Hawaii should woo
By Jim Mayfield
back its recent gradsRECENTLY, I met up with two former high school classmates for dinner in Beijing, China. The conversation focused on fond memories of growing up in the islands. None of us, though, had been back to Hawaii since leaving for college on the mainland. Since Hawaii does not figure prominently in the landscape of Asia's otherwise dynamic economies, we concluded what many graduates and young professionals from the state have known for a long time: Hawaii is not a place to begin a career.
Warm weather, beautiful beaches and family are hard to appreciate when you can't afford to pay the rent. Given Hawaii's location and strong cultural and family ties to Asia, it is disappointing that it has not been able to effectively tap into Asian markets. Even more troubling, Hawaii seems to have ignored the group of young professionals who want to return -- a resource endowed with the education, skills, experience and cultural orientation necessary to bridge Hawaii with Asia and with the rest of the world.
Friends tell me they don't return because Hawaii's economy is sputtering and the cost of living is just too high.
On the surface, taxes are high, real estate is expensive, the cost of private education is high, the quality of public education is low and higher education in Hawaii has lost its edge.
Below the surface, however, most of my friends have expressed concern that Hawaii is perceived to be too sleepy, and that living there is not commensurate with developing a successful career.
It is important to attract back this alienated group of young, aspiring professionals. They represent family and friends of people who live in Hawaii, important considering the role of ohana.
Many who want to return have the experience of growing up in Hawaii, are highly educated and, most important, are very motivated. They know what Hawaii is about and -- because they have diverse experience and skills coupled with sensitivity to Hawaii's unique environment -- they have the ability to make a significant contribution.
I am reminded of Sun Yat Sen, who took ideas of democracy and liberty, which he learned partly at Hawaii's own Iolani School, back to his native China. He attempted to implement a new form of government to bring about positive change for the Chinese people.
Hawaii, too, sends students out into the world to gather ideas but many cannot afford to return. Of course, changing or improving Hawaii has always been a sensitive subject and there is a full spectrum of opinion on the matter. But little attention has been given to recent graduates and no effort has been made to incorporate their ideas into the debate. It is a shame to marginalize Hawaii's own sojourners and their ideas because some believe Hawaii does not need to change.
To be sure, there are two parts to the bargain: Graduates have to be willing to work hard within the economic system, but Hawaii has to strive to create the growth and opportunity to attract and keep these young professionals.
HOW about setting up an HVCB-like bureau on the mainland to attract the talented back to Hawaii? Education and investment incentives targeted at recent graduates might be a good start, as would concentrated improvement of the university system and creative funding solutions for institutions like the East-West Center.
Recently I read about a "Return to Singapore" fair to attract the talented back to that country. Might this kind of event be appropriate for Hawaii?
The state Economic Revitalization Task Force must address Hawaii's future and include on often overlooked strength: the young and well-educated who cannot afford to return to their home.
Jim Mayfield, a 1992 graduate of Punahou School
and 1995 graduate of George Washington University, is a commercial
representative with the U.S. Commercial Service at the
U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China.