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In 2011 I paid $433 in union dues, $2148 for the pension, $1473 health insurance. That's a total of $4054 in costs that private sector workers don't have to pay.
Sounds great to me! I am self-employed and have to pay way more than that and get less back for my money.
Sounds great to me! I am self-employed and have to pay way more than that and get less back for my money.
Really? Because we get nothing in exchange for those union dues. We're worse off than federal employees and they aren't allowed to unionize. HGEA is worthless.
The pension doesn't benefit me at all. When I cash it in once I quit, I'll have to pay extra taxes on it. Plus it's money I could have really used to pay bills. I really wish we could opt out. My health insurance is good, but in Hawaii it costs private sector employees nothing or virtually nothing.
Last edited by winkosmosis; 01-19-2012 at 07:14 PM..
You have to be prepared for some hostility on part of local Hawaiians, especially if you are of Caucasian race. Search internet for keywords such as "Racism in Hawaii" and read that info. Don't be surprised to see sign such as "House for Sale. Sorry, no whites please", especially on other islands than Oahu. If you have white children, expect them to have rough time at school, unless you can afford some expensive private schools for them. Note, their top Kamehameha private Schools are closed to non-locals. Search for Kamehameha Schools website if in doubt.
That article should be required reading for anyone thinking about moving to Hawaii. As someone who participates in the exit interview process when people leave my company to go back to the mainland I hear all the sob stories and how it wasn't like anything they anticipated.
And for all you posters - many of which who don't live in Hawaii - and then recommend, yeah - go for the move otherwise you'll regret it without understanding the harsh realities of living here I tell you this - I always end the exit interviews with this question, are you glad you did it (the move) - overwhelmingly, the answer is NO. They are now broke - blew thru all their savings - and then often had to borrow money to move back to the mainland. I more often find them bitter about the experience.
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