Nearly half of Hawaii residents are now thinking about moving away, and the cost of living is the main reason — bad news for the islands' ability to keep working families.

• A University of Hawaii survey of more than 10,000 residents found the share considering a move out of state rose from 40% to 46% in two years.
• The price of housing and daily life in Hawaii is the biggest driver.
• Young adults aged 18 to 34 are hit hardest, reporting about eight mentally unhealthy days a month, with money worries high on the list.
• There was good news too: life satisfaction climbed, with 88% of residents saying they are satisfied with their lives, and hunger fell.
• State policies have closed some of the affordability gap, but the underlying cost burden has not gone away.

Outlook: Without deeper changes to housing and infrastructure costs, more residents — especially younger ones — are likely to keep eyeing the exit.