Update on Move from STL to Oahu (Honolulu, Ewa Beach: purchase, to live in)

[NoMoreSTL]

I made it!

I arrived on 11/20 and I'm happy to report everything is pretty great so far. Just as I suspected, Oahu is hugely different from St. Louis. It's difficult to start from scratch, but my fiancee and I are chugging right along. D found a great place for us to live in Ewa Beach, just steps away from the beach where we can see Diamond Head and Honolulu (I think?) off in the distance. Immediate impressions:
-The planes flying overhead could be a little tedious if you're not used to noise. (I'm from the city, so noise doesn't bother me so much.)
-The sushi is fantastic!! And cheap!! I wish I could remember the name of the place... It's close though, so I'm sure I will eat there once a week.
-Aside from one guard at the airport, everyone we've encountered has been really nice. No "stink eye" to report. In the airport guard's defense, I was lost looking for the Animal Quarantine Station looking for my cat.
-The weather is absolutely stunning. When I left St. Louis, it was about 30 degrees... yuck.
-Traffic is god-awful. We've learned to stay off the roads between about 3pm and 7pm if we can help it!

I'm sure there's more I'm leaving out, but there you have it! Thanks to everyone who replied to my other posts, http://www.city-data.com/forum/hawai...-browsing.html and http://www.city-data.com/forum/hawai...n-recipes.html.

[kaimuki]

Welcome to the Islands! I'm glad to hear that things are going well for you folks.

[MadRussian]

Thanks for report! Keep us updated!

[whynot?]

E komo mai! I remember your earlier posts and I think I DM'ed you from Maui. Glad everything is working out -- I knew you'd be fine. Oahu is beautiful! Do get over to the North Shore this winter -- it's amazing when there's big surf. Explore, enjoy, and keep posting!

[HawaiiboundNelli]

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I am really envying you right now lol. I am still in St Louis, waiting to move from here in a couple weeks! But we are only going to Texas right now until January when we'll be on our way to the Big Island! I'm glad to hear ya got there and are doing good! Can't wait to read more as you get settled..and join ya in the islands VERY SOON! :-)

[Okalani07]

Quick question NoMoreSTL - I am moving there in March and I have a cat.... I have carefully followed all steps to ensure my cat will be directly released to me. How was your experience with that (other than getting lost - haha). Any problems? Any suggestions?

Mahalo from Okalani07

[NoMoreSTL]

My vet was great in helping me to get Bug all ready for the trip. He qualified for direct airport release, but because my flight arrived at HNL after Quarantine hours (8a-8p I believe), he had to stay at the airport quarantine station overnight. That was a bummer, but I had absolutely no trouble picking him up the next day.

He did relatively well- I highly recommend getting some sedatives from your veterinarian if your cat is at all a nervous one. Bug is an extremely high-strung and sensitive cat and the pill I gave him let him doze through the flights. I kinda wish I had a sedative myself... 10-11 hours in the air is no fun!

One major warning: When I was booking my flights and booking Bug's reservations on the planes (planes can only have a certain number of animals on them at once, so you'll want to let the airline know as soon as you book your flight that there will be an animal traveling with you), I was told by both American and Hawaiian (the two airlines I flew) that Bug could ride on the plane in the main cabin with me in a soft-sided carrier under the seat where a carry-on would normally go.

That was TRUE on American and they charge $100 for an animal in the main cabin. Upon arrival to my gate at LAX, I found out that contrary to what a Hawaiian rep had told me over the phone, Bug could NOT ride in the main cabin and he had to have a different kind of crate. After a few stress and panic-induced choice words with the poor gate attendant lady, I was able to purchase ($75) a new hard crate for Bug from another airline (Northwest) and check him for the cargo area. Overall, the Hawaiian representative I spoke to over the phone said Bug could ride with me in the main cabin on the plane (FALSE) for a $75 fee (FALSE). In reality, I shelled out $75 for a new carrier I don't need and a $225 fee (!!!!) for him to ride in cargo - $225 more than I had planned on spending.

Lesson learned: Expect the unexpected, double your airport budget, and don't be afraid to call the airline half a dozen times to confirm what someone else at the airline had told you. Also, write down the reps' names and any confirmation numbers so you can make a claim. I wrote names and conf. #'s down every time I spoke to someone, so I expect to be compensated in part for the misinformation I received. I'll let you all know how that goes as well.

**Aside from the Bug debacle at the gate, the Hawaiian flight was the nicest flight I've ever been on! The food was great, the plane was new and clean, and the staff were extremely accommodating and pleasant.**

[kani-lehua]

are you referring to "genki sushi"? over there in 'ewa?

[NoMoreSTL]

Originally Posted by kani-lehua

are you referring to "genki sushi"? over there in 'ewa?

That could be it... Not sure though. If that WAS it and you're about to tell me they're terrible, go easy on my midwest tastebuds- that was the best sushi I've had in a looooonnnng-long time!

*Missing fried catfish and cornbread already now that we talk about this...*

[Okalani07]

Mahalo for sharing your experience with me NoMoreSTL... I have done my homework and have all my i's dotted and t's crossed.... Just wanted to make sure "yes" they will direct release the animals..

Enjoy your new island life...