Apparently, I'm one of your so called, "minimally educated commenters."  Except, I've been to far more villages that you have and understand the high cost of living.  As a minimally educated commenter, I'm stuck in coming up with a logical counter argument to everyone's point that no one is being forced to live in rural Alaska and that no one should be subsidizing those costs.  One doesn't exist.  

Now, back to my original point.  Aircraft are expensive.  I was simply suggesting an alternative, something no one seems to be doing now days.  There are smaller 4 person hovercraft out there.  If you read the article it talks about the challenges with the tides.  I would assume this relates to boats (not hovercrafts which glide over land and water).  Perhaps the HS students could learn to repair it. You know, have a little "native pride"....self sufficiency that is always talked about.    

The government shouldn't  pay for the pursuit of happiness.