Know anyting about Naalehu? (Honolulu, Hilo: rent, house, safe area)

[kukana]

Many thanks to all of you for sharing. I have learned a great deal from this site. However, since I didn't get a reaction to my first posting, I realized I may not have asked the right questions. I want to know about the area around Naalehu where I have lot. I am looking at various areas for retirement. I am quite independent and enjoy puttering about the house. I read a lot and have hobbies. I would like to work with children as a volunteer (I am an experienced educator.) I think I would be close enough to large cities to visit when I want some urban entertainment. The beauty of the land and the space appeals to me. What do you know about Naalehu? Would a woman want to retire there?
Thanks,
Kukana

[leilaniguy]

Aloha Kukana. Naalehu is a small, sleepy town, with just enough amenities to get by. The only theater just closed because of a leaky roof and no funds to repair. There is a hospital nearby in Pahala, very small, more like a clinic. The closest big box shopping and entertainment is in Kona or Hilo, about equidistant, but not much at that. Hilo is the largest town on isle with only about 45,000 people. Most folks here who need a "glitter fix" fly to Honolulu or Vegas for entertainment, otherwise nightlife is spotty and occasional, tourist oriented in Kona. You really need to come see for yourself if you would like living there.

[kukana]

Leilaniguy--
thanks for the reply. Traveling to Honolulu or Vegas doesn't deter me--I only miss the "big-city" stuff occasionally. Health issues aren't a problem so lack of medical isn't a huge concern right now. Plan to get there to look as you said. Just wondering about safety -- sorry -- there's some concern there. I try to keep it in perspective. I lived in Chicago the first half of my life and Florida certainly sees it's share of crime. But I do have to be realistic about being older, single, and female in certain areas. Do you know what newspaper covers that area?

thanks again,
Kukana

[leilaniguy]

I would consider Naalehu and all of Kau in general a pretty safe area to live in, very rural, much country charm, beautiful area, just remote, even for here. Probably closest to Kona, try "West Hawaii Today" - the closest newspaper online. You might also google "Oceanview" Hawaii, a huge nearby subdivision with it's own zip code, to get an idea what is nearby.

[kukana]

Leilaniguy--

Thanks (mahalo, if I remember correctly) for the info. Actually the area sounds very much like what Naples used to be like years ago. And there will always be children who need a little help with their lessons...or a cookie. =)
Hopefully, I'll get there soon to look about the area myself. In the meantime, I'll keep checking this forum--the help to others is terrific and the goodwill is heartwarming.

Kukana

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

Kukana, while I plan on retiring to our home in Discovery Harbour with my husband, there are single women in our neighborhood. You should have no problems fitting in and finding activities. The schools are in desperate need of volunteers; my husband is also an educator and looks forward to spending part of his time helping out. Also, our community center and the one at Ocean View have lots of activities.

[Tutu Nani]

I have stayed here in Na'alehu for almost 3 months now. I have always thought this area has a charm of years gone by...Like time stopped here..
Since staying here. I see that it is a nice place to visit, but to live for me would be to remote. There is alot of things just in a poorly maintained state
poorly managed too. Rooster fighting seems to be the only passtime or entertainment... It is supposed to be illegal, but the police do nothing..I think they also feel that they would be taking away the peoples only outlet here...I think as a real retreat it could be a good investment, cause it is very inexpensive.....but you would have to find someone trustworthy to caretake your property...do not rent here...standards of living are very substandard...and due to lack of work the house would be filled with far too many people....Personally I can think of alot of more charming and nicer places to retreat too...with better facilities nearby....no really nice beaches nearby...and no pools...so in this muggy weather you would just sit by a fan with a book and look at the nice rolling hills you would find anywhere in the world...I hope this doesn't sound too negetive, but I have met many local families who have struggles here and Child Protective services has taken their children away..Oh there is a great business to survive here...FOSTER PARENTING...so many seperated families...Oh and the drug problems...OYE...

[john beesley]

Dear Naalahu, We love your town. My wife & I with another couple spent our wedding anniversary there a few years back and had a blast seeing your town and surrounding areas. While there, I purchased a nut-cracker that does a splendid job on macadamia nuts and I have depleted my stock of nuts to crack. I should say that my 6 year old grandaughter has depleted my stock and I need to purchase more nuts in the shell. How can I get nuts shipped to the mainland? Aloha and hope to hear from someone soon.

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by john beesley

Dear Naalahu, We love your town. My wife & I with another couple spent our wedding anniversary there a few years back and had a blast seeing your town and surrounding areas. While there, I purchased a nut-cracker that does a splendid job on macadamia nuts and I have depleted my stock of nuts to crack. I should say that my 6 year old grandaughter has depleted my stock and I need to purchase more nuts in the shell. Can anyone help me with this request. Aloha and hope to hear from someone soon.

I found this with Google:

Macadamia Nuts - Raw, Roasted, Salted, and Chocolate

Hank

[hotzcatz]

There is zero "urban entertainment" on the Island of Hawaii. We have two towns and a few almost towns and a dozen little villages and THAT IS IT. There is one road which circles the island, you won't have to worry about getting lost. The fastest speed limit is 55 so you don't even have to worry about getting anywhere too fast, either.

For entertainment folks generally visit their friends and family. We play croquette, have a garden club (that mostly eats lunches), watch the chickens (we don't have very many roosters so ours are the boring backyard egg layers), go fishing, fly a kite, etc. etc. If you can't make your own entertainment you will be very bored around here.