How bad is living in Waianae? (Nanakuli, Makaha: homes, military, safest)

[redmuse]

I've lived on Oahu almost 4 years now and have stayed away from Waianae mostly because of others warnings. Been out there a couple times and was utterly depressed at all the homeless people living on the beaches in their tents, many of them addicted to drugs. Military members have been killed out there and that's why they get warned away from it. My friend is a case worker and picked up almost all her clients from out there. Can't say what it's like to be a resident, but imo until the state actually takes genuine steps to recognize their drastic homelessness problem out there, there will always be a stigma associated with Waianae.

[timbo31958]

It is true that there are some homeless living on some beaches, but then again there are homeless in Waikiki too, as there are in Chicago, New York, LA, and on and on. So this really cant be used as an excuse not to visit Waianae. As for the Military, (I know I'll get bashed for this) I was stationd at Schofield 30+ years ago and yes Waianae had a bad reputation and we were told to stay away some didnt. It has been my experience that some not most military seem to give the impression, and have the attitude that they are better than the local people thus leading to trouble. Once you have a bad reputation it can take a very long time to change that reputation. Before moving to Waianae, we would always stay in Waikiki when on vacation. I still had the military thing in my head (stay away from Waianae) then I had the opportunity to stay in Waianae once and loved the area and people I met and thats why we bought our place and have loved it ever since. I am not saying it works for everyone but a genuine smile and sincere words go alot farther than do sour faces and ridacule (sp).

[kixette]

When we went to Oahu to visit last year we went to Waianae a couple of times. We found the best place to get a burger there (like home-made!) for about three dollars! And yes, we did notice the homeless. But unlike the homeless in Houston, the people we noticed out and about in the "tent cities" looked clean and dressed nicely and happy enough. I'm sure there is crime, isn't there crime everywhere? But I'll sure go back to the burger shack! And yes, everyone was nice, never at any time in any place on Oahu did I feel unsafe. And I went everywhere I could!

[wb3690]

A good friend of mine grew up in Waianae and still has family there......I remember all of us talking about it at a bbq one night and he told us that if we didn't belong we shouldn't go up there without someone who was from there. I think he really meant that since we were obviously not locals it could be a problem

I live on the other side of the island and honestly just don't go out there often. I think the last time I was out on the leeward coast was about 3 months ago when we went to hawaian waters and then before that it could have easily been a year.

We've never ever had any issues with anyone in Hawaii....and like others have said there are bad places and crime everywhere....you just have to be aware of your surroundings.

And as far as the military go I agree......alot of them really look down on the people they are around.....they do....but for as many of those that do that there are plenty of us who bloom where we are planted and try to appreciate and acclimate to where we are......

[dsm96792]

Originally Posted by Waianaegirl

We lived in Waianae for 6 years. We treat everyone with respect and especially the land. However, we were not treated with the same respect. We had a few neigbours that were cool with us (mainly other white families) but those born and raised there, not so much. Sometimes if you treat people with respect they will return it back to you, but not always. We wanted to hear the stories of their culture and learn why they do things, traditions, etc,etc. We tried to get along with everyone, but trying is all you can do. We had a lot of Japanese and Samoan friends, but it seemed like the Hawaiians wanted nothing to do with us, some did. But the majority did not. This is just my personal experience, doesn't mean that everyone will have the same one, but I noticed that a few people are saying that if you are nice and respectful to others they WILL treat you the same way. I'm just saying that that is not always the case. I wish it was

Need to watch who you're calling 'hawaiian'. Most people here on the west side are mixed bloods. That is a typically racist statement. Must understand that most have no Hawaiian blood in Hawaii. Seems everytime someone make trouble it is the Hawaiian at fault. Not true. You are likely to be ripped-off in Honolulu from non-hawaiians then your are from Hawaiian. And even if the Hawaiian did make trouble who can blame them. I'd sure be radical as well if someone came here and give no consideration or respect to the history of the natives. The U.S. have blatantly overthrew the Nation with guns and cannons. If you live in England, USA or other nation would you want other people coming there and deny you speaking English and told you you MUST speak only Hawaiian or get beatened? - of course not.

Fact is, Waianae is a good place to live. *Wysiwyg no matter where you live. I was born and raised in Kalihi (honolulu) for 18yrs then moved out to Makaha country for the past 32yrs. Kalihi was the worst crime-ridden place to live then and that's why we moved. In Waianae we have NEVER had any problems. You need to mind your own business and get with the community. Once you get to know the people only then will you truly understand it is like any other social community. In fact it is the BEST and with the biggest hearted people on the planet, period! Then, and only then will you understand what Waianae is really about.

In the past Waianae had the greatest football program in all the islands. It was thru this greatness that other communities disliked Waianae. NO, it was not St. Louis. St. Louis paid for the best players from other schools. Kahuku as well. Waianae's players were true home-grown kids. The State itself have always disliked Waianae simply because they lost against Waianae Seariders no matter what they threw at them. You could hear cussing, swearing (you name it) in the stands from well-known politicians, teachers, policemen, etc, etc. We have seen the violence other communities instilled at games (with their kids next to them). Yet, they were supposedly crime-free, honest citizens. I mean you would have to have been there. But they all knew that if you want to 'beef' with Waianae, the kids were game and will accept a 'scrap' anytime, anyplace. This is in their blood.

Bottomline is Waianae is a cool and tough neighborhood with huge hearts.

Levi

*wysiwyg
WhatYouSeeIsWhatYouGet

[LucasS6]

It's not real nice, no.

[mrs stevens]

I agree with the homelessness big time....My family moved to California and my mother kicked me and my children out of her home over a settlement that was mine... so anyways, I went back home for only a month, believe it or not I called every shelter everyday, all day long....I couldn't believe there was no where to go to get help for a women and children in need I mentioned to them you mean there's nothing for a single Hawaiian women and her child to go. I even called churchs for help, every where, nothing. It was unbelievable. In California a women and child can get homeless help immediately. Are they trying to kill us off like the American Indians? But you know what no matter what when you got people coming to take over Hawaii, they can never replace what we had and what people really want to see and know. It's a disgrace and shameful what the government has done for us, and all they have done so far is IGNORE US and put us on a dum T.V show called "DOG THE BOUNTY HUNTER" Showing what the results of being AMERICAN is.

[SandyEA]

Wow, maybe you should move back to California and make peace with your mother who kicked you out...just a thought....good luck to you and yours.

[mrs stevens]

Originally Posted by SandyEA

Wow, maybe you should move back to California and make peace with your mother who kicked you out...just a thought....good luck to you and yours.

yea, thanks I did.

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by dsm96792

And even if the Hawaiian did make trouble who can blame them. I'd sure be radical as well if someone came here and give no consideration or respect to the history of the natives. The U.S. have blatantly overthrew the Nation with guns and cannons. If you live in England, USA or other nation would you want other people coming there and deny you speaking English and told you you MUST speak only Hawaiian or get beatened? - of course notn politicians, teachers, policemen, etc, etc. We have seen the violence other communities instilled at games (with their kids next to them). Yet, they were supposedly crime-free, honest citizens. I mean you would have to have been there.

Wow. So it is OK for real Hawaiian's to make trouble? I don't suppose you realize that human sacrifice used to be an accepted practice not long before the "takeover". I would bet that there should be a large number of descendants of these people that are happy that human sacrifice is no longer accepted?