What does food really cost in Hawaii? (salaries, cabinets)

[Ruth_Morales]

I am from Hawaii. Born and raised, just relocated so that I am able to travel a bit cheaper.

Foodland was my favorite store, and it is a great "Local" person store but you have to shop about the third week of the month to get the best deals. The welfare system is great in Hawaii, as it is most places, with food stamps for military and locals so the stores all take advantage of the ability to purchase at the first of the month. Try to shop later in the month you will get the best deals and prices.

Gas is at approximately $3.00 a gallon for regular. Costco is the best buy on the island unless you want to travel to Maili or Nanakuli side, the beaches there are the best but I do not recommend it for most "Haole" or White people. People are friendly there but will eye you suspiciously.

Local food spots are Chuns in Haleiwa, also Konos as well. Helemano also has a great all you can eat place provided for by the developmentally challenged and the food is absolutely fantastic. Kailua has some really great spots to eat all over the place. Best to seek out the small hard to find places. There are many in honolulu just off of Nimitz Highways local spots that serve breakfast for $2.00 and it is good. They have all the regular places but I think Costco pizza beats most Pizza Places unless it is Papa Johns. The malls are great I prefer Pearl Ridge more than Ala Moana.

If you want a beach for families I suggest Ala Moana Beach park. It has a Lagoon (Magic Island) and the reef keeps you from becoming fish bait. If not Sharks Cove, and Waimanalo Beach Park are great for scuba diving, surfing, and such.

Anything else E-mail me at Warring4Him@yahoo.com

Take care and enjoy!

[Brav989]

Are there even any places on Oahu that rent out for $800?

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by Brav989

Are there even any places on Oahu that rent out for $800?

That little grass shack?
just kidding but you make a good point. we've decided to let the *kids* go out first and if they settle in ok, check it out ourselves. They're going to the Big Island however.

I have some real concerns about what they think they're going to find in Puna. They have four sons 14 mos. to 14 years and are 40ish themselves.
I try to stay positive but what grandma wouldn't be concerned when she hears about lava danger and one lousy road in and out. Someone please reassure me!

As I read everyone's helpful comments, some which don't really relate to me directly, I honestly can't see myself there permanently. Maybe Maui but we probably can afford that even less. The inter-island fare is more than from Hono. for one thing and work is probably more scarce?
We're now thinking to just move West so that while no cheaper, the flights to the Islands won't be so grueling on me. I just can't do 15 hours and racing to make a connection.
I think my husband has to work a few more years and then we can consider retirement.

[Brav989]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

That little grass shack?
just kidding but you make a good point. we've decided to let the *kids* go out first and if they settle in ok, check it out ourselves. They're going to the Big Island however.

I have some real concerns about what they think they're going to find in Puna. They have four sons 14 mos. to 14 years and are 40ish themselves.
I try to stay positive but what grandma wouldn't be concerned when she hears about lava danger and one lousy road in and out. Someone please reassure me!

As I read everyone's helpful comments, some which don't really relate to me directly, I honestly can't see myself there permanently. Maybe Maui but we probably can afford that even less. The inter-island fare is more than from Hono. for one thing and work is probably more scarce?
We're now thinking to just move West so that while no cheaper, the flights to the Islands won't be so grueling on me. I just can't do 15 hours and racing to make a connection.
I think my husband has to work a few more years and then we can consider retirement.

Well, the one road in and out is paved and is 55mph. However, it is only one lane in each direction. I really don't think people fear having lava come on top of them, though it is very possible for it to happen. It's just a very rural quiet life out there. Though, most of the roads in the residential areas (from what I saw) were either red clay or gravel. Gives you a middle of no where feeling.

As for work, I guess it depends what he does. I can't verify wages but I never saw jobs that paid minimum wage. Pretty sure burger flippers at mcdonalds start at $10/hr

[dimsum]

minimum wage in hawaii is $7.25 an hour....wow that's gone up! when I had a minimum wage job (over a decade ago) minimum wage was $5.25 i think...


the cost of living in hawaii is expensive...if you can do without, then great. You'll make it. a $2000 budget is do-able if you can live without...

You can make it on oahu with public transportation but will likely still need a car every now and then. I don't live on oahu any more (Kauai now) but here, gas at costco is $3.38 a gallon for regular. at the regular gas stations it's at least 10 cents more....

Finding a place to rent for $800 seems difficult unless you are only looking at a studio--which at that price will likely be in an inconvenient location. The closer to downtown, waikiki (business areas in town) you live, the more expensive it gets.

Electricity is expensive. I live on an outer island so it's more expensive for me but fora 3bd 2.5 bath I pay $130-$135 a month. I don't have an AC, I do have a washer and dryer (not allowed to hang laundry in my community...go figure!) and i have all energy efficient appliances/CFL's etc....

In hawaii, having AC is a luxury. I think the only time you really need it is when the Kona winds hit...bleh! other than that, enjoy the fresh air!

I'm sure you'll do fine...just adapt. It might not be a luxurious life but we all do what we can to "make it."


oh and I know you mentioned you don't use conventional medicine, but if you did, we have a pretty good public health system. here's the poverty guidelines.... http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07poverty.shtml

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by Brav989

Well, the one road in and out is paved and is 55mph. However, it is only one lane in each direction. I really don't think people fear having lava come on top of them, though it is very possible for it to happen. It's just a very rural quiet life out there. Though, most of the roads in the residential areas (from what I saw) were either red clay or gravel. Gives you a middle of no where feeling.

As for work, I guess it depends what he does. I can't verify wages but I never saw jobs that paid minimum wage. Pretty sure burger flippers at mcdonalds start at $10/hr

very highly skilled carpentry and other building/remodling work.

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by dimsum

minimum wage in hawaii is $7.25 an hour....wow that's gone up! when I had a minimum wage job (over a decade ago) minimum wage was $5.25 i think...



Finding a place to rent for $800 seems difficult unless you are only looking at a studio--which at that price will likely be in an inconvenient location. The closer to downtown, waikiki (business areas in town) you live, the more expensive it gets.

Electricity is expensive. I live on an outer island so it's more expensive for me but fora 3bd 2.5 bath I pay $130-$135 a month. I don't have an AC, I do have a washer and dryer (not allowed to hang laundry in my community...go figure!) and i have all energy efficient appliances/CFL's etc....

In hawaii, having AC is a luxury. I think the only time you really need it is when the Kona winds hit...bleh! other than that, enjoy the fresh air!

I'm sure you'll do fine...just adapt. It might not be a luxurious life but we all do what we can to "make it."


oh and I know you mentioned you don't use conventional medicine, but if you did, we have a pretty good public health system. here's the poverty guidelines.... http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/07poverty.shtml

well people in NY,NY do the studio thing all the time as a trade off and they don't have the great outdoors. elect. here in FL would be the same at least because people here would die before they did without a/c. Orlando is one of the hottest spots (outside the desert)
in the US and you don't want to visit Mickey without being able to go back to a nice a/c room or house.

Oh! min. wage here is 6.75 so that translates to $20 less a week with only rent being somewhat lower. We're catching up because the high foreclosure rate is driving up rent prices.

Got news for all those people out there who think everyone here has health ins. We can't afford it! Several years ago, my husband was making $12/hr in customer svc. That was very good for the time and place but the bank (one of the majors) charged employees over $300/mo for a family plan and we just couldn't swing it without doing without other things. That's when I got out of the allopathic mentality. I actually felt healthier w/o routine care.
Thanks for your encouraging words, you GET IT

[dimsum]

You're telling me! health ins is big bucks. I pay almost $400/mo for my family plan....

In my previous job, a family plan was $68x.xx....just to covera dependent was $337 a month!

For myself and my family though, it's a necessary evil...we make too much for any kind of assistance and not enough to really live...but hey...we're happy and healthy so that's all that counts.

[Brav989]

Originally Posted by jessiesma

very highly skilled carpentry and other building/remodling work.

If he's a skilled carpenter I'm fairly certain he'll get work, or even just contract himself out.

[jessiesma]

Originally Posted by Brav989

If he's a skilled carpenter I'm fairly certain he'll get work, or even just contract himself out.

he doesn't want to work for someone else, he's working for himself on the mainland in an area that NEEDS lots of rehab. They think he'll get $5/hr. more on Hawai'i. Does that sound reasonable?