Hi Kaleb! I’m having someone from our real estate partner reach out to you.

You are so right! West Maui should be on a typical list of Maui highlights. I maybe got a little too focused on The affordability component and could have included affordable areas on west side. Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback. I appreciate it!

Scroll up to the top. There’s a button that you click to start the quiz.

There’s no quiz

That’s amazing! A whole year in Oahu must have been incredible! The weather here really is something special—warm, breezy, and no need for winter coats. I can’t even imagine 9 degrees… that’s a whole different world! -Kelley

I just did a quick search and the prices seem to be all over the place. My recommendation would be to call a transport service. If you fill out one of those instant quotes online, you’ll probably start getting harassed by telemarketers. Not sure if you need your specific car. You may want to consider comparing the cost of purchasing a car out on the islands rather than shipping a car here. It really depends on the reason. If it purely for transportation, you may not need the same type of car. You don’t tend to drive the distance or speed you would in other places. The 2 major shipping companies for automobiles are Pasha and Matson. It looks like Pasha doesn’t service Alaska, so maybe start with Matson.

Hey Chris – Thanks so much for catching that! You’re absolutely right about AirBnBs not being legal in Kailua or most of Oahu. I definitely used that term incorrectly in the article and have fixed it.
Just to be clear though – I actually do live in Kailua! My place in Aikahi used to be a vacation rental before the regulations changed. If you’re curious about the current short-term rental situation on Oahu, the Department of Planning and Permitting has a really helpful FAQ page that breaks it all down (https://www8.honolulu.gov/dpp/permitting/str/str-faq/). These days, short-term rentals are pretty much limited to resort areas only.
Let me know if you have any other questions!

I was just there yesterday. Love that town. Assuming you aren’t still there, any plans of returning?

Mahalo Nui Loa Join us!

I’m jealous too! Paradise ☀️

Glad you liked it. Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks for your input. Everyone has different experiences here, or probably anywhere. You may have landed in a place that isn’t ideal. My experience here on the 2 different islands I’ve lived on has been dramatically different. That said, everyone’s experience is valid and adds to the conversation. I hope you have some better aspects of living in Hawaii as well.

Great question! I’m putting a request over to one of my friends on Maui to get that feedback. Look for a Maui specific post on that in the coming weeks. Thank you!

Thanks for the additional info and your take on Hawaii Healthcare. My personal experience and that of my family here in Hawaii has been very positive. I’ve lived on both Oahu and The Big Island. That said, I can see it being difficult to manage a serious medical condition. The more specialized care tends to be on Oahu and the outer islands air lift patients or you have to do an island hop flight into Oahu for appointments. A challenge, among a few, that come with living on these remote islands in the middle of the Pacific. We’re shining light on your options out here from local resident’s perspective.

It’s sad to see. I’m not entirely sure how to handle these scenarios, but we need to do better. As you mentioned, it’s hard to help people that don’t want help or aren’t capable of receiving it. Especially when the addiction and resulting changes in the person get so far along.

There used to be seminars where they’d have slideshows of ‘This is your brain! This is your brain on drugs!” showing how much damage what once was even a modest amount of drugs in your system for long term can do and this was back in the 70s/80s drugs are MUCH stronger now and harder to get off of if you are ready to try and live a clean life. For many it literally takes an act of God to help them thru as they realize it’s impossible on their own convictions.

You look on the streets and a lot of them will continuously to pull up their pants over and over unable to do so and poop all over the place even when a public bathrooms are nearby. Eventually they too had to be locked up at night to prevent you guessed it…………vandalism!

The crime on drugs lets them out of jail before they have any treatment for addiction so they often aren’t even aware they have that problem! They are let out into the wild to roam the streets where a good chunk of the cases if caught early could be nipped in the bud before they grow too old to where it almost doesn’t matter anymore. The sad thing is usually 1 of 2 things happens. They either die in the streets or die in jail unable to care for themselves as they are that far gone.

That sounds amazing! Kauai and Molokai are such beautiful islands—perfect choices for escaping the cold Chicago winters!

Lucky we live Hawaii

That’s great Estrella! This photo was taken in Maalaea, Maui! Perfect reason for a little holoholo over to Maui ;)

Aloha Lei! Blass from the pass eh? Peter Kay on the radio – that was a long time ago. I’m still here and totally agree – there’s no place like Hawaii!

Aloha Peter, I’m Lei and I used to listen to you on the radio here in Honolulu probably on Rick Hamada’s show long ago & recently wondering where you are?Anyway,I’m a kamaaina22 living in beautiful Kailua for decades. All my siblings except 2 (out of 9) live here. We are not wealthy but learned to adapt from childhood being frugal, growing veggies and eating homegrown fruits much like today. Neighbors help and share kindness with each other. There’s no abusiveness. Most of us are of mixed ethnicity; my ‘Ohana also still live in these islands a beautiful place we call “home”. Yes it can be costly but there’s “no place like Hawaii”
Aloha…

Last but not least, I am also eligible for income-based housing assistance programs, but I use my skills and education to supplement my ssa fixed income. I am allowed to make more money, but the senior living allows me to afford the rent! I may ‘Want or need more income’, but I am eligible for many programs, food supplements and more. Right now I have retired in a ‘Senior Independent Living facility here in Maryland’, but I Am allowed to work, at least part-time. I do have a few health problems, but I am Spunky, Energetic, Outgoing, Motivated, Educated and a professional mindset-individual, with a great sense of humor and a outstanding demeanor. I believe I can make it anywhere in this world, if I can escape Tornadoes, Hurricanes and Creeping Lava :-) .

So Peter, please tell me more about the programs there, of any part of Hawaii Islands, mainlands, etc… that may fit my character, education and/or skills needed for such jobs, and living (income-based living for seniors, would be great to learn more about).

I didn’t check your Videos yet but I am about to, and thank you so much Peter for your time and for sharing this information with everyone!

(Website may still be under construction) – You may test it anyway if you like!

Glad you love it Maribel. We agree with you!

Mahalo Ruth!

Mahalo Morgan, glad you think so!

Sure Thing! Nu’uanu Stream Honolulu, Oahu, HI

I’m so sorry for your loss. It sounds like the Big Island holds a special place in your heart, and I’m glad to hear you’re planning to visit again. Thank you for your kind words. We are really excited about building our home here. It would be wonderful to meet up and share some coffee someday. Take care, and I hope your visit to the Big Island brings you peace and joy.

My late husband and I did our 25th Wedding Anniversary/Honeymoon on both Oahu then on the Big Island in Aug 2017.

The Big Island “talked” to me and we began to make plans to move there by 2020.

COVID-19 hit and Dan had two covid-related strokes then died 18 months later.

My cousin moved in with me afterwards and we’re making plans to see the Big Island sometime.

Congrats to you and your girlfriend for getting some land and building a home there!

Maybe someday we’ll get to meet up and share some coffee

Mahalo John for the kind words!

Yes that’s the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Deborah!

Mahalo for sharing!

Mahalo Nui! I really can’t adequately Express in a short message how grateful I am to get kind words like yours. This is been a really great labor of love for all of us and to come to this stage is extremely exciting. Thank you so much for all your support and yes let’s get that coffee one day

Mahalo Nui Pam! Really appreciate that!

Congratulations!

Hawaii requires its own nursing license. I also have compact license and it is not recognized in Hawaii. Go to the Hawaii BON and get the application. Aloha! Hawaii nursing is awesome.

Mahalo Corky for sharing! Great Story!

Mahalo Nancy! You really want to be a part of our Islander Ohana – get on the list as weʻre going to have a 2024 cohort. You can also get on the live show and ask your questions there!

Mahalo Heidi for the idea!

Thanks for sharing. I’m sure a lot of people including those that live here would like to know more about how you can live here on min wage

Live your life based on what you want from it

Of course you also see I have a disqualifier that is just a quiz. So it’s not some magic intelligent mind that can give you perfect answers. I work with that being said, you should at least come over for a vacation if you can.

We’ve made friends and enjoy the lifestyle immensely. I found the biggest adjustment was always thinking of family and friends in the evening when it was too late to call them. We travel internationally about twice a year, so “rock fever” has never been a problem, and the kids visit US. Yes, it’s expensive, but when you weigh the things you don’t need – warm clothes & boots, snow tires & heat – against the prices of gas, electricity, etc., things balance out pretty well. A Costco membership is a must, and a friend with a mango & papaya tree is a blessing!

Mahalo Janice! It’s like she read the headline only and decided to interpret what it meant according to her own bias. But okay.

I agree with you, Peter. There is no way that this person watched the video. Because the video actually says the opposite of what she’s thinking is being said. Some people…smh.

Glad you found it valuable!

Did you actually watch this? None of your comments were said in the video. I’d be interested in what you have to say after you actually watch it

Thank you!

Thank you for asking! The book is no longer available.

Thank you for sharing

Thank you for sharing. We too had an elderly dog. The “we’re all criminals” is a dramatization, not a statement of fact.

Mahalo Millie for sharing yours!

Mahalo for sharing! That explains why Waipahu was so crazy!

Nancy I strongly recommend you get registered with our Islander Ohana and join the next cohort. https://ohana.livinginhawaii.com/

Especially if (as it seems) you’ve already made your home purchase in Kaneohe already.

Thank you so much for sharing! Don’t let go of the dream!

Thanks for the comment Buddy! Hope to see you in person one day!

Lol yes the islanders all definitely pronounce it correctly

Mahalo for sharing Heather! Everyone has their own story and interactions and it’s great to hear yours.

You can always vacay in Hawaii!

Coming from someone as photographically talented as you that’s saying a lot!

Work visa-related employment is a real challenge. The best advice I have for you is on this page: https://www.livinginhawaii.com/how-to-find-a-job-in-hawaii/ten-steps-to-finding-a-job-in-hawaii/

Mahalo Vicki for your kind words

Mahalo for the kind words. Stay on the newsletter – you’ll make it one day!

Totally!

Thank you so much for taking the time to write out such great observations and questions. This is the wisdom of being in your golden years: you’ve been around long enough to see all the crazy allegations that have failed

What a great comment! mahalo!

Speaking from a brown man. This us not only done to white people. I whole heartedly agree with what you said except that point. Seriously “locals” grt over yourselves. You don’t own anything. It’s not your land. And wake up and educate yourselves. The state lacks fundamental education and common sense. I don’t want to say this about all the locals because there are some good ones. But most of them have jumped ship and work at the tourist destinations. If you want to get away from the tourism you’ll probably run into 1 or 2 humans who look and act like disgusting pigs. Don’t let that ruin your vacation like it did mine. Luckily there’s a lot more good than bad out there. But there seriously needs to be some education added to this state because you can see where it’s clearly lacking. Anybody who thinks they’re better or more entitled because they’ve been living somewhere longer than you have is a complete moron. For some reason this happens at a lot of beach towns all over the globe!

Thanks for sharing. I have lived in Hawaii since the 80s, gone everywhere, and never not once did I have your experience.

Thanks for sharing. There is a lot to uncover and I hope we’ll get all the facts of the matter. I would definitely like to know what the actual reason was.

I found and posted this and the other comment thank you

It seems like the updated messaging is telling people that West Maui is closed, but the rest of Maui is open for business and that’s a good thing

That’s a great idea!

Too bad they don’t spit out animal
Abuse , c’mon get real

Right on brother!

Your comment was excellent and I agree except for the ‘White Americans’ in particular feel they can go anywhere in the world because they like it or want to experience something new. How about ‘Any Americans’ who have the money and means feel they can go anywhere in the world because they like it or want to experience something new.

That’s a great idea Tom and we will do that. Hope you will participate

Your comments explain (to me) why you had those experiences. How can it be that I’ve never, ever, once had an experience like that yet I’ve lived here since the 80s?

Mahalo Nui Barbara for such kind and heartfelt words!

Thank you for your update. It is a relief to know that Heidi is safe.
With tears and prayers for the many who have lost so much. Yet with hope for the future.
May you, your family, and all your loved ones stay safe.
I plan to tune in on Friday.
God be with you.
Barbara Kamprath

I agree with the person who said #4:Hawaiians are rude sometimes. Doubtful any of them are as “Hawaiian” as they think they are..just someone whose family is from here, they were born here.. I have had so many negative experiences here, I have never, in my life experienced the same stink attitude from a collection of people. It’s usually just small things, a very snotty cashier, a blatantly rude brown person (it is what is is guys) in the line to a movie. The part that really annoys me, is when they will say “we just seem rude because you don’t understand our culture” and make it seem like your fault. We ALL know what rude behavior is. Whether we can recite King Kamehamehas birthday or not shouldn’t matter in them treating us with what they so famously claim IS their culture, and that is aloha. Aloha isn’t some big special love fest. It’s being a decent person, simple. Practice what you preach locals. Without the outside world, you would die. Nothing from the past, as far as the US making Hawaii a state involves you. PERIOD. Your land was never taken. You have been robbed of nothing. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. Hawaii has nothing other than scenery..tourism’s
ALL you got guys. White people, Japanese, Chinese have brought you everything you have.

I’m so glad to hear this content was helpful for you. It’s people like you that I have been doing this for. So many people just jump into a big move and end up having disastrous results. You however are smart! :-)

Well said! Nothing like politics to ruin a good time

Shell Stokes, my wife an I have an inter-racial, international marriage of 49-plus years. My wife was born in North Korea and lived in Busan Korea after leaving the refugee camp on Koji Island (Goejido). We were married in S. Korea in 1973 and have lived in three countries. In the United States, we have lived in Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and New York and Utah.
We have both experienced racism. I regret to say the neither of us have experienced racism from conservative individuals, rather the greatest amount of bigotry and hatred we have experienced were from far left (pseudo-progressive €” actually regressive individuals who consider themselves enlightened an d Leftist African Americans. We have found that Africans who have migrated to the United States from Africa are usually far kinder and accepting than black and white folks who consider themselves progressive.

If that’s truly your reason for coming to Hawaii – you’re probably not going to find what you’re looking for.

Well said – and these gems are like everywhere.

Yes, and that usually takes an extraordinary effort. For those of us that have made the transition – it’s well worth it!

Mahalo Tracy!

Peter, you are spot on. Just like I’ve heard it said, Hawaii’s politics are as blue as the ocean. What a shame. Rinse and repeat. I lived there twice, 7 years all told beautiful state, beautiful people but many seem to lack logical/critical thinking.

THE OVERWHELMIMG MAJORIY IN HAWAII WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT. THEY WILL MOST DEFINITELY OVERWHELMINGLY VOTE FOR BIDEN AGAIN IN ’24.

HOW DID BIDEN DESTROY YOUR DREAM?

“sight” is the correct word and I’m not going to stick with what I know is wrong

Mahalo David! You were too kind in your words and you’re absolutely right. I really really appreciate you taking the time to correct that! Fixed.

I hear you and like you I too am not happy with them changes that I’ve seen over the past 40 years. Though this article is positive, overall there is no one in Hawaii that has told more people that this place is not right for them.

This whole site is all about preserving your Tutu’s values and our way of life.

Same way you kill any other cockroach, just with more effort :-)

I would not allow myself to be interrupted and I would not surrender my views and beliefs

how would you feel if your entire life was interrupted by people who told you that your views and beliefs were wrong.

I first visited Maui and later decided on Oahu

Thanks for the kind words and don’t let go of the dream!

Good to see you commenting buddy! Glad you like it.