Both of you were a little off. 

The author, yes, for exemplifying the myopic worldview that is Hawaii, and you, for implying that transplants to Hawaii are great.
On the contrary. Having grown up here but lived most of my adult life on the mainland and around the world, before moving back here in middle age, I can attest that mainlanders - and euros and S Americans - that settle in Hawaii are small-thinkers, too. Transplants to Hawaii were small fish in their big pond and moved here in the hopes of becoming a big (or middle-sized) fish in this small pond.

Look at ever local politician and business leader that transplanted to Hawaii: a mix between Boss Hoggs (dukes of hazard) and that mayor from the first Jaws movie.