Moving to or From Hawaii? My Thoughts on the Journey (Waimea: new home, living in)

[cynthia007]

Well it's been one year since we left our tropical paradise of eighteen years for life on the Mainland. I used City-Date frequently and wanted to share a few thoughts.

For Those Who Want to Move to Hawaii

Go For It! If your heart is telling you to go, don't let anything sway you. Experience it for yourself. It is one of the most special, magical places you could ever want to live. The people and the culture are amazing. Hawaii is not just a place, it's an experience. I will never ever regret a single moment of living in Hawaii. It changed me forever. Aloha, Laulima, Pono, Kokua, Malama. Not just words, but a way to live.

For Those Who are Thinking About Moving Away Arom Hawaii

Go For It! While Hawaii is so special, there are a lot of other wonderful places in the world. It's OK to change your story. Sure, people won't find you half as exciting when you tell them you live in Arkansas, or Washington, or Vermont, but it's OK. After you have lived in Hawaii, and embaraced the culture, it never really leaves you. Spread the aloha. Have Fun. Take a Road Trip. Go to a Professional Football Game. Fly to Vegas in an hour. See your family more than once a year. Watch the leaves change, the snow fall, and the leaves return to the trees. Sure, I miss some things about Hawaii, but I haven't regretted a moment of moving away from the islands. There is a whole big world out here...and it is amazing.

For Those Who Don't Want to Move to Hawaii or Those Who Don't Ever Want to Leave

I got nothing for you. I've never experienced that feeling. Guess it's the adventurer in me. The energy that brought me to Hawaii is the same energy that took me away. What else? What else? Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.

Malama Pono!

[KoaKine]

Nice post. its words like this that make me feel like im doing the right thing moving to Hawaii. Ive seen enough snow fall and hot summers in So. Cal its time for changes!

[cynthia007]

Originally Posted by KoaKine

Nice post. its words like this that make me feel like im doing the right thing moving to Hawaii. Ive seen enough snow fall and hot summers in So. Cal its time for changes!

Good for you! Here's a few tips....

-Always take your shoes off when you enter someones house

-Flip Flops are called slippers, or better yet, rubbah slippahs. Slippers are accepted as appropriate footwear most anywhere you go.

-If you are lucky enough to get invited to a lu`au, a real lu`au, go. Take a gift of flowers, wine, or food with you. Try all of the food. All of it. Stay good!

-Actually, always take a gift with you when you get invited to dinner, even if it's a b-b-q on the beach.

-Hawaiian Time means that things always start a few minutes late. No let it bother you when someone stay late. Take a few minutes to enjoy the scenery and the breeze.

-You have two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak. Give people your full, undivided attention.

-Ha'a Ha'a is the Hawaiian value of being humble and lowly. Those who respect that value, get the respect of the people (and can usually find more personal success in Hawaii)

-Stop and smell the roses, or the the plumeria, or the puakenikeni...whateve...just stop and take the time.

-Leave the aina a better and cleaner place than when you came. Malama the Aina.

-Be helpful, even when you aren't asked. Be kind, even when you don't have to be.

[cynmkolohe]

So good to hear from you Cynthia! Glad to know you are enjoying your new home!

[KAILANI]

One more reason on my checklist to want to move back, again!!
Mahalo for da insight!

[waiverrn]

Cynthia, that was so nicely put. I like what you said. I am one considering moving to Hawaii. Thanks for all the simple but good to know tips. God bless.

[islandboo]

Cynthia, that was just beautiful! A wonderful introduction to island mores for all malihini (newcomers).

[cynthia007]

Originally Posted by cynmkolohe

So good to hear from you Cynthia! Glad to know you are enjoying your new home!

Hey cynmkolohe! Thanks for checking in. We are enjoying our new home, and to tell you truth, I am appreciating Hawaii even more now that I have stepped away from it and can see it from another point of view. I always knew Hawaii was special, and now I believe I have an even better understanding of why I felt that way.

I communicate with my Hawaii `Ohana almost daily. Thank goodness for the internet. We are also so lucky that the world is smaller, and I can find good sticky rice almost anywhere. No local slippers though. I'm putting in an order cause the "flip-flops" here just aren't the same.

Enjoying the seasons greatly, and hiking in the woods filled with tall deciduous trees. I apprciate both so much more now that I had been away from them for so many years.

Missing my gorgonzola and rosemary bread at Cafe Pesto. Also, my Friday Hawaiian Plate Lunch from Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea. Yummy.

[cynthia007]

To all of my fellow adventurers and Aloha seeking spirits...put a date in front of you, make plans, and just do it. We never regret the things we do...just the things we don't do.