Teaching in Waianae... or Honolulu?? (Nanakuli, Kailua: fit in, rental, teaching jobs)

[QuartB]

Hello!
A friend and I are planning on moving to Oahu (summer 07) to teach in an elementary school. Because we are coming from the mainland, they are only willing to offer us teaching jobs in Waianae. They told us that it was safe as long as we "were never in the wrong place at the wrong time." Would it be a huge mistake for two 23 year old girls (from suburban Pennsylvania) living alone to move there?! I appreciate any info you can give on the area.

Also... if there was a chance to get into a school in Honolulu, that is what I will try to do. Am I right to think we will fit in and be safer in Honolulu?!

Is there any other place on the island you would recommend living and working?

[Steve40th]

That area is not white person friendly. I dont care what anyone says. You will not fit in, and it is pretty dumpy over there. I have friends that live over there, and they dont feel comfortable, even in the nicer (say more expensive areas). Your daughters will hate it. Honolulu is a much better place to live. Dont kid yourself about living there in Waianae, it has been getting better, but its not. The drive from there to Honolulu is long also.
Work somewhere else, Mililani, Kapeole, EWA etc etc if you cant get into Honolulu.
My 16 year old hated this island when she first got here, and after about a year, she finally likes it. I am talking the food, people(this is ASIA), and you are a minority if you are not Hawaiian, and some let you know it.
ALoha

[TERRIE]

I Would Talk My Worst Enemy Out Of Waianae....to Bad Too, Cuz The Beaches Are Beautiful...makes You Wonder Why They Will Only Let You Teach In That Area? That Should Tell You Something...hawaii Will Be A Big Change Coming From Back East

[cyprus]

I lived on Oahu for 14 years. My advice?Waianae = very, very bad idea for you. I hope you listen to the 3 of us who have answered so far. Lots of locals hate haoles (and I'm just not talking Waianae here). Even if Waianae was safe, yes it's a loooong drive to Honolulu - boring, too.

[QuartB]

Thank you all for your advice! I have decided definitely not to take a job in Waianae. The reason they were offering only in that area is because they hire people that graduate from the universities in Hawaii before people from the mainland. I am still going to try for a job in Honolulu if there are any openings after they hire all candidates from Hawaii. If there is a job available for me, do you have any advice on where would be a good place to live in the Honolulu area? Thanks for your help!

[Elder_Shawn]

My brother and I are half white and half Korean so we look somewhat Hawaiian...and I felt uncomfortable for the week we spent there on vacation. My wife who is Howlee had looks of admiration from the men, but looks of disgust from the ladies of Waianae. You made a good choice!

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by QuartB

Thank you all for your advice! I have decided definitely not to take a job in Waianae. The reason they were offering only in that area is because they hire people that graduate from the universities in Hawaii before people from the mainland. I am still going to try for a job in Honolulu if there are any openings after they hire all candidates from Hawaii. If there is a job available for me, do you have any advice on where would be a good place to live in the Honolulu area? Thanks for your help!

In terms of where to live in the Honolulu area, much of it depends on where your job is located. Hawai'i Kai, Kahala, Diamond Head, Kailua, Kane'ohe, Lanikai, Nu'uanu, Manoa, Wai'alae are all pretty good places to live.

Originally Posted by Elder_Shawn

My brother and I are half white and half Korean so we look somewhat Hawaiian...and I felt uncomfortable for the week we spent there on vacation. My wife who is Howlee had looks of admiration from the men, but looks of disgust from the ladies of Waianae. You made a good choice!

While you might've looked somewhat "local", it's unlikely that you and your brother looked kanaka maoli (unless you both have a "permanent suntan" and weigh over 250 lbs.). Some of my relatives live in Wai'anae and I can't recommend it as a vacation spot or as a place to move to. Despite its physical beauty, West O'ahu is one of the most economically-depressed areas in the entire state.

[pj737]

Good move to stay out of Waianae. I purchased a place in Nanakuli as a long term rental - but sold it after 1 year. I just couldn't stand the people out there. I'm local to the islands, born and raised. And I am a dark-skinned part asian part white (haole), known as a "hapa" so I look very, very local. I never get bothered by anyone out there (they think I'm part Hawaiian), but the people are generally disrespectful in their day-to-day living. They blast their music like they are sharing it with the whole neighborhood, "peel out" in their cars and do all kinds of immature stupid stuff you would only expect the wrong kids to do - but these are adults! And my girlfriend wanted to call social services on several occasions. The parents out there shouldn't be having ANY children. Welfare receipients every corner you look. It's horrible.

But Honolulu is HUGE. And there are bad pockets everywhere. For example, Salt Lake (which has a high density of military) can be a nice neighborhood, or very, very ghetto. Same goes for Kalihi (which is also in Honolulu). Even "ideal" communities near or in the urban core such as Makiki, Nuuanu, Punchbowl, Kakaako, Moilili, Downtown, Kaimuki, Kapahulu and Waikiki can have bad pockets, but these are generally good areas to live. Hawaii Kai is nice but it's a long drive and not convenient (I grew up there) if you're a city person. Same goes for Mililani - nice community but the drive is horrible - much worse than that from Hawaii Kai. I would say the best suburban areas are Niu Valley and Aina Haina (just far enough away from the city but a short 15 minute drive). I currently live in Punahou, which is technically in the Makiki area, and it's great. Got some slummy people living next to me but it's a nice mix, and the people aren't disrepectful like they are in Waianae, Nanakuli and Makaha. Ewa is a mix of old (90% of new development is out there) and new but my personal opinion is that it's not a nice place to live. It could be the worst place on the island to live if you commute, it's under a major flying zone for commercial airplanes, and it's hot as heck out there (it's like a desert). You could have great neighbors or horrible ones. And then there is Kapolei. Generally nice neighborhood, but the commute to town is HORRIBLE. Just my opinion here...

[QuartB]

Thank you for all of your help! I will definitely look into all of the recommended places to live. And stay away from the bad! Thanks again!

[Elder_Shawn]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

While you might've looked somewhat "local", it's unlikely that you and your brother looked kanaka maoli (unless you both have a "permanent suntan" and weigh over 250 lbs.).

Well were are both more than 250 lbs very tan, hadn't shaved in a 3-4 days, and hadn't been to work in 3 weeks, so I didn't feel all that out of place.