Moving to hawaii...top 10 tips!!!! (Honolulu: apartments, homes, buy)

[VanHa]

I was recently thinking about what advice would I give to all those who come to this forum seeking advice on moving to Hawaii....so I thought it might be time for all of you old timers to give your "TOP 10 TIPS" for those who seek to live in Paradise!

Here are my "TOP 10 Tips"....

1. Know that you are moving to a sovereign land with its own language, tradition and culture!
2. Sell as much as possible before moving to an Island...where just about everything is smaller including accommodations.
3. Things cost more here...do your budget before you get here.
4. Lineup a job early (hopefully before you end up here...living on a beach).
5. If you don't enjoy other cultures...don't come.
6. Health care and education resources are limited here.
7. Almost everthing has to be shipped in from somewhere else.
8. The Bus will get you everywhere.
9. There are rainy sides to every island.
10. Leave your parka on the mainland!

Aloha!

[KoaKine]

Aloha and welcome back VanHa

I have done all but 2 of those.

1) Sell most everything I have been married to long to be able to part with that much stuff. The only good thing is that I have weighed the cost and all the extra stuff is free to take so I guess I will have to fit it in someplace.

2) 1 of my parkas is coming along with my wife's because we had to promise our dog that we would take her up to Mauna Kea alot .

[VanHa]

koa...I knew you couldn't do without at least one parka...ha...and thanks for the welcome!

[Afishwithabike]

1. Don't expect Hawaii to be like the rest of the Mainland USA. It's not. It's not the Miami or the LA of the Pacific.
2. Visit Hawaii at least once before you move. Don't move sight unseen. Take some time off from the beach and actually go look at some apartments, homes, drive around so you can see what living conditions are like.
3. If you don't like ethnic or racial diversity then Hawaii isn't for you.
4. If you're white be prepared to be in the minority.
5. Don't talk about how great things are/were on the Mainland.
6. Talk less listen more.
7. Become familiar with local customs - leaving your shoes at the front door, never going empty handed to a party, if you're driving and you're allowed to cut in front thank the person with a hand wave, etc.
8. Be prepared for the high cost of living.
9. Be adventurous when dining. Try tako poke, ahi poke, sashimi, sushi, Vietnamese pho..you might like it.

[Jungjohann]

You forgot number eleven,,,,,,

#11. One month prior to moving to Hawaii have someone in Hawaii send you a centipede. Red, black, yellow or blue, color makes no big difference over here anyways. Don't worry about having it sent FedEx next day or priority air, those little buggers can handle a LONG time in a box or envelope... Upon recieving the centipede on the mainland, very carefully move it from the box/envelope to a larger enclosure, such as an aquarium or large glass container. Don't worry about air holes or anything of that nature, I'm sure the centipede won't mind a bit...however,,, a lid or cover is HIGHLY recommended to keep the little guy, or girl, (still not sure how you tell the difference), from running off. Keep your new guest in this enclosure for approxiamtely one week, less simply won't due, however, 10 days is permissible. During this period get to KNOW your new pal, say, "ALOHA, KAKAHIAKA", every morning to your new buddy, and have a few meaningful conversations with em... Week #2, let your new found friend out for a little spin, the bathtub or shower is quite suitable for this phase, just don't let the little fellow out of your sight... This is commonly known as the human/centipede bonding phase, which is of extreme importance in your new relationship... Week #3 or so, perhaps 18 days into the project, give your newly found family member a name, this is VERY important, after all, whats a friendship without names.. On the final week, this would be Week #4, or some 25 days, (who's really counting anyway?), let the centipede loose under your bed, and sleep comfortably, safe and secure in the knowledge that your buddy would never DREAM of doing you any harm.... that, my friends, is number 11, unless, of course, you are sent a 12 inch centipede with attitude,,,,, which can change the entire project quite a bit....hope this helps.....

aloha and, uuuurrrrpppp, scuze me, okolemaluna

[mogon]

-- Never, ever start a sentence, "Well, the way we did it in California was...."

-- After you've been here a year or so, and would like to make a suggestion, always preface it with something like "I know I'm still very malihini, but I wonder if...."

-- Keep in mind that in some places a year living there qualifies you as a long-timer; in Hawai`i it doesn't. Don't confuse the two.

-- If you see it at Longs or Walmart and need it and can afford it, buy it. It may be many more containers until the store has it again and probably at a higher price.

[PacificFlights]

And PLEASE - don't assume that anyone who is not white and has some oriental or pacific islander traits is a local Hawaiian, NOT! And if any local appearing person says or looks at you a certain way over something you said or something you did DO NOT IMMEDIATELY assume it's because of YOUR RACE! It may be because your just a plain old mainland *ss.

[tortoise31]

Originally Posted by jungjohann

you forgot number eleven,,,,,,

#11. One month prior to moving to hawaii have someone in hawaii send you a centipede. Red, black, yellow or blue, color makes no big difference over here anyways. Don't worry about having it sent fedex next day or priority air, those little buggers can handle a long time in a box or envelope... Upon recieving the centipede on the mainland, very carefully move it from the box/envelope to a larger enclosure, such as an aquarium or large glass container. Don't worry about air holes or anything of that nature, i'm sure the centipede won't mind a bit...however,,, a lid or cover is highly recommended to keep the little guy, or girl, (still not sure how you tell the difference), from running off. Keep your new guest in this enclosure for approxiamtely one week, less simply won't due, however, 10 days is permissible. During this period get to know your new pal, say, "aloha, kakahiaka", every morning to your new buddy, and have a few meaningful conversations with em... Week #2, let your new found friend out for a little spin, the bathtub or shower is quite suitable for this phase, just don't let the little fellow out of your sight... This is commonly known as the human/centipede bonding phase, which is of extreme importance in your new relationship... Week #3 or so, perhaps 18 days into the project, give your newly found family member a name, this is very important, after all, whats a friendship without names.. On the final week, this would be week #4, or some 25 days, (who's really counting anyway?), let the centipede loose under your bed, and sleep comfortably, safe and secure in the knowledge that your buddy would never dream of doing you any harm.... That, my friends, is number 11, unless, of course, you are sent a 12 inch centipede with attitude,,,,, which can change the entire project quite a bit....hope this helps.....

Aloha and, uuuurrrrpppp, scuze me, okolemaluna

roflmao!!!

[KonaKat]

"da bus" is only on Honolulu so don't count on much if any, real public transportation on the other islands.

Slow down. Prepare to wait. If you are in the "absolutely positively had to be there overnight" crowd, start now on behaviour modification.

Do not honk at people unless you're just catching their attention to wave at them. It's rude.

If looking at that big blue liquid jewel every day doesn't solve most stress, make arrangements to look at it more often for longer periods of time.

When shell gathering be sure no one is living inside of it. (really bad karma to kill a cowrie just because it would make a nice addition to your collection)

Embrace the rooster. The rooster loves you. Learn to love the rooster.

[xstonedrocker]

i have my version for a list

1... get a cosco card


2 get directions to walmart

3.. get local paper for food ads and buy whats on special

4 find swap meet or local food produce markets

5 only shop with 100 bucs

6..read all tourist mags and other local mags for all the best deals ...

7..by 7 t shirts at swap meet for 20 bucs

8..live without an air conditioner

9..visit stores thast have a air conditioner but dont take money with you

10 buy local ...thats a hard challenge

i hate this one ...buy food lol at the fast food joints if you are carefull buy their food window ads as a comeone ...

need a bath try the ocean

its endless how you can save money in paradise


xstonedrocker