A Local Who Wants To Help New Residents and Visitors (Hilo: car rental, real estate)

[SocalpalKP]

Originally Posted by Koale

Aloha, you are so very right! Good news? I live here now. Wow, does that feel good to say or what? Your help could have been of great help and probably could still be. I was speaking w/my S/O a few minutes ago and was asked how the mosquito situation was? LOLOLOL.. I said "I haven't seen one mosquito, one fly and , sadly, only one bee in the two weeks I have been here. Cockroaches? Haven't seen even one single little 'bugga' anywhere! I see folks smiling and throwing 'shaka' everywhere. I was in Walmart pickin' up stuff for the new Ohana yesterday. Two young girls were talking big time 'pidgeon' (and I was smiling and chuckling a little) and I was having a tough time choosing a shower lotion. They didn't stop talking and one of them reached up, pulled one off the top shelf, looked at me and said 'locals, yeah?' and dropped it in my basket!. I knew I was home! This Island (Hawaii) and it's people and so beautiful. They just shine inside and out!

I read nothing but negative negative negative info for 18 months before coming over. The only negative? The Tourists and the folks that Pele spit out.

Now, if you are a gardener, as I am, study up on the different elevations. Makes a difference what plants the local nurseries will let you buy. If they don't think the plants you have choosen will thrive they will tell you.

AND... for coffee? Trust me! 'Surfin' Ass' coffee is da kine! Best flavor and aroma I have found. One location in Captain Cook and one other in downtown Kona on Alii drive.

Enjoy your adventure. Ours has just begun. Opportunities abound here. If you bring Aloha with you it will find you here. You know the saying...'Give and you shall receive'.

Aloha a hui hou!
Koale and family

I'm so happy for your post, so happy you're there, so happy I was in WalMart last weekend, so excited that there's a good chance I'll be there real soon.

Mahalo

[jenny87]

HI! Um, my husband and I are thinking about moving to Hawaii with our son, at least temporarily... The thing is, we're not too sure about what island to live on, or anything else as a matter of fact... I did some research, but all the islands sound great for different resons, so we still haven't chosen one... We'd like some place not too expensive, not too crowded, but still with jobs available... Is that impossible? Do you think you could give me your opinion about where to live with a young child (my son is 2years old....)? Thank you so much, I'd be gratefull for any information you can give me!!

[pierce79]

Originally Posted by kaimuki

There have been numerous threads created by folks interested in visiting or moving to Hawaii and sadly before a local such as myself can reply, there are at least a half dozen or so posts by those who live outside of Hawaii painting an ugly picture of our people and culture.

My point is just because I lived in Chicago (I have never lived there, this is just an example) for a few years, this hardly makes me an expert or places me in a postion to make blanket statements about their ways of life in Chicago. Sadly some posters, not all, have made some very derogatory statements about Hawaiians an other Hawaii locals.

I think I can be of some use to those who are interested in finding about places to stay or live in Hawaii (especially O'ahu and Kauai), or those folks who have questions about a variety of topics that don't necessarily have to include race relations, drugs or other ills. After all, I'm nearly 39 years old and I was born and raised on O'ahu (specifically Wahiawa and Waipahu during my youngin days). Hawaii is a wonderful place to visit and live, and many of you might agree once you spend some time here.

I came upon your post in my search for information about Hawaii. My family is moving to Oahu this summer and we have no idea where would be a nice, family friendly area to raise our children. If you have any suggestions, being that you are from the area, that would be incredibly helpful. I am also wondering about renting vs. buying over there, average cost of utilities, and things of that nature. If you could point me in the direction of some trustworthy realtors and such. The only people I know who have lived on Oahu haven't been there in several years. And I'm guessing it has changed quite a bit.

[GreenEyedJen]

Hi Kaimuki,
I am moving from Philadelphia to Honolulu in July and have been looking at condos for rent in 909 Kapiolani and Capitol Place, are there young single professionals in those buildings? I am in my early 30s. Thanks!

[eggrolls]

ohh mann i want to live at Hawaii now!! Hey this will be my first post at this site, and I been thinking about moving to Hawaii. Is it really possible to move there with not a lot of money? I mean, I could work as anything as long I can have a place to sleep. I am from Toronto, Canada. Is it easy to find work there like bussing in a restaurant? mc donalds?? lolll

[Kolya]

Oh Yeah !!
I can not begin to tell you how glad I am to find your post.

My husband and I know that we will need to make a move in the next year or two at most. We have been researching Hawaii a great deal as we want to be well informed and make the move as positive as possible for our three children (ages 10, 8, & 5). But, most of the non-vacationers information I have found is quite negative and frightening. Particularly because we are white, NOT millionaires, and I have a muscle atrophy condition in my legs that requires a crutch and physical therapy.

Everything I have read thus far tells me we will be discriminated against for my condition and our skin color. That we will be unable to get jobs that pay the bills, and that the schools are terrible and the children will not be accepted. (and I'm mortified by what I hear about crime) I realize that many people have pie in the sky ideas about what living in Hawaii could be like , and it is impotant to counter balance those perceptions. But, aren't there any fair even handed resources out there?

We are trying to arrange a visit that would specifically focus on everyday living in Hawaii. Apartment living instead of hotel, grocery shopping instead of restaurants. Meeting people in their communities to see where our family would fit in and acclimate, that sort of thing. Would you have some ideas about how best to go about this?

Thank you so much :-)

[sunnydays5]

Thought I'd make a quick comment here. My husband and I are serious about living in Hawaii for the winter months. We just got back from Kauai, our very favorite place. Appreciate Kaimuki's offer of help with information. We've met some people in Kauai who are trying to help with rental information also.
When we were there in April we decided to look at what was available....from Kapaa around to Lawai. What we found is that there are plenty of studios (including wonderful little ohanas, separate but on an "estate" with the owner's home), condos and apartments for $1000-1200. We're looking for a 2-bedroom for that price...there weren't many, but there were some. Actually, when we were looking we could have rented a nice 2 bedroom....but the winter months are more. Without a year's lease, the rent is higher (obviously).
Anyway, we are hopeful. I think if you REALLY want to do it, you can make it work. We also checked out grocery prices. Again, quite high, but if you pay attention, buy things where the locals do, etc., we decided we could work the budget. Would bring a few things in suitcases! Peanut butter, tuna, etc.
Will be in touch later if we decide to make the move.
MAHALO!

[Kolya]

Thanks David..

We will definitely check out the link. Learning as much as we can about Hawaiian language and culture...Looking into learning Japanese also, as we have been told this can be invaluable. Also, do you (or does anyone know) of language and cultural resources that are kid level without being patronizing?

Thanks so much....

[dmoon808]

i love the happy post's about how great hawaii is... and how warm and cultered the locals are. i'm a CA transplant. and the locals... wow.. ohana. treat me like family. cant tell you how many times they have asked me into there homes for a meal. or some beers. im here by my self. it was scary at first. but the locals have made my fears morph into comfort and absolute happyness.

to any local that has ever been good to a new comer. thank you. i love learning and tryn to understand your culture. this is were i live now.. thank you for making it home

[TorgWhiteBeard]

There may well come a time when I buy a camper shell for our old '55 pick up and ship off to Lahaina land. As far as affordabilityand location, Mountain Home on the B.I. seems most feasible, but you would likely know better. Right now, I have unbreakable ties/obligations, but life is change; one never knows what may come, and should have contingency plans.
It is refreshing to hear from someone born there a sense of true "aloha". I would love to build a small green home, and have a community of like souls to live amongst. I am 58.
My ancestry, (if it matters), reaches back to a Celtic-Saxon/Viking far-distant past: my Mum was born of Norwegian parents.