should have never moved to the mainland (Hilo: rental, house)

[Koale]

Aloha.
I also lived on Maui 30 years ago for 4 years. Went over to wait tables for 3 months... didn't go back.
People have always asked me why I left. Told 'em I was young, had ambitions the Island didn't offer and I was dumb dumb dumb.... Over the years folks have come to Hawaii for trips and always asked me why I didn't 'just take a vacation over there'... All I could ever say was 'If I go, I won't come back!'.. How true. I'm moving back to Hawaii this summer, for good. Only this time instead of a back-pack and a pair of jeans I'm bringing my family with me. Yeah, I'm leaving alot behind... alot of baggage.

The company I work for has affiliated w/a larger medical organization. Yesterday in our department meeting we were advised that in 2009 they would be budgeting for 'uniforms'. Blue blazers, white shirts, blue pants, black shoes... I laughed out loud and made a very public announcement that went something like this...'Well, now would be the perfect time to let you all know that while you are sitting here suffering in your little Lord Fauntleroy outfits I'll be wearing a grass skirt and drinking Kava. I'm moving to Hawaii and you can accept this as my formal announcement.'

Have you ever heard a pin drop? LOLOLOLOL... speechless wasn't even the word to describe the looks on their faces, absolutely priceless. I am one of those 'never late, always early, never miss a day of work type of guys'... oh the times are changin'.

So I'm leaving the PNW and not looking back. I have no idea what this move will bring but I am ready to discover it and let it happen. I can't say these have been 30 wasted years, how sad would that be. I'm coming home full of the Aloha that I was given on my first adventure to the wonderful Island of Maui. This time it's the Big Island, the family and the dogs.

So... with warmest Aloha to all.
A hui hou
Koale

[Mvn 2 Paradise]

Koale,

We have a very similar story. We are meeting with our realtor in about 15 mins to find out how much we should get for our houses and get them on the market. I was on Oahu for four years as a little girl and have never felt right on the mainland since (about 30 years ago as well). It has been a beautiful journey having the islands call me back and I will be brining a family too.

We are landing on the BI as well. Are headed over in March for a visit and if our property is sold here, buy there. Then, rain, shine, property here sold or not, we are headed over in June for good.

We are in Oregon. Where in the PNW are you?

Aloha,
Sharlee

[timjoe48]

priceless!

while you are sitting here suffering in your little Lord Fauntleroy outfits I'll be wearing a grass skirt and drinking Kava.

[kani-lehua]

Originally Posted by Koale

So I'm leaving the PNW and not looking back. I have no idea what this move will bring but I am ready to discover it and let it happen. I can't say these have been 30 wasted years, how sad would that be. I'm coming home full of the Aloha that I was given on my first adventure to the wonderful Island of Maui. This time it's the Big Island, the family and the dogs.

So... with warmest Aloha to all.
A hui hou
Koale

i ku a hele mai i ka 'aina, he hale, he 'ai, he i'a nou, nou ka 'aina.
should you come to the land, there is a house, poi, fish for you, the land is for you. welcome home!

what an exit! loved your story!

[kani-lehua]

Originally Posted by Mvn 2 Paradise

Koale,

We have a very similar story. We are meeting with our realtor in about 15 mins to find out how much we should get for our houses and get them on the market. I was on Oahu for four years as a little girl and have never felt right on the mainland since (about 30 years ago as well). It has been a beautiful journey having the islands call me back and I will be brining a family too.

We are landing on the BI as well. Are headed over in March for a visit and if our property is sold here, buy there. Then, rain, shine, property here sold or not, we are headed over in June for good.

We are in Oregon. Where in the PNW are you?

Aloha,
Sharlee

sounds like both you and koale are coming "home." good luck!

[cwm]

Originally Posted by mambo

lucygirl, I feel your pain. Auwe! I left the Big Island ten years ago this year. After 13 years in the islands, I must not have known myself. I did not realize the islands had become my home -- always and forever my home. I simply have never adjusted to the mainland since coming back -- it's constant culture shock! The place, even familiar places, are close to unrecognizable to me, and overall this seems such an alien culture to me. Auwe! Sometimes I am ready to drop tear.

But Sharlee's is good advice to you (and anyone, namely me, too). I am trying to get back to the Big Island now. Must sell my fauxdobe home in New Mexico first (in a crummy real estate market that may only get worse, if I can grouse) and then pack and prepare the animals for their return to Hawaii. Hui! Anybody here want a casa in Duke City (Albuquerque)?

I left Kona for a lot of reasons, some personal, and a lot was economic (that was the big slump right about the time of the first gulf invasion). But also the vog was bad for a few years running. Does everyone still have the red eye there? Anyway, I don't think I can afford to get back into Kona, but thinking maybe farther to the south in Kau or even over in Pahoa (though I don't know that area at all -- about the rain, catchment, the mosquitos, and those coqui everybody talks about).

Will you all talk story today about Kau and Naalehu and Puna side? It's raining here now, and cold, and it will snow later. You'll share warmth with talk of Hawaii. Tell me anything you know!

Hey Mambo - I lived in New Mexico for 8 years and loved it. It has great spirit. But it doesn't come close to living in Hawaii. I just moved to Hilo and love it. The rain cleans everything, the sun and warmth are soothing, the fish and produce are the best on earth. The bugs and frogs - they just aren't that bad. The people living in Hilo are so wonderful, they live outside of the "get-ahead" pace of the mainland - it is a very special place. I hope you can come back. cwm

[AA702]

Originally Posted by lucygirl

i lived in maui for almost 10 years. my husband and i moved to texas from maui in 2002. it has been one dissapointment after another since we moved from the islands.
i would do anything to move back. but it costs so much and we have invested in 4 dogs (children) since.

a service job in maui is considered a respectable and comes with a good income.
in the mainland, a service job, such as a waiter, is looked down apon as if you are a loser or uneducated.

we should have never moved. we have had nothing but bad luck and bad jobs!

I miss you Maui! You will always be my home sweet home!

Not true! Las Vegas welcomes service industry workers! You will also make good money if you get lucky and work for a good casino or restaurant.

No wonder it has the largest concentration of Hawaiians in the Mainland.

[WASailorGirl]

Thought I'd chime in here too with all the other PNWers. I seldom post but get such valuable information from this site.

We just returned from the Big Island on Jan 1 after spending a week looking for land on the Hamakua Coast. We found exactly what we want however, we have to wait until we get our home sold here. We're keeping our fingers crossed it's still available in a few months. The house will go on the market in April and we hope to be there by the beginning of July.

I will be going back the first week in April to talk to builders and employers (I'm an elementary teacher and a part time Realtor).

I've been in the West Puget Sound area for 3 years (by way of Arizona). I've never adjusted to the cold, gray, and constant drizzle. Arizona was too crowded and hot, Washington is too cold and gray . . . I think the Big Island is JUST right! (Have I been reading too many children's fairy tales? )

I felt like I was leaving my home when I left from the Hilo Airport a couple of weeks ago. My SO, two dogs and I will be there for good just as fast as we can!

[Mvn 2 Paradise]

Originally Posted by WASailorGirl

We found exactly what we want however, we have to wait until we get our home sold here. We're keeping our fingers crossed it's still available in a few months. The house will go on the market in April and we hope to be there by the beginning of July.

We are in the process of selling our houses too and hope to have it done before we head over for vacation in March so we can buy at that time if we want. We plan to land there for good in June.

I have heard that you cannot get a loan if you do not have a job. So it makes for better job history to have my job here while I buy there versus not having a job at all or a new job. Just something to think about while you are preparing. You can ask cynmkolohe about real estate stuff. She has been a wealth of information for me.

Good luck!
Sharlee

[WASailorGirl]

Originally Posted by Mvn 2 Paradise

We are in the process of selling our houses too and hope to have it done before we head over for vacation in March so we can buy at that time if we want. We plan to land there for good in June.

I have heard that you cannot get a loan if you do not have a job. So it makes for better job history to have my job here while I buy there versus not having a job at all or a new job. Just something to think about while you are preparing. You can ask cynmkolohe about real estate stuff. She has been a wealth of information for me.

Good luck!
Sharlee

Yes, finding a teaching job is one of my priorities leading up to my visit in April. My SO has worked for an airline for over 20 years and commutes now from Seattle to Phoenix which he will continue to do for awhile from Hawaii. So, it helps that he has stable employment. There are a lot of parts and pieces to a big move like this, but we feel it will be worth it.

P.S. My Realtor called me from Kona today and said they are having a "cold spell." Mid 70's I think he said.