Seriously want to move to Hawaii (Honolulu: moving, racism, race)

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

The "locals only" attitude is a TV commercial now. One of the labor unions has a spot which is asking why mainland people are being hired to work on a government job site when local people are available. That is the most blatant "locals only" bias I've ever seen and it was a bit edgy as well. I wouldn't be surprised to see violence against non-local workers if this economy remains so dire. Commercials like that don't help any, either. I only saw it once and while I was doing something else or I'd be able to remember more details but it was a disturbing commercial.

Right now, if someone wants to move to Hawaii, I think it would be best if they had some sort of job they would be able to bring with them. If they were able to produce something they could sell or even start up a business and hire a few local people, then moving to Hawaii would be a lot easier for them. Perhaps doing something online so they weren't dependent on finding a job in Hawaii to support themselves would be a good thing.

I agree that the commercial goes way too far. However, to their defense, this sort of thing happens on the mainland all the time between local construction companies and "out-of-state" firms.

Maybe the over-priced bid will make the local firm re-think their future pricing strategy which would also save local tax money. Recently, a Nevada road construction company won the next portion of the Saddle Road realignment, by millions of $ less on the bid.

[10,000Lakes]

Originally Posted by loveandpeace85

Hi all!

I am a 23 year old single gal who is seriously thinking about moving to hawaii from MN. Call me crazy, but I am ready.. I know I have a lot to look at and research before I make the move. But any information you could give would be great. Information such as decent places/areas to live. How great is public transportation anything to help me make my decisions. Thanks Much!

I say go for it. Being from MN myself, I can understand why you would want to, I heart MN..but the winters....uugh they are so cold and bitter. Almost soul crushing. If anything, you go check it out and move back home. It's good to get out there and see the world a little. Do you have maybe a few friends that would want to move with you, to help outwith rent etc,

good luck!!!!!

[kawika52]

Aloha again. Thanks everyone for your input. Yeah I dont think I would qualify for any tax break since we would probably only be staying in Hawaii for about 4 months during the winter. My wife has family back here she wants to keep in touch with. Even the airfare will be kind of a challenge - we cant do a round trip 4 months apart. But 2 round trips are cheaper than two one ways so we would probably come for 2 months, go back home for a couple weeks and come back again for 2 months. Im kind of hoping since my wife is filipina and we're alittle older that the young locals wouldnt be too antagonistic towards us and that might help us be accepted a little more? And since we both have pensions we would probably both just look for part time jobs. As much to help us meet people as for the money. I used to date a Hawaiian woman a few years ago, and learned a little of the language and culture from her. Her whole family was fluent in Hawaiian. I was just wondering do the locals appreciate it when you try to learn the language and customs or would they think that as a haole I should just "mind myown business"? Mahalo again for your advice. Malama pono.

[yervin torve]

thanks guys but i don't need a job. i just wanted to help the people there ( locals ) with there needs. i have everything i need and plenty to bring to sell there . i was just willing to get there 1 month early if help was needed. tom

[thrillobyte]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

No air conditioning needed on East side (Hilo area) of Big Island. You want it colder? Move up to 2,000+ feet in elevation. Many homes in the higher elevations have fireplaces...

Do you get away from the vog up in that area and elevation, and are the typical 3+2 houses affordable (200-400k)?

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by thrillobyte

Do you get away from the vog up in that area and elevation, and are the typical 3+2 houses affordable (200-400k)?

It's hard to say where the vog is or isn't. Much depends upon wind patterns and other geographical features around you. I live a couple miles East of Pahoa and have no vog at all. However, tomorrow, I guess I could have vog - who knows? The volcano could stop tomorrow, or it could increase tomorrow...
Puna District is such a large area, you really need a realtor to help you find a house.

[mark1905]

Hello everyone...

Wow. You know, I felt the need to register for the site just so that I could respond in some way to this thread.. I have to admit.

I grew up as a haole boy on Oahu (Kailua) in the mid-late 80's and early 90's going to all mixes of public and private schools. I was the oldest in a large family, so I was exposed to many levels of experiences. I ended up moving to the mainland for college, followed by 7 years in Costa Rica, and now have settled in the Orlando, FL area with plans to move back to the islands next Spring.

My take on it is this: Your experience will vary entirely across all spectrums according to your particular personality, goals, desires, family situation, and experiences. Do NOT take another persons personal experiences to be gospel because they are not you, and you are not them. Period.

As with other people noting, Bandalero's experience sounds like a rough one. I can tell that they raised children and dealt with the local job market and lifestyle extensively, and I feel for that. My own parents.. god bless them.. had one hell of a time there. They came with great jobs and personal investments, and ended up losing everything and barely making it out of there with the clothes on their back after 10 years there. How they managed to raise a family and keep us all alive and clothed and fed I will never know at times. I can completely feel these pains in Bandelero's posting.

But.. the generalizations made in that reply were just that.. complete generalizations. To say that you will never make friends here, or never be accepted, or la la la is complete rubbish and a personal point of view. That all depends on you as a person, and very much what circles of people you involve yourself in as it does anywhere. If you know how to seek out beautiful and positive people and project that yourself, you will go far as you would in any other location.

Now.. I have to say.. that.. yes.. living in Hawaii is absolutely NOTHING like living on the mainland.. for better or worse. There are massive social and economic issues on scales that you have never experienced and may shock you. New problems and logistics issues that if you are not a seasoned problem solver and survivor, you may find yourself in a serious pinch quickly. This is very true.

But again.. this all depends on you as a person and you personal goals and expectations. Personally, I have learned very much how to deal with and appreciate differences in cultures while surviving in opposing odds. Between Hawaii and Costa Rica, living in the US mainland is like Candy Land. I'm also single, relatively young (33), work for myself via a remote home office managing a national company with subordinates, and am a complete surf/water/boating/fishing/sun/beach/barefoot lifestyle addict. In my situation.. it works. I am willing to sacrifice my beautiful house here to live with a room mate and eat rice and beans if I have to just so that I can surf beautiful waves and smell plumerias every day.

Remember though.. it's not for the faint of heart. It's a challenge. It's not easy, and you will sacrifice. If you are willing to pay the price and are someone that thrives on adventure and change while having realistic expectations and goals.. then by all means.. do it. You only live once!

[Winter Hater]

I'm also from minnesota (25 years old) and I'm trying my best to figure out how the heck I can get to Hawaii. It's just difficult, low pay, high rent, hard to find work, not really afraid of a little racism or anything, but I'm no millionaire, and I have no phd or masters needed on the island. It's a pipe dream to me. But if the OP is a rich girl, and wouldn't mind dragging me with her, I wouldn't mind going through the five stages pretzel outlined.

[cynmkolohe]

Originally Posted by mark1905

Remember though.. it's not for the faint of heart. It's a challenge. It's not easy, and you will sacrifice. If you are willing to pay the price and are someone that thrives on adventure and change while having realistic expectations and goals.. then by all means.. do it. You only live once!

Another excellent contribution. There are no one-size-fits-all answers. Thank you, mark1905, for your post.

[nhzero]

Originally Posted by Bandalero

Wow! I don't even know where to begin on this subject, yet I feel an almost guttural obligation to respond here for ALL concerned. I have lived here in Hawaii now a total of five (5) different times spanning almost thirty-years (starting back to 1980), and safe to say, I love Hawaii (its land, sea, culture, music and weather), but I'm afraid Hawaii nei (Hawaii now) is NOTHING like it used to be, and its important for everyone to understand that.

Thanks for being so honest. You painted a perfect picture of Honolulu/Oahu writ large. However, you, like most other people on Oahu, forgot that there are three other major islands that do not share the same horrible condition that Oahu has intentionally constructed around them. I can tell you that the West Side of Kaua`i is VERY similar to the "Old Aloha" way of life, and I feel blessed every day I live here, with the caveat that I really wish I wasn't hemorrhaging cash, but that's another story. Aloha, and mahalo nui loa.