life on maui (Kahului, Kihei: apartments, renting, crime)

[georgiabelle]

I would appreciate some information regarding people living on S.S.I.
in Hawaii, I understand that maybe you can get food stamps to make
up difference with the cost of living is this true?
And how about life and the quality or lack of living in Kihei?
Any information would be appreciated as I am disabled and living on
S.S.I. and thinking about moving into the new apartments being built
called Ehiku.
Thank you

[hotzcatz]

Have you looked into the medical facilities on Maui? Will those be adequate for your needs?

Haven't a clue about food stamps. Have you tried calling and asking the food stamp people? They'd be the ones to give you a definitive answer.

[Calico Salsa]

Food stamps alone will never fully make up for the cost of living. But if you qualify, they will help some.

Judging the quality of life anywhere means comparing it to your needs and expectations. You say you are disabled - in what way? If you are fully dependent on a wheelchair, life on Maui isn't going to be as easy as some other places. There is some ramping of the sidewalks - where there are sidewalks - and the buses now have (some?) wheelchair access. But the beaches don't, and there might be more natural debris in your way than in other areas.

But then again, you probably won't have as much crime to contend with either.

hotcatz raises a very good question about medical facilities. Kihei has a Kaiser clinic branch, but only for some treatments and procedures. There are other clinics too, but most need to go up to Kahului for anything out of the easy treatable range. We have the Maui Bus, but you need to check into the access to what you need.

Look at Craig's List to see about the cost of renting.

[KoaHawaii]

if i were you id look into oahu as medical facilities will be greater there, not only are there more but you'll have better facilities in general with the volume of people living in honolulu. i read another post you had about having back problems and so you were either in a wheelchair or disabled and needed med facilities. you can still find places outside of honolulu that are less crowded but still close to good hospitals and such. whereas on the other islands you're going to be more limited. just my two cents