There are opposing forces working on Hawaii’s population. The lure of job opportunities elsewhere is strong, but the higher COVID-19 spread on the mainland is sending many this way as well.

The rental site Apartmentlist.com shows Honolulu with the biggest increase in demand for short-term leases from those wanting to move in from outside Hawaii. But there are many anecdotes about the pandemic causing islander out-migration, too.

Which trend will dominate? Population up or down? It may depend on how the vaccine changes things.