER ONES ARE NINE, 11 AND 13.

THINK ABOUT WHERE WILL THEY BE IN FACE TO FACE, SEVEN, NINE YEARS WHETHER THEY'RE 18.

WILL THEY BE ABLE TO START THEIR FAMILIES HERE.

START CAREERS HERE.

REAL INSECURITY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL.

THIS IS IN THE JUST MIDDLE CLASS.

PEOPLE ON LOW INCOMES.

SENSE IF WE DON'T GET OUR HOUSING COST UNCONTROL.

GOING TO CONTINUE TO LOSE FAMILIES.

SO HOW MANY A.

>> IAN TONGA COULD WORK IN HEALTH CARE OR COULD WORK IN ENGINEERS OR DO WORK IN THE TRADES.

CONTRIBUTE VALUABLE SKILLS NO IT JUST THEIR VOICES.

NOT JUST SONG OF THE BUT THEIR OTHER TALENTS.

AND WE LOSE THEM EVERY YEAR.

FAMILIES LIKE THAT HOUSING ONE.

WAY AS WE CAN ENSURE THOSE FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO STAY.

>> I WANT TO TURN IT, BALANCE FROM WHAT STERLING SAID TO YOU ETHAN.

YOU'RE A FARRINGTON GRADUATE WORKING AS A TEACHER.

PLANNING TO ATTEND LEEWARD.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO STAY IN HAWAII IN SPITE OF SOME OF THE COSTS?

>> WELL, DECIDED TO STAY HERE IN HAWAII FOR COLLEGE BECAUSE I JUST MAIN REASON IS I'M COMFORTABLE HERE.

I JUST LIKE IT HERE.

AND I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT I DO HAVE ON ISLAND.

AND I'M NOT THE MOST COMFORTABLE LEAVING MY FAMILY BEHIND.

AND IN THE TRYING THEIR BEST TO PUSH US AWAY.

STAY HERE.

>> WE NEED YOU.

FUNNY TO THINK ABOUT IT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT'S LIKE WE ARE ALL NEEDED TO STICK TOGETHER HERE.

KIND OF THE COMMUNITY FEELING THAT I'VE BEEN RAISED UP IN.

IT'S LIKE, GO OUT THERE TO GET YOUR THING.

BUT COME BACK TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

A LOT OF I'M JUST COMFORTABLE HERE WITH WHAT IS PROVIDED TO US ON ISLAND.

>> I SAID IN MY INTRO.

TALKED ABOUT MY FAMILY A LITTLE BIT.

I HAVE COMPLETE OPPOSITE TAKE.

FROM MY FAMILY.

A LOT OF EMPHASIS THAT MAY FAMILY PUT ON OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF HAWAII.

JUST BE LIKE MY MOM OR UNCLE, YOU GOT TO GET OFF THE ISLAND.

MAKE YOUR WAY PAST THAT.

DID YOU EVER DEAL WITH THAT KIND STIGMA.

WHERE YOU HAVE TO GET OFF THE ISLAND?

>> FUNNY ENOUGH, ONLY HEARD THAT FROM MAYBE A FEW TEACHERS HERE OR THERE.

MAYBE SOME OTHER ADULTS I'VE TALK WITH.

>> ALWAYS BEEN IF YOU'VE GOT GOOD OPPORTUNITIES, WHERE YOU ARE, THERE'S NO SHAME IN STAYING AND TAKING THEM.

NO NEED TO SPREAD YOUR WINGS TO FLY TOO FAR IF RIGHT NEXT TO THE NEST, IS PRETTY GOOD STUFF.

>> DO THE DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE HAS ANYONE ELSE FELT THAT PRESSURE?

>> OKAY.

TURNING IT OVER TO SETH, ALSO A RECENT PUNAHOU GRADUATE, CURRENTLY ATTENDING UNIVERSITY NEW JERSEY.

WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT COMING HOME ONCE FINISHED COLLEGE MANY FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES LAID OUT BY STERLINGND SUMNER.

>> HOPE I CAN COME BACK.

NO IDEA WHAT LAYS IN STORE AHEAD.

I DO NOT PLAN AHEAD WELL AT ALL.

SO I DO HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AND FAMILY HERE THAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I JUST WANT TO SEE WHERE LIFE TAKES ME.

>> I DO WANT TO COME BACK THOUGH.

>> WHAT A LOT OF US ARE THINKING AS WE TRANSITION INTO THIS NEW ERA OF OUR LIFE.

WOULD THERE BE ANY OTHER FACTORS PLAY INTO YOUR DECISION BESIDES FRIEND AND FAMILY THAT WOULD INFLUENCE YOU TO STAY IN THE MAINLAND.

>> DEFINITELY FINANCIAL HAWAII IS EXPENSIVE.

BUT YEAH.

OTHER THAN THAT, I JUST I HOPE THAT AM HAPPY WHERE I GO.

AND I WON'T HAVE TO STRUGGLE TOO MUCH WITH ANYTHING.

WAS THIS KIND OF LIKE GENERAL CONSENSUS OTHER CLASSMATES.

>> PRETTY MUCH.

MY FRIENDS DON'T KNOW 100% WHAT THEY WANT DO IN THE FUTURE.

THERE ARE A FEW WITH PLANS.

AND I RESPECT THAT.

>> SUMNER, WE TALK ABOUT THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, WHAT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PIECE?

IF YOU GET THE RIGHT JOB, CAN YOU COME BACK AND AFFORD THE RENT OR THE HOUSE OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

IS HAWAII A GOOD PLACE TO WORK?

>> IS A GOOD PLACE TO WORK.

THERE'S ALL SORT OF PEOPLE WITH OPPORTUNITIES WITH EDUCATION.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, I TAUGHT FOR 35 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS.

7 TO 8,000 STUDENTS.

EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHEN I'M NUT AU IN THE STREET, FOODLAND OR GOING TO A MOVIE SOMEONE COME TO TOWN, I TOOK YOUR ECONOMICS CLASS.

I ASK, WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?

HERE'S WHAT I SEE.

RECORD OF SUCCESS.

IT'S A GREAT RECORD OF SUCCESS.

REFLECTS REALLY POSITIVELY ON THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROVIDES THESE PEOPLE WITH GREAT EDUCATION.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE REALLY HAPPY THAT THEY STAYED HERE.

FOUND OPPORTUNITIES.

THE YOUNGER PERSON IS, SOMETIMES PERSON SAYS I'M STRUGGLING THINKING ABOUT GOING TO THE MAINLAND.

>> ON MAINLAND RUN INTO STUDENTS THERE, I FIND PEOPLE SAY I'M STRUGGLING.

AIM TRYING TO START MY CAREER.

TOUGH MARKET OUT THERE.

IT'S NOT REALLY ALL THAT DIFFERENT.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII IS GREAT SCHOOL.

AND I THINK THE PEOPLE ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WHETHER IT'S NOW OR IN THE FUTURE, ARE GOING TO FIND THAT IT REALLY PAYS.

PART OF IT OF COURSE IS STUDENTS HAVE TO TAKE IT SERIOUSRY.

ONE OF THOSE ENDEAVORS YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME FUN, HAVE FUN AND WORK HARD.

ONE OF THOSE, IT'S ONE THOSE EXPERIENCES WHERE IF YOU WANT EDUCATION, IT'S ALL THERE.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU.

AGAIN, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, RECORD OF SUCCESS BY THE PEOPLE THAT I SEE DAILY.

U.H.

HAS BEEN A REALLY SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCE.

I WANT TO ASK YOU.

ONCE SOMEONE LEAVES HAWAII, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN TERMS OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS IT MAKE THEIR WAY BACK?

>> I THINK THERE IS ACCLIMATION TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD OF LIVING.

SO IF YOU LEAVE, HAWAII, YOU MOVE TO LAS VEGAS AND YOU'RE ABLE TO BUY FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE.

YOUR FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE, TURN AROUND SAY, WHAT COULD I BUY IN HAWAII IF I SELL MY FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE?

BUY A 2 BEDROOM CONDOMINIUM.

MIGHT DECIDE I'M GOING TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS.

BECAUSE YOU ACCUSTOMED TO THAT.

I THINK THAT SHIFT IN LIFESTYLE FOR SOME PEOPLE BECOMES HARD WHEN THEY WANT TO COME BACK.

OF COURSE, LIKE SUMNER SAID, IF YOU STAY IN HAWAII AND COMMIT TO IT, YOU DEVELOP NETWORK YOU DEVELOP WORK RELATIONSHIPS THAT DID REALLY PROVIDE A LONGTERM BENEFIT.

IF YOU RELIEVE FOR A WHILE, YES, IN SOME CASES YOU CAN GET DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES, OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN'T OFFER HERE, BUT IN OTHER CASES YOU CAN BECOME DISTANT FROM THAT PROFESSIONAL NETWORK IN HAWAII.

AND THEN IT'S HARDER SOMETIMES TO REINTEGRATE.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

WE VIEWER QUESTION FROM STEVE FROM MILILANI.

KIND OF BOUNCING OFF HOW GOING FROM FOUR BEDROOM HOUSE TO LIKE 2 BEDROOM CONDOMINIUM.

IF YOUNG PEOPLE COME HOME AFTER COLLEGE DO YOU THINK THAT THINGS LIKE LIVING WITH YOUR PARENTS IS A REALITY THEY HAVE THINK ABOUT.

>> DEFINITELY.

SUMMER HAVE BETTER DATA THAN I DO.

REAL LARGE AMOUNT OF PENT‑UP DEMAND.

BETTER DATA.

PEOPLE WOULD LIVE IN MULTIGENERATIONAL HOUSEHOLDS OR WITH ROOMMATES BUT THEY WOULD PREFER TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN.

AND IT'S THE COST OF HOUSING THAT BARRIER THAT IS STOPPING THEM FROM GOING OUTS ON THEIR OWN.

I THINK FOR SOME PEOPLE, THEY WOULD RATHER STAY ON THE MAINLAND THAN HAVE TO MOVE BACK WITH FAMILY.

SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR PARENTS OR THEIR FAMILY.

AND IT'S NOT A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM.

THERE A FACTOR WHERE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE TRUE DEMAND FOR HOUSING BECAUSE FOR MANY PEOPLE, WHO WOULD PREFER TO LIVE ON THEIR OWN, JUST NOT AN OPTION FOR THEM AVAILABLE.

STUCK IN SITUATIONS THAT ARE LESS THAN IDEAL.

>> SO CONTINUING ON THIS TOPIC OF HOUSING, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACTIONS THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION ARE TAKING, STERLING, TO HELP COMBAT THIS ISSUE OF EXPENSIVE HOUSING HERE IN THE STATE?

>> HOUSING HAWAII'S FUTURE IS NONPROFIT MOVEMENT THAT IS TRYING TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES, PRETTY MUCH FOR THE PEOPLE HERE.

YOUNG PEOPLE HERE.

AND MYSELF.

SO THAT WE CAN AFFORD HOUSING.

IN HAWAII.

WE REALLY URGE PEOPLE TO GET CIVICALLY ENGAGED.

STARTS WITH EDUCATION.

UNDERSTANDING THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE, UNDERSTANDING SUPPLY.

UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THESE TECHNICAL TERMS THAT WE THROW AROUND LIKE AREA MEDIAN INCOME.

NOT AS INTIMIDATING AS PEOPLE THINK TO UNDERSTAND HOUSING.

>> IT'S A VERY BASIC PHYSICAL THING AT THE END OF THE DAY.

AND THEN THE SECOND THING AFTER YOU BECOME EDUCATED IS FIGURE OUT HOW DO YOU GET CIVICALLY ENGAGED?

IF YOU LIVE ON OAHU, MAYBE IT'S GOING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETINGS AND SERVING.

33 NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS ON OAHU AND HALF OUR POPULATION ARE 140 AND UNDER IN THIS STATE 40 AND UNDER.

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD COMPLETE MEETING AVERAGE AGE CLOSER TO RETIREMENT AGE.

GENERATIONS MILLENIALS, GEN Z WHATEVER NEXT GENERATION CALLED.

NOT REPRESENTED.

NOT AT NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETINGS.

UNFORTUNATELY CITY COUNCIL, LEGISLATORS, OFFICIALS GO TO MEETINGS AND LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

AND THE COMMUNITY CONCERNS ARE COMMUNITY CONCERNS OF RETIREES WHO OWN HOMES.

BUT THE VOICES OF YOUNG PERSON WHO IS HAVING THIS DISCUSSION OF CAN I AFFORD TO STAY HERE, JUST NOT PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

WHAT WE ENCOURAGE GETTING INVOLVED.

>> COULD BE GOING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD.

COULD BE GETTING INVOLVED IN YOUR COUNTY COUNCIL.

IT COULD BE WRITING A LETTER OF TESTIMONY TO YOUR LEGISLATOR.

>> BUT FINDING WAY THAT CAN YOU CONTRIBUTE.

VERY BASIC LEVEL STARTING WITH HAVING A CONVERSATION SPEAKING OUT SHARE YOUR STORY.

VERY FEW FORUMS LIKE THAT YOU HAVE PEOPLE TALKING AT LENGTH ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

ALL HAVE THESE LITTLE FAMILY CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR FRIEND.

BUT WE NEVER HAVE LIKE A BROAD CONVERSATION ABOUT THESE BIG ISSUES.

AND THE MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE START TO LEAD THAT CONVERSATION, AND SAY THIS ISSUE IS AFFECTING OUR GENERATIONS AND IF WE DON'T RESOLVE IT, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS FOR DECADE AN DECADES AND DECADES.

IN AN IDEAL WORLD, I HOPE MY CHILDREN CAN SOLVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.

IF THE FUTURE, ALWAYS BE PROBLEMS.

BUT THEY CAN SOLVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM.

WE HAVE THE POWER IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS, 20 YEARS, TO COME TOGETHER AND SOLVE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING ISSUE.

CITIES THAT ARE SOLVING IT AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THERE ARE WHOLE ITCOUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD SOLVED THIS PROBLEM.

WE DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL.

DRIVING SOLUTIONS.

>> CRITICAL TO BUILD MORE HOUSING.

>> WE'RE GOING TO FIND A MORE ROBUST ECONOMY PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

FIND PEOPLE WILL DECIDE TO LOCATE BUSINESSES HERE RATHER THAN TO DECIDE TO LOCATE THEM ON MAINLAND.

WHEN I TALK TO POLITICIANS, WHEN I TALK TO AVERAGE EVERYDAY PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE, PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THIS PROBLEM I DON'T THINK IT'S REALLY ALL THAT DIFFICULT.

TO FIGURE OUT.

SOME OF QUESTIONS WHY DON'T WE BUILD MORE HOUSING IN ANSWER IS THE DISRUPTIVE.

IT IS DISRUPTIVE.

MY NEIGHBORHOOD, MOILIILI, LARGE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROPOSED.

>> APPROVED ABOUT THE CITY COUNCIL MOVING FORWARD.

TALKING ABOUT 50 STORY TOWER.

THINK IT'S AROUND 50 STORIES HIGHER THAN HIGHER THAN TYPICAL.

QUITE BULKY ADD MASSIVE.

LIVING IN MOILIILI, WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE THAT TONED DOWN.

MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> WE NEED THOSE TYPES OF DEVELOPMENTS.

MAYBE NOT EXACTLY AS IT WAS CONSTITUTED, BUT ALWAYS GOING TO BE DISRUPTIVE.

ALWAYS PEOPLE VIEWS ARE BLOCKED.

ALWAYS GOING TO BE PEOPLE LIKE I WOULD RATHER MY NEIGHBORHOOD WAS THE SAME AS IT IS NOW RATHER THAN HAVE TO MORE CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY.

IT IS ONE OF DIFFICULTIES OF HAWAII.

FOR THE PEOPLE ALREADY HAVE IT.

FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE NICE HOMES, LIVE IN GOOD NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY DON'T REALLY WANT TO SEE MORE DENSE HOUSING COME IN.

IT'S CRITICAL.

ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL WE BUILD THAT HOUSING BECAUSE THAT IS THE KEY, THAT'S THE KEY TO REGENERATION A LOT OF THE ECONOMY AND LIFE HERE IN HAWAII.

>> IF I COULD JUST ADD.

FEW YEARS A76 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT SLATED FOR KAILUA.

AND IT WENT UP FOR CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.

TO APPROVE VARIANCES MUCH AND THIS WAS DURING THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO COMMUNITY WAS ALL ON FACEBOOK GROUPS AND COMING OUT IN ON OPPOSITION SPREADING NASTY THING IN THE BUILDING PROJECT.

DECIDING NOT TO APPROVE THE PROJECT.

INSTEAD OF 76 AFFORDABLE UNITS HAVE 8 MARKET RATE HOME.

IS NOT SOLO EXAMPLE.

THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENS A LOT.

BUT THE WORST PART IS IF YOU'RE AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPER AND YOU SEE THAT IN KAILUA, YOU'RE GOING TO SKIP HAWAII ENTIRELY.

WHY TAKE THAT RISK TRYING TO DEVELOP AFFORDABLE HOUSING IF IT CAN YANKED OUT FROM UNDERNEATH YOU?

IF THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO OPPOSE IT, SO WE HAVE A LOT LESS AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT THAN WE WOULD HAVE BECAUSE OF THAT CLIMATE THAT SUMNER TALKED ABOUT.

BASE HAVE THIS NOT IN MY BACKYARD NIMBY ATTITUDE, PEOPLE SAY WE DON'T WANT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE'S A LOT LESS DEVELOPERS DON'T WANT TO PLAY HERE.

I'M GOING TO GO DO SOMETHING SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND SO EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD HOUSING, THEY'LL TAKE THEIR TALENTS AND DO SOMETHING ELSE OR THEY'LL DO IT HERE BUT THEY'LL HAVING SOMETHING THEY KNOW WILL SELL.

8 MARKET RATE HOUSES IN KAILUA.

WHICH WILL SELL TOMORROW.

IF YOU WANT TO.

BUT JUST NOT AT A PRICE THAT NORMAL WORKING CLASS FAMILY CAN AFFORD.

>>Yunji: COMMENT HERE FROM YOUTUBE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ACTUALLY HEAR FROM JACOB.

THEN FROM DAVID LASSNER ON THIS ONE.

AS A SINGLE PARENT CHILD GOING AWAY TO A PRESTIGIOUS COMING OPPORTUNITIES FAR BETTER THAN HAWAII.

DO YOU FEEL THAT, THAT YOU THINK THAT THERE WILL BE, I HEARD YOUR ANSWER FROM EARLIER.

INTERESTED IN FILM.

THAT'S WHY YOU'RE HEADING TO CALIFORNIA.

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU CAN FIND THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES HERE THAT YOU COULD FIND THERE, I BELIEVE VERY MUCH CASE‑BY‑CASE BASIS.

DEPENDS ON FIELD THAT SOMEBODY WOULDN'T WHAT TO GO INTO.

SPECIFICALLY FOR MY FIELD, WHICH ARTS, IT'S KIND OF UNDER DEVELOPED PART IN HAWAII.

WHICH IS WHY I WOULD GO TO MAINLAND FOR THAT.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE ABLE TO HAVE MORE DEVELOPED SYSTEM, FOR THESE DIFFERENT KINDS OF JOBS I BELIEVE THAT THEN IT WILL BE BETTER.

>>Yunji: DAVID, JUST RESPONDING TO THAT IDEA, WE HEAR THAT A LOT OF THE TIME.

DO YOU AGREE THAT WITH THAT PREMISE, WHEN YOU TRACK YOUR GRADUATES DO YOU SEE THAT COME TO BEAR?

>> HAD THE PLEASURE OF SITTING WITH JACOB EARLIER BEFORE THE SHOW.

HE'S MADE HIS DECISION AND I'M VERY HAPPY FOR HIM.

BUT WE HAVE SOME GREAT CINEMATIC ARTS PROGRAMS HERE IN HAWAII.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

WE BRAND THIS UNDER ACADEMY FOR CREATIVE MEDIA.

GOT PROGRAMS THAT ALMOST EVERY COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

AT U.H.

WEST OAHU.

WITH INCREDIBLE NEW FACILITY.

>> ONE OF BEST TEACHING FACILITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

LITERALLY.

AND GREAT PROGRAM AT MANOA AS WELL.

WITH KIDS WINNING AWARDS AT MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS ALL THE TIME.

YESTERDAY, ON CAMPUS, WE HAD CHRIS EVANS, CAPTAIN AMERICA, FILMING A MOVIE.

FILMING RED ONE, IT'S A CHRISTMAS THING WITH DUANE ROCK JOHNSON.

AND THERE'S LIKE 100 PEOPLE WORKING TO FILM MAYBE 3 MINUTES FOR 2 DAYS ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE GREAT UNION LIVING WAGE JOBS.

THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE.

>> TO SEIZE THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THAT HAVE GREAT JOBS, TO MAKE SURE WE SUPPORT THOSE INDUSTRIES HERE IN HAWAII.

GROW THEM OURSELVES, AND EDUCATE OUR RESIDENTS TO FILL THOSE JOBS SO THEY AREN'T FLYING CREWS IN FROM CALIFORNIA.

AND WE'RE REALLY COMMITTED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

WE HAVE A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN THAT NEW STRATEGIC PLAN ONLY HAS FOUR IMPERATIVE.

ONE IS ABOUT WORKFORCE AND ONE ABOUT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IDENTIFIED THOSE CLUSTERS WE HAVE COMPETITIVE EDGE, CREATE GREAT JOBS.

FILM INDUSTRY IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.

>> THOSE PEOPLE LOVE TO SHOOT HERE.

AND IT'S CLEAN FOR US.

AND IT'S ECONOMICALLY ASTONISHING IMPACT IT CAN HAVE.

>> I WANT TO BOUNCE.

QUESTION FOR YOU.

>> OKAY.

I WAS GOING TO COMMENT ON THAT.

OKAY.

COMMENT ON THAT TURN TO THE STUDENTS.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT IDEA WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO SHOW YOUR STUDENTS THAT THERE THESE OPPORTUNITY THAT IS EXIST HERE?

>> SO I THINK KIND OF RELATES TO WHAT I WAS GOING TO ANSWER.

WITH MR. LASSNER HERE.

DEPENDENCE ON FIT.

FOR HIM, MIGHT BE THAT WHAT HE SEES AT CHAPMAN, IS EXCITES HIM.

BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM DOESN'T OFFER THINGS THAT ARE GOOD FOR ANOTHER STUDENT.

I HAVE A LOT OF STUDENT INTERESTED IN WEST OAHU PROGRESS AND DONE WELL AT MANOA CINEMATOGRAPHY PROGRAM.

DEPENDS ON THE PERSON.

KNOWING WHO ARE YOU AND LITTLE BIT OF WHAT YOU WANT.

I THINK I COME FROM THE GENERATION.

I KIND OF THINK MAYBE THE OUR PARENTS TOO, MAYBE WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW ALL THE ADVANCES THAT U.H.

MANOA WEST AND WHOLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM AND U.H.

HILO HAVE PROGRESSED OVER THE YEARS.

WE'VE COME FROM A TIME EVEN FOR ME, COME FROM A TIME I GRADUATED FROM MANOA.

AND I'M PROUD OF THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A TIME WHERE LIKE YOU SAID, I AGREE, THERE WAS A STIGMA THERE.

BUT YOU GOT TO YOU GOT TO KNOW THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

AND AS A COLLEGE CAREER COUNSELOR, WE SEE THAT.

WE GET EDUCATED ON THAT TRY TO SHARE IT WITH YOUR STUDENTS.

U.H.

HAS NOT BEEN STAGNANT.

AMAZING AMOUNTS.

COMMUNITY SEE IT FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE WHEN THE TAPE COMES THEIR CHILD HAS TO STAY IN HAWAII.

WHEN THE TIME COMES AND BE HAPPY WITH THAT CHOICE THAT THEIR CHILD HAS MADE.

IF THEIR CHILD WE TELL OUR PARENTS, YOU KNOW, YOU GUYS, IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR.

COLLEGE IS A FAMILY AFFAIR.

IF YOU ALL BELIEVE AND YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THE CHOICE YOU MAKE AND THAT'S CHOICE IS AT THE MAINLAND.

SO BE IT.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

WHAT MAY FIT ONE STUDENT AND THAT MAY BE U.H.

MANOA MAY NOT FIT ANOTHER STUDENT.

BUT WHERE THEY GO IF THEY CAN THRIVE THERE, AND COME OUT, THEY WILL COME OUT SUCCESSFUL.

WE SEE IT ALL THE TIME.

FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGES, ALL THE WAY ON UP.

ALL THE TIME.

>> I DID NOT PAY HER.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN U.H.

AS A SCHOOL THAT DOES RESEARCH.

HAS MADE GIANT STRIDES.

OVER FOUR DECADES THAT IRE BEEN HERE IN HAWAII.

AMOUNT OF RESEARCH MONEY TAKES IN GREATER THAN IT WAS 40 YEARS AGO ADJUSTED INFLATION.

QUALITY OF FACULTY IS HIGH BECAUSE SALARIES MOVED UP.

ATTRACT BETTER PEOPLE.

IT'S REALLY GOOD SCHOOL NOWADAYS.

NOT SAY IT WASN'T IN 1980.

DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

IN SOME WAYS IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A TOUCH MORE FRIENDLY.

THAT WAS THE TIME AND DAY.

TODAY, IT'S WORLD CLASS UNIVERSITY.

EMPHASIZES RESEARCH, SERVICE TEACHING.

BECOME A TOP UNIVERSITY.

CHANGES IT TOO.

BECOMES DIFFERENT TYPE OF PLACE.

BUT I DO THINK IN SOME SENSE STIGMA EARLIER TO STAYING HOME.

TODAY, DISAPPEARING.

IF IT'S NOT DISAPPEARING IT SHOULD BE DISAPPEARING IT'S ONE OF THE BEST STATE UNIVERSITIES IN THE UNITED STATES.

SOME REALLY GREAT PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES THAT WE DON'T COMPETE WITH.

ONE OF BEST STATE UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S.

UNIVERSITIES IN THE U.S. YOU WANT TO INVOLVE YOU MORE.

HEADING TO ARIZONA STATE.

LIKE YOU SAID.

DID YOU ACTUALLY, I'LL JUST DO YOU FEEL LIKE BASED ON WHAT DAVID LASSNER AND SUMNER SAID, DO YOU HAVE LIKE THOSE KINDS CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS WHERE YOU WANT TO DO YOU EVEN FEEL THAT PRESSURE?

>> I DEFINITELY WANTED TO EXPAND MY HORIZONS PEOPLE THAT I SURROUND MYSELF WITH, FAMILY, FRIENDS HAVE ALWAYS PUSHED ME TO KIND OF EXPAND THOSE HORIZONS, TALKED TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE, HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY, BECOME MORE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN HAWAII.

BUT ALSO, OUTSIDE OF HAWAII.

SO JUST EXPANDING MY HORIZON AND I'VE BAN BEEN GRATEFUL TO BE SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE WHO ENCOURAGE MY DREAM AND ASPIRATION.

>> >> WE CAN ALL RELATE TO THAT WANTING TO ESCAPE OUR NEST HERE A LITTLE BIT.

MORE.

SO WE DID FOCUS ON GOING TO MAINLAND UNIVERSITY FORCE PERSONAL FIT.

DAVID IF YOU BELIEVE THAT U.H'S IS TUITION IS EQUITABLE TO WHAT WE SEE ON THE MAINLAND COLLEGES, THAT MIGHT BE A REASON WHY WE'RE CONSIDERING LEAVING AS WELL.

>> I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE LEAVE FOR UNIVERSITIES ON CONTINENT FOR ECONOMIC REASONS UNLESS THEY GOT REALLY GOOD FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE.

SO THE MOST WORRISOME THING TO ME IS WHEN I SEE FAMILIES REALLY STRETCHED TO DO TO EXPENSIVE PRIVATE UNIVERSITY AND HAVE COSTS UPWARDS OF $80,000 A YEAR.

IF THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT, THEN THEY DIDN'T MAKE A GOOD BARGAIN WITHIN THE FAMILY FOR THE OUTCOME.

BUT THE SCHOOL THAT IS ARE REPRESENTED HERE, YOU MADE GREAT CHOICE.

THESE ARE REALLY GOOD UNIVERSITIES.

MANY SOME ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN OTHERS.

BUT YOU KNOW, REALLY DEPENDS ON FINANCIAL AID PACKAGE.

SO OUR ACTUAL COST, AVERAGE COST TO ATTEND, USE U.H.

MANOA.

MOST EXPENSIVE $18,000 INCLUDING ROOM AND BOARD.

NUMBER DROPS TO 8,000 FOR A FAMILY THAT MAKES LESS THAN $30,000 A YEAR.

AND GOES UP TO $20,000 FOR FAMILY THAT MAKES MORE THAN $80,000 A YEAR.

SO THE AVAILABILITY OF NEED BASED FINANCIAL AID REALLY CHANGES THE ECONOMICS.

BUT YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY I HAVE UTMOST RESPECT FOR PEOPLE I BELIEVE TURNED 1 GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

TIME TO EXPERIENCE LIFE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I HOPE THINKING OF JACOB, I HOPE WE HAVE GREAT JOBS FOR HIM IN HIS INDUSTRY HERE IS THAT WHEN HE FINISHES GETTING HIS CHAPMAN EDUCATION, HE CAN COME HOME AND SHARE HAWAII'S STORIES THROUGH FILM MAKING.

>> >>Yunji: I WONDER, WE THINK ABOUT WHO IS LEAVING AND WHO IS STAYING, ONCE A STUDENT DOES LEAVE, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT SORT OF BRAIN EXCHANGE WE HAVE SOME BRAIN DRAIN AND SOME BRAIN GAIN.

DO WE KNOW HOW MANY OF OUR PEOPLE WHO DESIGNATED TO LEAVE ARE RESIDENTS, PEOPLE WHO ARE BORNE AND RAISED HERE, HOW MANY DO ACTUALLY COME BACK?

>> VERY POOR FIGURES ON THAT.

IT'S NOT THAT HASN'T BEEN THAT CAREFULLY STUDIED.

THERE'S REALLY BEEN GOOD DATA COLLECTION SINCE 2000.

ON MIGRATION ISSUES.

CENSUS STARTED AND AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY ASKING MUCH BETTER QUESTIONS ON MIGRATION.

STILL PRETTY YOUNG.

>> RECENT GRADUATES.

THE PICTURE SOMEWHAT UNSETTLED.

WHAT WE DO KNOW IS SOME CIRCULATION GOING TO NEW YORK, BECOME EXPERIENCED IN FINANCE.

NEW YORK CENTER OF FINANCE AN COME BACK HERE.

THEY ENGAGE IN VARIETY DIFFERENT PURSUITS.

SAME THING WITH THE FILM INDUSTRY.

DIRECTOR OF THE U.H., OF THE FILM SCHOOL AT U.H.

WEST OAHU, CHRIS LEE, IS EXAMPLE OF THAT.

GREW UP HERE IN HAWAII.

WENT TO THE MAINLAND.

BECAME A VERY ACCOMPLISHMENTED PRODUCER.

AND THEN HE CAME BACK HERE TO WORK.

AT U.H.

THERE'S ALL SORT OF STORIES LAWYER DOCTORS AND OTHER PROFESSORS.

I THINK IN PARTICULAR, FOR PEOPLE GOING AWAY FOR COLLEGE, THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

>> BUT I WANT TO ECHO ONE OF STERILE'S POINTS.

CRITICAL THING IS KEEP YOUR NETWORK.

REALLY IS TO KEEP YOUR NETWORK HERE.

STERLING'S POINT.

BECOME DIVORCED, VERY NETWORKED PLACE.

I'M NOT SURE THAT'S MUCH MORE NETWORKED THAN ELSEWHERE.

EVERYWHERE IS NETWORKED.

OUTSIDE OF HAWAII'S NETWORK MUCH HARD TO GET IN.

CONNECTION ARE VALUABLE, HELP YOU IN THE FUTURE.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY ONE OF THE THING TO TELL PEOPLE.

IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK, KEEP CONNECTIONINGS ACTIVE.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE THAT NETWORK HERE?

>> YES.

ACTUALLY.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY I SAY I'M COMFORTABLE HERE BECAUSE OF THE CONNECTIONS I ALREADY HAVE.

AND I KNOW I COULD PROBABLY GO TO THE MAINLAND MAYBE GRAB OTHER CONNECTIONS THERE.

FOR ME KEEPING CONNECTIONS, AS YOU WERE SAYING AND STERLING WAS SAYING, KEEPING THESE CONNECTIONS HERE IS VERY, IMPORTANT.

>> BECAUSE AS FOR ME, IT'S LIKE MY ONE WAY OF FEELING THAT IS MY BEST WAY OF GETTING MYSELF SOME GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR MY CAREER CHOICE, CAREER PATH, WHICH IS ALSO FILM MAKING AND IF I CAN JUST TOUCH ON THAT, HAVING THE CONNECTIONS HERE ALSO JUST HELPS FOR A CREATIVE, KEEPING CONNECTIONS HAVE MORE STORIES TO TELL AND MORE IDEAS TO SHARE WAY LOT MORE PEOPLE.

>> KIND OF FOCUSING OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

CONNECTIONS HERE VERSUS ELSEWHERE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NONACT DEMPEWOLF BEING EXPERIENCES YOU'RE GAINING FROM BEING AWAY.

NONACADEMIC.

>> A TON.

I AM VERY MUCH INTO LIKE THE ARTS AND STUFF.

AND AS SOON AS I GOT TO COLLEGE, I WAS LIKE, OKAY, I DEFINITELY WANT TO FIND SOMETHING THAT IS LIKE A CLUB FOR ME TO DO.

I FOUND ONE OF THE ACAPELLA GROUP ON CAMPUS.

AN AUDITIONED GOT IN.

AND IT HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

EVERYONE ELSE IN THAT ACAPELLA GROUP HAS BEEN GREAT BASICALLY SECOND FAMILY.

YEAH.

THAT WAS ONE OF MY BIG ONES.

AND BEING ABLE TO, WELL, THREE ACAPELLA GROUP ON OUR CAMPUS.

UNFORTUNATELY, OURS IS THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GET AS MANY ALUMNI THAT COME BACK EVERY YEAR.

BUT RECENTLY, WE DID GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH ACTUALLY ONE FOUNDERS OF THE ACAPELLA GROUP AND IT WAS REALLY INTERESTING TO HEAR, WHERE THEIR LIVES HAVE GONE SINCE THEN.

>> BUILD ON THAT, A LOT OF MY STUDENTS TOO, WHEN THEY SAY THEY WANT TO GO AWAY AND WANT TO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES, IT'S NOT ALWAYS ACADEMIC.

IT'S ENTERTAINMENT TOO.

WHO DOESN'T WANT GO TO A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC GAME?

WHO DOESN'T WANT TO SEE THAT HOCKEY SHOW?

WOULD TONIGHT WANT TO THAT ROAD TRIP THAT I'VE HEARD MY OLDER SISTER TALK ABOUT WHEN THEY WENT ON BREAK.

THEY CAN'T DO THAT HERE.

SO MANY OTHER OPPORTUNITIES MY STUDENTS WANT TO TAKE PART IN.

AND THAT'S WHY THEY WANT TO GO AWAY TOO THEY WANT TO EXPERIENCE THAT.

EXPERIENCE THAT INDEPENDENT AND THAT FREEDOM TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

AND TO DO IT WITH FRIENDS.

AND THAT'S PART OF GROWING UP.

THEY TALK ABOUT THAT TOO.

THAT'S THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.

WHY THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GO.

DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE INTENTION THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING TO STAY FOREVER.

HAWAII IS ALWAYS THEIR HOME.

ALWAYS CONSIDER IT THEIR HOME.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY GREW UP HERE.

ESPECIALLY IN EWA BEACH, WITH WHOLE WHOLE GENERATION OF FAMILIES GREW UP OVER THERE.

BIG PART OF IT TOO.

>>Yunji: TOUCH BACK ON SOMETHING THAT YOU MENTIONED.

YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW WHEN A FAMILY LEVERS LOSE THE KID TUIASOA.

SO MUCH OF OUR CONSIDERATION TONIGHT IS REALLY TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMIC PIECE OF WHAT HAPPENS TO US AS COMMUNITY.

LOSE THE KIDS TOO.

TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE OTHER INTANGIBLE THAT HAPPENS WHEN WE LOSE FOLKS.

FOLKS DECIDE TO MAKE THEIR HOME ELSEWHERE.

WHO ARE ORIGINALLY FROM HERE.

>> ONE ASPECT TO THINK ABOUT IS OUR AGEING POPULATION THE ONE THE CHALLENGE THAT IS WE FACE GENERALLY IN HAWAII WE ARE FACING THE SILVER TSUNAMI.

WE HAVE AGING POPULATION.

OUR HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY IS ALREADY STRUGGLING TO ATTRACT ENOUGH PEOPLE TO CARE FOR THAT AGING POPULATION.

SO WHEN WE LOSE FAMILIES, WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE OFTENTIME WAS GENERAL ANTIS.

IN THE CASE OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS, TIES TO HAWAII THAT GO BACK CENTURIES.

GENERATIONAL TIES.

LOSING KNOWLEDGE OF OUR CULTURE AND OUR HISTORY, AND WE'RE LOSING I MEAN, TO BE QUITE FRANK, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE KEY TO ALL OF THE ECONOMIC DYNAMISM THAT SUMNER TALKS ABOUT.

SENIOR CITIZENS AREN'T STARTING BUSINESSES.

IT'S NOT SENIOR CITIZEN CREATING WORLD DEFINING TECHNOLOGIES.

>> ALWAYS BEEN YOUNG PEOPLE.

I'LL BE HONEST.

HAWAII IS A PLACE THAT IS INCREASINGLY HOSTILE TOWARDS YOUNG PEOPLE.

>>Yunji: HOW SO?

>> SO ONE THE THINGS I THINK ABOUT IT MY WIFE AND I BECAUSE WE HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, ARE PRETTY MUCH OUT OF CHARACTER FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR EARLY 30'S.

BY THE TIME MY GRANDPARENTS' IN THEIR EARLY 30'S.

THEY HAD FIVE CHILDREN.

COMPLETELY NORMAL ON A SINGLE PERSON.

SINGLE CARPENTERS INCOME GRANDFATHER ABLE TO PROVIDE A FOR A FAMILY AND BUILD A HOUSE WHILE HIS WIFE STAYED AT HOME.

PEOPLE IN THE TRADES CAN YOU DO THAT TODAY?

NO.

THEY GET PAID GENEROUS WAGES.

SINGLE INCOME SUPPORT FIVE CHILDREN, SOMEBODY STAY HOME AND BE FULL‑TIME CAREGIVER.

MOST FAMILIES IMPOSSIBLE.

CHALLENGE IS IF YOU DON'T HAVE FAMILY ALSO HERE HAVING CHILDREN, YOU'RE LOSING THEM.

NOW, FOR EVERY IAM TONGI THAT LEAVES.

MIGHT BE GRANDPARENT HERE.

BECOMES ZOOM GRANDPARENT.

SEE THEM ON FACETIME OR ZOOM.

CAN'T TOUCH OR HOLD THEIR BABY.

CREATES REAL STRAIN.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE HAWAII GREAT, IS THIS MULTIGENERATIONAL APPROACH THAT WE HAVE.

WE HAD EXTENDED FAMILY.

WE HAD PEOPLE WHO KNEW EACH OTHER.

AND HAD SECOND COUSINS AND THIRD COUSINS.

AND SO BEYOND JUST THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS, LIKE EACH PERSON THAT'S PLUCKED OUT OF THAT HAD FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND NETWORK OF CONNECTIONS INTEGRAL PART.

IAM TONGA PEOPLE IN KAHUKU TURNED OUT BY THOUSANDS TO CELEBRATE HIM AT TURTLE BAY HE WAS A BIG PART OF THAT COMMUNITY BEFORE HE LEFT.

BEFORE HE LEFT, PEOPLE LOVED HIS VOICE AND LOVED HIS SINGLE.

AND THEN HE WAS SILENT.

HE WENT SOMEWHERE ELSE WITH THAT.

AND IT'S AMAZING THAT HE WON AMERICAN IDOL AND HOPEFULLY NOW, BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME IN KAHUKU.

LET'S REMEMBER THAT HE HIS FAMILY COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE THERE FOR A REASON.

WERE VERY DELIBERATE DECISIONS MADE OVER AND OVER AGAIN OF THE LAST FEW DECADES THAT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES LIKE HIS TO STAY IN HAWAII.

AND THOSE ARE DECISIONS WE CAN UNDO.

IF WE DECIDED AS A SOCIETY THAT EVERY YOU YOUNG PERSON IN HAWAII HAVE A CHANCE TO START A FAMILY HERE AND HAVE A CAREER HERE, WE COULD DO TO.

DECISION WE CAN MAKE.

KNOW THIS BECAUSE IT WAS PREVIOUSLY POSSIBLE.

PREVIOUSLY POSSIBLE FOR CARPENTER ON A SINGLE INCOME TO RAISE FIVE CHILDREN AND BUILD A HOUSE.

NOT POSSIBLE TODAY.

WHY IN NOTHING CHANGED ABOUT BUILDING A HOUSE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

THE CHALLENGE IS WE JUST DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE TO BUILD HOUSING ANY MORE.

AND THAT'S A REAL CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THERE WAS A PERIOD IN HAWAII, POST WORLD WAR II PERIOD, WE HAD TREMENDOUS GROWTH.

CAME ABOUT BECAUSE WE STILL HAD SUGAR AND PINEAPPLE GOING.

TOURISM INDUSTRY STARTING UP.

PREWAR.

ADVENT OF JET PLANE.

JUMBO JETS ALLOWED TONS OF TOURISTS TO COME HERE.

TRANSFORMED HAWAII.

SOMEWHAT FOR GOOD.

SOMEWHAT FOR BAD, UPS AND DOWNS TO TOURISM.

INCREASED PEOPLES' INCOMES DRAMATICALLY DURING THE SIXTIES, 70s AN 80s.

DIFFICULT 1990s.

2000 ANOTHER SURGE IN TOURISM.

SINCE LEVELED OFF.

WE REALLY CAN'T EXPECT TO SEE BIG SURGES IN THE FUTURE.

NOBODY HERE THAT WANTS TO SEE 20 MILLION TOURISTS.

MAY GET HIGH SPENDING TOURISTS.

LOOK ELSEWHERE REALLY FOR THE SOURCE OF OUR INCOME GAINS.

BOTTOM LINE WITH THE ECONOMY IS IT HASN'T BEEN ALL OF THAT GREAT.

HASN'T BEEN ALL THAT GREAT.

I'M EXTRACTING AWAY FROM COVID.

LOOK AT THE PROPRECOVID YEARS.

2015 TO 2019.

>> FROM MID 2010'S ON IN OUR RECOVERY TODAY, ECONOMY BEEN SLACKING.

GREW LESS THAN 1% A YEAR.

OVER THAT PRECOVID PERIOD FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS BEFOREHAND.

VERY DIFFERENT PLACE TO LIVE.

ECONOMIC GROWTH GOING ON AROUND YOU, A LOT OF PROSPERITY.

EASY TO GET JOBS.

>> RAPID WAGE INCREASE PEOPLE CAN FEEL LIKE CAN I SUPPORT A LARGER FAMILY.

PEOPLE AREN'T FEELING THAT THE FEELING MORE STUCK IN YOUR JOBS.

PROBLEM WITH THE HAWAII ECONOMY.

NOT WITH YOUTH OR UH.

PRELIMINARY PROBLEM HAVING MORE DYNAMIC ECONOMY.

IT'S ALL POSSIBLE TOO MUCH.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE STUDENTS BECAUSE JUST TO GET THEIR INPUT.

WE TALKED LITTLE BIT ABOUT STERLING AND ABOUT THE INTANGIBLE THINGS THAT YOU KIND OF MISS.

FOR THE STUDENTS GOING AWAY, WHAT WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM SARA FROM HILO.

STUDENTS GOING AWAY, WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE MOST?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY OBVIOUSLY MISS CULTURE.

FOOD.

FIND ANY FOOD LIKE IT POKE.

FOOD AND COMMUNITY THAT I THINK HAWAII IS PROVIDED FOR ME.

BUT I THINK MAIN REASON WHY I'M LOOKING GO TO THE MAINLAND IS TO JUST EXPERIENCE SOMETHING NEW.

HAWAII WILL ALWAYS OBVIOUSLY BE MY HE HOME.

ALL WALKS OF LIFE, NEW PLACE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO A LOT OF MY PEERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO.

>> KATE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS THE MOST?

>> MISS THE COMMUNITY.

MY FAMILY, MY DOG.

AND THE FOOD.

JUST THAT ALOHA SPIRIT AND JUST, GOING TO THE STORE AND SEEING LIKE FIVE AUNTIES AND MAYBE YOUR NEIGHBOR.

JUST KNOWING EVERYBODY.

AND FEELING THAT OF TOGETHERNESS AND CLOSENESS.

WITH EVERYBODY.

>> JACOB?

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO MISS?

>> PRETTY MUCH JUST SAY EVERYTHING THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY SAID.

COMMUNITY, ALL MY FAMILY, FOOD, OF COURSE, I KIND OF REALIZE THAT EVEN WHEN WE'RE GONE, FROM HAWAII, WE PRETTY MUCH BECOME THESE AMBASSADORS TO OUR CULTURE AND OUR LAND.

AND I THINK THAT EVEN IF I AM GOING TO MISS IT, THE FACT THAT I'M GOING TO BE GONE AND I'M GOING TO MOST DEFINITELY SEE PEOPLE FROM HAWAII, GOING TO BE STILL ABLE TO SHARE THESE PIECES OF CULTURE, AN BE ABLE TO MAKE ME FEEL A LITTLE LESS, MISS IT.

>> CAN I JUST JUMP IN?

I THINK ONE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'VE REALLY BEEN TRYING TO ESCALATE IS THE ABILITY FOR LOCAL STUDENTS OR ANY STUDENT ATTENDS U.H.

MANOA, OR WE HAVE SIMILAR PROGRAMS, AT OTHER CAMPUSES, TO EXPERIENCE PART OF THEIR STUDY AWAY FROM HAWAII.

SO SOMETIMES WE'LL TALK ABOUT STAY AT HOME, STUDY AWAY.

AND SO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM.

STUDENT EXCHANGES WITH OTHER COUNTRIES.

NATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE.

ALL OPPORTUNITIES.

IT'S NOT THE FULL FOUR‑YEAR LIVE AWAY THAT THESE STUDENTS WILL EXPERIENCE.

BUT YOU CAN STILL GET A TOUCH OF THAT.

HAWAII STATION HOME.

>> SAME QUESTION.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO MISS THE MOST.

>> WHAT EVERYONE SAID.

FAMILY FRIENDS.

>> I THINK THE WEATHER.

AND IT SOUNDS HILARIOUS TO SAY.

YOU REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT GOING OUTSIDE AND SEEING THE SUN AND IT BEING NICE DAY.

ALSO WHAT WE ALL CHERISH HERE.

THAT WE HAVE BEAUTIFUL DAYS AN AT THE END OF THE DAY EVEN IF YOU EXPERIENCE SOMETHING BAD EMOTIONALLY.

BEAUTIFUL NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT TO COME BACK TO.

>> FOR ME CONSISTENCY.

IT'S TOO COLD IN THE MAINLAND.

I CAN'T HANDLE IT.

IT'S TOO MUCH.

I LIKE THAT EVEN THOUGH IT'S HOT, EVERY DAY, IT'S STILL HOT.

I CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THAT EVERY DAY.

>> GOING TO NEW JERSEY.

>> GOING TO BE PRETTY BAD THERE.

>> WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALSO OTHER STUDENTS TOO.

EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GOING TO MISS EVERYTHING AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GOING AWAY, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS STILL THAT QUESTION OF DEBT.

>> WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH OUR MONEY.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK CURRENTLY COLLEGE STUDENTS THINK ABOUT THEIR ECONOMIC SITUATION ESPECIALLY HAD TO TAKE OUT LOANS?

>> COUPLE OF FRIENDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT MORE FINANCIALLY.

AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT ONLY HAVE A PRETTY SOLID SCHOLARSHIP, AND HAVE BE WELL OFF, IN OUR FAMILY, BUT YEAH, I JUST SEEING THEM WORRY IS KIND OF SAD.

AND.

>> DO YOU THINK THEY THINK IT'S WORTH IT THOUGH?

EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE TO HAVE SETBACK.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO AND LIKE WHAT THEY STUDY IN THEIR CLASSES I KNOW THAT IF THEY LIKE STICK TO IT, THEY'LL DO WELL.

>> ETHAN, YOU'RE GOING IN, DO YOU KNOW IF WE'RE BEING ABLE TO GO THROUGH THE COLLEGE SYSTEM WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE OUT LOANS OR ANYTHING IN DO YOU THINK THAT GOING TO COLLEGE IS GOING TO GIVE YOU YOUR BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT?

>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A FUNNY THING TO ASK BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE GONE TO COLLEGE WAY EARLIER IF IT WASN'T FOR ECONOMIC WORRIES.

OR FOR LIKE MONEY ISSUES.

BUT I WOULD SAY AS OF RIGHT NOW, FOR MY CURRENT GOING INTO THIS FALL, I AM HOPING AND HAVING A FEW FRIEND HELPING ME OUT WITH THAT, NOT HAVE TO DO ANY KIND OF LOAN THINGS OR WORRY ABOUT LIKE DEBTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BECAUSE THAT'S FUNLY ENOUGH, ONE THING THAT KEPT ME FROM GOING PAST TWO YEARS.

AND IT'S AN ISSUE THAT I THINK A LOT OF STUDENTS LIKE ME WHERE WE LIVE IN LIKE PUBLIC HOUSING WHERE IT'S LESS, WE DON'T HAVE OPPORTUNITY UNTIL LIKE WE'RE, AGAIN, JUST NOT SURE ABOUT OUR OPPORTUNITIES WHICH IS WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WITH ME.

BUT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION,   I'M HOPING THAT I GET A BETTER FINANCIAL RETURN WHICH IS THE KEY WORD FOR STUDENT LIKE ME, GOING I'M THROWING A HAIL MARY CHASING MONEY AS ONE OF MY FRIENDS LIKE TO SAY.

JUST GOING FOR IT THIS TIME.

NOT WAITING ANOTHER YEAR.

SO I'M HOPING THAT CAN I GET A BETTER FINANCIAL RETURN WHEN I GO.

>> HEAR FROM DAVID ON THAT.

IS YOU KNOW, YOU SAID AT THE TOP.

VERY GOOD RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

>> GREAT RETURN ON INVESTMENT.

AND YOU'RE LEEWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE THINKING OF MOVING ON.

TO U.H.

WEST OAHU.

IT'S INCREDIBLE AFFORDABLE WAY TO GET AN EDUCATION.

AND HOPEFULLY, MOVE INTO CAREER OPPORTUNITY AS WE WATCH FILM INDUSTRY GROWING HERE.

IT'S GREAT TO NOT INCUR ANY DEBT I WOULDN'T SHY AWAY FROM MODEST AMOUNT.

KEEP IT UNDER CONTROL.

THAT WOULD BE MY UNSOLICITED ADVICE.

>> TEND TO FIND THAT HAWAII STUDENTS TAKE OUT LESS DEBT.

WHETHER THEY GO TO U.H.

OR ON THE MAINLAND, I THINK PART OF THAT IS THERE'S A CERTAIN FEELING TOO MUCH DEBT, I'LL BE FORCED TO GO TO THE MAINLAND OR FORCED DO STUFF I DON'T WANT TO DO.

BASICALLY LEAVE HAWAII OR NOT COME BACK HERE BASICALLY JUST SEARCH FOR THE BEST FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY.

LITTLE BIT OF THAT THERE.

REALLY IS BALANCING ACT.

FOR PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO JUST TO WORK DECIDE TO WORK, DETRACT FROM THE ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE.

GETTING TO KNOW PEERS AT THE SCHOOL.

IT'S LITTLE BIT OF BALANCE.

BALANCING ACT.

>> I THINK SOME WAYS, STUDENTS IN HAWAII TAKE OUT A LITTLE BIT TOO LITTLE LOAN.

BUT THEN DAVID IS CORRECT, JUST U.H.

IS RELATIVELY CHEAP.

OUR TUITION IS LOW.

IT'S NOT THAT EXPENSIVE.

>> WE SAY AFFORDABLE COLLEGE.

>> CHEAP MEANING CHEAP IN PRICE.

ONE OF THE THOSE THINGS THAT'S ONE OF THE VIRTUES OF STAYING HOME.

YOU'RE ABLE TO PAY LESS FOR YOUR COLLEGE EDUCATION.

STILL GET A REALLY GOOD COLLEGE EDUCATION HERE.

BUT AGAIN, WHOLE THING ABOUT LOANS AND LOANS AND WORKING IT'S GOOD TO TRY TO STRIKE A BALANCE.

BECAUSE IT'S ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL TO TRY THE MOST OF OUT OF OUR ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE.

>> HIGHER GRADE PAY OFF.

>> WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM SANDRA FROM HONOLULU.

DIRECTED TO YOU.

DOES U.H.

OR HAS U.H.

PAID INTERNSHIPS FOR STUDENTS GIVE THEM A CHOICE WORKING ON CAMPUS OR LOCAL BUSINESSES?

>> THAT IS SUCH A ACTUALLY QUESTION.

SO THIS WEEK, I'VE BEEN SPENDING A LOT TIME WORKING WITH SOME OF OUR MY EDUCATIONAL COLLEAGUES THE COLLEAGUES IN THE D.O.E.

PARTNER PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATION.

WORKING CLOSELY WITH INDUSTRY TRY TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES VARIOUSLY CALLED WORKPLACE EARNING OR EARN AND LEARN.

HAWAII HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION LIKE TO CALL IT GLIDE PATH.

GIVE ONE EXAMPLE.

STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN HEALTH CARE CAN TAKE EARLY COLLEGE COURSES AT NO COST IN HIGH SCHOOL QUALIFY FOR ENTRY LEVEL HEALTH CARE JOBS AND THEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM ON A PATHWAY TO BECOME CERTIFIED NURSE ASSISTANT WHILE WORKING TO EARN LPN LICENSURE, CONTINUE ON TO RN AND BSN, TO CONTINUE TO ELEVATE THEIR PATHS.

THIS TAKES A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE EMPLOYERS.

SO WITHOUT DOING AD FOR GOOD JOB HAWAII, IF YOU LOOK IT UP, THERE'S A LOT OF FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES ENABLED BY FEDERAL GRANT AND PHILANTHROPY, IT TRY TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE WORKFORCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPLOYERS.

BUT YES, WE ALSO HAVE MANY STUDENTS WORKING ON CAMPUS WHILE THEY'RE IN SCHOOL.

SO EITHER OF THOSE OPPORTUNITIES ARE POSSIBLE.

AND WE NEED MORE.

>> ACTUALLY HAVE A FOLLOW‑UP QUESTION FOR STERLING.

TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PASSION HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET STUDENTS LEARN WHAT THEIR PASSION IS OR GOOD AT.

>> SAY SOMETHING CONTROVERSIAL.

REECE ASKED ME TO PROVIDE ADVICE FOR YOUNGER PERSON MAYBE TEN YEARS MY JUNIOR.

AND ONE THING I SAID IS BASED ON BOOK BY CAL CALLED SO GOOD, THEY CAN'T IGNORE YOU.

TRADITION WE TELL STUDENTS, FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

WE PLAY THEM THIS STEVE JOBS STAFFORD COMMENCEMENT IMPEACH.

HE SAYS, FOLLOW YOUR PASSION.

CAL SUGGESTS, I DO AGREE WITH CAL ON THIS, THAT IN ALOHA LIFE, FULFILLMENT COMES IN LARGE PART FROM BECOMING VERY SKILLED AT SOMETHING AND MASTERING.

>> INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING YOUR PASSION, CHOOSING VALUABLE SKILL AND REALLY DEDICATING YOURSELF TO THE CRAFT OF BECOMING BETTER AT IT AND IMPROVING.

AND THROUGH THE PROCESS OF MASTERING THAT SKILL, YOU END UP BECOMING PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

I DO THINK SOMETIMES WE DO DISSERVICE AND TAUGHT AT HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS, SO GOT TO SEE THIS FIRSTHAND.

I THINK SOMETIMES WE DO DISSERVICE AND EXPECTING 18, 19, OR 20‑YEAR‑OLD TO KNOW WHAT THEIR PASSIONATE ABOUT AND MAKE A CAREER DECISION BASED ON THAT.

WHEN SOMETIMES IT CAN BE MORE HELPFUL TO TELL THEM, WELL, WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?

OR WHAT ARE YOU ABLE TO DO?

WHAT ARE YOU SKILLED AT?

MAYBE THEY'RE SKILLED AT QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS.

MAYBE THEY'RE SKILLED AT COMPUTER PROGRAMMING.

THEY MAY NOT BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, MAY HATE IT BUT GETTING REALLY GOOD AT SOMETHING AND GETTING A JOB THAT PAYS YOU WELL FOR IT, CAN THEN FRY FREE UP TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION PASSIONS ON THE SIDE.

>> PASSION FOR PAINTING.

CAREER FOR PAINTING DRAGON THEM.

COMPLETE CAREER ADVICE.

MAY NOT ALWAYS BE GOOD TO PURSUE YOUR PASSION.

>> HOPEFULLY ALL PEOPLE CAN FIND A PASSION AND REALIZE IT.

FOR SOME YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY PASSION IS DON'T FEEL BAD.

>> LEARN A SKILL.

AND YOU'LL BE OKAY.

>> AND TURNING IT BECOME TO THE STUDENTS, LET'S START WITH KATE.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT ALL SORTS OF ISSUES HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE.

WHAT WOULD NEED TO BE DONE IN ORDER FOR YOU TO ATTEND COLLEGE, WELL, CLEARLY NOT ANY MORE, BUT OR CONTINUE TO LIVE HERE AFTER?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY, THE ECONOMY, HIGH PRAISE OF LIVING, I THINK THAT IS BIG FACTOR.

IT WEIGHS HEAVILY NOT JUST ON ME, IT ALSO WEIGHS HEAVY ON THE PEOPLE THAT I KNOW THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT BEING ABLE TO AFFORD HOUSING AFTER SCHOOLING OR AFTER WORKING THEIR JOBS AND BEING ABLE TO LIVE SEPARATE WILL FROM THEIR PARENTS AND LEAD THEIR OWN LIVES.

WORRIED ABOUT INCOME AND HOW THAT WEIGHS INTO HAWAII'S ECONOMY, AND PRICE OF LIVING.

>> HOW ABOUT YOU?

WHAT DO YOU THINK.

>> ADD ON.

ECONOMICS DEFINITELY PLAY BIG PART.

COST OF LIVING A BIG PART.

HAS TO GET FIXED ALONG WITH THAT, RESIDENT FROM EWA BEACH.

I COMMUTE TO KAMEHAMEHA EVERY DAY.

SO DEFINITELY HOW CONGESTED IT IS WOULD LIKE TRAFFIC AND CARS HAS TO GET FIXED FOR ME TO CONSIDER COMING BACK.

COMMUTE IS JUST CRAZY AROUND HERE.

>> THEN TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO SETH.

CURRENTLY IN THE MAINLAND.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN COMING HOME?

ONE FACTOR.

>> DEFINITELY LIKE THE CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS THAT I HAVE HERE.

ESPECIALLY THIS PAST YEAR, I HAD A LOT OF LIKE MENTAL STUFF GOING ON WITH LOOK A WHOLE BUNCH OF STUFF.

LIKE WITH MY CONNECTIONS AT SCHOOL.

AND BEING ABLE TO COME BACK HOME TO PEOPLE THAT ARE WAITING FOR ME, I GUESS, LIKE MY FAMILY AND ALSO, MY FRIENDS, MY OTHER FRIENDS ALSO ON THE MAINLAND, THAT ARE COMING BACK NOW, WE ALREADY ARE THINKING ABOUT, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

DURING UP SUMMER BREAK.

LOVE THAT.

>> REFRESHING TAKE ON THAT ANSWER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANTED TO EXPAND AND YOUR EXPLANATION.

REGARDING LIKE CULTURE AND STUFF.

WHEN YOU CLOSE YOUR UNIVERSITY, HOW MUCH OF A DID CULTURE CONSIDERATIONS DID YOU MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO LEAVE?

>> IT WASN'T REALLY AS MUCH DECIDING TO LEAVE AS IT WAS EXPERIENCING CULTURE SHOCK WHEN I GOT THERE.

BUT YEAH, I JUST, I GO WITH THE FLOW A LOT.

AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE A HUGE THEATER NERD COLLEGE COUNSELOR FUN LITTLE COLLEGE IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT IS HOUR TRAIN RIDE AWAY FROM NEW YORK.

SO YOU COULD GO INTO THE CITY PRETTY MUCH ANY TIME YOU WANT.

THEY HAVE GREAT PROGRAMS.

THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM.

ONE OF THINK IS WHERE I'M GOING TO BE DOING NEXT SEMESTER.

I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO TO LONDON.

AND YEAH, IT'S JUST BE BEING ABLE DO MORE THINGS IS REALLY INTERESTING TO ME.

AND I DIDN'T REALLY THINK OF LIKE, THE CULTURE, LIKE DIFFERENCES.

DIDN'T REALLY TAKE IT THAT MUCH INTO CONSIDERATION.

BUT LIKE NOW, THAT I'VE BEEN THERE, I DEFINITELY DO MISS IT FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> JACOB DID, YOU THINK YOU WERE GOING TO FEEL THAT CULTURE SHOCK?

>> DEFINITELY MULTIPLE TIMES I'VE BEEN TO THE CAMPUS AND JUST BEEN IN THE AREA, ALWAYS DIFFERENT KIND OF VIBE.

OF JUST LIKE PEOPLE SEEM DIFFERENTLY.

IT'S NOT THE SAME COMMUNITY AS HERE.

BUT IT IS INCREDIBLY FASCINATING TO ME.

I SEE YOU NODDING ON THAT.

I WENT UP TO VANDERBILT, I THINK MID APRIL.

AND IT WAS DEFINITELY A CULTURE SHOCK FOR ME BEING THERE.

I THINK A LARGE PART OF THE THING THAT GROUNDED ME WHEN I VISIT CAMPUS.

HAD HAWAII GROUPS.

COULD CONNECT WITH AND PREVIOUSLY KNEW.

VERY DINE‑IN FROM BEING HOME.

SOMETHING THAT I AM LOOK FORWARD TO.

VERY DIFFERENT FROM BEING HOME.

>> MOURNING LOSS OF HAVING THAT COMMUNITY JUST GETTING ADJUSTED TO BEING THE ONLY ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER IN THE ROOM HAVING TO EXPLAIN WHAT BEING NATIVE HAWAIIAN MEANS.

IN THE VALUE THAT HOLD WITH IT.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME FEELING WHEN YOU GO TO PRINCETON?

>> EXPLAINING LIKE WHAT SPAM IS.

DIFFICULT.

GOOD WAY TO MAKE FRIENDS.

WHAT ABOUT THAT BROADER CULTURE CHANGE?

YOU SAID YOU ARE VERY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY HERE AND HAVE SPENT YOUR WHOLE LIFE IN HAWAII.

>> I THINK BIG PART OF IT IS KIND OF EXPANDING WHAT ALL THE STUDENTS HAVE SAID.

LIKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE TETHERED TO HAWAII STILL.

SO HOPEFULLY, WHEN I GO TO NEW JERSEY, IT'S LIKE I'M NOT LIKE THAT AWAY.

EVEN THOUGH IT'S LIKE A SIX HOUR TIME DIFFERENCE.

BUT HOPEFULLY, I THINK IT'S NOT GOING TO BE TOO BAD FOR THE FIRST MONTH.

>> WHAT BUT ABOUT YOU?

REALLY LUCKY IN THE SENSE THAT PACIFIC UNIVERSITY IS REALLY KNOWN FOR THEIR HAWAII CLUB.

SO IT'S MASSIVE.

AND SO MANY KIDS FROM HAWAII ATTEND.

UNIVERSITY.

IS TO IS REALLY GOING TO BE LOOK A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

>> JUST COLDER.

WORTH REMEMBERING I THINK THAT IN SOME SENSE, UNIVERSITY IS A COMMUNITY.

THERE'S A CERTAIN FEELING COMES UP WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

JUST A MASSIVE COLLECTION OF MINI COMMUNITIES WHICH OVERLAP WITH EACH OTHER, ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT A UNIVERSITY, IF YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES THERE'S OTHER COMMUNITIES INTERESTED TO EXPLORE AND LOOK INTO.

THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS UNIVERSITIES, GOOD UNIVERSITY ENCOURAGES.

PEOPLE EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE THERE.

AND SEEING THE OTHER THINGS IN LIFE.

THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU.

>> STICK WITH YOU.

QUESTION HERE FROM PEARL ON BIG ISLAND.

THIS IS ABOUT TRYING TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS TO COME HOME AFTER THEY PURSUED COLLEGE EXPERIENCES ELSEWHERE.

COULD IT BE THAT EMPLOYERS HERE IN HAWAII FEEL JOB CANDIDATES EDUCATED ON MAINLAND AND HAD SOME WORK EXPERIENCE THERE HAVE EDGE OVER CANDIDATES COLLEGE EDUCATED HERE IN HAWAII?

DO YOU THINK THAT WE'VE TEND TO VALUE GOING TO UNIVERSITY ON THE MAINLAND MORE AS EMPLOYERS THAN IF YOU GO TO COLLEGE HERE AT HOME?

>> I THINK DEPENDS ON THE SPECIFIC FIELD YOU'RE IN AND EMPLOYERS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

DEPENDS TYPE OF BUSINESS WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A PARTICULAR SKILL ACQUIRED.

CERTAIN UNIVERSITIES MAINLAND PHONE BEING VERY GOOD IN CERTAIN TYPES OF FIELD.

AND THOSE PEOPLE MAY HAVE A SLIGHT ADVANTAGE IN THAT RESPECT.

THERE'S OTHER, ALL SORTS OF OTHER BUSINESSES.

WHERE SMOOTHING, FORMING CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLER ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT BANKING OR ASSURANCE INSURANCE OR REAL ESTATE OR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OR EDUCATION, FORMING HUMAN CONNECTIONS REALLY IMPORTANT YOU NEED THEIR COMMUNICATION.

FAMILIAR WITH THE CULTURE HOW THINGS WORK HERE.

CERTAIN WAY THINGS WORK HERE AT TIME PEOPLE COME FROM THE OUTSIDE SOMETIMES FINDS REALLY HARD TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

AND SO I THINK YES, FOR SOME EMPLOYERS YES.

FOR OTHER EMPLOYERS, NO.

>> QUESTION FOR KIND OF JUMPING WHAT SUMNER SAID.

SHORTAGES.

IN HAWAII, WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM GEORGE FROM MAUI.

COST OF LIVING AND LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AS RESULT, SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS AND DOCTORS.

HOW DOES YOUR UNIVERSITY ADDRESS THAT?

>> TRYING TO DO A LOT.

TWO REALLY SEPARATE PROBLEMS.

DOCTOR SHORTAGE IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT MEDICAL SCHOOL.

VERY FOCUSED ON RECRUITING MEDICAL STUDENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PRACTICE HERE.

WE HAVE STATE HAS INVESTED IN LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAMS.

AND WE HAD HOPED TO EXPAND IT.

WE ALSO HAVE GENEROUS DONORS PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS PLAN TO PRACTICE HERE.

KEY IS RESIDENCIES.

I DIDN'T KNOW THIS.

AFTER MEDICAL SCHOOL, YOU DO A RESIDENCY IN INTERNAL MEDICINE OR SURGERY.

AND THAT IS ACTUALLY THE BEST PREDICTER WHERE SOMEBODY WILL PRACTICE.

>> RESIDENCY REQUIRE US FIGURING OUT HOW TO WORK WITH THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES HERE SO THAT THOSE STUDENTS ONCE THEY'VE BEEN WORKING TYPICALLY FOR 3 YEARS, MORE LIKELY TO STAY HERE AND PRACTICE.

ON TEACHERS, IT'S A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ISSUE.

WE'RE TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO DO THIS EARN AND LEARN OPPORTUNITY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS IDENTIFIED TEACHING AS A PROFESSION AND THINK WILL BE A GAME CHANGER.

WHERE WE CAN PAY LIKE A APPRENTICESHIPS.

THINK OF CARPENTRY APPRENTICESHIP WHY NOT TEACHING APPRENTICESHIP.

EXPLORE WAYS TO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN EDUCATION.

>> PAY RAISE FOR TEACHERS.

HOPEFULLY BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE INTO GOING IN EDUCATION ESPECIALLY IN THOSE SHORTAGE AREAS WITH THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO EARN AND LEARN WHILE BECOMING TEACHERS.

>> WE HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ELAYNE IN A WHILE.

BOUNCING OFF OF WHAT SUMNER SAID EARLIER, ABOUT HOW WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY EXPERIENCING BRAIN DRAIN IN THE BACHELOR PLUS DEGREE.

BUT MORE IN THE AA HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMAS.

>> FROM JADE ON FACEBOOK IF YOU HAD TO COUNCSEL STUDENTS DON'T WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND WHAT YOUR ADVICE HAS BEEN TO THEM, VIEWERS IN THAT SAME KIND OF AREA RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT.

SO AS YOU KNOW, THERE'S THAT BUILDING ABOUT COLLEGE.

COLLEGE ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY.

SOME STUDENTS MAYBE NEED TO TAKE A GAP YEAR OFF OR FIGURE OUT LIFE OR FEEL LIKE THEY'RE DONE IT EDUCATION AT THIS MOMENT.

HOWEVER, SOMETIMES WHEN WE COUNSEL THEM, WE ALSO, IF THEY SAY THAT, THEN THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND THIS ONE OF THEM IS THAT GOOD JOBS HAWAII PROGRAM.

SO A LOT OF OUR STUDENTS THIS YEAR, IF THEY SAID, COLLEGE, I'M DONE WITH COLLEGE, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT WHAT THE STUDENT WANTS AND WHERE THE STUDENT IS COMING FROM.

IT'S NOT MY DECISION TO MAKE THE DECISION FOR THEIR LIVES.

>> RIGHT AFTER ESPECIALLY RATE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY'RE GOING OUT THERE.

BE ADULTS.

SO WE DO OPTIONS FOR THEM.

ONE CHOICE WE DO OFFER IS THERE ARE OTHERS BUT THE THAT GOOD JOBS HAWAII, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD THING THAT WAS DEVELOP.

THROUGH WITH P‑20 AND OF COURSE, MANOA AND OUR OWN D.O.E.

ACADEMIES GOING ON.

WE ARE DEVELOPING ON MY OWN SCHOOL JAMES CAMPBELL HIGH SCHOOL.

VERY INTO THE THROWS OF BUILDING UP OUR ACADEMY.

DOING WELL WITH THAT.

HAVING KIDS EXPLORE DIFFERENT OPTIONS IS NOT JUST COLLEGE.

NOT JUST ASSOCIATES DEGREES.

NOT JUST EXPLORING DIFFERENT PATHWAYS IN YOUR INTERESTS AND STRENGTHS AND YOUR LIKES AND DISLIKES AND FIGURING OUT MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I MIGHT WANT TO DO.

AND I WANT, MAYBE I WANT TO TRY THE CULINARY FIELD.

MAYBE I DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW IF I WANT TO BE A TEACHER.

BUT BUT MAYBE I WANT TO WORK SOMEWHERE IN EDUCATION.

WHAT KIND OF JOB ARE THERE FOR ME WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE FOR ME.

>> LOOK AT THAT, THERE IS A PATHWAY.

SEE THERE IS A PATHWAY.

MAYBE NOT FOR ME RIGHT NOW.

THAT BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN THE FUTURE.

SO WE DO PROVIDE COUNSELING FOR THAT, HELP THEM WITH THE GOOD JOBS HAWAII.

GREAT THING ABOUT THAT TOO IS THE TRAINING, THERE'S TRAINING OF COURSE BUT IT'S NOT NECESSARILY TWO YEARS OR FOUR YEARS OR LONGER.

IT'S SHORT AND ON THE JOB.

HANDS ON.

SO AND THEY COUNSEL AND WHOLE GOAL OF THAT TOO IS TO MAKE DECENT SALARY SO THEY CAN LIVE AND STAY IN HAWAII.

THEY HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS THAT THEY WANT TO TRAVEL FOR WHATEVER REASON.

THEY SAY NO, I DO WANT TO TRAVEL.

AND THAT'S ANOTHER ONE THAT MIGHT GO OFF ISLAND.

BUT WE RESPECT THAT AS WELL.

AND WE JUST COUNSEL THEM IN TERMS OF IF YOU'RE GOING TO TRAVEL OFF ISLAND.

WHAT KIND OF PLANS JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE OKAY.

>> GOAL IS EVERY CHILD TO HAVE A PLAN.

>> ONE REALLY QUICK POINT.

KEY PART OF THAT TRAINING IS INDUSTRY CERTIFYINGS RECOGNIZED BY EMPLOYERS THAT LEAD TO JOBS.

REALLY FOCUSED NOT JUST ON DEGREES, THESE DAYS, BUT ALSO, WHAT ARE THE INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED CERTIFICATIONS THAT EMPLOYERS RECOGNIZE IT TO HIGH SALARIES AND CONSIDER YOU QUALIFIED TO WORK.

>> I LOVE TO HEAR STUDENTS FROM KATE CHANEL AND JACOB.

JUST ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'RE HAVING.

WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR PEERS.

ABOUT THOSE LONGER TERM PLANS.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE LIKE.

>> GRATEFUL TO KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO DO SINCE I WAS ABOUT 13, GRATEFUL TO HAVE PARENTS AND SUPPORT SYSTEM WHO REALLY ENCOURAGES ME TO GO AFTER THE GOALS, CHASE THOSE ASPIRATIONS BEEN ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT ME FINANCIALLY WHICH I'VE BEEN REALLY GRATEFUL FOR.

IT'S BEEN GREAT CONVERSATIONS AND I FEEL THAT I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE THAT I HAVE THAT RECOGNIZE MY PASSIONS AND MY ASPIRATIONS AND REALLY ENCOURAGE ME GO FOR IT.

>> ONE OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS LIKE ARE YOUR PARENTS SAYING MAKE SURE YOU'RE COMING BACK IN FOUR YEARS OR MORE LIKE THE LAPAZ FAMILY, GET OUT THERE AND SEA THE WORD?

>> I THINK MY PARENTS ARE LIKE THAT.

HOPE THEY'RE JOKING.

FIRST OF ALL.

I HOPE THEY'RE JOKING HOPE SHE WANT ME TO COME BACK.

MOM IS STAY CLOSER TO HOME.

I'LL BE IN TENNESSEE.

ACCEPTED THAT FACT NOW.

I THINK SOMETHING THAT KS SPECIFICALLY DONE WELL WITH THIS YEAR TERMS PREPARING US FOR COLLEGE HAVING CAREERS SPECIALISTS THAT DEFINITELY HELP US POST HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT REACH OUT WITH US, CHECK IN WITH US AFTER WE GRADUATE.

MAKE SURE WE GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND STAY CONNECTED WITH PEOPLE AND PEOPLE SUPPORTED US ALONG WITH PEERS AT SCHOOL.

I THINK NECESSARILY WITH THEM, EVERYONE'S EXCITED.

EVERYONE WE HAVE KIDS GOING FROM HARVARD, U.H.

MANOA.

RESPECTFUL EVERYONE'S DECISIONS REGARDLESS WHAT THAT MAY BE.

>> FAMILY, PARENTS ALWAYS WITHIN REALLY SUPPORTIVE EVERYTHING I'VE DONE.

EVEN WITH GOING INTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORY OF FILM.

ALWAYS SUPPORT ME THROUGH EVERYTHING.

WITH THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE, USUALLY   YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN THE MAINLAND FOR A LITTLE WHILE.

AND ALWAYS HAD THE GOAL OF BEING ABLE TO GO OVER THERE, STUDY, AND THEN PROBABLY LIVE THERE FOR A FEW YEARS.

WITH EVERYONE KIND OF LIKE FOE KNOWING INCLUDING MYSELF, DREAM, GOAL HAS COME BACK WITH ALL OF THIS KNOWLEDGE.

>> YOU HAD REALLY EMPHASIZED YOUR NETWORK BIG PART OF WHAT IS KEEPING YOU HERE AT HOME.

IS IT YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK OR FAMILY?

WHO DO YOU FEEL, LIKE WHAT IS THE SORT OF ANCHOR IF YOU WOULD.

>> BIGGEST ANCHOR, CONNECTIONS WITH MY FAMILY AND WANTING TO STAY HERE AND MAKE SURE I'M CLOSE ENOUGH IN A SENSE TO SUPPORT ALL OF MY FAMILY.

CONNECTIONS WITH FRIENDS AND PEERS WHERE I JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE STORIES THAT WE ALWAYS TELL EACH OTHER AND THE SUPPORT THAT I CAN GET FROM THEM AND GIVE TO THEM AS WELL.

BECAUSE FOR ME, IF I'M A BIT TOO FAR AWAY, MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE THE SUPPORT THAT I WANT TO TO BOTH SOCIAL CONNECTIONSI HAVE AND FAMILIAL CONNECTIONS, AND JUST LIKE EVEN WITH THE JOBS OR ANY WORK THAT I MAY HAVE CONNECTIONS WITH AS WELL.

>>Yunji: HOW ABOUT YOU?

>> I LEARNED SOMETHING LIKE WHEN I DID MY EPISODE ON HIKI NO.

A SHOW THAT EXISTS HERE, I LEARNED PRETTY IMPORTANT ASPECT ABOUT I GUESS NOT GROWING UP, BUT ADULTHOOD.

YOUR COMMUNITY MATTERS A LOT.

FEELS LIKE AS YOU GET OLDER, FEEL THIS OBLIGATION TO YOUR COMMUNITY.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE MY ANCHOR FOR COMING BACK.

HAWAII HAS GIVEN ME A LOT.

AND I HOPE THAT I CAN PROVIDE SOME VALUE TO IT WHEN I'M OLDER WHEN I CAN.

>> MINA?

>> I THINK LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS I'VE BEEN HAVING WITH MY FAMILY I NEEDED TO GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT IS HERE IN HAWAII.

BECAUSE HELPS YOU TO MATURE AS A PERSON.

SEEING SOMEONE ELSE'S SIDE OF THE STORY.

THAT'S SO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM WHEN YOU LOVE ENDS ON MAUI.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY DO THERE?

SO SUPPORT DID HE EVER AT THIS TIMELY‑DEFINITELY HELPED TO FUEL MY ASPIRATIONS OF GOING TO COLLEGE LONGER THAN A BACHELORS DEGREE, TYPICAL WAY YOU THINK OF WHEN YOU THINK OF COLLEGE AND PURSUE THAT DOCTORAL DEGREE.

>>Yunji: 7 YEARS AWAY IS A LONG TIME.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION TO I GUESS THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE IN THAT FILTER.

BETWEEN YOUR PARENTS, FAMILY YOUR STUDENTS LIKE ASPIRATIONS.

IN MY FAMILY FOR MY MOM, WANTS THE BEST FOR ME.

WANTS ME TO LIKE GO EXPLORE THE WORLD AND DO EVERYTHING.

>> HOW DO YOU BALI GUESS, KIND OF LIKE WHAT YOU SAID, ABOUT FIT AND GETTING YOUR STUDENTS OR CHILDREN TO BETTER OPPORTUNITY WITH TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HONE THAT VALUE TOWARDS THEIR COMMUNITY BACK WITH THEY'RE OLDER?

OR AFTER COLLEGE?

>> I GUESS TO ELAYNE FIRST.

COLLEGE CAREER COUNSELOR.

I CAN SPEAK TO THAT AS COLLEGE CAREER COUNSELOR AND AS A PARENT.

I DO HAVE, I GUESS YEAH, LETS ME TALK WITH THAT.

AS FAR AS FROM THE PARENT VIEWPOINT.

BECAUSE YEAH, I'M HAVE TWO TON SONS.

BOTH OF THEM AWAY TO COLLEGE.

ONE GRADUATED HERE WORKING IN THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OTHER ONE IS GOING TO MARIS, BACK ON BREAK.

HARD TO BALANCE THAT.

LETTING THEM GO EMOTIONALLY AS A PARENT, THAT WAS TOUGH.

WE HAD ARGUMENTS AND ONE THING TO BE A CAREER COLLEGE COUNSELOR AND TO HELP STUDENTS AND TO AND FAMILIES.

THAT'S THE WHOLE BALANCING ACT TOO.

THEN TO COME BACK TO YOUR OWN KIDS IT'S YOUR OWN KID.

I TOTALLY GET HOW HARD IT FOR PARENTS TO LET GO BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE THEIR CULTURE, SENSE OF FAMILY IS THERE.

TELL PARENTS AND I TELL TOLD MYSELF THAT TO, YOU HAVE TO LET THEM GO.

AND YOU HAVE TO LET THEM TRY AND BE.

LET THEM GO.

SOMETIMES THE HARDER YOU HOLD ON, THE MORE THEY WANT TO GO AND THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW, RETAIN THAT.

IF YOU LET THEM LET THEM BE AND EXPLORE MAKE SOME HIS MISTAKES, CARRY THEM THROUGH.

IT'S OKAY.

TRUST YOUR CHILD SO THE COMMUNICATION PATHWAYS ARE OPEN.

ALWAYS HAVE THAT CONNECTION ALWAYS HAVE YOU THERE AND HOME AND THEY'LL CARRY IT WITH THEM.

AND HOPEFULLY DOWN THE LINE, IT'S LIKE, WHEN I ASK THEM, YOUR KIDS DO WANT TO COME HOME, THEY ALL SAY THAT.

THEY WANT TO COME HOME AFTER.

THEY MIGHT SAY, AFTER GETTING THEIR DOCTORATES WITH YOU STILL CALL HAWAII THEIR HOME.

LEADING THAT LINES OF COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING FOR THE STUDENTS TOO, WHERE YOUR PARENTS ARE COMING FROM TOO.

IT'S DIFFICULT.

BEEN WITH YOU, RAISED YOU ALL THIS TIME.

IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO LET YOU GO INTO SOME PLACE WHERE THEY DON'T KNOW, AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE ONES THAT WENT OR MAYBE THEY ARE, BUT ONES THAT WENT AWAY TO COLLEGE, EVEN IF THEY DID, IT WAS DIFFERENT THEN.

>> THEY HAVE A LOT OF FEARS TOO.

SO HAVING THAT TWO PARTS AND PIECES WORK TOGETHER, AND UNDERSTANDING, NOT SAYING IT'S GOING TO BE PERFECT, I CAN VOUCH FOR THAT ONE.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU BOTH GROW.

AND YOU BOTH COME TO THAT UNDERSTANDING IN THE END, WHEN THEY COME HOME, THEY VALUE AND THEY SEE HAWAII SO MUCH.

OF COURSE, THEY VALUE YOU AS A PARENT AS WELL.

AND THEY'RE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU REALLY MEAN.

>>Yunji: WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

I DO WANT TOND WITH OUR STUDENT MODERATORS TO HEAR FROM BOTH OF THEM.

AFTER EVERYTHING WE HEARD TONIGHT, REECE START WITH YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN WHETHER OR NOT YOU CHOOSE TO COME HOME?

DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN FOUR YEARS.

YOU MAY OR MAY NOT.

DID ANYTHING YOU HEARD TONIGHT KIND OF CHANGE YOUR THINKING?

>> STARTED THIS THINKING ABOUT LIKE A LOT OF MY OWN PEERS.

FELT THE SAME WAY ABOUT FAMILY WANTING THEM TO GO OUT.

DIDN'T REALIZE THAT ESPECIALLY FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES HERE, THEY DO WANT THEM TO COME BACK.

THAT'S A CONCEPT THAT MAYBE THINK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I WANT TO COME BACK.

I'M STILL LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, MAN.

MAYBE.

HOPEFULLY I COME BACK.

BUT THIS WAS REALLY PRESSURE REFRESHING FOR FOR ME TO REALIZE, DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST AND YOU CAN STILL COME BACK TO DO IT.

>>Yunji: I LOOK AROUND THE ROOM.

THINK OF THESE FACES AND TWO OF YOU AND THINKING WHAT HAWAII LOSES IF YOU DON'T.

GOES BACK TO WHAT STERLING WAS SAYING MISSING PIECE.

IF YOU DON'T COME HOME, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAWAII MISSES OUT ON?

>> REESE I GUESS.

BUT I THINK ‑‑ >>Yunji: NOT JUST YOU.

MAYBE PUT TOO MUCH ON THE SPOT.

IF ALL OF THESE FOLKS DON'T COME HOME.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS LOST?

>> TALK ABOUT THE ANCHOR PART, THAT IS BIGGEST PART.

YOUR COMMUNITY.

YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE IF YOU DON'T AT LEAST HAVE THE FEELING OF WANTING TO COME BACK.

OF SPITE OF EVEN IF YOU DON'T COME BACK, KIND OF LIKE WHAT CHANEL SAID, YOU HAVE LIKE DIFFERENT CLUBS IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

PERPETUATE THAT CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

SUPER AGAINST IT, FEELS LIKE YOU JUST KIND OF SLOWLY ERODE WHATEVER CULTURE AND COMMUNITY IS THERE.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

ANYTHING YOU HEARD ANYTHING CHANGED YOUR THINKING WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR FOR YOU IN 7 YEARS FROM NOW?

>> EMPHASIS EVERYONE CREATED ON HAVING COMMUNITIES WHAT'S DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING THAT I REALLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AS I WAS DEBATING WHERE TO GO.

BECAUSE ORIGINALLY, I WANTED TO GO EAST COAST.

PACIFIC PURELY FOR ECONOMIC REASONS.

EVERYONE HAD A GOOD REASON.

FAMILY, FRIENDS, COMMUNITY THEY CREATED HERE AND THAT IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO ABSORB A LITTLE BIT MORE.

I WOULD SAY STILL MY BIGGEST DECIDING FACTOR TO COME HOME IS PROBABLY ECONOMIC BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE COURSE OF THIS STATE IS GOING TO BE IN 7, 8 YEARS.

THAT'S JUST FUTURE THINGS YOU CAN'T PREDICT.

UNFORTUNATELY.

>>Yunji: IF YOU DON'T COME HOME, WHAT DO YOU THINK, I MEAN NOT AGAIN, AS WITH REESE NOT PUT THE FOCUS JUST ON YOU, YOU OR KATE OR CHANEL OR JACOB DON'T WORKS DO YOU THINK LOST, ONE, ECONOMIC BENEFIT FROM LOSING WORKFORCE SURFACE LEVEL ALSO FAMILIES, YOU LOSE YOUR KIDS AND THEN IT'S LIKE, OH, WELL, I RAISED THEM BUT IT'S LIKE MAYBE THEY DON'T RECIPROCATE THAT LOVE FOR THIS CULTURE.

NOT THAT.

DIFFICULT CONCEPT TO DEAL WITH.

>>YUNJI: SO MUCH TO THINK ABOUT.

IS ISSUE THAT WE CANNOT SOLVE IN JUST ONE NIGHT.

WE COME TOGETHER TO SHARE THESE IDEAS WITH DIVERSE SET OF VOICES TO FIND A WAY FORWARD TOGETHER.

MAHALO TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS AND TO OUR INCREDIBLE STUDENT MODERATORS TONIGHT.

MIN AND REECE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF TONIGHT'S DISCUSSION.

BACK NEXT MONTH FOR ANOTHER KAKOU FOCUSING ON THE HONOLULU RAIL PROJECT.

MAYOR RICK BLANGIARDI SAYS ON JOHN UTILITY JUNE 30, IT WILL BE READY TO RIDE.

YEARS LATE AND BILLIONS OVER BUDGET.

JUNE 30.

>> LIKE IT NOT, TRAIN IS LEAVING THE STATION.

LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ULTIMATE IMPACT OF THIS PROJECT ON TRAFFIC AND CITY BUDGET.

WE WANT TO HEAR YOUR QUESTIONS TOO.

WE DO HOPE YOU JOIN US THEN.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES UNTIL NEXT TIME.

ALOHA.