Why in the world would people want to live in Hawaii?

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thesiphone

When I first got there one of the wives told me that I just had to give it time. That I would fall in love with Hawaii and never want to leave. I laughed and told her she was crazy. Everyone you love is far away and it is so expensive to visit each other. But I have never fell in love with a place so fast. My son was born there and he is my lasting momento from living there.When it was time to leave I cried while I packed, I cried driving to the airport, and I cried the entire plane ride back to Indiana. (Perhaps it was because I was going to Indiana, I know lol) To this day I can't watch shows about Hawaii or look at pictures without my heart aching. So all I can do is give you the same advice I once got... Give it time.

I will add this advice of my own... As a military wife you probably won't be there for more than a couple years so don't spend too long being sad and missing home... when you finally do fall in love with the island you will want enough time to really find ways to remember it... I didn't get near enough time.

Humuhumunukunukuapuaa

Well...I've been living and working on Maui for over two years now and I could not be happier. I love the hiking in the rain forest, the beaches, the whale watching, the snorkeling, swimming under a waterfall, being able to ride my bike to work year round, and watching sunsets with my wife at Kamaole III Beach on a Sunday evening while grilling a steak and drinking rum and cola.... doesn't get any better than that!

I have adopted a healthier, more active lifestyle since I moved here, I have lost about 20 pounds and it has been a long time since I've had this much energy.

Bu alas, thank God you are a military family and most likely your "torchur" [torture] will end soon and you can go back to your snakes, rabbits and snow. (We do have deer in Hawaii, I've seen them on Molokai and Maui).

Different people like different things. Humanity would advance a whole lot if most people understood this simple concept.

Bub

For many people, living in Hawaii is paradise. What other U.S. State could claim to have year-round warm weather and lush tropical beaches?
I understand your situation: You love where you came from--who doesn't?
I'm sure that if someone moved to Georgia from Hawaii, they'd probably say, "What's up with the Deer, Rabbit, Snakes and No surf?"
I'm not from Hawaii, originally, but I was stationed there for 10 years and I never felt out of sync.
You just have to get acclamated to the life there. It is different, just like any other state or country.

kentata

What do you mean no mountains? On Oahu alone, there are two mountain ranges that extend up to 4000 feet elevation. The Waianae Mountains and the Ko`olau mountains.

As a malahine, I agree that Hawaii can be a bit confining, but there are certainly positive things about living here, too. Weather tops the list, food a close second.

kenmauiphoto

Duh, if you fell out of your car in most places you'd probably freeze to death in a day or two, if you're in the southwest during the summer heat would finish you off fast. If you fell out of your car here on Maui you could last quite a while, pick banana's, pineapple, mango's, papaya's, water when it rains. There was a overpopulation of deer a few years ago, I see Owls and who needs snakes? Haleakala Crater is over ten thousand feet high, West Maui Mountains is over five thousand. If you're into surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, fishing, swimming, whale watching, biking, hiking, horseback riding, and every outdoor sport you can think of you can enjoy it all year long.
And that's why people want to live in Hawaii.

Rani

Ah--- thank heavens! At last someone who is NOT trying to stay here! We have SO many people moving over here, building shopping centers, housing developments, etc. that our "island paradise" is beginning to resemble southern CA with better weather and prettier beaches! And our real estate values have sky-rocketed due to the influx of mainlanders moving over--- making it hard for the people who live here to buy their own places.
You are absolutely right!!! This is the WORST place to live--- sheer torture! PLEASE be sure to tell all your friends and acquaintances about how horrible it is here--- they really shouldn't even waste their money coming to visit! Leave the place to the natives--- !

Sav

YOu don't see any snakes, deers, or rabbits b/c it's an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Those animals are not native to Hawaii b/c it's so far from any continent. Oahu has spectacular mountains that rise straight up. Maybe you should go to another island. Try the big island, it's about the size of Connecticut. It's much bigger and less populated and crowded. And there are two mountains that rise over 12,000 feet there. Hawaii is a lot different from GA b/c it's a tropical island and has a unique culture, very laid back and such. Some people wonder why anyone would want to live in GA too, it just depends on your lifestyle and what you like. I love that place but I dunno if I could live there either unless i had a lot of money to fly out of there whenever I wanted to b/c you can't drive far away or anything when you want to get away.

foolishsavant

Obviously, you haven't tried surfing, boogie-boarding, hiking through rainforests, mountain biking, scuba diving, and canoe paddling. Or eaten kalua pig, dim sum, sushi, malasadas, adobo, laulau, and manapua.
Deer, rabbits, and snakes??? Please.....they're only good for target practice!
There are very few places where you can snowboard AND surf all in one day during the winter (Big Island)
Ever heard of the expression: when in Rome, do as the Romans do? You have to adapt to the culture, the culture will certainly not adapt to you!!!

Joan G

Why would anyone want to live anywhere? I was a military brat and married to a military man so I've been to alot of places. There are plus and minuses where ever you live. Being married to the military you have to adjust to where you are stationed. Stop whining and make the bet of where you're at. I now live in Missouri and can't wait to move to warmer climat.

wellsk

What is the point indeed. I mean, it's not like Hawai'i has heritage or culture....that's for sure. Life out here is atrocious. The beaches are beautiful, the weather is wonderful 95% of the time and the cultural diversity will be the death of me. I also see your point about driving in straight, unending lines being much preferable to driving in circles (you don't get dizzy that way!) Did you ever think that the reason you feel so negatively about Hawai'i is because you spend too much time cooped up at Schofield? If you want a life changing moment, go drive the Pali and look out at the valleys and tell me that you've ever seen anything so green or waterfalls so pretty before. Go to the Big Island and hike Mauna Kea to go play in the snow, or see the Silverswords or go to Maui and watch the sun rise over Kilauea.
We do have deer, especially on Molokai, but if you miss them that much watch Animal Planet. And rabbits are terrible, invasive species- if you ever want a little tidbit of information, read up on what happened on Rabbit Island. But by all means, please leave and take all the other unhappy military wives with you because the last thing we need on the islands is more Durango's and Escalades to make traffic on the H2 worse. Make it that much mo bettah for us.

Coley

ill be moving there this summer for college and to live...i want a change and to live in paradise and go to school...be by the ocean...that will be amazing

No Picture

I think it is a status thing. I've lived in Hawai'i for the past 13 years, and it hasn't been easy, but i have persevered, and things have worked out okay. I realize there is more opportunity for someone with my advanced degrees in the Continental U.S., but I've weighed the pro's and con's and for me, this is where I'm staying. I think a lot of people do not understand the unique challenges that life on an island presents, and if they are not equipt to handle this, it doesn't work out for them. Here on Maui, where the cost of living is absolutely EXORBITANT, there is a large transient population comprised largely of naive and idealistic folks who aren't able to "make it," or snowbirds who live here part-time. When I lived on O'ahu, I could not afford a car, so I rode the bus or my bike. Forget about renting an apartment on these pithy wages! Instead, I lived in rooms with strangers, etc., etc. At this point, I am in a relationship with a wonderful man and we cohabitate, thus reducing the rent and living expenses. At least in your case, you are on a military base, so you have a sense of community. I created my community on O'ahu and now on Maui. And like I said, it wasn't easy. I appreciate your honesty. Thank you for sharing and allowing me to share.

neeemo

Probably following some kind of dream of paradise. Who knows. Everyone has their reasons. Of course if you're born and raised here, you're just... here.

ssbn598

People love Hawaii for the weather and for the natural beauty. Hawaii is very different from what most people are used to. Yes, Oahu is a small island. You'd love it if you learned to appreciate nature. The weather allows you to surf/swim/run/jog/walk/bike all year long. Camping, fishing and almost any sport are popular and not just in the summer.

Each island is a little different, but all are small probably not very exciting for a big city girl like you. There are deer on the island of Lanai. Owls are on Maui and probably on other islands too. Why do you want snakes? Except for the zoo, there are no (legal) snakes in Hawaii. They try very hard to keep them out as they would wipe out what's left of the indigenous animals.

Your husband has a very important job. His tour in Hawaii will end soon. I am sorry you don't appreciate it now, but I think you'll miss it in a couple of years when you're enduring a winter in Nebraska.

the1337loser

Of Course There Are None Of Those Things. Actually On Oahu There Are Hiking Trails.
The Weather Is Great. And Also There Are Good Waves On Oahu (I Would Not Know Though But That is What People Say).
Also Everyone Is Friendly In The Islands

bob

bob has no idea why all the white people want to move to hawai'i.
bob just assumed it was so they could live in their fairy tale paradise forever land even though its not like that, althought bobs the one stuck in housing with the crack pipe while the crackers end up in duplexes and 2 story + houses.

Wendy B

I moved to Maui in 1999. I was excited about the new lifestyle, warm weather, and the beaches (I came from Massachusettes). Oh, reality set in quickly for me too. I often heard that you have to be a real free spirit to live there because it's so easy going/ laid back. I think you have to be very close minded and not care about having to live with alot less. We finally moved back to the mainland in March of 2006. I didn't like it because I felt suffocated. So far from family. Going in circles is right!!!! And not only do you need a ton of money to be comfortable, but you have to work multiple jobs to do so...I took a big pay cut when I got there. It's pretty, but it got boring quick. With two kids, I wanted to be able to give them more. Since moving to the mainland...I can stay home with them and spend way less on grocery's. In my opinion, it sucked. Too expensive, to isolating, to boring. Hopefully, you will be able to come back soon. (We moved to GA)

sugarBear

AMEN, i am with you 100%!!!!!! The only reason why my husband and i live here is because my husband being in the Military. When i first came here, i thought it was beautiful, but when i moved here with my husband, i realized it is very different from vacation. You described everything well. I don't know how long you've been here, but after awhile, this small island will start to make you feel depressed & ISOLATED. We too miss our family back home, were missing alot of things back home but....were not going to be on this island forever, we only got a few more months left on this island & we can't wait to leave. The only reason why people get so excited about Hawaii is because, when they think Hawaii, they think "oh my gosh...tropical paradise, beautiful clear blue waters of beaches." but they don't really know what it's like. i seriously think too, that Hawaii lifestyle SUCKS!!!! we already ran out of places to visit. I've learned so much about this island, as far as the awful drug crimes & the weak law they have. I don't want to go on & on about how much i hate O'ahu. All i can say is that, the lifestyle & people is a little difficult & very different from Mainland. (I would say old fashioned, slow motion) it's better you just make the best of it while your on this island. You can e-mail me if you have any more questions. I'd be happy to answer any since I know more about the island.

GOOD LUCK!

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