"Super-Aged" population a challenge for Hawaii

[Punatang]

New report debunks all of our early assertions and pretty much the whole thread.  Data driven approach, in a nutshell says 18-24 year olds are moving out but Hawaii born, working age people are returning to replace them at an even greater rate.  True?  IDK but it represents a significant departure from the prevailing narrative.

https://www.civilbeat.org/2025/04/report...ning-home/

Skeptic Questions Report’s Findings

But not everyone is convinced, including Karl Eschbach, a retired university demographer who served as the Texas State Demographer.
Now living in Hilo, Eschbach digs into population data in his free time. He recently found data showing the Big Island is suffering what’s known as a “natural decrease” in population, in which more people are dying than being born.
Eschbach blamed the natural decrease in part on older people and retirees moving to the island, while younger adults are moving away and not coming back — ideas that Park’s report rebuts. Eschbach says Park lacks sufficient data to support some of his findings.
Park’s report includes a three-paragraph disclaimer acknowledging the report is based on data subject to large margins of error, especially in Hawaiʻi. But Eschbach said that’s not enough given some of the post’s attention-grabbing findings.
“It says it’s a non-refereed blog post, and I’d have to agree with that,” Eschbach said. “It says some provocative things that might go past the data.”
“Hawaiʻi’s Changing Economy” is supported by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation as part of its work to build equity for all through the CHANGE Framework.”

[BlackAkita]

It would be nice to have better statistics about the population, and the usage of Social Security. On Hawaii Public Radio station (HPR1), they threw out a factoid that 1 in 5 residents are currently collecting payments from the system. The recipients are not only retired people who paid into the Social Security fund, but also those who are collecting disability payments, coming from Medicaid or Medicare.
If some people think that senior citizens are not paying taxes to the government, they are gravely mistaken. I pay more in state and federal taxes as a retired person than as a working person. The reason: 401K and IRA distributions. Plus, I am subjected to deductions for IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount), which fuels Medicare Part B and Part D programs. The reach of the taxman is far and wide.
Unless you thought way ahead, like Peter Thiel, you may have missed out on a Roth IRA.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

The reach of the taxman is far and wide.

Yep.
We work, we’re FICA taxed along with state and federal tax, the FICA funds are supposedly invested for a 3% average return. If that were a regular investment the 3% gain would be taxed, but not the principal we paid in. That doesn’t happen in soc sec unless you get very little in your monthly check.

But sure kids, tell us retired folks how we’re getting free money that’s bringing down the system, and it should go to billionaires instead.

[Durian Fiend]

...But sure kids, tell us retired folks how we’re getting free money that’s bringing down the system, and it should go to billionaires instead.

I don't think you will hear that very often from young'uns.  

Back on topic, the labor shortage statewide is a valid concern.   According to this graphic Hawaii falls within the "more severe" range.  https://www.uschamber.com/workforce/the-...ate:%203.3

[leilanidude]

On Hawaii Public Radio station (HPR1), they threw out a factoid that 1 in 5 residents are currently collecting payments from the system. The recipients are not only retired people who paid into the Social Security fund, but also those who are collecting disability payments, coming from Medicaid or Medicare.
----------
I would assume that 1 in 5 in Puna, is a low estimate, for folks receiving "disabled" payments.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

folks receiving "disabled" payments.

It’s not easy to get SSI “disabled” Social Security.
My sister worked 10 hour days and more all of her life. Then she had a heart attack. She recovered but was no longer able to work. It took her over three years, multiple applications, and an attorney to finally get a small monthly check.

[MyManao]

It’s not easy to get SSI “disabled” Social Security..

Nope. And, I imagine it's getting harder.. now that we're into social engineering where government is partial to their own beliefs and is eager to punish those with opposing views. Kiss the orange moron's ass and you're good to go.. don't and fuck you.

I have always thought of SSI as a crowning achievement of our society. We take care of our own. Unfortunately those that administer the program have often lost sight of that and went with the Republican's playbook of shaming those in need. And, therein lies the tale of America. On one hand we have people of heart and the other heartless people. And we swing from favoring one to the other like monkeys.. 

Hopefully, after this bout of insanity we swing back to a more compassionate state of being.. if there's anything left after this tyranny runs its course.

I would assume that 1 in 5 in Puna, is a low estimate, for folks receiving "disabled" payments.

The notion that we, East Hawaii, has a substantial number of disabled.. of course we do, where else can they afford to live? Seriously, folks want Hawaii on the cheap and then bitch about the folks they gotta share their slice of pie with? That's the true meaning on manini.

[Punatang]

MyMan,  bahrahhh, I can show you in your posts in the last week that you are, deep down, one of the more MAGA members of  Punaweb. Don't let that make you mad. The fact is that the Republican party is now the party of the working man and the Democrat party is now the party of the elites.  These are gross generalities for sure but things have shifted and not everyone has gotten the memo yet.  This will obviously come as a surprise to some of our older members because it just happened over the last 8-9 years while you were being told what to think by a captured arm of the Democratic party that used to be a trustworthy media.  I get that you need to trust it.  You can't though.  Deep down you know that.

The fun thing about the Republican party is that you do not have to adhere to 100% of it's ideas in order to be accepted and loved.  Ever notice how I compliment Hawaii's Democrat Governor Josh Green and other democrats who do reasonable things?  Non-Democrats are actually allowed to do that.  I don't understand how Democrats can wear the straitjacket you have to wear.  It's unnatural and you end up having situations where you have to bob your head along with your dose of hate news and say "oh yes, our leader is 100% sharp and fit to hold the nuclear football. Only conspiracy theorists believe otherwise."  Then look at what happens. Not good right?  

Instead of getting mad at me and posting angry rebuttals, please just take a day or two and ponder all of the long list of absolute hoaxes you've bought hook line and sinker over the last 8-9 years.  I'd list them but it's better if you sort it all out yourself.  Bottom line is that what was called "the center" just a few years ago is now, even here on Punaweb, labled as "far-right" over and over, ad infinitum, to convince you that if you leave the plantation that you are a Nazi, racist, hater of the downtrodden. Nothing could be farther from the truth. If their ideas are better then why do they have to constantly sell that divisive hate? Have the courage, like so many others are finding, to step away from all of that. Try breaking free of that propaganda and really focusing on reality.  Breathe in some fresh air.  

Watch how Ed Case, who is simply a reasonable, common sense centrist Hawaii Democrat, is vilified by the folks that need to keep you on the plantation so they can enjoy power.  It has already begun even here on Punaweb.  Ed Case simply refuses to wear the straitjacket and has his own thoughts and that is not allowed.  Step back and pay attention to how this is playing out. Having your own thoughts is tons of fun!  It feels like freedom!  The funny thing is that you MyMan are already doing it. Just look at your posts over the last week. You are not wearing the straitjacket either and others are doing their best to put you back in it.  It's plain to see.

Red states actually tend to receive more federal funds per dollar of taxes paid ($1.24 vs. $1.14 for blue states in 2024), often due to higher poverty and lower per capita GDP. This includes programs like SSI. The notion that the majority of the voters that voted Republican in 2024 are against SSI or SS or any of those programs is literally insane.  It just ain't so. The notion that Republican voters are shaming people in need simply ignores math and the facts. You're smarter than that.

It's a new day MyMan. You are not a party. You can make up your own mind. You don't have to hate and be angry at false demons. Please try tuning out, just for three weeks, the people and sources that are convincing you to be so angry because they need to keep you on the plantation so that they can have power and maintain illusions. Try simply allowing yourself to look for positives instead of always being focused on the negative. What do you have to lose?  See what happens.  Aloha.

[ironyak]

Oh this will be interesting...

[Punatang]

Oh this will be interesting...

Right? I'm stoked you think so.  Call it the P'Tang challenge.