I'm not sure what you mean by small islands because there is one called the Big Island and it is somewhat cheaper then the most populated island (Oahu). If you want to live somewhere you should travel there and check it out. Stay where the local people live, eat their food, drive a car or a bike and see how the traffic and prices are. See what kind of job you can get or how fast your saved money will run out. Read the stats, Hawaii has some of the most expensive housing prices in the country and most things are flown in or shipped in so things cost a lot of money. Do your research into the culture and be prepared for a different ratio of various races, religions and cultures. Many people move to a new place and then complain about how it doesn't suit them and expect the new place to change for them.