Living in Hawaii (Honolulu, Kaneohe, Waipahu: credit card, transfer to, neighborhood)

[winageo]

Are there areas in Hawaii that would be less safe to live in than Honolulu, for example. Are there area where main-landers are not as welcome. Asking the "Professional Hosts" of Hawaii this question results in the answer: "everyone is welcome everywhere on Hawaii" . However, I have seen refrences of areas in which a main-lander might not be welcome...making those areas uncomfortable for living

[MsHell]

In general stay away from:
Waianae
Nanakuli
Makaha
Kalihi

Questionable:
Waipahu (parts of what is considered Waipahu are okay, ie Waikele, Waipio, Village Park, Kunia)
Maili
Waimanalo
North Shore

[winageo]

Thank you, any input is appreciated. Up to now I have found no one willing to give me any info on this subject.

[Indigoblue92]

I agree with MsHell. We've lived here for 4 yrs now and have been everywhere from Waikiki (tourists EVERYWHERE but fun!!!) to Kahala (ritzy and uppity neighbors we had there) to Kailua (too rainy, but pretty and with a nice family feeling to the neighborhood) and now Hawaii Kai (drier, but windy, upscale but not too uppity, but rather on the expensive side).

Every place she's suggested to avoid are the places we avoid with the exception of Waimanalo. Bellows beach is nice, and Waimanalo is very pretty near Makapuu Lighthouse. It is a heavily local population, but not so unfriendly as Waianae and Kalihi in my opinion.

[winageo]

Indigoblue92

Thank you for your input. This, again, is just the kind of info we have been looking for. Having two "posts" agree on areas to avoid is most helpful. And your thumbnail sketch of the other areas is most helpful. My husband and I expect to complete our transfer to Hawaii in early 2008 and have begun our search for areas to explore for a home. We'll take all the data like this we can get. Thanks.

[ulikebiff]

Originally Posted by Indigoblue92

I agree with MsHell. We've lived here for 4 yrs now and have been everywhere from Waikiki (tourists EVERYWHERE but fun!!!) to Kahala (ritzy and uppity neighbors we had there) to Kailua (too rainy, but pretty and with a nice family feeling to the neighborhood) and now Hawaii Kai (drier, but windy, upscale but not too uppity, but rather on the expensive side).

Every place she's suggested to avoid are the places we avoid with the exception of Waimanalo. Bellows beach is nice, and Waimanalo is very pretty near Makapuu Lighthouse. It is a heavily local population, but not so unfriendly as Waianae and Kalihi in my opinion.

Don't forget to bring your wallet and gold watches to Waianae. We are always in need of them LOL. OH, don't forget to bring your car inclding cameras, cams, etc in trunk. We'd love to 'borrow' them LOL. No worries...you'll get them back. Just call 911 for missing items and you'll find them. One more thing, bring your credit card...we need to fill-up petrol in YOUR car. Car's don't run on poi you know LOLOLOL.

[lazy1]

Originally Posted by winageo

Are there areas in Hawaii that would be less safe to live in than Honolulu, for example. Are there area where main-landers are not as welcome. Asking the "Professional Hosts" of Hawaii this question results in the answer: "everyone is welcome everywhere on Hawaii" . However, I have seen refrences of areas in which a main-lander might not be welcome...making those areas uncomfortable for living

IMHO!

Worst:

Western Waiphu around Anini St., all the "Pupu" streets. Too many beatdowns, robberies and drugs.

Most of lower Kalihi around Factory, Stanley and Warehouse streets. Also around School St. and Kam IV St.

Palama near Mayor Wright Housing

Palolo Valley near the housing, the rest is nice

Maile and Nanakuli

Some parts of Waianae

Wahiawa around Ohai St.; similar to Western Waipahu but much smaller area

IMHO

Nice areas:

Kaimuki
Waialae
Nuuanu
Manoa
Mililani
Kaneohe
Pacific Heights
Parts of Alewa Heights
Dowsett