How do islanders afford the high cost of life in Hawaii?

I've lived Hawaii since the mid '80s when I moved here at the age of 21. I arrived sight-unseen in Honolulu with zero contacts and about 6 months worth of savings. I worked from nearly zero and today Hawaii has given me the greatest gifts in the world in all aspects: spiritually, financially, romantically (married since early '90s w/ 2 children), and most important, peace. My goal with this site is to share the magic of this Land of Aloha and help others who are on a similar quest.