Why is Honolulu more Republican than the other Hawaiian islands?

[old timey villain]

In recent elections, Honolulu county has been the most Republican in Hawaii. The other smaller islands  almost always vote pretty much the same, while Honolulu is almost always several points more Republican and is a noticeable outlier. Bush almost won it in 2004 and in 2008 and 2012 it was the only Island where Obama didn't break 70%.

This goes against the usual US trend where urban areas are less Republican than nearby rural areas. Any explanations?

[Sol]

Firstly Honolulu is far from entirely urban. Much of the island is rural. Secondly, it has a larger Asian and smaller Native Hawai'ian population. Considering that Asians are the most Republican demographic in the islands, it makes sense. There's also a substantial military presence, and a BYU campus.

[ElectionsGuy]

Racial Demographics:

Honolulu County:

43.3% Asian, 21.6% Two or More Races, 19.4% White, 9.6% Native Hawaiian, 8.8% Hispanic

Hawaii County:

30.7% White, 29.5% Two or More Races, 22.5% Asian, 12.5% Native Hawaiian, 12.0% Hispanic

Maui County:

31.6% White, 29.1% Asian, 23.2% Two or More Races, 10.5% Native Hawaiian, 10.4% Hispanic

Kauai County:

31.7% Asian, 30.1% White, 24.7% Two or More Races, 9.9% Hispanic, 9.3% Native Hawaiian


Honolulu County appears to be much more Asian and much less white than the other islands. Asians are most likely the most conservative group in Hawaii (yes, even whites are more liberal). Many of these asians are wealthy too, and Honolulu county has an average income of $71,263 compared to the rest of Hawaii ($67,116). I would also think the whites there vote more republican than the other islands as well. It is strange though that the more urban part of the state is more republican, which is very much unlike the Midwestern, southern, and western parts of the continental US. After all its not that much more conservative than the others, it just has some demographics that (in Hawaii) lean more republican.

[CountryClassSF]

I think in the rural parts there are liberal people who want to secede forom the union!

[Badger]

IIRC, it's the one area of the State there are substantial suburbs, which is where the GOP gets most of it's votes from in more competative races.