North East shore, Punaluu-Laie area, questions (Honolulu, Kaneohe: crimes, first time home buyer, water heater)

[danni_diver]

Hi,

I've been scouring all the threads (and internet) trying to get some info on what living on the north east coast would be like. I found all the basic info, like driving times to HNL, Costco distance, the weather (cooler, windy, rainy are all pluses for me!), but I can't really get any first hand knowledge about what living there would be like. For example how accepting are the locals of main-lander invaders, how's the beaches, it seems like there is a large reef that acts as a pretty good buffer to big waves in large sections, but I'm guessing there is still the jellyfish issue that the Windward side has to deal with. I know Laie is basically a second SLC, so closed on Sunday and no booze, but most LDS people I've met are pretty friendly and don't try to push their religion on you.

Currently, I'm living in a pretty rural part of WA state, so the mellow vibe is great with me, I'm use to long drive times to get anywhere, and I never seem to have any problems getting along with people and making new friends, but there can always be quirks to some small communities that are not well known to outsiders. Like, when I was going to school in Boston, I was surprised to learn of the alcohol problems on Cape Cod, so I'm wondering about things like that. I'm a little worried about if there are lots of bored teenagers with nothing else to do but get into trouble (translation: property crimes). I know that it's pretty sparsely populated, but you never know. Up in my area, there are pockets of communities that are devastated because of Meth and you wouldn't want to live there if you got paid to, so while I've read about drug problems more towards the south and east of the island, just want to check if there are some lesser known affected areas.

As for moving, I've read all the great responses to those questions, so I feel like I know what I need (money, more money, and mo' & mo' monies , and also all the downsides of living on the island, oh and no children so no worries about schools

Thanks for any info and sorry, that I'm not using the correct punctuation on names, but I just pulled up google maps to get the 'towns' in the area I'm interested.

[Kualoa]

Unfortunately meth or "ice" is a problem all over Oahu to varying degrees. Much like rural Washington. The NE coast is very laid back as you say. Sounds like you have done your homework and you will like the vibe. Anywhere between Kaaawa and Kahuku will work. Definately get here first and drive around before making a decesion....

[danni_diver]

Kualoa,

Thanks for the information! There are some great deals to be had on some houses up there, but you know what they say about something being to good to be true....I'm not a first time home buyer and I know that a fresh coat of paint can gloss over very expensive problems.

Anyways I've been there and liked it, but was trying to see if there was something I've missed because of my rose colored tourist glasses

[HankDfrmSD]

I live in Kailua, and so don't get there regularly, but happened to be in Kaaawa last week. I had put a "Wanted" ad on Freecycle, looking for some Raphis palms, and had a reply from someone who lived there. My wife and I visited them, and found them VERY friendly. They used to run a petting zoo, so have all sorts of livestock that we had to meet, and pet. We came back with a half dozen Raphis palms, and a bag of avocados that their son climbed up about forty feet to pick.

If you would like to talk to someone who lives there, send me a DM, and I'll ask them if I can send you their telephone number.

As I recall, they moved there from the mid-west.

Hank

[Gfoxx]

Hello,

I live in the Laie-Kahuku area & LOVE it, I wouldn't live anywhere else! I can answer some of your questions for you.

the weather (cooler, windy, rainy are all pluses for me!)

There are many different microclimates in this area. In the area where I live the microclimate is more like the leeward side of the island, it's hot & gets little rain, but it does get windy. A mile down the road from me the climate is wetter & more humid & gets less wind. You just have to investigate the area to see what microclimate suits you.

how's the beaches, it seems like there is a large reef that acts as a pretty good buffer to big waves in large sections, but I'm guessing there is still the jellyfish issue that the Windward side has to deal with.

The beach where I live between Kahuku & Laie has no reef & the water gets pretty rough in the winter. Laie has some reef as does Punaluu & Kaawa. but the water can still get rough in these areas in the winter. We do get some jellyfish.

I know Laie is basically a second SLC, so closed on Sunday and no booze, but most LDS people I've met are pretty friendly and don't try to push their religion on you.

No booze is sold in Laie but is available down the road at stores in Kahuku or Hauula. Not everything in Laie is closed on Sunday, McDonalds & the gas station are open. The grocery store a few miles down the road in Hauula is open on Sundays. No problem not being LDS in Laie, many people who live there aren't. Everyone is very friendly. I have never had any LDS come to my door to talk religion with me but the Jehovah Witnesses frequently come.

I'm a little worried about if there are lots of bored teenagers with nothing else to do but get into trouble (translation: property crimes). I know that it's pretty sparsely populated, but you never know. Up in my area, there are pockets of communities that are devastated because of Meth and you wouldn't want to live there if you got paid to, so while I've read about drug problems more towards the south and east of the island, just want to check if there are some lesser known affected areas.

Yes there are property crimes here but not as much as in the more populated areas of the island. Meth, or Ice as it is called here, is everywhere on the island.

The major downsides to living in this area are:
Kamehameha Highway (Kam Hwy): Traffic can get really bad on Kam Hwy, especially during commute times on weekday mornings & afternoon. The highway is narrow & can be dangerous until you are familiar with it. There are a lot of accidents on the highway & whenever there is an accident the highway can be closed for hours while HPD is investigating the accident. Power poles often rot & fall onto the highway & it will be closed for hours while they repair it. When there is a lot of rain the highway floods in the Punaluu & Waikane/Waiahole area & is closed.

Limited medical care: There are a few doctors, one or two dentists & eye doctors, and maybe a couple of specialists in the area. There is only one pharmacy at the grocery store in Laie. So if you need to have a prescription filled on Sunday you have to go to Kaneohe. Most people go to Kaneohe or Honolulu for their medical care. There is a small hospital in Kahuku that has an excellent emergency room but it you have anything major wrong with you they have to send you to a hospital in Honolulu.

Everything in the stores & gas is more expensive here than what it is in Kaneohe or Honolulu.

But I think living in a beautiful area close to the beach and away from urban congestion greatly outweighs the downsides of living here. If you have any more questions just ask.

[danni_diver]

Wow, this was exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much for all the valuable information!

I have recently gotten into bike riding, so the comment about narrow and twisty Kam Hwy really opened my eyes...I didn't even think about that in terms of bike riding, so I guess that past time is out the door.

Also, thanks on the microclimate heads up. I'm really going to have to do boots on the ground research on the area and the house. I dislike the idea of using a lot of AC, even though I will more then likely be getting a ton of solar panels, I do try to be green (fuel efficient cars, LED lights, etc.) and the house I'm thinking about looks like it has 3 fridges and 3 water heaters....ouch on the electric bill and ouch on the carbon footprint.

All your first hand knowledge is so great and I can't thank you enough, but I do have one question, when Kam Hwy is closed do most people just wait for it to open or do they circle around and come down from the North Shore?

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by danni_diver

I have recently gotten into bike riding, so the comment about narrow and twisty Kam Hwy really opened my eyes...I didn't even think about that in terms of bike riding, so I guess that past time is out the door.

Unfortunately, bike riding is a challenge pretty much anywhere in Hawaii - it is a very bike unfriendly state. Lots of narrow rodes and a lack of dedicated bike trails.

[Gfoxx]

I have recently gotten into bike riding, so the comment about narrow and twisty Kam Hwy really opened my eyes...I didn't even think about that in terms of bike riding, so I guess that past time is out the door.

There are a lot of bike riders on Kam Hwy on the weekends but it is too narrow for both bikes & cars so safely share the hwy. There is a 3 mile paved bike/walking path along Kam Hwy between Laie & Kahuku. It's great for walking but is way to short for serious bike riding.

I dislike the idea of using a lot of AC

I don't have AC & neither do my neighbors. Besides the cost of running AC, if you have a single wall constructed house like I do AC will not keep it cool. I work nights & sleep during the day when it is hottest. I can sleep good just by running a ceiling fan in my bedroom most of the year. In the summer I have to also run one or two floor fans. The only time I have trouble sleeping because of the heat is in July, Aug & Sept on days there are no trade winds blowing. But if you keep normal hours the heat should not be a problem for you with no AC.

One more thing, if you are looking at getting a single wall constructed house it will really heat up during the day when the sun directly hits it. The best way to keep it cool is to have lots of trees around it that will keep it shaded, especially in the afternoon.

when Kam Hwy is closed do most people just wait for it to open or do they circle around and come down from the North Shore?

It depends on if you really have to get to where you are going. If I am going to or from work & the hwy is closed I circle around & take the long way. Otherwise I wait it out.

[Kualoa]

Regarding Kam. Highway closing. It's typically only for one of two reasons. The road has washed out due to heavy rains (have a truck) or a car crash fatality (sadly too common).

[danni_diver]

Thank you guys for this great information! There is just such a surprisingly little amount of info on this section of Oahu and when you couple that with reasonably priced homes, it forces you too look for "the catch" or the hidden little dirty secret that I must be missing.

I've been trying to research the beaches in the area and have also come up with very little first hand experiences and ratings, so I'm thinking that on my trip down there I'll be forced to bring my bikini and gather the intel myself