Category Archives: Lifestyle

Lifestyle, Politics

Census 2010 data shows double-digit population growth in Hawaii

Census data released today reveals that key trends in Hawaii’s population growth tracks closely with other states along the West Coast, including California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska.

Population Growth

Hawaii’s population grew 12.3% between 2000 and 2010 to a total of 1,380,301 people. The other West Coast states grew at similar low double-digit rates: California 10%, Oregon 12%, Washington 14.1% and Alaska 13.3%.

Population Density

With very limited land area, it follows that Hawaii’s population density, defined as number of people per square mile, also grew. Hawaii now ranks as the #15 most dense state. By comparison, California ranks at #13 for density. The other West Coast states remain much less dense, with Washington ranking #27, Oregon #41 and Alaska #52.

Despite growth in population and density, there was no change in Hawaii’s number of congressional representatives. We retain two senators and two representatives.

Current Trends

The housing bubble tracks closely with population growth. Hoards of people moved out West and to coastal areas during the past decade, buying houses they couldn’t afford with subprime loans. Now that the bubble has burst, an important question to ask is how does the foreclosure rate impact population numbers in real time. But for that answer, we will have to wait for the next census in 2020.

Family, Health, Lifestyle

Pet ownership in Hawaii higher than Mainland

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Owning a cat or dog improves people’s health, according to decades of research. The major benefits include lower stress and better cardiovascular health (at least for dog walkers). Almost half the population in the US receives these benefits: 39% of households have at least one dog and 33% of households have at least one cat, reports US Pet Statistics, a site run by the Humane Society.

On O’ahu pet ownership is higher than the Mainland, with at least 60% of households owning a dog or cat (not counting the strays that people feed), says Jacque LeBlanc, community relations director at the Hawaii Humane Society. Survey data for the other islands is not currently available, but estimates suggest pet ownership rates are comparable.

Those of us lucky to live in Hawaii already expect longer, healthier lives than our Mainland counterparts by as much as three years. Compared to the rest of the world, Hawaii ranks fifth for longest life expectancy (averaging 80.8 years; it’s a coincidence that  808 is also our area code). Higher rates of pet ownership might contribute.

Culture, Lifestyle, Random

Purely Hawaiian Liquor, ‘Okolehao

Native Hawaiians use ti plants for more than scaring away evil spirits. They also make a potent spirit of their own, a distillation of ti root called ‘Okolehao (prn OH-koh-lay-how). Haleakala Distillers, located Upcountry Maui, starting brewing their own 80-proof version in December 2009. The formula calls for a mash of roughly 25 percent ti root, 20 percent rice and 55 percent cane sugar, all grown in Hawai’i, according the the company’s website. The flavor has been described as a cross between rum and sipping tequila, with a hint of coconut and florals unique to the islands.

There’s been a lot of coverage in the news about this local liquor (see links below), but the real proof is in the drinking. Here’s a recipe for an ‘okolehau cocktail perfect for a hot summer afternoon that I’ve adapted from another regional liquor, pisco:

‘Okolehao Sour

1 cup fresh squeezed lime juice

1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

2 shots ‘Okolehao

Shake over ice and serve with a dollop of whipped egg white and a sprinkling of li hin mui powder

Makes 2-4 drinks, depending how strong you like it

Roundup of news coverage of ‘Okolehao liquor:

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/527105.html

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/June-2010/In-High-Spirits/

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Jun/01/ln/ln05a.html