Questions about living in Moloka'i (rent, house, to buy)

[khansen1288]

Hi, I'm a junior in college right now. I know it's probably way to early for me to be looking into moving, but it's just how I am. I was doing some research on Hawaii. I love it, not just the land and that it's Hawaii. I've read a lot about the culture and history too. I'm not done yet but I still have a long time to learn. I also want to learn the Hawaiian language but I don't have the money to take a class. I'm trying to save up for veterinary school. Any ways, I read that Moloka'i doesn't have a vet as of right now. That's why I want to move to that island rather then the bigger islands, but it has been my dream to build my own vets office and to build my own house. So my question is, is it disrespectful to move there and build on the Hawaiian land? Also, what else should I know about Hawaii and the culture? I'm extremely eager to learn. I have a long time before I have to start worrying about this, I just want a head start. Mahalo.

[KauaiPono]

It is good to have goals and dreams; and pre planning is very important. I would suggest you read all the posts in this forum for the last couple of years since your question is too broad. More importantly it will be very very very very hard to earn a living on Molokai; better suited to Oahu. The population of Molokai is small (about 7 to 8K people)and so is the economy.

Good luck

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by khansen1288

Any ways, I read that Moloka'i doesn't have a vet as of right now.

That would be news to Dr. Susan Baillie at the Molokai Humane Society.

[khansen1288]

I apologize whtciper1. I must have missed that. I might start looking at some of the other islands since there is a vet, or I could work with her in the future. Thank you for the information. Also KauiPono, which question is to broad? Or are they both to broad? I will start reading the posts in this forum to gain more knowledge about the culture, but would it be possible to build a vet office on any of the islands?

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, you stated that you are saving up for vet school. So I assume that it will be several years before you even start school and I assume two years to complete school. After that you'd probably want to work at a vet clinic to gain practical experience and knowledge before building your own clinic. So, you may be in a position to start your own practise in say ten years? That's plenty of time for you to learn more about where you want to end up, whether it is Hawaii or Alaska or Texas or Michigan.

It looks like you've chosen Hawaii based merely on doing some research. Over the next ten years or so you have plenty of opportunity to read more about what it is really like to live in Hawaii [there are books as well as forums (not just this one)]. You also have plenty of opportunity to find out what it really takes to build your own vet clinic and live in a very rural area.

This question is too broad: "what else should I know about Hawaii and its culture". You say you've done some reading on the culture. Maybe you could share what you think you've learned before asking what else you should know.

[LovingMaui16]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

OP, you stated that you are saving up for vet school. So I assume that it will be several years before you even start school and I assume two years to complete school.

Two years? Vet school is 4 years (after an undergraduate degree). And I see so reason to wait several years to save money. That's like waiting to buy a house until you have cash. Sounds good in theory, but nobody can actually do it. Also, you're paying rent the whole time. Let's say, conservatively the OP needs $200 for vet school. He/she would be so old and have so many other responsibilities that it would be impossible. Borrow, borrow, borrow! OP: I think you want to set up shop on Niihau. They've got no vet...

[hotzcatz]

Aloha Khansen1288,

A veterinary sounds like a good thing, there's places on several of the islands that could use a veterinary office.

Perhaps you could be a traveling vet and visit ranches and farms and take care of livestock? Big Island probably has enough livestock to keep a mobile vet busy, although the distances traveled might be a bit long. But a very small office and a travelling truck might keep the office expenses small enough to make it work. Or work with a vet that's already got an office.

If you wanted to work up to a veterinary office, a pet sitting service might be a good place to start. There used to be someone who had a fenced in area in her pasture where she'd take in dogs while their owners were away. Each dog had it's own kennel and very securely fenced area but they also had a large part of the pasture with toys to play in together, too. Most of the dogs got along and could go out to the community area to play. They also had a separate area for cats and did dog grooming as well.

[terracore]

If you want to be a veterinarian, you should consider becoming a board-certified avian vet. There are only a few hundred of them worldwide and they are in high demand. Plenty of opportunity to travel.

[HPP_Since_79]

Originally Posted by LovingMaui16

OP: I think you want to set up shop on Niihau. They've got no vet...

.....single worst piece of advice in the history of the internet, lol :-)

[tdr22]

Too funny, I vote you check out living on Molokini, at least there you'll be safe from the cannibals!!