moving to big island

[hotzcatz]

How about a styrofoam igloo? Trying to get a building permit for it would be interesting and then trying to build it would continue the "interestingness".

The whole island is a patchwork and you can't say that one particular area is good since it could have some not good there anyway. You have to come inspect the exact particular spot and then look around it to see.

[palanilouy2k9]

Originally Posted by erikkarma

aloha! first, i'd like to say what a wealth of information this forum has. my wife and currently live in the san francisco bay area, but are planning on moving to hawaii ASAP (most likely, in 1 1/2 - two years). we got married in maui 2 1/2 years ago, and have been back as well. i'd also been to maui before, and in fact, was there during 9/11 (got stranded there for an extra week!). i've also been to oahu.

we were considering moving to maui, but when we found out how much less expensive the big island was, we changed our plans. we're already planning a trip there this spring, and of course in the meantime, we've been devouring every newspaper article and real estate site we can find online. puna seems to be the lowest priced place to live, and like the rest of hawaii, it looks beautiful. i guess the questions i have are:

*if we worked in hilo, how long does it normally take to commute the 25 miles to get there? what about commuting to kona? is the traffic THAT bad? i can't imagine it being worse than the SF bay area.

*is crime in puna a major problem? what types of crimes are common- break-ins and burglaries, or more serious problems, like drugs and violent crimes? are there bad neighborhoods like the bay area and other urban places have?

*amateur astronomy is my main hobby, and i love hawaii for the dark skies free of light pollution. what areas of puna have a smaller amount of rainfall and clear, dark skies at night? or are there other areas we should be looking at that are priced close to the same range?

*how are newcomers generally treated? we've only experienced friendly people there (part of why we love hawaii), but is it different if you're staying there permanently, as opposed to just being tourists?

*we're aware that things cost more, and many people have two jobs. but if we're totally debt free, and only have a mortgage in the $800-1000 range, is it feasible to have a relatively comfortable standard of living (i.e. not completely struggling just to pay the bills) on two incomes from full time entry level type jobs ($10-12 hour)?

*what about "unpermitted" houses? does the state crack down on these often and actually fine people until they get permits?

mahalo for any information you can provide us!!! -erik

Me and my housemate have lived here 2 yrs now in Puna area on the main highway, city water, hate the idea of Catchment, old farm of 1.35 acre, of fruit trees, avocado, orchids and palms and hate the place! Beautiful house but there's nutten ta do here but vegetate!.. and too much rain to make the idiot drivers even MORE dangerous. No kids, but hear and read plenty about the poor, economically drained school system and it's fights and attacks among the good students. Kona should have been our choice as it is where all the attractions and fun begins and ends, being a more manicured and sophiscated and warmer, dryer area. Best prices are on this side,- East Island, but you find out the reasons for cheaper buys in the END!! Too many toothless drunks,
marijuana and meth druggies in too many areas. Generally cheaper properties as you get farther into upper Volcano area but Volcano VOGG (sulfar fumes) can loom around to spoil some persons lives that aren't expecting to have to breath such dangerous fumes especially on the hotter days or when trade winds back up or quit for times. Lots of Oriental Eating Joints and others in shabby buildings due to the high commercial insurance as the city has been ruined a few times by Tsunamis. Walmart and the Prince Kuhio Mall are the places to find most everything. The general population of old and stabilized wonderful Hawaiians, (all sorts of mixed ethnic background, usually, Oriental/Pacific) but the problem people are the huge group of young they produced, fowl mouthed, dopers and rude drivers. The speed limits might be posted, but are almost mowed down as they pass you, double speeded to get there faster then YOU ever will !!

[surfagoody]

Was looking at your post and hope this can help.
I am not from the big island, but from a small town on the east side of oahu. HAUULA!!! I have been to big island plenty of times though so listen up. Being ha'ole is something your gonna have to get used. It's all I've ever been so I've come to grips with it, esspecially being the only one in my neighborhood.

About where to live,
Unless you are rich you don't get to choose where you live you just make the most of where you can. If you can't make it work where you have to, you won't make it work any where on the island. The attitude required to live in what some would consider the worst part of town is the same attitude required to survive on the island in general. If you don't have what it takes you will find out soon enough no matter what part of town you live in.

Hawaii has a lot to do with respect. Not the kind you get but the kind you have to give. You respect people because their Hawaiian, bigger than you, better surfer, can drink more, seniority, or just more local. What you think deserves respect on the mainland means nothing hear. It is a more primitive type of hierarchy that dictates where you fit in. Good Luck!

[Jimbo's]

Originally Posted by surfagoody

Hawaii has a lot to do with respect. Not the kind you get but the kind you have to give. You respect people because their Hawaiian, bigger than you, better surfer, can drink more, seniority, or just more local. What you think deserves respect on the mainland means nothing hear. It is a more primitive type of hierarchy that dictates where you fit in. Good Luck!

I do believe it has to do with respect but not because the Hawaiians think they are better then you but it is a mutual respect for one and another. I have never experienced anything like that from locals but I have talked with a few and they stated it was with some of the visitors that come to the islands with the attitude of "I am spending money here so bow down to me" now that can get old very quick.

You don't get respect without giving it but in my book you earn your respect by the way you handle yourself and the way you treat others

Just my .02 worth

[surfagoody]

Don't get my comments confused with the casual encounter many people have with what they consider the local population. I was born and raised in Hauula. Those people you see on the beach playing the Uke and BBQing thats us. I'm the one with the blond hair that probably looks out of place except for a killer tan and flawless pidgon. If you walk by, smile, and throw the shaka chances are you will get the same in return and have a warm fuzzy about life in the islands. But stay awhile and drink some bud light till the sun goes down retire to the back yard and watch 2 brothers throw down because they're bored. Then catch their breath while they drink another and get ready for round 2. See how long you can keep from putting your foot in it and walk away with the same feelings of aloha.
The night obviously can take a lot of interesting turns but the point I am making is that hawaii is different for every one. But for those who truly call it home and become one with the island and experience it to the fullest or those of us who never new any different it has its own set of rules from what a mainlander might consider normal behavior. If your considering moving into the heart of it as you would moving to most small towns on hawaii be prepared for it.

[hotzcatz]

Yuppers, that's the exciting nightlife in Haaula. We used to go visit my friend over along there. We'd sit around the table in the carport and try to keep his goat from jumping up there while we were playing dice with the loser taking shots of rum while everyone else was drinking beer. Eventually, the goat won and he'd usually eat a dice or two.

[KonaKat]

We have been here on the Big Island for 5 years and have had very rare unpleasant experiences with locals or long time residents. I found that not pretending anything and laughing at myself worked wonders. Obviously I was not either of the 2 (local, or long time Kamaaina) so why try? In fact, one time when I had only been here about 6 months and was still struggling with pronouncing words, streets, names, I was on thephone w/ a lady from Maui about some business (I was working). I asked her to spell a couple of words and joked "well, I'm the new haole fresh off the plane, so forgive my trouble here). She just cracked up and said, very kindly, "I think you do fine, here, girl".

One of my sons (all my kids are grown and several of them also live here now) is tall, slender, blonde and blue-eyed. Never had an ounce of trouble. He is a musician among other things, and quickly made friends, learned to play the uke and even has played drums for the Tahitian Fire Dancer at some of the luaus. Another son got married in 2007 and 3 days before the wedding there was a message on our answering machine: "J, I got the pig." I listened and wondered......what? Turns out, some friends' gift was going to be providing the pig for the wedding dinner. They caught it, prepared it traditional style, brought it to the wedding and served it. Priceless.
sure, we've had a few snarly situations but few and far between. We feel so fortunate to be able to live here we can't hardly stand ourselves!

[treedonkey]

My mother has lived on the Big Island (Kona side) for about six years, and my brother has lived there for coming up on five. They both seen many 'starry-eyed' mainlanders move in and the leave shortly thereafter for varying reasons, usually economic -- or just boredom. At any rate, although my family occasionally considers moving away, they have been pretty happy and successful there. So perhaps I can share my secondhand experience on why...

1) They both have their own businesses. My brother is a coffee farmer (not advisable - not easy to get started in) and my mother sells window coverings (which took off for her right way). It can be pretty tough to find a really good employer there, but if you are industrious and reliable, you will be in high demand in any business. Or so I've heard.

2) They both put the area's natural offerings to good use. That is to say, they're not just there for the views to get a tan. My mom is an avid outrigger paddler (at age 60+) and my brother works outdoors and goes to the beach often. This helps them keep in touch with the real beauty of the area, despite the heavy tourism and limited land-area. However, the Big Is' is a lot less prone to cause 'Island fever' than the smaller isles, or so I've heard.

3) My brother and his wife home school their children. If you have kids (or plan to) and you can't find a good alternative to public schooling, you might really regret it, or so I've heard.

4) As long as you don't sacrifice too much to get there, and don't view as too permanent, I'm sure it would still be a good experience, even if it doesn't work out for the long run. Hawaii is full of California transplants... some of them stay for decades, but most leave after a few years (or less). That doesn't mean they didn't enjoy their time there, it's just something good to be aware of. ...Or so I've heard.