Moving to hawaii...top 10 tips!!!! (hotels, to buy, living)

[sskkc]

Your lists made me smile... my dh was born in Hawaii. He's a great big Swedish looking guy. He lived there for the first 8 years of his life, but had to go back every year for the summer and winter breaks for visitation and was never so happy as when he got to leave. His father also grew up there and likes to speak pidgin... I don't get it. Half the time I can't understand him when he's in full Hawaiian mode.

When my dh was in the Navy, we had an option to move to Hawaii for a few years. It sounded like great fun, but then it was explained to me that time has no purpose in Hawaii. If you live by (and love) the clock as I do, then you'll be unhappy.

If you enjoy wearing shoes other than flip flops (I don't like flip flops), you won't be happy - dh got his first pair of shoes at the age of 8, after moving to the mainland.

And of course, if you think the bugs and humidity in Florida are bad, then Hawaii is not the place for you.

I also have two cats that I think would've been desparately unhappy in quarantine, even for just a couple days - this was the final, deciding factor.

A friend of mine moved there in the spring, her dh is in the military. I warned her, and my dh pulled hers aside and talked to him... but they had visions of living on the beach, wearing their swimsuits everywhere, etc. Someone else told them that groceries are not REALLY as expensive as everyone says and we couldn't remove the stars from their eyes.

They also didn't listen to my preparedness warnings. Their dog spent 3 weeks in quarantine before they were able to book him a flight home - by that time he had been bitten by another dog and gotten flesh-eating parasites... her parents had him put down when he arrived back on the mainland out of pity for that poor 13 year old dog.

They spent 9 weeks in temp quarters before finding something that fit their budget (9 weeks, 3 kids plus the two of them, one room). They now have a "giant" 1100 sq ft townhouse on base. They had to get rid of most of their furniture. The stuff that didn't mildew beyond all hope in storage didn't fit through the front door (she was a fan of oversized furniture). A lot of her other stuff was ruined too - she's regretting bringing her Grandmother's antique quilts and she had to get rid of several board games, books, etc.

She spends a lot of time complaining on FB "If she'd only known"... but she was told, she just didn't listen/believe it could really be that "bad" (relatively speaking, for control freaks such as ourselves).

[mogon]

Originally Posted by sskkc

I also have two cats that I think would've been desparately unhappy in quarantine, even for just a couple days - this was the final, deciding factor.

Fortunately, the quarantine can now be done on the mainland in the pet's familiar quarters.

Sounds like your friend a) didn't do appropriate research, and b) chose not to believe what she did find out.

And yes, mildew is one of those things (along with centipedes) that someday I want to ask God, "What were You thinking?!?"

[denge938]

It sounded like great fun, but then it was explained to me that time has no purpose in Hawaii.

That is my favorite part of living here!

[Juan Hau-Lee]

Just a few...

Da kine: Whatchamacall it, whoshewhatsits "You know, da kine... Kimo!" Does not mean 'the best'
Slipper: open footwear, slaps, (multi use item- bug swatter, kid swatter, etc...)
Mauka: Direction, towards the mountains "Da kine stay mauka side da street"
Makai: Direction, towards the ocean (above)
Stay: Used for 'is' 'is at' 'are' location, etc. "Where you stay?"
One: Used in place of 'a' "What you think I am, one Bank?"
Kimchee: Spicy Korean cabbage, also -trouble- "Braddah in deep kimchee wit dat titta"
Titta: Rough local girl, (just about all of them when mad, the inner titta comes out!)
Pau: Done, finished. "Pau hana!" finished with work for the day
Haole: People of the Caucausion persuasion - good or bad, right or wrong, it just IS and everyone here knows it. (word of warning- if preceded by the word "F#&KIN"... it's TIME TO LEAVE!!

Whatever anybody says, don't try and speak pidgin unless you grew up here, you sound...embarassing. But it helps to to understand it.

[hothulamaui]

Whatever anybody says, don't try and speak pidgin unless you grew up here, you sound...embarassing. But it helps to to understand it.[/quote]

so true it is kinda like faking a british accent. it just doesn't fly. haole's sound really stupid trying.

[kawika52]

Aloha everyone. Ive been reading all the pointers. Some good ones that I would never have thought of. Im thinking of moving to Hawaii (part time) in the next couple years. So any other tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I will be a retired state worker and my wife is a filipina RN. My wife doesnt want to move there full time because of family here. We both like Kauai and are thinking of renting a place our first visit and look around to see if we can find a good deal on a small condo. We are both thinking of working part time, both for the money and to help us meet people. I have a friend in the USDA who might be able to help me get something part time with them. Ive been to Hawaii 6 times so far and used to date a Hawaiian lady who was fluent in the language and taught & judged hula. I enjoyed learning some of the culture from her. Hope to hear back from some of you! Malama pono...

[Jenderfly]

I'm moving on Monday the 16th to Oahu. I am starting classes at UH Manoa in January. I was wondering if the general attitude toward a haole coming for school was different than those who move just for pleasure. It's probably dependent on the individual, I'd think... I love Asian foods, love learning new ways of life and really can't wait for an entirely different outlook on life. But, I don't want to be wearing rose colored glasses, ya know!~

I also need to find a job, I've got plenty of service industry experience and hopefully expect it to be fairly easy... Any advice? I'm planning on going to resorts and the like, but I don't know if they were hit as hard as restaurants here by the recession.

I have a cat and have spent tons of money getting him ready to bypass quarantine, and I'm planning on shipping my car in a container. When I'm ready to leave--assuming I want to after graduating!--do cars recently shipped from the mainland sell for more than a typical 'island beater?' I'd think that a good car would be welcome but also maybe they don't want our leftover cars?! lol

Just trying to get some perspective...

[Alohikea]

The hotels/resorts have been hit harder than the restaurants I think. I think you are going to have a hard time finding jobs as the people who live there will be already fighting to get them.
Good luck and hope all goes well.

[PacificFlights]

Very few care why you came to Hawaii (after all it shows how much more desirable Hawaii is than the mainland) so long as you don't act like where you came from was gods gift to the earth. If you accept Hawaii for what she is, and her ways, you'll do fine. But, if all you do is complain or act like your smarter or better than the residents, trouble will follow.

Everyone who comes to Hawaii expecting a travel channel experience is coming with rose-colored glasses. Unless you’re living the tourist life, Hawaii can be just as, or even harder than the mainland.Jobs, yikes. You should be able to find something, even if its just gutting fish in the backroom of a restaurant (and be happy you got that job). Don't expect hotels to be eagerly hiring since some have let workers go. Right now there are probably 500 applicants for every food service job available. Hawaii is just like every other place hit by the recession. Just remember, tourism is her number one industry. When that's hurting, the effects trickle down like Niagara Falls.

Cars, nobody gives a hoot about what type or condition your car is in. A 1985 Toyota Tacoma is just as desirable as a 2008 Cadillac. In 1 year it will be a rust bucket so people don't care or spend extra money on a disappearing asset.

[SkyBob]

Originally Posted by PacificFlights

Cars, nobody gives a hoot about what type or condition your car is in. A 1985 Toyota Tacoma is just as desirable as a 2008 Cadillac. In 1 year it will be a rust bucket so people don't care or spend extra money on a disappearing asset.

I understand the point you're making but I feel this overwhelming need to point out that Toyota Tacomas were not manufactured in 1985.