I don't know about Alaska, but the reason why there aren't too many fraternities in Hawaii is because of low interest, not because it gets too expensive. A few years ago there were 3 NIC fraternities on campus: Tau Kappa Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Now, only TKE remains, and they do not own a chapter house.

Another important reason is that local fraternities have long standing traditions on my campus and have shown no interest in affiliating with a national. NIC (as well as NPC) fraternity alumnae have tried expansion, but interest is just simply too low.