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Guys I am not racist or anything, Im just trying to avoid living in a area of oahu that would have me be the only white person around. If it came off bad, sorry- I am just trying to avoid a situation like moving to south central because I didnt know any better. Please dont take what I said the wrong way. Im not elitist, racist or crazy. I just want to move into a nice neighborhood. When I said what I did, I was just trying to avoid moving into a specific neighborhood that would have me be the only white dude around. I have no problem with being around other races (I have that now) - I was just told there is alot of racism in hawaii towards whites so I am trying to find a area where I wouldnt be the only one so as to minimize the risk.
So being around a lot of brown people is basically the same as moving to a place that's riddled with crime and violence? Because, you know, any place without White people is basically a ghetto. Sorry, but that's totally contradictory to your statement about not being racist and elitist.
Interesting statistic in the news today... Honolulu is rated the 7th safest American city to live in.
IOW, there is a perception of safe vs dangerous areas that is overblown, in my estimation, as long as you stick to mainstream areas. Sure, there are areas where pakalolo plantations and meth labs abound, like lower Puna, but for the most part the "civilized" areas are at least as safe as any similarly civilized areas in the country.
MUCH of the crime here, to tell the truth, is simple crimes of opportunity. Residents get lulled into making silly mistakes, because it IS so safe, like driving into a shopping center with a chainsaw in the back of the pickup. When they get back from WalMart the saw is gone. Stuff like that.
bostondano, I hear what you're saying. It'll take you a bit to learn the ropes. One: get comfortable referring to "haole" when trying to describe another superficially Caucasian person. Outside of a news broadcast, it's the usage, and is good or bad depending on the context. No one refers to "natives", but rather "locals" if speaking about home-grown Asian/Pacific Islander/mixed persons.
As melaniej65 said, Lanikai, Portlock, Kahala, Tantalus (Round Top Dr.), and upper Manoa Valley are the upper class areas near metro Honolulu. If you're coming from the greater Boston area, you're going to feel pretty packed in compared to anything out beyond the I-95. However, it's green all year long, so there will frequently be enough landscaping to block the view of your neighbors. BTW, Round Top Dr. is on a hillside. Mostly superb views, zero lawn, and lots of people driving by at all hours for vistas of the city, on their way to a make-out spot.
In any of these areas, you will definitely not be the only haole on the street, and you will probably have a non-haole neighbor. No worries. Hawaii in general doesn't have a lot of violent crime, especially where you'll be looking. Burglary is always a possibility, but as with anywhere I've lived, it's usually the older teenage boys down the street. A lot of people here don't lock all of their doors and windows, so doing that will put you points ahead.
For some pre-visit info, besides the Honolulu Star-Advertiser on-line, I'd suggest surfing to the Honolulu Board of Realtors, island of Oahu section at:
Hawaii Real Estate Central - Honolulu Board of REALTORS (http://www.hicentral.com/properties/isle.asp?isle=1&type=mls - broken link)
Once there, focus on the "Diamond Head", "Hawaii Kai", and "Kailua" links.
IMO, once you've spent the better part of a year on Oahu, you'll get accustomed to the ethnic makeup, and won't worry about how you fit in. But, if you've gotta know going in, I'd suggest going to the New York Times "Mapping America" interactive Census map, and type in the zip 96816:
Looking back on bostondano's post and replies, I'm thinking that Wailea, Kapalua, Kula, or Olinda on Maui might be more his speed, provided that he can spring for airfare to Honolulu for big city action every so often.
Instead of saying "native", try local. Just a friendly suggestion.
So he should say "Ford" when he means "Chevy"??
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Kona has lots to offer. (shameless plug)
Sorry, but that's totally contradictory to your statement about not being racist and elitist.
