Best/worst of Hawaii from a new transplant (island, warm)

[Sweetbeet]

Nope, haven't been there yet (I've been by it though, know right where it is). Have to stop in next time I'm down there. I've been meaning to go snorkeling at Lawai Beach, my sister went last week and said it was really great. We went down on Sunday but got busy going out to see the monk seal mom and pup, and the day went by. The pup was just born on Friday - they're hanging near Maha'ulepu Beach for the next few weeks, I hear. Very cool!

[ocdirtyjerz]

You're still on vacation silly. Glad your enjoying the islands. The Garden Isle is a wonderful place. Very very slow.

[Mar0]

Yeah some of my friends are on the monk seal watch and told me about the pup. There was one born there last year too, and he almost didn't make it! Hopefully this one can survive too!

I prefer snorkeling at Poipu over Lawai Beach b/c it always seems packed at Lawai Beach. I was running around there yesterday and it was still crowded. Obviously Poipu is a big tourist attraction, but because it is bigger, it doesn't seem as crowded to me.

[goodbye-michigan]

sweetbeet- my boyfriend and I are relocating to waikiki in feb. and your list only reminds me the reasons we want to move! thanks!

[Sweetbeet]

Well, we're here for almost 11 months now. Are we still "on vacation"? Don't think so. Haven't been to the beach in... too long. In fact, I think I'll go for a dip now - been hauling stuff out to hubby's new studio/shop (which is almost done) for most of the day, and cleaning for some friends who are coming tomorrow for a few weeks. First visitors we've had from the mainland (and they're actually coming to see my sister and niece, mainly, but we like them too).

Loved the winter, it was perfect. Now it's getting hot again, but I'm more used to it this time.

Money's running out (well, resources are shrinking, not gone yet). But my business is picking up. The clients I have seem to love me, I just need a few more. Somehow, I think we'll make this work. I sure hope so - I DON'T want to leave! I really like this place, and feel like it's home. (Also, I will hang in until I'm totally broke, and won't have any $$ to move back!)

Had a nice trip over to the BI a couple of weeks ago. Stayed between Kamuela and Honoka'a at a B&B called The Log Cabin. Wonderful! Hung out up there, took my son to a swim meet at HPA on Sat & Sun mornings then went up to Hawi and the lookout Sat p.m., and down to Honoka'a and the World Botanical Garden Sun p.m. I LOVE that area of the BI. If you are ever 'jonesing for the mainland' that is the place to go - the mountains, forests and fields reminded me of central PA crossed with parts of Oregon.

I also went to Las Vegas on a business trip a couple of months ago, and it was fun, but I couldn't wait to get home. One great thing about living here - going home from vacation is not a bummer like it used to be!

I don't have time to write on here much, just thought I'd give an update. (Oh, and my silly hubby paid over $9 for a gallon of milk last week - he accidentally picked up the brand that wasn't on sale! That's what I get for sending him shopping... But when I realized what he did I immediately thought of all our agonizing discussions of the cost of a gallon of milk! So, see, I AM thinking of y'all.)

[cynmkolohe]

Great to hear from you, Sweetbeet! Glad you are busy and enjoying your life on Kauai!

[KoaKine]

Nice Post Sweetbeet

[Sweetbeet]

Took our visiting friends snorkeling at Tunnels today. Had a great time, saw some new fish (there are always new fish! I think they're out there evolving even as we speak), and sea turtles.

Hey, Cyn, sorry I've been awol. We actually came over to the BI last month for a swim meet at HPA (Kamuela). Explored the north, Hawi, the lookout, Honoka'a areas - I LOVE that part of the island. Gorgeous. Kind of reminds me of the rolling hills back east a bit. Had a great dinner with my son at the Bamboo Restaurant. Obviously, I've been kind of busy. Practice is picking up. Hubby's putting finishing touches on his studio/shop.

Hawaii still rocks.

C.

[KonaKat]

Originally Posted by Sweetbeet

Been here 3 months, and so far, here's my best/worst list (not sure if I can come up with 10 of each) for living on Kauai (I'll save the best for last):

- .

- Nonpartisan elections (people tell me it's "more partisan than I realize," but at least there's not the blatant party politics that is so rampant everywhere else).

-

Now, have you figured out what they meant? LOL "non partisan" here pretty much means there is only part of1 party controlling things. The recent coup by Big Island east side politicans is a glaringly classic example.

This, to me, is the biggest negative that I feel. Representation is a joke, only a few bright spots in a gool ole' boy dark sky.

[wb3690]

excellent post......

alot of what you summed up are things I am going to miss about hawaii.....we've lived here 12 years and are moving next month unfortunately.....

everyone keeps saying to pick up the mementos that will remind you of hawaii, but there isn't any ONE thing that will sum up the island.....unless I can take the rustling of the palms, the warm tradewinds, the soft kailua sand and the smiles I get from the people .....sigh. How do you bottle that up?

Anyway enjoy it here as much as I have......