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.

How so?

This article is rubbish!

Curious if that “respect for old people” thing applies to White people. Doesn’t sound like it. I’m also mixed. I’m half-Arab, and I hope that doesn’t give me any bonus points or favoritism. Being mixed doesn’t mean that you can’t be racist against one of your mixes. Respect is earned; I doubt you respect an old racist White southerner who rants about the brown people… but that’s you right now on the other side of the same coin.
Are you interpreting “them” as Hawaiians? No. I thought that it was clear that I meant the people who hate me for my race and stereotype my attitude.
“Hawaii belongs to the Hawaiian people and not mainlanders.” Okay, can I be racist against Hawaiians/Asians/Polynesians here on the mainland? I don’t want to. I just want the same respect reciprocated. But I guess that’s my CAUCASITY showing and me being all entitled and White.

Mahalo Pam for your continued engagement. People learn about what Hawaii is really all about one way or another. There’s an easy way, and the hard way, but either way, the learning will be completed.

Tutu, thank you, I am complete agreement with you. Do you live here in Hawaii, if so on which island?

Dylan, mainland attitudes and your state laws don’t apply here. On this island being disrespectful will cause you a LOT OF PROBLEMS. You could even find your house burned down. I have seen it. The police will not be on your side. If you make enough enemies, and you just might end as a body somewhere.
Also the people here are very sensitive about having respect towards older people. Older people are respectfully called Aunty and Uncle. You called me an “old lady”. That shows how entitled and disrespectful you are. Disrespect an Auntie or an Uncle in front of a Local, you are going to have a very bad day.
You do have an “entitled white attitude”, it comes across loud and clear in your writing. “The law doesn’t care, nor do my firearms” . Unless you are a cop, you don’t have the right to have your firearms. Here the laws do care, and so do the people.
Also your comment, “Not gonna let them have a beautiful island to themselves”. Hawaii belongs to the Hawaiian people and not mainlanders. If you come here with your mainland attitude, and want ethnic and cultural equality, stay on the mainland, because you are not going to find it here. I have lived here since 2007. I am 33% Native American. I am also Mexican, Hispanic, African and lastly White. If you think that I am the one being racist, think again. I am only trying to provide you with honest insight. If you want to move here leave your disrespectful, mainland, white entitled attitude in the airplane. .
here are some links that you should actually read.

https://infolific.com/travel/usa/7-reasons-hawaii-hates-you/

https://www.sierracluboahu.org/blog/is-there-environmental-racism-in-hawaii

https://www.legendsandchronicles.com/ancient-warriors/hawaiian-warriors/#:~:text=The%20ancient%20Hawaiian%20warriors%20were%20masters%20of%20the,like%20punching%20and%20kicking%2C%20to%20grappling%20and%20holds.

https://kempoinfo.com/2009/05/17/hawaiian-warrior-culture/

https://stacker.com/hawaii/cities-hawaii-most-living-poverty

Tutu, why are you more mad about me *responding* with disrespect and calling her an old lady when she brought the disrespect first by saying “racist White attitude” and stereotyping my race? I’ve welcomed Hawaiians in here to beautiful California, I’ve never made them feel like second-class citizens when they want to take advantage of our tier-1 unis, job resources, etc. She got offended that I want that same respect reciprocated if I choose to move there and starting putting out racist anti-White stereotypes. If that offends you too and you really want to justify racism towards Haoles, then sorry, but I’m pretty violently egalitarian.

I said “…those who believe Hawaii was illegally overthrown and illegally annexed by the United States.” which covers both those who “know” and those who are not quite as confident but yet believe it to be the case. If I used “know” as you suggest, then it would be less inclusive.

That said, based on the other comments you’ve made (which I appreciate BTW), if this is your only critique I’d say I passed :)

Dylan – “Old Lady”? No respect for kupunas. Come with your disrespectful, arrogant, obnoxious, misogynistic, racist attitude and see what happens. Men like The Rock and Aquaman are a dime a dozen here. And, they don’t like a-holes. She tried to warn you, but you should learn what aloha really means – Respect.

This is the BEST answer I’ve read. Funny how transplants get it twisted. BTW, Kauai people call those type of transplants Refugee’s. They flee their screwed up home states, take up space on our islands, don’t give back to the community, rarely befriend locals, and never have empathy or advocacy for the people. Just taking away homes from houseless Hawaiians.

Of course it’s not an issue on Maui. It’s not even local anymore – it’s Little California. You can’t even find local people or Hawaiians or Hawaiian food. It’s heartbreaking. And, it is a big issue on Kauai. If you act like an Ugly American you will be treated like an f’n haole. I’m just telling you the truth. I’m not condoning it, it’s just facts.

Your daughter doesn’t have a right to relocate with her children. That’s the problem. Transplants move to Hawaii, have families, get divorced, then feel they have the right to uproot their children from their other parent and their kids community. It wasn’t an issue before the divorce but all of a sudden it is all because of the parents selfish desires to start a new life. If ohana is so important, you should move in with your daughter and help. It’s not the kid’s fault that their parents got divorced. They should have as much stability as possible.

The arson is probably from meth houses being blown up by meth labs. And the military is polluting the water, so it really is in the houses, through our water.

In the minority majority state where I live in, I can agree with most of these posts on here in one way or another. The main sentiment is that humans haveaways ended up with royal families, even when they claim to be separate from the state, and the church is mainly the relays, royals, tool to control the public.

Nice house analogy, as if my house is relying on their immense military strength, tourist dollars, and I can enter their houses whenever I feel like it. That’s what we call a false equivalence, old lady.
Did I say I want Whites to be on top of the food chain? Or did I say that maybe you should be a little consistent in caring about racism. If that’s “unappealing,” that sucks! The law doesn’t care, nor do my firearms and self defense laws if you think that arson’s the solution. Props for being unapologetically racist and straight-forward, it’s hard to come by that level of honesty. “Entitled white attitude” lol. Meanwhile you all want Europe to welcome in the non-Europeans.

The is what the whites said about n Native Americans. May I ask you a few questions? Let do this in a hypothetical scenario.
There is a beautiful house on a street. this house belongs to you. Everyone loves your house. Some people want to move into your house. They just open the front door and start moving their stuff in.
You protest, yet they act offended because in their mind they have the right to move in. It doesn’t matter how you feel about it. They move into your house and ruin your things, they change everything. They even work to convince you not to practice your way of worship.
They come in and begin to dismantle your home and do as they want with it. they take what they want and leave their trash behind. You become homeless while they benefit. You have no say so over what is happening, as you are forced to watch these people enter your home take control of it.
Now apply this to Hawaii. You have an unappealing attitude, trust me if you piss off the right person/family you might find your home burned down. This is what happens here on the Big Island Hilo side. These people have a long history as cannibals and warriors.
Hawaii is the Hawaiian people’s home. You would be merely a guest so behave accordingly. Come here with the attitude of respect, for the people and the culture. This is not the mainland. Your house will stay standing.
If you think that your entitled, white privilege attitude is going to get you somewhere you are so wrong. Here on the big island whites are not top of the food chain. Do I sound offended, well I am. I am offended by your entitled white attitude and I quote: “Not gonna let them have a beautiful island to themselves”

You cracked up because White Californians were treated terribly for their race? I thought that you just said that White people who lived in diverse areas were different (more culturally sensitive), so why are you celebrating racism towards us? You’re the same person who you complain about.

agree

I think Rich is in for a rude awakening coming here with that attitude.

Hi Karen, I would never be disrespectful to the culture. Hawaii is changing due to the fact large corporations, foreign investment both private and commercial sector with properties. I feel greed on the part of some have made Hawaii harder to live especially families that have been there for generations.
I can only hope my wife and I are given the opportunity to be able to move there within a couple years, once I retire.
My wife and I saw this first hand with one of Canada€˜s Gulf Islands- Salt Spring Island, beautiful Island just like Hawaii Islands. Corporations, foreign investment and the people selling basically tiny homes, some just basically habitable, for way more money than they are worth, making it impossible for people to stay.
Thank you for your opinion which I respect and you’re very lucky to be living in paradise!

Mahalo Karen! Fabulous book recommendation too btw

Oh Rich, my man. Are you in for a surprise. Please listen to Peter. You may want to consider a Plan B, because I agree with him, I think you will be miserable in Hawaii. I’m coming up on two years in October living in Kona, and my original post still stands. Acceptance and respect especially for the Hawaiian culture goes a long way. Please save yourself from angst and leave “Hawaii is the 50th state” thing alone. I recommend visiting the Bishop Museum in O’ahu or reading Dismembering Lāhui by Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo’ole Osorio (A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887) so you make an informed decision before you move here.

Thanks Rich for taking the time to reply. It’s not the standing up to bullies that’s going to give you a miserable time here.

Peter you are correct in your article but there is plenty of it in the other comments out of the 407. As for my other opinions, there are a lot of good people in Hawaii but the bad ones tend to get all the attention because they like to shoot their mouths off and be miserable instead of doing something good with their lives. As for creating a miserable environment for myself in Hawaii that will not happen because when you stand up to bullies they will back down.

While there are several comments relating to race issues, you’ll notice that skin color is never mentioned in this article. I can also share with you that an attitude of “Hawaii is the 50th state and if you don’t like it too bad” will almost certainly create a miserable environment for you in Hawaii.

This was an outstanding post -mahalo nui for sharing – absolutely fabulous!

Thank you for your talking about your personal thoughts and feelings they are entirely valid. I am sorry for all that you have had to experience.

You are 1000% correct, G. I am very much white in heritage and grew up in the Bay Area. Most of my friends were minorities. This never ever bothered me that I was an “outsider” to their culture and I was treated as such. I mean, so many people treated them that way so why would I expect them to treat me any differently? That is entitlement. I wanted to learn about them, their language, their food, their tradition… I found it all fascinating and wonderful and different. It did not bother me that I was often told “youre white, you wouldnt understand”, because they are indeed CORRECT! How the hell would I understand what its like?

I went to Hilo once with a friend of mine. She was a family friend that loved me very very much. She offered to my dad to take me to the Big Island. My dad thankfully said yes – I was a late teen at the time. She was an older Filipino woman – easily 40+ years my elder. However, she had lived on the Big Island for decades, spending half the year in the Bay Area and the other half in Hilo. I had a wonderful time, and honestly, the only weird looks and disrespect I got was from white tourists when we visited Kauai. I had an amazing time. People were *extraordinarily* generous with me. Its also because they loved and knew the woman I was with, and therefore they knew I was to be trusted. It was amazing. I barely mentioned that I loved coconuts and so one of her friends went and harvested a literal truck bed full of coconuts off their land just for me. The same family threw a party and invited tons of people just for my visit. A friend of hers on Kauai allowed me to stay in her stilt home (she was also elderly and Filipino). Everywhere I went with her I was spoiled. But of course – the entire time I was RESPECTFUL. I did what was expected for THEIR culture, not mine, and in return I was respected. That meant many times during that trip, my friend did discipline me when I did anything even remotely wrong (one time I accidentally forgot to call someone Auntie and promptly got smacked for that!), I had to eat everything I was offered without complaint (I actually don’t like seafood or shellfish at all, the taste and smell upsets my stomach), and I better be thankful for all of it too. That wasn’t hard for me though – I was thankful for the generosity and I enjoyed every bit of it. I miss it and cry about it from time to time. I know I will never get to experience anything like that again. It was only 2 weeks time, but I learned a lot. Me and my friend fought a lot on that trip, and she put me in my place many times for things I didn’t feel I deserved, but in the end it doesn’t matter. Its a wonderful memory that I hold dear.

Anyway, the whole reason I mention this is, people cant expect to be accepted with open arms everywhere they go. That kind of trust is how natives got deceived in the first place. Why would they automatically welcome those who look like or are descendants of the kind of people who took things away from them? Why do people think they deserve the royal treatment for just existing? Prove to the people you deserve to be treated with respect. Leave your pride at the door. Prove to them that you CARE, GENUINELY, about their culture. Accept and be okay with the fact that you wont be the center of attention and actually may never be truly “accepted”. Hopefully people will give you a chance, and consider yourself lucky to be brought into their world if they do.

Natalie, I absolutely agree with you. Although I still plan to move, Oahu no longer is an option for me and I think I was just saved a lot of money and stress. I do hope to still visit Hawaii one day.

I personally am not aware of a pecking order in Hawaii. Some mainland transplants are wealthy and money speaks like anywhere. Making cultural concessions and showing respect is par for the course, wherever you are in the world. None of this, in my view, should be a deterrent to living in Hawaii. The world if rapidly changing and migrations are widespread. This will only increase. I often found myself a minority in my birthplace. While cultural diversity is to be embraced, local sentiments need to be respected. Just make sure you don’t mistake yourself as ‘local’ based on some misconception of special rights and privileges gained for whatever reason.

A big problem is the cost of living in Hawaii. The US does not (I believe) allow foreign ships to dock in its ports, which means goods get re-routed adding to costs of imported goods. Scarcity of land and lack of natural resources are acute in Hawaii compounding the problem. Over-dependence on one sector, tourism, makes Hawaii’s economy vulnerable to downturns. Social hardship is very apparent when things grind to halt. This fuels unrest. The lack of career paths coupled with the high costs are a deterrent for anyone thinking of moving to Hawaii. However, compared to many parts of the world it remains a major destination.

well said!

Don’t confuse racism with nepotism.
Which is the largest factor in which plays a part in jobs going to locals.

Secondly, we know many many people from the mainland don’t last. Hiring them is always a risk.

Thirdly, it’s a concern of how well a new hire will relate with other employees.

Mahalo Dan for the confirmation

I can’t speak for the various comments on this post. The intent of the article is to give you a collection of reasons on why or why not Hawaii would be a good place for you. I would say that generally speaking, respect of others is highly valued in Hawaii. I can confidently state that the majority of bad experiences you hear about are a result of disrespect, though it may not be intentional.

Peter, My wife and I are both British (but white) and my mother always told us to meet the person and not their nationality or color. Also, to be polite and treat people the way that you would like to be treated.
So, I am not sure if your article and the letters are really saying that the way that I was bought up to respect other people does not work on the islands. Are local people only acting to others based they dislike of everyone not from the islands, or is it the way that people who move to the islands act when they interact with the locals.
Like I mentioned above that you should be treated the same way that you treat others.

Roberto is correct. This is the reality.

I agree with you for that story about those home animals, they hurt them more by purpose for people to come back and to pay them again !! Mike from Honolulu,

Mahalo Pam. I honestly cannot thank you enough for sharing your story. I’m so honored that you shared!

Hello. I have lived on the Big Island since 2007. I became a resident in 2012. I live on my own undeveloped property in the Puna subdivision in Tiki Gardens. My community is known for drug use and dealing. Several people around here have had there homes burned to the ground because of disputes. If you want to moved to this area either stay to yourself, or don’t piss people off.
People here either live in permitted/to code (legal) homes or self made non-permitted (illegal) homes. Most live off the grid and are totally self reliant. I am one of those folk living in a non-permitted structure. I am fortunate in that my home has a temporary power pole.
It has been temporary for at least 17 years. But here is the catch. if the bill isn’t paid and the power is turned off, It will never be turned back on. That is unless a permitted, built to code structure is built and a regular pole is installed. We are talking about $400,000. To continue having electricity from the county, I have to pay an extra $38 extra a month to have the power pole in addition to using the electricity.. Electricity is insanely expensive as it is but the they add in fees and in my case the power pole. The bill will make you cry .One of my clients regularly has a $600 power bill every month. My bill is normally $140 a month. Recently costs have gone up and my most recent bill is $175.
. I really struggle to make it on my $937 Social Security check. I have my Dog Training business but thanks to the Covid outbreak, I only have a very few active clients. I have 2 roommates/renters who live with me. When emergencies happen, things break or have to be replaced, or a vet emergency occurs, I have to borrow against the rents. But the money is not always available.
I live in the forest/rural area. We have wild pigs and chickens and other critters. Most people hate the pigs. I have found myself with 5 dogs. All are rescues from horrible conditions and situations. Two of them get take off after pigs every so often. Recently, one came back home with her small intestine hanging from a huge hole in her belly, from a pig. Boom I had to borrow against the rents to save my dog.
I am of medium skin tone and of mixed parentage and am also 67 years old. I personally have not experienced any racism on the this island. People treat me in a very respectful manner. But I in turn am very respectful to the people that I encounter. I have found that a strong, yet humble attitude will get you far on this island. If you are white don’t come here with white attitude. What is “White Attitude”? I can’t tell you , but those us non-white folks, we know it when we see it. My advice is treat everyone as your equal or slightly better than yourself and you will be just fine here.
The medical system is not all that great. Actually it is pretty bad. The educational system is about the worst in America. The people will either accept you or hate you. Hoalies are the last to be chosen for jobs and housing. If you don’t have kids, if you are not in need of work, and have a regular income, you should be ok. If you are not expecting a lot, you will do even better. Where I am people live in buses, tents, makeshift shelters, and permitted and non permitted homes. You will be greatly disappointed if you move here with a middle class attitude.
I cannot speak for the other islands only for the Hilo side of the Big Island. Here things are not about the city life, and for the most part it is pretty low key. I have often spoke to people who grew up on Maui, and Ohahu and the have told me that they prefer the Big Island as the other islands are crazy. So let tis be known. Each of the islands has its own life style. It is akin to every island is a different state…

Lol. you hit the nail on the head! When I was in my 20’s. I would get into altercations. All stupid stuff… Now that I am 60 and retired. All is good! Respect can go a long way! Now it’s more like rock, scissors, paper to resolve a issue! Loser buys the beer!

If you were a Hawaiian to begin with, you didn’t own anything, The king did. Second, Hawaiians before the Haole did sleep on the ground. Third, they fought, killed and ate each other frequently. Fourth, woman were generally treated as second class citizens. In the future, you might want to knowledge up before you spew your racist and ignorant viewpoints

On the homepage I have links to articles and YouTube videos talking about the expense

Still very interested in moving there but knowing both the good and bad is useful.

Now going to read your 50 reasons to move there!

Once you settle in and establish yourself and slow down you will find your way.

Big love

Correct, the quiz doesn’t take into account your retirement status, because it’s irrelevant. And it does ask a racially-related question. That said, it’s just a quiz and not a perfect prediction tool, which would have taken hundreds of questions and would still be inaccurate.

Not that I’ve any hope of ever living on this beautiful island(s) but the quiz didn’t take into account if you are retired, receiving a state pension and the question of current racial interaction. My current percentage of this is very low, only because of who lives in my area. It matters not a jot to me the colour of their skin or their culture.

Watch the video on my YouTube channel: can you afford it and is it worth it. It’s also linked off the homepage

I make $100k is that enough..from CA.. I’ve noticed the cost of most things and they are pretty much similar if not almost the same. But there are hidden gems around Oahu where you don’t need to spend big

As a Hoale born and raised on Oahu, I had one of my only trips to the mainland this summer. All I can say is that Rachel spits facts. People of color are looked at the same way I am looked at on the islands. I made a friend during my time on the mainland, because she overheard me talking about how people always touched my hair in Highschool, we immediately bonded, I didn’t even know people did that on the Mainland. Rachel I’m sure has experienced a tougher life, and has had to gone through questioning so much about herself due to the racism she faced, so to hear some white boys complaining after one vacation… well I woulda been even worse then her. If you go somewhere, you respect their culture, if you don’t like it then leave, not like the locals want you their anyway. So many privlidged white come here and act like they own everything, then they run crying home cuz some local hit em with the facts. They are at the bottom here, I wish everyone got to experience it, because it shows you, no ones better, and it’s crazy the whole rest of the country, the Mainland can treat a whole race like trash, and to think that these boys thought for even a second that they were victims. When you get cans thrown at you, racist remarks screamed at you, and someone chasing you down a street, then you can talk. Rachel had every right to tell these privilleged boys off. Respect to her.

Thank you for adding this. I think this popular narrative paints the native Hawaiians as helplessly inferior victims, inadvertently advancing a sense of classic white liberal superiority. I suggest you read, “Dismembering Lahui: A History of the Hawaiian Nation to 1887” ? written by Jonathan Kay Kamakawiwo€˜ole Osorio who today is Dean, HawaiÊ»inuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge. His book is a fabulous work, heavily footnoted with 1st hand historical accounts. It ends up at the same place (overthrow) but tells a far more complex story of how we got there.

Interesting take, and I completely agree with the rock in the middle of the ocean assessment. We went for the first time a few weeks ago, and I’ll never go back. Didn’t find that elusive “magic” or “aloha spirit” we heard so much about, but truly enjoyed the trip to Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri.

Thank you so much for adding to this conversation!

Aloha – I wrote earlier on 3/17/2021 about my six months of living experience on the Big Island. I want to come to Peter’s defense. His blog is one of the most well-balanced I’ve read. Peter’s correct. You are making assumptions (and you know what they say about assumptions). Peter, I appreciate your blog and am an avid follower. Receiving honest feedback from others has been very helpful. Mahalo Nui Loa.

You’re making several assumptions about me here (“you are making a ton of money”) but my favorite comment was “don’t listen to Peter”. That said, I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experiences.

Wrong. The idea and definition of racism was born out of Europe and spread to the USA.

If I stole your house, and told you to sleep on the grass, then would you have any resentment or feel like a victim? If not, then, we can try it.

We moved to Kauai to escape the extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, traffic, mass shootings, vaccine deniers and general science-opposing idiocy. Most people we meet here are kind, open, friendly and interesting. Some people are deliberate jerks, rude, insulting but they are only making themselves more miserable. I don’t know how holding on to anger about how Hawaii was illegally annexed is helping people, it seems to hold people in an attitude of victimhood and resentment.

It’s definitely written from an Oahu point of view and I’d say things due to dense population are different. The other stuff, though, I would argue is either structural (high costs) or cultural and is relatively similar.

Roberto, Peter is correct: if you’re not physically here, your priority gets pushed to the bottom of the list because there are people here whose needs come first. You are right about one thing, though: Hawai’i is not the paradise you experience while visiting on vacation. It’s a real world place with real world problems. If you’re looking for paradise, this ain’t it. But if you can accept the flaws, and get into the flow of life here (Hawai’i time, for example, is a real thing), you will be surprised at the humanity and warmth that exists here.

While I’m glad to get validation, I’m sorry to hear about your poor experience. It’s not a haole or racial thing – it’s a “you’re not here thing” and that automatically means you’re lower on the totem pole. Your situation is exactly what I teach people to avoid and is what my Islander Ohana program is all about for others considering making such a big move.

Hi Karen, we all live in California. I can only imagine how harsh it was during the pandemic. Being separated from my children under that situation makes me pause.

Hi Marciala – I do have family on the Mainland (East Coast). Living on the Big Island during the pandemic was a sobering experience since everything was shut down (and for a good reason). I take it you are also from the Mainland. May I ask where?

Hi Karen, do you have family in the Mainland? How was it living on the Big Island during the pandemic? We are considering retiring in the next 5 years and looking at the Big Island as a possible place.

Your issue is with WordPress and its “Akismet” spam-detecting software. As you can tell by the many comments negative and positive comments posted here, I generally speaking will repost most comments but not all. Your email address was flagged as spam and your comments were blocked – not by me. I happened to catch this one.

Yes this site is a joke. censored. not all (real) comments are posted.

Great questions, Bethany. I don’t have a quick yes or no answer for you because moving to a new place, especially Hawaii, is a really big deal. I invite you to browse the content here and on the YouTube channels where we also talk about Hawaii real estate in depth. If you entered a correct email address (looks like it) you will start getting my newsletter which will help get you on track to make this happen, or not!

everyone brings a different story and perspective. mahalo for yours.

This is merely a list of why you should not move to Honolulu! Hawaiia is compromised of other island choices than just Oahu! Everything on this list is basically the opposite on big Island. People are sweet, minimal traffic, plenty of space, lots of road trips and weekend adventures. Not a fair list at all

(Once a person told me to go back where I came from.). I was told that one time years ago and I replied smiling, “I can’t, because they don’t like me there either”. He just started laughing and gave me the €˜Shaka Bra’ sign

Mahalo, Angelic laughter. I too am a €˜local Haole’ (To Peter Kay). I have never heard the term €˜Mainland Haole’ I Bought my Condo as an investment 15 years ago, I have experienced NONE of what others have in their comments. I live on Oahu in Waipahu -what used to be one of the toughest neighborhoods on Oahu. That all has changed. I asked someone once what can I do to fit in here?? 1) Don’t try too talk like us, you might get a smack. 2) Respect everyone, even the homeless, very few people want to be homeless. 3). Smile at everything and Thank your higher power every morning you wake up in Hawaii because there’s no place like it on earth. (and I have lived and worked In 37 Countries).

PS. I don’t wear rose colored sunglasses

I live on the big Island, I am a nurse. People read these comments about how there is no white privilege, that is true. BUT don’t think that its only the white people locals are not friendly with. The few African Americans or Black citizens that I have provided care to also are treated unkindly. The islands are beautiful but the general population, is not. I lived on Oahu for 5 yrs. before Sept. 11 caused everyone to lose our jobs, “tourist” industry. Had to move away get an education BSN. Now been on the big Island 2 yrs. as an educated skill citizen, makes no difference. If you don’t talk like a local “using broken english instead of complete sentences” no one will hire you. Most companies simply don’t want you. They would rather hire a local without knowledge or skills. That is the #1 reason you hire people for a job and you can’t expect it to be done well.

You’re making me laugh! We just came back this week from a week vacation. Everything you said I felt would have said in your exact words! Excellent description you did. I was in the Navy stationed at Pearl Harbor in the 70’s so I wanted to go back. There was not a single store that the prices were cheap. Buy 5 items at the grocery store and it could cost you $100. The place is beautiful. There was a huge homeless population more than the San Francisco Bay Area where I live I was shocked. It also appeared there were hundreds of empty hirise buildings. The people seemed nicer than the Bay Area and the drivers much more polite. I could see people working 2-3 jobs to support their families. I forgot how big Honolulu is probably about the size of Los Angeles. Vacation come and go yes. Live there no. I believe prices are high to make up for less sales. I still liked my vacation.

I came across this site while looking for voices of actual residents and transplants, and considering my own future plans. I realize this is several months old, but I think this is worth highlighting.

Rachel said the following in response to a group of young men who had experienced mistreatment they attributed to racial discrimination: “While discrimination for whatever reason is no fun, I have ZERO empathy for you guys!! You found the ONE place on the planet that your white privilege not only got you ZILCH but worked against you? You, for once in your life, felt what Black people and minorities feel ON A DAILY BASIS? Wow. I have GOT to move to Haiwaii!!!”(sic)

While Rachel acknowledges that any sort of discrimination is “no fun” she says she has “ZERO” empathy for them because they had an experience that could enable them to empathize with Black people and minorities. I don’t believe she is saying that the experience these young men had was acceptable or that she was condoning it. Rather, she would prefer to live in a place where white privilege was held in check, like a majority minority state like Hawaii.

I think some of the following commenters interpreted the lack of empathy she expressed toward their hurt feelings as condoning the treatment that had hurt them. I don’t think that Rachel’s expression indicates that she wants things to be €˜equally bad’.

I’m African American and that informs my interpretation of these comments. Considering that Hawaii has a very small (>3%) Black population I expect that there are a dearth of perspectives like mine on comments like these. I’d encourage anyone reading this to take care not to assume the worst possible interpretation, but to really listen to what is being expressed and why. People who have suffered pain may not express this in the most positive ways, that should not take our focus off of the very real causes of pain.

Many of the comments regarding racial discrimination appear to be rooted in personal interactions. These are a symptom of deeper institutional ills plaguing and dividing our society. I see Hawaii as a bellwether of what the US might be like as a majority-minority nation.

Thanks for the article I know young lady lives there with some roommates she came home to visit and told me the cost of living she in college she back and she loves it there . Thank you for the info. I would visit instead

Thank you for the confirmation!

I have lived here since 2007 and you have pretty much sunned it all up. Thanks.

Mahalo Karen for adding your story to this!

We retired to the Big Island in October 2020. It has been a big adjustment and I felt depressed and anxious most of the time. Hawaii was not as I expected…and it wasn’t because of the lack of competition (true), poor services (also true), higher prices (depends on where you lived; property taxes and sales tax are lower here than my mainland home). Costco, Target, and Walmart all have prices comparable to the mainland and like the mainland, you wait for the sales. Shipping here is extremely expensive ($595 to ship four chairs from the mainland). It is crowded, but not so different from any major city. Middle class living is at a level lower here. If you are an East Coaster like I was, you’ll have to get use to year around bugs (I am okay with that). But you’ll have to adjust to lizards with their sharp little toenails jumping on you unexpectedly and geckos getting inside your house and poo’ing all over everything – walls, ceilings, floors, upholstered furniture, your lampshades…and they lay eggs. For the first several months, I would pull out the cushions on the sofa and chairs on a weekly basis looking for those darn eggs, because if they break, they leave a bloody mess. We went through and really sealed our house. The comment about being treated as an outsider is 100% true. People will be downright mean to you and for no reason. I stood outside a butcher shop waiting to pick up my Thanksgiving turkey, standing 6 feet from the guy in front of me who was getting waited on at the time. He turned around and gave me a sour look. When he picked up his order, he walked right by me within inches (this is during the pandemic) and said to me “get out of my way”. The people nearby were horrified. He was dark and I look like I came directly from Iceland with my pale skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Talk about racism. This was not a one-and-done either. It will likely happen to you if you do not look like a local, so you have to get used to it. And the road rage here is terrifying. Forget about waving or throwing a shaka. True, most people who live here will appreciate it and let you in. Others will hold their hands on their horn, flash their bright lights at you, and drive up and back on your bumper. I’ve witnessed this happening to other people too. It’s just downright sad. Then there are the trucks and motorcycles with the illegally enhanced exhaust systems who will rip your eardrums, even at 1:30 a.m. It’s illegal, but it’s not enforced by the local police. So be prepared that this is NOT paradise. That said, this is the most beautiful and exotic place I’ve ever seen. I’ve survived because of the people I’ve met who work here and the downright hilarious sightings of animals in their natural environment. Where else are you going to see a feral pig with one tusk on the main highway, or the feral goat posing on a huge rock next to an “Aloha” sign, or an egret hitching a ride on the rollover bar on some guy’s truck, the meandering roosters, or the funny mongooses, or a band of huge wild turkeys gathering in the middle of the sidewalk or walking through a parking lot, or the beautiful pheasants that show up in your yard, and all the other exotic birds….and then there are the sea turtles and humpback whales. If you can tolerate the bad and keep it in perspective, it will go a long way to helping you to adjust. Just remember to be kind to everyone ;)

Go to my YouTube channel and search for the video Hawaii can you afford it and is it worth it. Watch that and let me know what you think

Rachel ,IAM very sorry for what people have put you as well as your family thru ! Sometimes a fresher!? Start helps ,me being in the is Navy I learned that people are the same ( color, accent ,height, weight,I judge people on their character, dignity,and compassion!!! ( If everyone was blind ? Would the world be a better place every place has issues) it’s how you adapt! Hopefully maybe this helps a bit ! May you and your family have happiness and peace as you move towards you goals!!!! Good luck Richard

I haven’t received the quiz results yet ,but I was in the Navy 2 enlistments ,after I retired I worked in Alaska, Russia,( all over ,( many Samoan friends ,phillipino,Asian….) On commercial fishing boats .I get along w/ everyone .my wife and I live on around 125,000 a year after taxes what do you think of my possible choice of moving down .am I crazy ?? We just like being home relax and enjoy the winding down of life ( we r 53 and 55) my wife still likes to work ( bartender….) So I’m retired please give your honest opinion ! Thanks have a great weekend! Richard aloha!!!!!

Marla, you sound like a racist. Cops don’t murder numerous unarmed black people. In fact, white people are killed far more often than black people despite the latter committing far more violent crime. Your virtue signaling is laughable at best and atrocious at worst. No, you would not have been shot if you were black, checking your sons car. Keep your racism elsewhere. I feel bad for your employer that hires a racist like you

But some things do make me worry, like health care, and affordability. Also tsunamis and earthquakes. I am used to hurricanes in FL, where we know beforehand and leave if needed.

It’s just a dream for now. We plan on visiting with a possible resident’s eyes in the future. Who knows? Aloha.

So what’s a “real American”?

I’m convinced the very first sentence of David G’s comment would keep many real Americans, including me, from moving to, living in, or even visiting Hawaii. All I read was racism at it best Hawaiian style. DMH

I think you are commenting on the wrong article. This one is “12 reasons you should not move””. You’re commenting on the article “Why it’s great to live in Hawaii”.

Rachel, your bigotry may be presently politically sanctioned, but you are still owned by your own bigotry and base emotions, not to mention lack of any historical knowledge. It may feel good to feel and talk this way but ultimately you are becoming an ever-smaller person. Do better.

DA: Your hate will keep you from real well-being.

Thank you for adding your experiences to this page!

Your “socialist” comment and other insinuations are very telling. People like you are part of the reason people like her DO NOT WANT to be on the mainland or in “red” states. Its also known as, getting away from right-wing nutjobs.

I live within 100 miles of being as far from Hawai’i as possible, yet still be in USA and can tell you the problems you are dealing with are the same in most places people like to visit. If my family hadn’t married into the native population 200+ years ago there is no way I could afford to live where I do now. I cannot afford a mooring for my boat anymore, nor can I walk to the beach until fall when all the multi-million $$ vacation homes vacant for the next 9 months. Laws are made to make the tourists feel good to the detriment of the locals who remain. Beautifying an expensive street is more important than making sure the local school has enough funding or we have enough sand for the roads in the winter. Businesses that have been in town for decades have to shut down or move because they offend the tourists because of odor or noise. We also “beg” for the “visitors” to toss us a few coins as we go about trying to salvage our way of life.

Thanks for commenting! You’ll note I have another article of 50 reasons to move here.

Aloha! Insightful article! Part of the reason I moved to Hawaii was because it feels alot like living in another country. I love the diversity, never get treated poorly, and other than how expensive groceries are, our entire living expenses come out to a whopping $36,000 a year in a safe community. That’s rent, internet, electric and food. It’s just my husband and I, so a 2 bedroom is fine. Now, we don’t have to pay for a vehicle or gas….my husband’s company covers that. But we have several native Hawaiians friends that I made prior to moving here that have been very welcoming, even if my husband is a haole.
I guess wherever you live, it’s what you make of it, right? We furnished our entire place in Oahu for under $1000 with items from a hotel that was remodeling. Back home, just my couch cost that much. I guess it depends on what matters to you… I’d rather buy a barely used couch from a hotel suites second bedroom for $75 and scrub it clean with bleach water than try buying a new couch on an island. I guess I got over keeping up with the Joneses ages ago…and that’s good because finding decent prices at the furniture stores on an island where space is a commodity is an act of self-torture
The minor sacrifices we make to live here are crazily outweighed by the ability to find poke on every corner, snorkeling every weekend and hiking up mountains whenever I please.
And sometimes, I do all 3 in the same day.
I’m too old to care if I’m an outsider…When I turned 40 I lost all my give-a-craps when it came to approval-seeking. My neighbors bring me mangoes and guava, so I don’t feel excluded either way…but I’m on a sugar high most days maybe that’s the sugar talking.
Oh and my back yard here is incredible. Koi the size of my arm, palm trees and plumerias everywhere…
So I can give you a 1001 reasons on why you SHOULD move to Hawaii if it’s your dream. Please don’t be discouraged…this article was just testing your toughness, that’s all. If you read even the comments, you passed the test.

Great,! I can’t think of any reason other than economics why local Hawaii families that have moved to the mainland would hold from moving back

This is a great blog. I moved to Hawaii from California in 1979 and lived there through my growing up years (Honolulu and Kaneohe), then got a teaching degree and taught in Hawaii for several years before meeting my wife, who taught in Mililani. When she moved back to the Mainland, I moved with her. We got married and had a bunch of kids, but always dreamed of going home. I have a lot of friends in Hawaii who continue to send me job leads. I have applied for jobs, and have gotten offers, but none were economically feasible for us at all. The cost of housing is the main kuliana. I miss the life I had in Hawaii, the music, the culture, the scenery, the food. Although I won’t say that it was fun being a newcomer haole in middle school, it really did not matter to me after that. I think it’s a different way of thinking about race much more light-hearted than on the Mainland (for the most part). Where else could Frank Delima tease and stereotype popolos, portagees, haoles, pakes and flips, and no one gets uptight about it? Fortunately, I found an L&L in my city in Texas. The owner, Auntie Sarah, has monthly Luaus when the weather permits, and we don’t have to worry about COVID.. She serves up local-style music, dancing, and great food. Hundreds of former Hawaii residents come to enjoy the vibe, mingle, eat local food, and get little taste of home. And why are all these folks in Texas when many have their families back home in the islands? Like me, I suspect the answer is just basic economics.

That has got to be the best response to the racist-based expressed hurt of others. Absolutely extraordinary! Thank you so much for sharing that!

I feel sorry for folks like Rachel, subjected to racism their whole life to the point where they themselves would perpetuate the sick and sinful concept that others deserve to be treated poorly because of their race aka racism. I hope she can find the path to her better self rather than be envious for revenge against others simply because of their race, her apparent desire for a race to the bottom rather than the top. Others of us subjected to lifelong racism and bigotry have the opposite reaction, we seek the best for others, not for things to be equally bad. I must say, though, I really appreciate when people that judge others by their skin or other immutable attributes speak out, it makes them easier to identify.

I don’t live there, yet, but I vacation near Hilo about 3 weeks a year. I have had no problems. Treat everyone with the respect they deserve and you will be treated the same. One note, Island time is slower than California time. Relax and don’t be impatient and you will do fine.

It all depends on your attitude. Act like you “know it all” and treat locals like second class citizens will get you in trouble, not only with one guy, but his brother, cousin, brother in law, sister, etc.

We are in the process of looking for a home in Hilo. My husband does have family, while mine is here on the mainland, but they are so busy with their own lives now that I’m lucky to see them once a year. Having been born & raised in Southern California, I have been trying to think of anything that I might miss. The only negative I have been able to find is the insects, like cockroaches. Your article is very informative, it reinforces what I’ve been told. I think I’ve learned more about racism in the last 8 years than I had in my lifetime, thanks to cell phones & internet. My favorite thing to do in Hilo is swim with the turtles, walk around town & observe people. I see the homeless talk story in makeshift homes & nod & they nod back. They treat me like a local, which pleases me. I notice that some areas are more forgiving than others of my light skin & hair. As they say in Wooden Ships, “If you smile at me, I will understand because that is something everybody everywhere doesn the same language,,” Mahalo

To be honest, it wasn’t until recent years that I understood white privilege. I moved from white suburbia to diverse San Diego & I love it, but I cry for my friends of color who tell of their personal experiences. When I see the numerous unarmed black people murdered by cops it tears my heart out. My own experience with cops were bad enough, having a gun aimed at me in the middle of the night because I was checking on my son’s car that he had crashed. The cop wanted any excuse to unload & I realize now, had I been black, I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be here typing this. I want you to know, I understand & if there is anything at all I can do to change things on the mainland, I will. I vote, & I support minority groups in my small ways like making masks for marches & other charities in need. Rachel, I am very sorry for what you have to go through. As Don Lemon says, we need to make friends with all races so we can better understand each other. Someday, we will realize we are all on the same side & that we all bleed red blood & that our differences is what makes us unique & interesting. Probably not in my lifetime, but hopefully soon.
It is an interesting experience in Hawaii. We have hapa family there. I’m thankful that I was raised to respect others & to be humble. I understand why they hate what I represent. We aren’t all bad, I promise. Some of us were born with the aloha heart.

I totally agree and relate to your comment Rachel

The young white guys were so shicked. frustrated and angry at how disrespected they were, how terribly the were treated.

I cracked up, almost in hysterics. Absolutely doubled over with gut busting laughter. The young guys looked at me in disbelief, and I said to them “While discrimination for whatever reason is no fun, I have ZERO empathy for you guys!! You found the ONE place on the planet that your white privilege not only got you ZILCH but worked against you? You, for once in your life, felt what Black people and minorities feel ON A DAILY BASIS? Wow. I have GOT to move to Haiwaii!!!”

The young men did not get it at all. They had no idea what colonization has done to millions of people / countries of color. And why should they? They directly benefit from these things, largely unconsciously, every single second of every day.

So, YES PLEASE. I’d like to move to HI. I would LOVE to move somewhere that I am not pinned in at a gas station and have the N word thrown at me. I’d LOVE to live somewhere that the confederate flag isn’t affixed to a truck bed while the driver is making the daily rounds, screaming hatefilled things at women and children, because it’s his 1st amendment right.

I would ABSOLUTELY love to live somewhere that I don’t have to fear for my life as a Black woman. I have traveled to almost every state in the mainland US, and the majority of the US is so filled with hate and loathing right now – for Black people, POC, Native Americans, Asians, queers and anyone who is essentially NOT “Haole” – that moving somewhere that has deep pride and reverence for a majority Native culture sounds like NIRVANA. The hate in the mainland US is literally boiling over right now.

I have lived in a few areas of the USA that are majority minority populations – places that are incredibly diverse ethnically and racially.

And while there will always be confederate flag wavin’ good ol’ boys, racists, and people who wish the 1960s never happened, many white people who live in the racially diverse areas that I lived in were different than white folks I met in say, Idaho or Wyoming. The white folks living in cities where they are the minority WANTED to be near and involved in said diversity. They saw the value in those who had different backgrounds and systems of belief and VALUED that. White neighbors in New Orleans wanted to know me. They didn’t clutch their purse or run away when I said hi. The white minority residents I met made a CONSCIOUS CHOICE to live in a diverse place. That was the draw!

(Not – oh I really want to live on a tropical island and – wait! – why are there so many brown people?!).

As someone who regularly fears for her safety and her life living in the mainland US, I find the complaints in this article and thread about being a minority in HI pretty lame. Because while Haole may feel “uncomfortable”, a group of Native folks in HI are NOT going to chase you down and shoot you for being white, NOT EVER. Sooooo – STOP COMPLAINING. Seriously. Try being Black in America for just ONE DAY, and the discomfort of “haole” will seem ridiculous, absurd, and downright insulting.

Thank you for your comments!

Hello I just wanted to say I enjoyed and appreciated your information about hawaii and living in Hawaii
It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child although I have never been there I have always been in awe of movies pictures and other things that showed off the scenery and lifestyle
I live in Dubai which is known to be very glamorous and glitzy and easy to live in
But there is something about Community and belonging that I believe to be the ultimate for a happy Contented lifestyle. After reading your input and everyone’s comments I can say thank you for putting things into perspective . I shall visit Hawaii one day and enjoy it to the full … it’s a beautiful piece of heaven.. but I am now less inclined to leave For good behind the safety and comforts of Dubai. No where is perfect . But everywhere is wonderful when you are happy.
Thank you Peter !
Ntg

Mahalo Pam for sharing what sounds like a very satisfying lifestyle for you!

Your right, the Hilo side does not have a lot of beaches. Much of it is volcanic cliffs dropping 10ft to the water. My vacation home is in Hawaiian Paradise Park (HPP) about 12 mi south-east of Hilo. Around Hilo proper are several sandy beaches. Also, close to Hilo is Richardson beach which is a nice spot. If you follow the coast highway north of Hilo their are a couple spots where rivers empty into the sea and these are very nice beach spots. Going south of HPP about 10 mi there is a new beach formed from the recent volcanic activity. Note: Wherever you buy/live check the lava zone #, your home insurance depends on that location. Some locations can’t get insurance.
One thing you can’t beat around Hilo is the tropical forest land and waterfalls.

I don’t doubt the stories you hear are true, but they are in no way representative. Also, you’re probably getting one side of the story – it’s not just about your skin color, it’s more likely about acting in a disrepectful way which will definitely get you in trouble.

I have heard that white people get beaten up just for being white. I am wanting to move to Hawaii as a paramedic but i read so many stories about white people being accosted. Is this true?

Hawaii is not for everyone!

Thank you so much for adding to this article! Really appreciate it!

Another issue that you didn’t mention is the “weather” – yes, believe it or not – “the weather”. You have to like sun, heat and high humidity all year round. The humidity improves with trade winds, but there are long stretches of time with no trade winds and the mugginess becomes unbearable. Food goes bad quickly because of the humidity so you end up throwing things out, yet another expense. The warm weather also means you wear summer clothes all year round; sounds exciting at first but boy do you ever get sick of the same season and wardrobe. I was happy to move back to the mainland again!

I don’t understand why you would single out Democrat dominated states as disasters. I could easily point out the same about Texas and other red states. Being an independent and living in California, there is a strong blend of conservatives in suburbs. Counties and cities have much more governing power than what’s extemporaneously argued at the national level. Hawaii’s high cost of living has more to do with it’s geographical location than politics.

Also, having lived in Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines as a teacher, saying “blank is better than blank” without examples or proof is utterly ludicrous. They all have their pros and cons. I can tell you living outside the big cities of Thailand, Philippines or Vietnam is living with virtually no modern healthcare. The same can be said about the people who live in America IE remote Native reservations and rural Appalachia.

Mahalo…i will save my time, energy, money, heart-ache, frustration, future suffering in paradise and buy a bigger home for 10 times less the amount in flagstaff AZ

You’re welcome!

Sounds just like California! Many people leaving the state now because they can’t afford to buy a home. Although work is (or was — this is post Covid-19 time now) much easier to find here in California and wages are not as depressed. But housing wealth is basically inherited now I think In Cali. I was born and raised here so I’m better off than many.
The property taxes and income taxes in Hawaii I think are better now than in California. We have the same problems of ethnic tensions as in Hawaii. There is no one ethnic majority in Southern California any longer. But there are many mixed marriages, and no one gives it a thought.
My husband and I are thinking of retiring to Hawaii, so these comments highlight many of the issues we face here in California. It’s a growing, overpopulating world. People move to places they see as more desirable for their circumstances. Just the way it is. I’m one of the few native Californians left here now. We’re not looking for employment any longer and are not social joiners, so I think we’ll do ok in Hawaii. At an older age I’m weary of the fast paced go-go, gotta do this, gotta be entertained all the time lifestyle in California. The peace and quiet and better air quality we experienced during the coronavirus shutdown made me value even more a lifestyle based on natural beauty and helping to preserve natural resources and non-commercial enjoyments.

Short answer on supply and demand: not as desirable and lack of economic opportunity.

Could you elaborate on the reasons why supply is high and demand low on the Big Island? And why did you leave? Thanks.

Brian how far is the closest good swimming beach, stores, etc.? We always visit the Kona side of the island (Hapuna Beach). My understanding is that side of the island has better beaches, comparatively more expensive.

Thanks for the comment! Really appreciate it.

Katie, I hope you have fun….just thinking though, one comment struck me….that you are willing to pay a quarter million dollars for a studio room. I accept that, but just amazed that is where things have come in some places. There are 3 acre lots on the big island, and always seem to be, for $30k. For another $30-50k you would have a nice small home with more space and features than a studio. In Colorado you could be surrounded by mountains with 10 acres and 2000 sf for that, in Maine or Kansas you would have a 200 acre farm with houses barns for that amount. I say go for it, I would just think you could get more with your riches than one room to own, that may be worth only $100k in a few years depending on so many factors, including whether or not the current governor/dictators and their henchmen let go of the socialist grip they currently have on us. Just consider the market and the way regs are moving and what that could do to the market, timing in the next 3 years will likely have a huge impact on cost, then inflation relative to the market and wages will have a huge impact as well. I hope you find a great place in HI and I hope you get a better deal than you expect!

I’m glad you like them!

I’m 30 years old, single, low waste, minimalist, vegetarian who loves the outdoors and mountains. In the last couple years, I’ve cut down my living expenses to the essentials (plus takeout coffee), so I feel that I could adapt very well to living in Hawaii.

My plan is to look for a studio to one bedroom condo in July, and if I find something I like, I’m going to put upwards of 50k down on the unit priced under 260k, then talk to my current employer about working remotely (fingers crossed). I’m in the technical writing/instructional design industry in California. Where I currently live, the pay for my field is barely the average across California, so I’m hopeful that I wouldn’t experience such a huge pay cut. Glass door and Salary.com, etc. estimate the pay to be about what I make now.

If all else fails and my employer doesn’t allow me to telework, it will give me a few months to look for work before I move. I’m planning to move in January. And if that doesn’t own out, I’ll work part-time to pay mortgage and food until I land something.

Some days I have doubts that I can make that move. And then others, I feel like I’ll be just fine.

I love your posts and always enjoy reading them

Dreaming is good! Watch the videos I have on the YouTube channel. I think you’ll enjoy those

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=103&session=1&vote=00332

Can you guess which party voted almost in unison against this very humble acknowledgement of the wrongs done to the people of Hawai’i? Hatch (R-UT), Nay. McConnell (R-KY), Nay. Even, God bless him, McCain (R-AZ), Nay.

It’s never too late to come back

Yes, all of these things are true. As a young teenager, I spent about 4 months living in Honolulu with my aunt and uncle, who ran a very prominent construction business. The lived there from about 1957-2000. To me, living there was a life changing experience. I am now 66 years old and regret that I never returned, but it did whet my appetite for world travel.

My one suggestion is to remove the word “believe” from this line: “met with protests by those who believe Hawaii was illegally overthrown and illegally annexed by the United States.”

Using the word “believe” implies something may or may not be true. Pretty much all American history books acknowledge that the Hawaiin monarchy was illegally overthrown and the US government issued a formal apology for it. So using the word “believe” is misleading.

You can read more about the US govt’s apology and acknowledgement here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apology_Resolution

Thanks!

Thank you Dan for making this very good addition!

It’s all fine if you and your family are healthy and/or do have good health
insurance, and happen to live on Oahu, which happens to have most of the
medical facilities since those will obviously be concentrated where the
population is highest.

Let’s assume though you live on one of the other islands. You have found a good
General Practitioner. GPs and nurses are very valuable, underpaid and
underrated everywhere. I would feel very lucky to find a practice which
would take me and my family as new patients were I to move to Hawaii.

Beyond the family doctor though€” we tend to love our high tech(and very expensive)
medical care which uses lots and lots of high tech equipment and specialists. What
happens if you need some of that care and its simply not
available on the island you chose to live on? If you are lucky, you won’t
need an emergency transport via helicopter. You can make an appointment
with a specialist on Oahu and do a RT plane ticket. If an emergency
transport is needed, often the timing is critical and you or your family
member simply may not make it. Or, maybe you are already at your financial limits
due to the high cost of living in Hawaii. Close to 2/3 of all bankruptcies are
due to medical bills. Even if you have insurance, go take a look at what the
deductibles are on the policy, and what may be excluded. Go do an internet
search on costs for €˜medical air transport’ and see what sort of numbers you
come up with.

Don’t kid yourself. Do your due diligence.

I personally would NEVER encourage anyone to live here. The big reason is the high cost of living. 2nd would be the many social problems the islands have. I can see why it’s attractive to many mainlanders since it’s technically a state that they can easily travel to but It would be better if they had the means to obtain a passport and venture to somewhere warm outside of the U.S. It would be much cheaper living and possibly a friendlier climate.

I lived in Hawaii. Almost always felt I am a haole. Yes, there are even discriminations, sometimes at work at public handling. It eminded me locals first, asians second haoles and of the line. Take a look of the names of representatives in the State Capitol, Japanese. Japapnese and locals run the islands. It is a disadvantage being haole. You either a top expert what you do or better find your palce on the mainland. Sorry guys, the truth may hurt. I lived on Waikiki.

Hi Joe, would you mind sharing how you lived in Thailand for 8 years in terms of technicalities/visa etc? And could you elaborate more on what you loved there, and in Malaysia, Philippines etc? This is something I’ve been dreaming about and would absolutely love to do, and I would very much appreciate it if you share more about it. Thank you so much!

I find it interesting that the ” pecking order” you mentioned that exists in Hawaii is not met with more criticism. I believe it 100 percent exists and am glad you brought it up as a con because that really is. Why is it that on the mainland we are expected to welcome immigrants and newcomers with open arms, not pass judgement based on skin color or background and yet in Hawaii, you need to accept you will be treated differently if you are white or not indigenous? I am sure those same locals don’t discriminate when taking money from white people living on the Island. I am just going to say it, living somewhere a longer period of time than someone else is not an accomplishment. It means your family never moved… not that you have done anything to deserve superior treatment. Hawaii is gorgeous but I could never live somewhere where I was treated as a second class citizen because I am not a “local”.

Great story. Mahalo! That totally goes with the “always a mainland haole” stuff I wrote about.

Aloha Karissa and huge mahalos for taking the time to write one.of.the.best posts on this topic! Love the feedback. (and yea, it’s *that* Peter Kay but don’t tell anyone! lol)

Dammit! AAAAAH! I had put together a very carefully constructed and respectful reply to Katherine and I was almost done and then I got a call and stupidly walked away from my computer without making a copy somewhere I might retrieve it should said computer decide to be an a-hole and refresh this page which deleted the whole thing!!

I absolutely plan to resurrect this reply cause it should be said but I gotta jet. Still I had to send you a note and a hug even if you don’t need it, because, well– sheezus! I stopped reading halfway down this page in my search for a “comment” button because, well, my eyebrow just can’t go further up my forehead without pain and maybe surgery.

WOW, people, relax! You know this list is true!

And if you’re offended by this list, you know and I know that it has nothing to do with this list.

You need someone to talk to, shoot me a note, I do regressions and all kinds of self-illuminating paths to growth. We can uncover your hidden hurt before it continues to spread. Haven’t you seen The Never-Ending Story? Sadness kills. #word

*sigh* With the easy option of anonymity that digital communication arms people with, it’s just crazy how quickly- and deeply- offended people decide to get. It’s as if they’ve been fooled into thinking that they are obligated to read and associate with words that were not addressed to them or anyone in particular.

Between you and me – I think this age of social media has created an epidemic that I’ve dubbed “WAMAMO” or “What About Me And My Opinion (or Offense).” Add to that my observation of a marked decline in senses of humor that don’t require bashing or whining to fall on the smiling side of the scale and you have a good idea of why it’s super easy for me to not check my FB or any other social media for days at a time. I use my phone for important things like Peak and 94% and Covet. HAHA!

I mean, it sounds like you’ve got tough skin and a very well-balanced disposition in the face of the wide-spread epidemic, but as a bonafide local with not so tough skin but a disposition that makes up for it, take it from me– anyone complaining about this list has issues that have nothing to do with you. This list is not only accurate, but well-written.

OMG, HAHA! I GOT IT!!!

It’s Peter Kay with my computer minute, right?!! Haha! I knew your name was familiar!

I had originally intended to simply send you my virtual “Two Big High Fives” because yours is the ONLY list I’ve ever read (and I’ve read SO many) that I completely agree with — dude, you are the first one to mention road trips!! That’s one of my top 3 canons for anyone from the mainland who says something along the lines of “feel sorry for you? you got to grow up in paradise!”: I like to hit them first with the cost of a gallon of milk or my average of $200 a week in groceries — sans alcohol! But my piece de resistance is the unexpected blow of the “it must’ve been so awesome to just be able to jump in a car with your friends and take a trip to another state- hell, another country,” which I invariably pair with a very convincing puppy dog imitation-ish facial expression. HAHA! Road trip for the win! I mean, loss.

The only adjustment I would make to your list is to the pecking order. I’m half Samoan, half haole, no Hawaiian, but totally pass if anyone asks. Not that I tried to get in to Kamehameha or claim some Homestead or anything.

Sure, Polys are at the top of the totem from what I’m gonna call the “machismo and sweat smelling” perspective, like high school sports and other pursuits associated with Polys (hula, canoeing, luaus, most sports– all contact sports, making an imu, things that can be done with a coconut, etc), but take a look at the names on the executive boards or other top tier of whos who in the grown-up pond and I think you’ll find that the Asian domination is very evident.

I never experienced discrimination until I was an adult and because I had no idea what it felt like, I didn’t even realize it until way after it happened.

But other than that slight adjustment, this list is SPOT-ON.

Oh, and I don’t do the anonymity thing, so if anyone has something they’d like to discuss, please feel welcome to hollah at your girl.

My best,
Kerissa

Mahalo Michael! Well said.

I think for some, statements of observation or fact can come off as negative. We can all assume many reasons why, but I just had to sayPeter is clearly doing a service by having honest public dialogue about far off places that many dream of coming too. If everyone thinks the world is rainbows and their responsibility to keep it that way, we will stop seeing real rainbows. Kathleen’s comments seemed to indicate more that she skimmed and found some non-positive phrases more than she read fully and gave in depth feedback. It would be cool to see her well thought out and invested blog on Hawaii for comparison.

Lol well I’ve been accused of lots of things but SEO recognition is a first. Does the jerk comment apply to all the other locals that commented in agreement on this thread too, or just me. Hilo is a great place and I’m glad you’ve found peace

Sounds like you’re quite prepared for the adventure. Keep us posted!

Thanks first of all for this awesome list!

A lot of people don’t think about what it takes to live in paradise. Without a doubt in my mind, Hawaii is the prettiest of all of the states. And while it is part of the United States, it certainly has a feel of being its own tropical paradise. There are so many different things about living in Hawaii versus living on the mainland that it kind of is its own separate place.

That being said, you get both the tropical paradise and beauty of an island as well as the luxuries of a first world country.

People underestimate how expensive it can be to live on the island. Unless you sold a business and are retiring here, chances are you’ll be working several jobs to make it work. Housing is expensive and that includes renting. There are parts on the islands that are less expensive, but those places will likely be less desirable for some reason: usually because they are harder to access places, less amenities or more prone to natural disasters (like lava).

Thanks for clarifying.

Oh I see, let me explain, there are many types of slaves, not even getting too deep here. My sense is you don’t pass around a cup for people to exclusively fund your schools voluntarily, people are forced to. My sense is that if I employ someone in HI and they are have a pay rate of $20 an hour and they work 4 hours, they are going home with less than $80 and I am paying more than $80 in order to retain other freedoms, because I am forced to. In both cases I am forced to go and work even more to be able to retain my right to my literal self, my labor. I have seen HI tax bills, you do have taxes.

Yes, chattel slavery is different than taxation, perhaps I should have used the more inclusive terms, forced labor or forced extraction, which includes both. My point is that culture actually progresses by reducing ALL forms of forced labor – even if we recognize 100% is worse than 50%. Hawaii is thus one of the least progressive states and has one of the lowest respects for individual liberty. Does not make it hell, but these statements are based on widely available data. It is also common in beautiful states, taxes can be raised because humans are willing to sacrifice more to be near beauty. Nothing personal there – but it is the adopted culture now. Yes I know, a progressive is typically referred to as someone who wants more taxes, but just like the term liberal or even the word taxes, this is a language manipulation technique, there is literally an article on this in the WSJ recently, relating what so called progressives are doing today back to what the sociopaths in the French Revolution did vs. the US or the British…and look at the nations today.

Replacing chattel slavery with even more taxes which is what the US did from say 1860 to 2019, is not progress, neither is right no need to compare them to each other, they should be compared to more creative and moral systems. Hawaii seems to like its involuntary taxes thrust upon many by a few, that was my point. I don’t like to use the word tax because it sounds so cooperative and voluntary, when the process is coercive and involuntary. Perhaps calling what we do taxes is about as off as calling it slavery…

We all pay our taxes, myself included, but few of us decide what all of us pay. While I respect that voting is a way of deciding things in groups, it is not fully voluntary either, you are compelled to face the results even if you do not participate. If there are 100 people and you decide for yourself, you decide 100%, if there is a dictator, you decide 0%, if you vote, you decide 1%. I believe that force is to be used only as a responsive measure against the less enlightened/more violent among us. A liberty based system, vs an entitlement based system such as voting, is what we use for most human organization and action, I am not clear why we resort to voting for the leftovers.

Are forced extraction financed entitlements a large part of Hawaii’s government and culture? My sense is yes. I hope this helps you know where I got my statements. Feel free to read on. Feel free to post this or not, though if you do not, I ask you to remove my post above your response.

THE TALE OF THE SLAVE

By Robert Nozick (1974)

Consider the following sequence of cases, which we shall call the Tale of the
Slave, and imagine it is about you.

1. There is a slave completely at the mercy of his brutal master’s whims. He
often is cruelly beaten, called out in the middle of the night, and so on.

2. The master is kindlier and beats the slave only for stated infractions of his
rules (not fulfilling the work quota, and so on). He gives the slave some
free time.

3. The master has a group of slaves, and he decides how things are to be
allocated among them on nice grounds, taking into account their needs,
merit, and so on.

4. The master allows his slaves four days on their own and requires them to
work only three days a week on his land. The rest of the time is their own.

5. The master allows his slaves to go off and work in the city (or anywhere
they wish) for wages. He requires only that they send back to him three sevenths
of their wages. He also retains the power to recall them to the
plantation if some emergency threatens his land; and to raise or lower the
three-sevenths amount required to be turned over to him. He further
retains the right to restrict the slaves from participating in certain
dangerous activities that threaten his financial return, for example,
mountain climbing, cigarette smoking.

6. The master allows all of his 10,000 slaves, except you, to vote, and the
joint decision is made by all of them. There is open discussion, and so
forth, among them, and they have the power to determine to what uses to
put whatever percentage of your (and their) earnings they decide to take;
what activities legitimately may be forbidden to you, and so on.

Let us pause in this sequence of cases to take stock. If the master
contracts this transfer of power so that he cannot withdraw it, you have a
change of master. You now have 10,000 masters instead of just one;
rather you have one 10,000-headed master. Perhaps the 10,000 even will
be kindlier than the benevolent master in case 2. Still, they are your
master. However, still more can be done. A kindly single master (as in
case 2) might allow his slave(s) to speak up and try to persuade him to
make a certain decision. The 10,000-headed monster can do this also.

7. Though still not having the vote, you are at liberty (and are given the right)
to enter into the discussions of the 10,000, to try to persuade them to
adopt various policies and to treat you and themselves in a certain way.
They then go off to vote to decide upon policies covering the vast range of
their powers.

8. In appreciation of your useful contributions to discussion, the 10,000 allow
you to vote if they are deadlocked; they commit themselves to this
procedure. After the discussion you mark your vote on a slip of paper, and
they go off and vote. In the eventuality that they divide evenly on some
issue, 5,000 for and 5,000 against, they look at your ballot and count it in.
This has never yet happened; they have never yet had occasion to open
your ballot. (A single master also might commit himself to letting his slave
decide any issue concerning him about which he, the master, was
absolutely indifferent.)

9. They throw your vote in with theirs. If they are exactly tied your vote
carries the issue. Otherwise it makes no difference to the electoral
outcome.

The question is: which transition from case 1 to case 9 made it no longer the tale
of a slave?

I don’t know where you got the “they teach the kids other citizens are their slaves, to work for them, to learn their violent culture” part but practically no one in Hawaii has been taught or believes that.

I am not offended, just not clear if they guy is funny or a democrat/bigot (someone who groups people by race/embraces forced labor and makes assumptions about them based on their group membership rather than looking at people as an individual).

Let’s remember that a culture based on entitlements, where others become obligated to you, even to learn your culture, is an unsustainable culture based in forced labor. The primarily ruling party in Hawaii is based on entitlements and forced labor – this is a top down problem, they teach kids in Hawaii and the mainland that people owe them all kinds of things, they teach the kids other citizens are their slaves, to work for them, to learn their violent culture – sorry this is wrong, it is the definition of human wrong.

Imagine a Hawaii that embraced the opposite, liberty, the traditional American legal and cultural system. It could better embrace the good sides of its culture and shed the bad parts.

History is fun to learn, history’s lesson is that entitlements are bad, slavery is bad, obligating others is bad. At least Hawaii is lucky enough to be part of the oldest and most sustainable nation on earth, despite all the bad stuff described in the comment. Hawaii can still reject cultural educational mandates and retain its diverse culture under liberty. Just need to shed the entitlements.

Just remember that the smallest minority is the individual….

Don’t be sorry for two long comments. I’m extremely thankful you made them!

WOW! G! I think you get the award for longest comment so far and also a trophy for thoughtful commentary. Big Mahalo!

I’m not dissing any white people who have grown up there or stayed for a long time saying go away, what’s done is done, but the fact that so many white Americans in particular feel they can go anywhere in the world because they like it or want to experience something new (which is an awesome privilege to have the means for) is not okay when it’s done without truly considering the impact of their choices and even the impact of what is set into motion usually unintentionally. To grow up in a tourist economy where you must embrace tourism to have jobs and must be welcoming on a certain level to changes and accommodations and destruction and so many painful things€”but then to have people come and like stake their claim (not with bad intention of course) the way Euro explorers always did, put the flag down and boom! it’s ours! Yes it’s the US but no you’re not contemplating moving to just another state that will easily let you change your address and official ID with a few clicks. Honestly I feel like people just wanting to move, work, retire in paradise need to consider, is it okay to move onto reservation lands and buy up land to develop or live or make money from that doesn’t actively, holistically support the actual local community in generative, integrative sustainable practical ways, or just to experience and enjoy and ‘learn Native ways’…I think many people here would agree that this sounds like a pretty heavy, complicated decision that would require a LOT of motive-searching and deep research and deeply tuned plans to make it with integrity, why there and not somewhere else off the rez. Maybe some will disagree, but I feel like the main difference is when it comes to Hawai’i you can do what you want b/c legally you’re under US law, no permission needed… just because you can doesn’t mean you should!!

I get that it’s not straightforward, and like I said a huge main tourist economy is a tough thing. It is impossible for a place to not change. It eventually gets overwhelmed if the tourist population continues to stay and bring more people, more more from their own culture into yours and they are minority but still at the top economically (and at the real power base, politically). There are healthier and unhealthier ways to try to keep damage down and make the most of their resources and such. But at the end of the day, if you take the attitude of yay, everyone who wants to come and can, should b/c hey, this land is your land, this land is my land! Nope, doesn’t work even if the central government of a country that colonized you still has the ultimate power.

I guess I’m just saying, I think this article is really great if it causes people with the motives I mention to take pause and perhaps see the Islands beyond their vacation and not see it as a Paradise Version NYC or Portland or LA whatever beckoning them to have a change of pace, scenery, new job, etc, relocation! You have so much privilege that goes unnoticed it can become unintentional entitlement that I know many don’t want to have. I guess I see a big difference between moving because you have rooted friends/family and have some investment in being an outsider in a new country/land but through the connection with those roots and those who want to expose their kids to the Aloha culture yay! and surf yoga or want to live the island life or get a condo and write Hawai’ian tiki mystery novels or something…islands are small! Each person takes space. I think the ultimate question to ask would be ‘How would I take up that space, what is that space I’m taking in the first place, and how would I truly (i.e. not in theory or through one perspective) bring something to that space that would contribute to the whole.’ And when I say the whole, I mean by the standard of the indigenous people whose land you are somehow allowed to come on whenever you want without permission–but shouldn’t… Maybe that’s could be a fair question to seek understanding for. You might find a good answer that leads you to move there into a space you can live and thrive in and bring life to, but then you’ll be doing it with motives that you are aware of and will make decisions and have perspective that will make you a good foreigner transplant!

Just ideas and feelings. Nothing eloquent, smart or necessarily well grounded. But I would love to see more articles like this helping people get a more dimensional image /perception of what may be an ideal or limited picture. Definitely has been thought-provoking to read the article directed at a demographic considering or even already making plans; and then all of the comments I was able to…even though I didn’t think this article was relevant to the reason I found this site, it actually was along with other articles that indirectly kinda gave me the perspective I needed to hear about some questions I had. Mahalo Jeff!

Also: if my old comment posted, sorry for two long comments.

Wow, this is a difficult discussion to see here but illuminating to me to see the attitudes and perceptions people have of ‘locals’ and culture. I see so many comments that blow my mind, even if I have heard those things before, because it’s like a don’t even know where to begin, whether someone is saying that history doesn’t matter or even hearing certain demographics utilizing language like “bigotry”…or just seeing absolutely nothing potentially missing from their worldview…it’s really tough. For example, Jerry’s long post. If he got the job, I wish him the absolute best. But honestly, for all the comments about being a quality person I hope he gets another equally great position in a great place mainland or CA (who wouldn’t want to move to Santa Cruz if possible! wow!) reading his worldview and perspective show what I consider a very typical majority white *cultural* perspective about culture! Not realizing that being part of the majority culture, one ironically sees other cultures as something distinct, but their own not as a specific culture, but as just the norm. This is an incredible thing to take for granted, and it’s understandable, but if you don’t begin to consider that you actually *DO* have a culture that has allowed you to move in the world in a certain way so as to not see that you have power that comes with it…honestly, as much as I hear people scoff at this, the fact that it’s so hard for people to hear and consider makes me wonder how they believe they can move to another culture as a foreigner and not expect to encounter cross-cultural problems (unless they have the kind of position/wealth/power that can shelter them from dealing with it).

In all honesty, this is a very very difficult perspective to view when Americans come to any other country/nation/land and causes so much strife whether or not the American behaving according to that worldview also is actually harmed by it. I am American, but I grew up on Okinawa in the 80/90s (but as a foreigner, mixed/hapa non-Japanese/Okinawan family, non US military) and observed these clashes continuously in a population with so many US bases full of mostly white Americans, a huge tourist economy full of mainlanders (as in mainland Japan) that it sometimes seemed there were more transient Americans and mainland tourists than Okinawans or international/mixed/etc local population! The thing is that, what was always obvious to me growing up was that this mix is not random, or without subtext…it ALL has a very very tangled messy history even if I wasn’t a part of it, and affected me every day. I always felt kind of caught in between it all, and yes there was a lot that was hard about it, but I wasn’t entitled to feeling like a victim of injustice or whatever, my family CHOSE to move there. We were ALLOWED to live there and integrate as foreigners; if we didn’t like what came along with that, no one was stopping us from going back to America to have an easier life. And yet I have no reason to resent that I can never say I’m uchinanchu, or that I am “from” Okinawa even, because I’m not. I grew up mostly there but that doesn’t entitle me to be one.

As Jeff has pointed out to the obvious demographic this was written for, you move somewhere not your country, you have to ASSUME a position of an outsider. Doesn’t matter for me either who doesn’t relate to the stuff on this page, whether I look more like local or grew up on an island or used to no AC/major typhoons/water rationing/history-haunting/every day a crosscultural situation day, or even among best friends, classmates, teachers, non-blood ohana from the HI Islands, if I move to Hawai’i I gotta realize I’m moving to another country!!! I feel like a lot of Americans here in the mainland think Hawai’i is their country and are entitled to all that would hypothetically entail but I’m sorry, it’s the US on one level but it also isn’t and it really doesn’t matter how rational you think your politics are, if you are an outsider and experience life as a foreign person in a country not their nation, this does NOT equate “racisim” or “bigotry” or the language I keep hearing. You can visit or even move there, but it’s not a bad thing to accept being an alien immigrant or resident. You’re not being rejected because people treat you as an outsider, or who actually have ultimate power over you do something you perceive as prejudiced, you’re not from say and you should ASSUME that you don’t speak the same language. You’re not judged or misjudged (right perception or not) because someone is blaming you for something you feel you have no connection or responsibility for; you are connected, you are a part of a wide tapestry or multilayered tangle of history that absolutely affects you and those around you, and perhaps the topic is not even responsibility, but understanding beyond your worldview that clashes with theirs.

Just like if you as a white person (and yes, I include white Americans claiming indigenous ancestry even if genetically valid, if there is no cultural connection that impacts how you move through the world; not discounting ethnicity but I’m speaking of actual cultural ties) were to say grow up on some rez or move there to work as an adult, you aren’t entitled to be welcomed with open arms just b/c you believe you’re on ‘American soil’…you hopefully wouldn’t expect everybody to have the same culture as you or see it as dominant/better, or to talk to you and treat you in the same cultural way as you’re used to or feel you have the right to. Because you’re a visitor or resident, it’s not your tribe; you are a foreigner, which is okay! You can say they’re being ‘racist’, but you CHOSE to be there when you have the opportunity to be in countless other amazing places on this land where majority American culture rules and the rest of us learn to integrate and often even assimilate or given up parts of our culture if we want to get along well (whereas living each day not having to think about your culture and someone else’s is going to be a given for you if you live off rez land wherever you choose to start a life or continue one). Being a minority in my own passport country and having been a foreigner in what Americans call a foreign country, I’m not bitter about not ever having a position in life where I haven’t had to deal with cross-cultural clashes or issues, it’s just how it is. I don’t blame someone who hasn’t ever had to be in that position. But it does hurt/frustrate that I so often find people with this kind of amazing power they’re ignorant of being blessed with being shocked and offended when they move to another land and discover they aren’t being welcomed with open armed but-of-course we’ll just see you through your own cultural lense! Or shocked that their idea of an entitlement to equality (I mean on a social level, not innate level) is a problem. I find it frustrating (albeit understandable) that there isn’t a realization that the actual given in context should be that if they want to be an integrated foreigner, they’ll have to make serious effort to commit to adapt, be silent more than they like, be humble instead of carrying on expecting others to make the changes, accept discomfort as more normal than assumed, not draw quick conclusions but always assume there is more to the story or bigger picture…and yet never make any other direct assumptions about people or culture or How Things Are. And always recognize they must stay in position of learner if they want to grow into a unique but not more special place as a member of a new community! This isn’t in the category of hardship or unfairness, but if it feels that way, then as Jeff says, it’s just not for you; please enjoy where you are, or where you can culturally integrate with ease, and be grateful you can live there! It’s a true blessing!

If anyone read this far, thanks for hearing my thoughts as an outsider who had really different questions coming to this site than posed here…sorry it’s long…I was trying to refrain from addressing everything I was reading that frustrated or confounded me, and I was impressed by Jeff’s non-judgmental attitude; I realize it could really become a forum of cringeworthy proportions if we start arguing point by point. I guess that’s one thing very American, for both good and bad, emo imo debate! lolz! However: I would like to say one thing a bit more specific to this quasi-forum…I want to say that if you are offended by things like locals not wanting you in their area or expect public schools to be good or feel entitled to things you may never worried about before that appear unfair to you, or thinking that people should just accept and understand you immediately because Aloha! or that Jeff’s perception of being at the bottom of the “totem pole” is unjust…or cringe at the idea of always feeling like a minority for the first time :D (this mere concept blows my mind, I almost cannot imagine what that would feel like!!!!!! lucky you!!!)…but think that is racism, when it’s your choice to move there, for your own gain (not necessarily wrong)….I truly cannot see that kind of entitlement working out too well for anyone, you or everyone who will be impacted by your move! And I must also add: if anyone else thinks that the Asian American locals whose families have been there for generations being accepted more than you, a mainlander, white or black or whatever, is somehow hypocritical bending to Imperial Japan or whatever€”before even thinking of actually moving to Hawai’i, I would ask you to first make an effort to learn more about Asian American history in the mainland as it is!! Because if someone doesn’t realize why this categorizing and comparison is so bizarre, I have a hard time believing that this individual would have any basis for even remotely beginning to connect with the culture they’re moving into in a remotely constructive way…again, constructive for the migrant moving or or the community moved into.

This site has a lot of really excellent insight and content, which I really appreciate! Even if my questions about the topic are of a different nature, seeing even an article I don’t relate to and the conversation it spawned has been very enlightening even if not surprising to me, and thus is helpful too! So big thanks to Jeff for your work on this; it’s great. I don’t know if you feel it would be appropriate, but I wonder if another article addressing other things relevant to people of this demographic (who are considering moving to Hawai’i as another state that would be a nice place to live, work, retire, etc.) because BEACHES! Whether as an explainer piece on various topics that come up among your comments, or more articles like this, from your perspective as a white mainlander who moved and has tried to integrate for many years, I think it would do so much good on many levels. Just suggestion, I know it must be time consuming!

Tina – I’m actually part African American myself and I have never felt discriminated against on the mainland (but I am lighter skinned). I think it depends on what areas of the mainland you are referring as NOT all parts of the mainland discriminate against people of color. Where I live there is no discrimination of any kind that I have noticed. Thus why it was such a shock for me to witness it on the island. I was visiting Colorado one time and felt discriminated against me for being white and another time in Florida and some southern states. So it is not only the blacks, Hispanics etc.. that can claim the race card. It happens to Caucasians also, but when it happens to white people they are not supposed to talk about it as for some reason its considered they deserve it or something. Just my opinion – not asking anyone to agree or disagree with me.

Hi Sorry just seen this message. We rented this year to some long term tenants as health reasons have changed in our household and we will not longer be going back to the island each winter.. We gave the new tenants a break in the monthly rent of about $500/month discount (the place is fully furnished right down to linens and cookware) from what we were getting prior just renting for the months we were off island. in exchange for them taking care of the year and minor maintenance/upkeep. We will take care of any major repairs that may come up on the home and or if an appliance goes out or something. There is a big difference renting to locals vs mainlanders. We would not even consider renting to locals for the most part. We always rented to couples or a single person considering moving to the island and/or ones just wanting to get away for a while. The long term caretakers we have in there now are a couple who just moved to the island (job transfer) from the mainland and were looking for something long term until they decided where/if they wanted to buy something. We still may sell our cottage in the next year now with the health issues and needing to be closer to medical facilities on the mainland.

Well I’m really glad that we can all agree that judging people by the color their skin is really a bad thing

I’m African American now you know how it feels to be discriminated against. It sucks doesn’t It ? That’s how most blacks feel on the mainland . Can’t just walk down the street and say €˜Hi’ without the cops being called because some haole thinks you’re trying to rob them of some sort. I’m a therapist and yet still looked upon as a thief by white folks .

Michael and Donald are €˜offended’

Hi laurie96778, you wrote “We still own our home on the island we may sell in a year and then maybe not.”, I’m retiring and moving to BI before end of year. I’d like to know your thoughts are on renting your house. Have you been renting it while you’re on the mainland to vacationers or people who want to live there? I’ve read that there’s a difference renting from locals Vs mainlanders and I’m wondering where I should befing my search. thanks

Maybe it was their destiny.

I wonder if “the dogs bark endlessly because they are being neglected and not given any attention. Excessive barking can be a sign of animal abuse and neglect. I would definitely check it out. Maybe they are keeping the poor dogs in small cages as an
alarm system. I saw that in Hawaii once. I also saw dogs running around with collars embedded in their necks. It was horrifying! I hope that humane societies and Animal Regulation are better than they used to
be in Hawaii. Hopefully there are – Spay, Neuter, Vaccination, Adoptions and Anti-Cruelty Programs for dogs and cats in the Islands now.

jeffy – sorry that you’re unhappy with your life, but that’s your responsibility.

Thank you, Terra. I enjoyed reading your comments. My husband and I just moved to the Big Island from Ohio. After reading yours and others experiences, I am reminded that a very large portion of our outcomes in life are directly related to our attitudes and the choice to see the beauty in perceived obstacles.

He wrote this article because the rest of his website paints living here in HI in a positive light..?

Ready yet?