Your story: Was it worth it to move to Hawaii? (Hilo: real estate, new house)

[kani-lehua]

Originally Posted by higas

The funny thing is to your comment that politicians had not been able to agree on Hawaii becoming a state because it was predominantly democratic is the fact that the Democrats have run Hawaii into the ground while I believe most locals will agree with me that Republican Linda Lingle has done more to put this state back together since she took office--moreso than either Waihee, Ariyoshi or the last governor, the Filipino one...his name slips my mind. Linda Lingle is well-respected and a uniter, not a divider and...she's a Republican! It was great to see the warm welcome she received at the Sugar Bowl when the Warriors played the Dawgs. They really love their Governor...and with good reason. I couldn't believe how much graffiti, crime and tourist traps...even at Haunauma Bay had taken over when I was back home visiting family in Aug. of 2006, but the locals all told me she was really cracking down and addressing the problems.

Aloha!

cayetano was the filipino governor who speak of.

in recent events, governor lingle was not well received and disrespected during the superferry protests and town meetings.

[melelina]

We moved here (Oahu) July 2007, a dream for over 30 years and decided to just do it. My husband had lived here as a child with his father who was in the military. I have only visited when my son was in military. We all love warm weather, outdoors, water, scuba, swimming, etc. We knew about the prejudice, crime, expense, etc. You have to plan for alot before coming here. We sold just about everything we had except for memoroes like photos and such. My husband actaully moved here first since he was the first one to get a job, then we moved several months later when my son was offered a job. We did ship the vehicles since they are paid for. Housing is expensive but we have a nice place that is not far from the beach. Some people accept you and some don't. You have to accept that and go on. You also have to respect the culture here just like anywhere else. We have live alot over in europe so we have some knowledge to learn new customs, languages, cultures help in adjusting to living comfortable. I know it may sound crazy to you since Hawaii is part of the United States but it is also away from the mainland. It does have other culture here, as an example like my husband is half black foot indian. I have had great conversations with total strangers since I have been and I have also had a few bad ones. But I would say more good than bad. People and children are so friendly and polite compare to all the places I have been. I do not feel scared here and I have lived in Tampa, Phoenix, New York, Germany, etc.. I say you can make it what you want to make it and there is always something somewhere that is not going to be 100%. What was important to us was warm climate, we were tired of running from hurricanes, we have very little family on the mainland, and we do not need much to live like a huge house, land, etc. We plan to make this work and hope that it does. Some things I would do over but minor things. I wish I had done this years ago when I was younger but I still do not regret. Even if we do not stay I tried! To make hawaii better? Let the Hawaii people become true hawaiin people as did the indians!!!

[Sweetbeet]

Thank you Melelina! I was just about to ask if anyone had anything to say on the original topic. As one who is thinking seriously of moving to Hawaii, I like to read stuff like this from people who have actually made the leap. Anyone else have anything to chime in with, now that we're back on topic?

[lei76]

Aloha, Born and raised in Hawaii from one geographic area to another. Your right, safety is where we place ourselves. Education is attitude. Yes, many issues going on in Hawaii. Yet, home is where you make it. First question to ask, can you afford the cost of living versus your wage earnings here to live by your means and your comfort. If we can overcome and manage our own stressors and attitudes, then perhaps there would be less unhappy people in Hawaii. They blame, but do nothing to help. I welcome neighbors that are successful not of their pockets, but of their hearts. I'm 49yrs old, live in Waianae. It would help, if in the next 30 years, if able. I am to still see white sands; blue skies; green trees and drink fresh water; and breath clean air. Can I myself, still afford to survive where I live? at my age? Yes, I will .... and still continue to smile and say Hello; no matter what. When settled, community education; support and involvement ... strengthens your stability as a residence. Mahalo, Leilani

[francine131]

We are considering moving to the Honolulu area. We have three children and would need elementary, junior high and high schools. Is there an area near Hickham air force base that you recommend? Thanks. Fran

[TERRIE]

Your question was; Was it worth it to move to Hawaii? Absolutely! Do we regret our move? No. After moving to Hawaii in 05, we are now back on the mainland. I miss Hawaii very much, but wouldn't want to live there again. We still own a home there, (Oahu)....so I guess were a bit spoiled in knowing that we can visit a few times a year and have a free place to stay. The beauty abound and the warm clear water are the things I miss the most. Unfortunatly the bad outweighed the good for us. The biggest issue for us was the expense. We never had any of the negativity spoken of here about haole hate etc. The only negative was that our eight year old complained about the kids being mean to him at school.(he does much better here on the mainland in school grade wise as well) My husband and I agree that we never felt that we fit in at our jobs, just locals being polite, but nothing more. A big bother for me was the way the homes, yards, cars etc. were not well taken care of, it got very tiring to see this on a daily basis in our neighborhood where we paid a lot of money for our home and had much pride in it, to see a the neighbors just not care about their surroundings. Ultiimatly, we missed our family and friends on the mainland and made a wise choice for us to move back...Hawaii is what you make it for sure,everybody is different as far as adapting to a different culture and way of living. I believe the only way to really know is to experience it for at least six months if possible and then decide. It's very different to live there than to vacation. As for us, were looking forward to just visiting. Oh and take lotsa mula, you'll need it!

[croangel]

Hi Brandon! My name is Rose. I live in NJ and I have the same questions that you have about moving to Hawaii, but trying to get information is like pulling teeth! I had to beg people to try and respond without trying to avoid my questions. Once you ask some questions people get really defensive, but I guess coming from NJ we talk about schools, towns, houses all the time and it's common to have those conversations and no one gets upset.

Here is some information I was able to gather. If you are concerned about schools the Big Island has a high drop out rate and from what I gather a big drug problem. The people are less "accepting" from outsiders, but I never visited the big island so I am only going by what I was told.

In 2001 my husband and I went to Maui and loved the island. It's georgeous and the people were so friendly, there was one local who gave us the cold shoulder, but nothing scary and I never felt unsafe on the island even when we went into the town of Kihei...I love Kihei and the locals were very friendly!There is a post where a woman who lives on Maui tells you which parts to avoid ( and there was only a little section I think it was due to drugs)

The other thing that sticks out in my head was when we went into a store and asked a young guy what there was to do on the island that was fun and if there was any night life and he said you have to go to Oahu for that. Maui has a lot of daytime activities.

Which brings me to Oahu. This is the only island with a bus system and a "city" life. I was told that before you move to any island you must first secure a job because it may take a while to find one. If you work full time your employer will supply you with health insurance for you and your family. The best schools are the private schools but they are really expensive so the 2 best schools are in Hawaii Kai (although it is expensive to live there) and Mililani (which is more reasonable). From what I know the cost of living is very comparable to where I live in NJ so it doesn't seem so high to me, except the tax almost 12% on everything.

I've been to NY plenty of times and as a woman I would never walk the steets alone at night, but then again I am a Jersey girl and get scared very easily. There are people who do it all the time!

There is a lot of petty theft, which again NJ has a lot of and I'm sure if you come to NJ you will find a lot of unfriendly people in some areas, but no matter where you go you should be aware of your surroundings. If possible you can live in a gated community to ensure some sort of safe enviornment, which you can find in Hawaii Kai.

I have given you everything I was told by random people so not all the information is correct, the best thing to do is go and visit and try to meet some locals If you are nice people will be nice back no matter where you go

[aloha717200]

Thank you so much for the wonderful information thus far guys.

I'd be willing to work two jobs if needed, I actually anticipate that since I hear full time work is hard to come by in Hawaii. My wife and I have learned to get by with less, and that has made us much less picky about what we want in life.

[Jungjohann]

I came to Maui, on a paid vacation, back in 1975, at the tender age of 23!!! (I know, I'm an old kukae now), the day I was supposed to leave, I sat at the airport in Kahului, watched my flight take off for Honolulu, and that was it. There's something about the Islands, they either love you or they don't. I was really lucky, most of my friends were Hawaiian, Akina, Moikea, Awai, Pokipala, Kaa'a, the list goes on, but I seemed to fit right in, and I think tending bar down at Keawekapu didn't hurt either. I recall a drunk tourist one afternoon giving me a bad time at the outside bar, I cut him off, he started to threaten me, and was escorted down the beach by Kahale Akina and Tommy Awai, never saw that tourist again...... Yea, I'm glad, and very fortunate, to be here, and to have had the hanai ohana, adopted family, that I've had all these years. I couldn't imagine living on the mainland, heck, it's mid seventies in Kihei right now, and I'm wearing a sweater!!!
One aside, during my bartending days tourists would come in, and just go on and on about how they loved Maui, and were going to go back to the mainland, quit their jobs, sell everything, and move to Maui for good.I recall giving a few of them a ride to the airport a few months after their move here, and a few of them commenting, "How can anyone live here?". I think a lot of people come over here with this pre-concieved notion that Hawaii is paradise, well, for many, it's a "fools" paradise. To each their own.

Aloha and okolemaluna

[cynmkolohe]

I also came for what was supposed to be a brief stay. After college, I moved to Oahu to cover a maternity leave for a private school teacher. After my six months were up, I accepted a position teaching fifth grade at the same school in Ewa. I eventually moved into Honolulu and loved my time there.

I did leave Hawaii briefly when working as a nanny with a military family, but, as I sat on the plane on the runway at HNL with tears in my eyes, I knew I would be back. There was never a question about it--and several months later, I said the most painful good-bye of my life (to the little one I had been taking care of for over three years and her family) and got on another plane back to Hawaii, knowing in my heart it was the right thing for me and my future. They were settled into their new home and it was time for me to return to mine.

My experiences in Hawaii have been mostly postive and enriching. There are issues here, but not much different than anywhere else in our country. I grew up in the small-town South. Talk about racism....(think KKK, confederate flag battles, people who still approve of segregation). And my SO moved here after living in Chicago. He's never been mugged at gun point in Hawaii or had his business vandalized here.

I strongly believe that it is important for each person/family to judge these islands independently and individually. No one can tell you if you will find this place to be "home" or if you are better to come here as a visitor every few years. There is no right or wrong answer and it is completely a matter of individual preferences, needs and personality!