Not really a Paradise - 5/1/2007

When I was vacationing in Oahu for the first time a couple of years ago, I just had to move here because it was so beautiful. The weather was great and the islands are so relaxing. Well I did move and I found out that vacationing in Hawaii and living in Hawaii are two completely different things. My boyfriend lives here and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to experience the islands. The pros about Hawaii is the weather and its beauty. There is none like it! The cons are that living in Hawaii is so expensive! It's comparable to SF, LA or NYC. Renting a small apartment in a safe neighborhood could cost you $1900 a month. Houses can sell for $800,000. Food and utilities are also much higher than the Mainland as well. But yet income is about 20 -30% less than what you make in the Mainland. It doesn't make any sense. No wonder people work 2 or 3 jobs just to make ends meet. There really isn't any jobs here unless you work in the tourism industry. I work in IT and jobs are scare. People are friendly but not many want to be friends. It seems like locals don't want to make friends with people from the mainland. I am friendly and keep myself open to the culture and the people and yet locals are "stand-offish". In comparison there is really nothing to do here unless you are an outdoor type of person. There's the beach and tons of hiking places. But as for culture like museums, plays, and concerts, there is not much to do. Plus being in the island can be quite clausterphobic because there is no where to go. The beauty and weather is great but I am leaving because I can't afford to live here with the low salary and the high cost of living.

[Comment on this Posting]

weather - 4/17/2007

nice and warm, in fact, little hot

[Comment on this Posting]

Cost of living - 4/7/2007

rent is quite expensive in Waikiki but nice if you can enjoy it.

[Comment on this Posting]

Honolulu is beautiful, but it's hard to live there - 3/16/2007

I lived in Honolulu for 7 years and I am a white girl who grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma, then lived in California for several years. I saw a lot of racism directed at blacks in the south and latinos in California, but nothing compares to the racism in Hawaii! I married a local Hawaii-born man and we have a little boy, who is "hapa" which means he is half caucasian. When I was with my husband or child in Hawaii, I was treated ok. But, when I was out alone, I was definitely treated as an outsider and felt alienated by the locals. Most were "friendly", but not interested in friendship. I did everything possible to make friends: open and positive attitude, attending social events, etc., but I felt lonely most of the time. Due to the transient nature of the population, the friends I did make non-locals and ended up moving away. If you were not born in Hawaii, it's tough to fit in there - I would say visit for an extended time before investing in a move.

[Comment on this Posting]

Moving to Hawaii is a mistake - 2/25/2007

Don't think you will be in the paradise. First of all, quality of housing is the lowest in the country. Because the scarcity of vacancies, landlords refused to repair or update to code. Often you'll see shingles peeling off or termite damaged post or rusted fixtures. Because there are just too many slumlords on the island who would cheat your money and charge you arms and legs on the rent and still crying out "oh, the tax is too high... you are on my subsidised housing;" or, "you don't like it, move!" Most renters on the island are accustomed to be cheated by landlords. If you absolutely have to move to Hawaii, you've got to study the landlord-tenant law. Well, there is another issue. Even there are laws, the state not necessarily enforce them. So, the bottomline is DON'T MOVE TO HAWAII! If you are buying here, beware of "condition" on the MLS - "Average" means a dump compare to most mainland standards.

[Comment on this Posting]

Racism so thick you can cut it with a knife - 1/6/2007

Its passive-aggressive. Try getting a job there if you're Black/White/Hispanic/Indian (a.k.a., "haolie"). Walk into Bank of Hawaii and count how many haolie's you see working there. Look at those in charge at UH. How many haolie cops to you see? Ever seen a haolie working at an ABC? How about surfing 'turf'? Up until Lingle, look at the gov't. It is one of the most racist places in the US. In the schools, ever heard of "Kill Haolie Day"? It is well-known that the Japanese are the biggest racists on Earth - and the Japanese own the place. It's not overt, its passive-aggressive which will rear its ugly head when it comes to $. Intellectually, its a vacuum... Its a great place to go - for about 3 days.

[Comment on this Posting]

1350 Ala Moana - 12/15/2006

Living next to Ala Moana mall does have its advantages and disadvantage. The major disadvanatage of heavy traffic (i.e. noise pollution) is mitigated by the proximity to lifestyle needs and the beach.

[Comment on this Posting]

Housing - 12/13/2006

Housing is small and expensive

[Comment on this Posting]

Aloha! - 11/23/2006

I have lived here for two years and as far as the people go thats why we moved here in the first place! Its not called the Aloha state for no reason, anyone who has had bad luck with the "locals" has probably not shown respect. My experience with the people here has been fantastic a very small percentage was born and raised here so as far as being scarred because your not from here forget it most people aren't. Thats another appealing aspect you meet people from all over the world it is full of diversity. If you are out going and open minded you will fit right in. Ignorance and prejudice don't have much of a place here. Is there racism of course its everywhere, but a few rumors I can lay to rest for you are; you don't need to learn japanese to live here, there is a lot of job opportunity, and the "locals" have the nicest most selfless culture I've ever seen. The downside don't make the mistake we did and live in Waikiki for too long you'll spend all your time working to afford it. It is spring break everyday which sounds fun but I assure you, you wont really experience Hawaii living here. best features: the weather, THE PEOPLE, the diversity, the paradise, lots to do. The worst features: the cost of living, you cant get in your car and drive, the ristrictions for everything like pets, smoking, etc. Living here has been a great experience the only thing I would ever change is living in Waikiki instead of outside the city where its cheaper and slower paced.

[Comment on this Posting]

racism in hawaii? - 11/18/2006

after reading the other comments about living in hawaii, i have a few questions of my own. the two responses to the AF female who is leaving, say they have not had any encounters with this and/or their best friend is AF or whatever. is it possible that since they are both long time residents of HI, they have no concept of what it's like to be a stranger in HI? is there someone else that can accurately answer this argument that isn't biased?

[Comment on this Posting]

living in hawaii - 10/26/2006

First off I would like to comment on the woman who said there is racism in Hawaii. There will be some racism anywhere you go. I have spent most of my life in Hawaii, and my best friends are of different races. My BEST friend is an african american male who I have known for 17 years. And, no, he wasn't raised here. The people here will treat you well, if you treat them the same. The only downside to living here is the cost. Everything is expensive. Other than that, Hawaii IS paradise.

[Comment on this Posting]

Consider moving to Hawaii - 10/14/2006

Aloha I was born and Raised in Hawaii. First off do not listen to anyone who says anything about Race in Hawaii. Hawaii is the most diversified State in the US. I have many many friends of many different race and backgrounds. Hawaii is in my opinion the best place to make and keep lifelong friends. So what is you have a bad experience here and there. You will get that no matter where you live. I left Hawaii for one reason and one reason alone! The cost of living! Owning a home is beyond the reach of many in Hawaii. At a median cost of $600,000 for a single family home and in the $300,000 for a townhome with maintenance fees reaching $300 a month it is CRAZY and out of hand. I wish I could of remained in Hawaii, but the best option for me and my family was to own a home and enjoy life, Not work our arse off day in and day out and never get to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii because you gotta work so friggin much just to make ends meet. So many Hawaii residents hide behind the Credit cards and personal loans just to keep up. One day it will catch up with them, I'm glad I had the profession and ability to up and move. I'll always miss and love Hawaii, but then again I love where I am at, and I can always go home and visit my Ohana (Family)in Hawaii!! If you can afford it, I say Go and live in Hawaii, you will not regret it. Make lifelong friends and enjoy the year round Tropical weather.

[Comment on this Posting]

another Af american female wants to move - 10/4/2006

Hi!! I'm excited about the possibility of moving to honolulu in the next year but I just read the last oomment about racism in hawaii. Is this true? Will I have a harder time there because I'm african american? Or will I be shown the aloha spirit regardless of skin? Please help!!

[Comment on this Posting]

Af. American female - 9/29/2006

If you are African American, or even white, don't move here. Locals don't accept other people on their "land" because they take too much pride in their sacred dirt. And Asians, who aren't even from here, are just plain old prejudiced! I'm leaving next year and I can't wait. Paradise? Not here. If you are black or white, you will be singled out, called names, and kept in your own little group. You'll be recognized for not looking "from here". It's unfair in opportunity. Good luck if you come anyway.

[Comment on this Posting]

Besides the high cost of living, traffic is horren - 9/13/2006

Anyone wanting to move to Oahu needs to be warned about the traffic in the suburbs, especially in central and west oahu. Just a week ago, the entire west-bound freeway was shut down at 2 pm, just before afternoon rush hour due to a traffic accident---the entire freeway in this area (the only freeway that connects central and west Oahu) for 13 hours!!! They now realize that a traffic altercation can, in such cases, require the intervention of Civil Defense, an organization which is usually only called on during natural disasters. Well, traffic is so bad that it is now officially classified as a disaster! While this incident was without question, the worst traffic jam in Hawaii's history, the bad news is, it happens to a lesser degree on a fairly regular basis. The alternate routes are inadequate to handle the grid-lock and no contra-flow plan is in place, though the government is supposed to be working on it at long last. Living in east Oahu or windward Oahu is better, traffic-wise, but the houses are much more expensive.

[Comment on this Posting]

Fresno - 8/20/2006

Fresno ---the good things are good weather [except summer]--centrally located about 2 1/2--3 1/2 Hrs from San Francisco-LA-the coast--and Yosemite-and real estate is still within reach---Now for the bad things--worst air in the country--high crime with too many gangs and too many illegal aliens --too many prisons up and down the state.

[Comment on this Posting]

Hawaii living costs are less than you think - 8/11/2006

With no heating and no air conditioning Hawaii's utility cost is nothing compared to the average mailand city. If willing to buy an existing single family home located on a average city street (with no ocean view) then the cost is about the same as the average mainland city of equal size. If willing to eat locally produced food then food costs are less than the mainland city. Clothing costs are virtually nothing compared to the mainland. (No formal attire, casual clothing worn for business and no season-changing clothing needed either.) Gas for automobiles is perhaps 20 cents more per gallon but there are little if no roads on which to drive. Comute times are little if none. There is much free entertainment and it is all year long.

[Comment on this Posting]

Very expensive - 8/1/2006

This may be paradise, but it is very hard to live here with an average salary. Many people have two jobs and/or live with family or roomates for a long time. For a young person or family, buying a house close to the city is an impossible dream.

[Comment on this Posting]

Honolulu - 7/18/2006

I love it here. I lived in Buffalo, NY and Chicago, IL and Boulder, CO before moving here and I'd had it with winter. 15 years later and I still don't miss it. Not crazy about the high humidity in the summer, but I can deal with it better than freezing to death.

[Comment on this Posting]

Hig cost of living and crime - 7/11/2006

Visit....don't move!

[Comment on this Posting]