Big Island Move (Waipio, Pahoa: credit card, loans, home)

[sbradley86]

I have been visiting this site on and off for about 10 months. During this time I've seen many "I'm thinking about making the move" posts, one being my own. Each post has a few differences, most with the same underlying idea. "How can I make this work? What should I expect? Will racism affect me?" and so forth. I have asked for quite a bit of advice in my time, however I've always enjoyed hearing peoples experiences and taking what I need from their perspective throughout the experience itself. That said, I'll share my experience of heading off to the Big Island.

My plan was what most of the regular posters on this site will cringe at. Basically, to leave the mainland and do what I could with what I had, which was about 500 bucks and a duffel bag.

I went to Hawaii with a dash of help from an organization that offers contact information for organic farms around the world. I had contacted many farms, received some answers, and finally decided on a farm in Kapoho which is on the eastern side of the Big Island. From what I understood, most of my food would be available right off the land, for free, from the farm I was working for. Plus a few extras like rice and lentils that the land owner would provide.

My first mistake was putting trust in someone whom I had never met and had no one to vouch for. While these things we're provided, it was minimal and I was made to feel rotten just for getting some food. I want to stress that this was a farm specific issue. There were many farms all in the same area that had better setups for keeping their workers fed. I just enjoyed the challenge and didn't mind dropping a few pounds.

Trips to Pahoa were always excellent for me. There is definitely some interesting locals who clearly don't care for haole. I got evil eyes - this that and the other. Thing is I'm kind of a big guy so I didn't run into much trouble. Well, that's what I chalked it up to, maybe I was just lucky. Who knows. As far as racism as a whole, if someone doesn't like you before they even meet you, there is not much you can do about it. Just have some composure and know that soon enough they will be in your past, a distant memory. The worst possible thing you can do is react and make the situation escalate. I've yet to see someone just walk up to someone else and start pounding on them just because they aren't the agressor's prefered race.

I was able to make my way around the whole island, stopping and checking out some amazing spots. I recommend to anyone visiting or moving to the Big Island to check out Waipio Valley, Makalawena Beach, Green Sands Beach, and Kahena Beach. There are tons more, but my personal experience urges me to specify these spots!

I made the choice to leave the Big Island after just over three months. This is not a bad thing however. I am actually planning my real move back their within the next year. I was lucky to have purchased a return ticket (just in case, right?). This way I can come back to the mainland and plan my actual move properly.

Overall the experience was incredible. My humble opinion is that most people live within too many self built/society built walls. I can't tell any one person they will or will not succeed. Who knows, but isn't that the fun part? With life being such a mystery to everyone, my advice is not to let any individuals opinion sway you in any direction. Make up your own mind and feel good about your decision. It's smart to ask questions, it's dumb to let the answers to those questions, form an answer for you.

There is a lot of opportunity on the Big Island specifically, that doesn't involve needing incredible amounts of money to survive. Yes, I will bring a significant amount more than 500 dollars this next time. But for someone like myself, significant is maybe 5,000. It is possible to survive with less, as long as you are prepared to live the lifestyle. Mine will not be conventional to say the least.


This is a sloppy post, sort of all over the place, but I hope it helps someone out!

[cynmkolohe]

Thanks for the post! Happy to know that you enjoyed your time on the island. It is always good to hear someone present the ups and downs of their experiences with a sense of calm and balance!

[hotzcatz]

Good post, Sbradley86! Nice to see something from someone who walked the walk, as it were.

Many times it seems the folks inquiring about moving to Hawaii are planning on continuing the same lifestyle as they are experiencing on the mainland. Generally those are the folks who will need a lot of money and resources if they hope to continue the same lifestyle over here. You seem to have found the exact other end of the scale, however, one hopes for a happy medium somewhere in between perhaps? Still, it is a good thing different folks like different things or just think of the balut shortage there would be!

[sbradley86]

I'd also like to say thank you cynmkolohe and hotzcatz. Both of you gave me advice that I took to heart. I would have been in much worse shape without your honest advice! Thank you!!

[SandyEA]

With life being such a mystery to everyone, my advice is not to let any individuals opinion sway you in any direction. Make up your own mind and feel good about your decision. It's smart to ask questions, it's dumb to let the answers to those questions, form an answer for you.

Great advice...thank-you.

[hotzcatz]

Gee, you're welcome, Sbradley86! <blush!> Glad to be of help.

Let us know about your further adventures, it is always nice to see new and creative ways.

[leavingcali]

Fantasic post! Just out of curiosity, why did you leave after 3 months?

Originally Posted by sbradley86

I have been visiting this site on and off for about 10 months. During this time I've seen many "I'm thinking about making the move" posts, one being my own. Each post has a few differences, most with the same underlying idea. "How can I make this work? What should I expect? Will racism affect me?" and so forth. I have asked for quite a bit of advice in my time, however I've always enjoyed hearing peoples experiences and taking what I need from their perspective throughout the experience itself. That said, I'll share my experience of heading off to the Big Island.

My plan was what most of the regular posters on this site will cringe at. Basically, to leave the mainland and do what I could with what I had, which was about 500 bucks and a duffel bag.

I went to Hawaii with a dash of help from an organization that offers contact information for organic farms around the world. I had contacted many farms, received some answers, and finally decided on a farm in Kapoho which is on the eastern side of the Big Island. From what I understood, most of my food would be available right off the land, for free, from the farm I was working for. Plus a few extras like rice and lentils that the land owner would provide.

My first mistake was putting trust in someone whom I had never met and had no one to vouch for. While these things we're provided, it was minimal and I was made to feel rotten just for getting some food. I want to stress that this was a farm specific issue. There were many farms all in the same area that had better setups for keeping their workers fed. I just enjoyed the challenge and didn't mind dropping a few pounds.

Trips to Pahoa were always excellent for me. There is definitely some interesting locals who clearly don't care for haole. I got evil eyes - this that and the other. Thing is I'm kind of a big guy so I didn't run into much trouble. Well, that's what I chalked it up to, maybe I was just lucky. Who knows. As far as racism as a whole, if someone doesn't like you before they even meet you, there is not much you can do about it. Just have some composure and know that soon enough they will be in your past, a distant memory. The worst possible thing you can do is react and make the situation escalate. I've yet to see someone just walk up to someone else and start pounding on them just because they aren't the agressor's prefered race.

I was able to make my way around the whole island, stopping and checking out some amazing spots. I recommend to anyone visiting or moving to the Big Island to check out Waipio Valley, Makalawena Beach, Green Sands Beach, and Kahena Beach. There are tons more, but my personal experience urges me to specify these spots!

I made the choice to leave the Big Island after just over three months. This is not a bad thing however. I am actually planning my real move back their within the next year. I was lucky to have purchased a return ticket (just in case, right?). This way I can come back to the mainland and plan my actual move properly.

Overall the experience was incredible. My humble opinion is that most people live within too many self built/society built walls. I can't tell any one person they will or will not succeed. Who knows, but isn't that the fun part? With life being such a mystery to everyone, my advice is not to let any individuals opinion sway you in any direction. Make up your own mind and feel good about your decision. It's smart to ask questions, it's dumb to let the answers to those questions, form an answer for you.

There is a lot of opportunity on the Big Island specifically, that doesn't involve needing incredible amounts of money to survive. Yes, I will bring a significant amount more than 500 dollars this next time. But for someone like myself, significant is maybe 5,000. It is possible to survive with less, as long as you are prepared to live the lifestyle. Mine will not be conventional to say the least.


This is a sloppy post, sort of all over the place, but I hope it helps someone out!

[sbradley86]

Getting the small amount of debt that I have paid off, so I can live the farm life without it hanging over my head.

[leavingcali]

Originally Posted by sbradley86

Getting the small amount of debt that I have paid off, so I can live the farm life without it hanging over my head.

That's a great reason! I hate debt--we're out of credit card debit and own our cards, but my students loans will be hanging over my head for years. I think it was worth the education though...

Good luck to you! I hope you get back to the islands soon.

[bamasandman]

Thank you sbradley86 for the wonderful post, it really hit home since I have been considering the organic farm WOOF experience. I have visited the islands numerous times and the Pahoa area always draws me in. My friends and family feel that I am crazy to want to leave a corporate position to go and live off the land, so to speak. Unless this economy takes a dramatic upturn shortly I think my corporate position will be over and then perhaps I can come to the islands for months. My family has talked me into at least buying that round trip ticket like you did just in case.Thanks again and a BIG THANKS to all the regular posters on this forum for all of your contributions.