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Moving to Puna stories - Rob Tucker - 06-11-2003
I thought it might be a good idea to invite people to tell and talk story about moving to Puna. People who do not know the area are very curious and have heard many tales, often bad, about life here in Puna. So I am going to lead off and I’m not making any of this up, it is all fact. I do hope that if I speak plainly no one will find offense. This is merely the story of my introduction to Pahoa Village.
In 1993 I entered escrow on my property in Pahoa Village. I was quite thrilled at the prospect of owning a place in Hawaii and was unsure at the time if I would live there, have a vacation place or perhaps rent it out over time. I had been living for 10 years in a beach front home in a Southern California beach community.
When I told people what and where I had bought I was told by everyone that I had made a huge mistake. The area was rife with crime and as a houle I would get a cold reception. The locals, I was told, were largely Japanese Hawaiian and haoles such as my self were not much wanted or appreciated there. All I could do was shrug my shoulders and take it with a grain of salt. I was in escrow. I was basically confident I had found the location that best suited me and I guess I would just find out.
After closing escrow I finally got to spend more than an hour on the property and came over to start cleaning it up and assessing the task in front of me. My first contact with a neighbor, as I whacked on the vines and overgrowth, was a voice front the street saying “ Helloooooo, would you like a peanut butter and honey sandwich?”. This woman is my neighbor and one of my best friends. She is 88 now and I hope I can be as friendly, helpful and busy and engaged as she someday.
The next morning I wokeup and found I had a flat tire on my pickup. I decided to walk into town for breakfast and some shopping before fixing it and an hour or so later when I returned I was mystified to find the tire wasn’t flat anymore. Later that afternoon I met my second neighbor....who said to me “Heya, I saw you had a flat so I fixed it for you”. Now I gotta say that in California I do not think anyone would even consider fixing a flat tire for a stranger. I had to tell myself.....if these are the unfriendly ones god save me from the friendly folks. I might not be able to handle that much good will and aloha.
Lastly, on that same trip as I prepared to leave for the mainland I thought about all the stories about thieves and crime in the area. So as I left the house I placed a $35 tool and a six pack of beer on the front steps and figured it was worth it to find out how safe the neighborhood was. Two months later when I returned the tool and the six pack were still sitting right where I left them. At that point I knew I had found my home.
I can’t promise anyone their experiences will be the same. These are mine and reflect at least one reality here in Pahoa. I invite folks to tell their stories.
RE: Moving to Puna stories - Steph B - 06-11-2003
Thanks for the invite, I'll share as well.
My husband's brother has lived in Hawaiian Acres for almost 30 years, and the whole time were married, hubby and I said we'd go visit someday. We never actually made it, though. We were living in Oregon, basically where our parents set us down.
After 13 years together, we finally made it to Hawaii. My cousin, who lived on Maui, was in a construction accident, and not expected to make it. He was on life support, so anyone in the family who could go and hang out with his immediate family while they waited, did. Since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped in the BI and visited hubby's brother. With flying in/out of Honolulu (stayed in Waikiki for a few days due to a sinus infection on hubby's part), we got a basic idea of what different parts of different islands were like. Sitting on a lanai in the Hapuna Prince hotel in Kona, we decided.. we'd be nuts not to move here.
I won't speak for my husband, but for me, I loved the plants, the weather, the isolation, and the way the culture seemed to be celebrated. I'd always said my dream house would be out in a rural area, where we could have privacy and not have to manicure our lot daily. I have always kept as many pets and houseplants as I could fit into a house, and I could see that east Hawaii was a good place for that. Finally, I run a home business (web design and pet care site) and I could move it out here with no trouble.
We sold our house in Oregon, and moved into a rental in downtown Portland while we waited for our house in HPP to close. It took two months longer than anticipated, but worked out in the end. We never saw our house, except in a few emailed pictures, until we drove up in mid-May. We'd made good decisions, apparently, as the house is everything we want. The neighbors are polite and friendly, even though we're haoles, and we're still living in a state of shock that everything here could be better than we anticipated. When our dogs get out of quarantine this Saturday, our family will finally be complete.
I really value the lush plants, the quiet small town communities, the privacy of the jungle, and especially the way the whole house can be left open to the outdoors, letting in the sights, sounds, and smells of the jungle, and the touch of the tradewind breezes. Coming from Oregon, we're used to rain and actually enjoy it. It'll surely be a few years before we're accepted as kama'aina, but we can keep our heads down and be respectful, and will hopefully be surprised by the aloha we're hearing about and are just starting to experience.
Being a web developer, I have the whole moving process documented on our personal web site.
If anyone wants a look at the intricate details of our move, it's all here.We're lucky to live Hawaii!
Steph
My sites:
http://www.bairey.net
http://practical-pet-care.com
RE: Moving to Puna stories - Sharon C - 06-12-2003
Rob, I am sitting here smiling as i read your posting. I hope more will respond with the same warmth and feeling of aloha. It gives those of us trying to make decisions insight into the community and the people that live there. Who knows, some of us could become neighbors very soon. Your first experience with your new neighbors is heart warming. They must be truly lovely people. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
Sharon Copeland
RE: Moving to Puna stories - webmaster - 06-14-2003
I can only hope that whenever I get my house finally built that I will be welcomed. I met a neighbor across the street from my lot when I came to check it out, He was just coming back from shopping when he seen us and of course was curious as to why we were moseying around. ZWe talked and told him I just bought a lot nera him. He was white and made it clear that he liked his privacy and did not mingle with his neighbors. I just figured well too bad but he will now have yet another neighbor other than the guy across the road from him. Yes I surely hope that maybe even thru this site I can make some friendly contacts. I am planning on building a HPM package home. The "MONARCH II
It is a plantation style home and irt will be in Fern Acres on Hibiscus street. Yes I also hera all these stories from people here in Seattle about how houles are not welcome. We will see says the blidman!...Frank B
frank Battaglia
RE: Moving to Puna stories - HiloJohn - 06-25-2003
Aloha Rob!
Thanks for sharing the story
btw...call me the next time you leave the beer
I am looking foreward to meeting youHiloJohn
RE: Moving to Puna stories - billeger - 07-16-2003
Much to the consternation of a few, this is a state and the notion of any person being a 'haole' is very strange. What that means, in the Hawaiian meaning, is "no breath." Clearly you have breath though it may not have come your way as it did, the 'breath of life,' with our indigenous Hawaiian friends. Don't let that bother you. You are, however, a newcomer. Keep the word 'insular' in mind. It refers to the quality of isolation -- and sometimes a lack of sophistication -- that accompanies folks who are raised on islands. How could they know about life 'out there?'
Don't let that bother you, either. You will be greeted with the spirit -- the aloha -- that you use to greet the folks you meet. I'm an old man. As a group, in my considered view, Hawaiians are the finest people I have ever had the privilege to know. A key to their friendship is to acknowledge them, to see them, to enjoy them as they are . . . not necessarily as you think they should be. Over time their island way will make enormous good sense.
Don't go to parties empty handed. Take something.
Keep a smile on your face. Love the children. Love the land and the ocean. Grow a garden.
You'll be fine.
Those who would trade security for freedom soon have neither.
Edited by - billeger on 07/17/2003 00:50:53
Edited by - billeger on 07/17/2003 00:52:09
RE: Moving to Puna stories - British couple - 06-05-2004
thankyou so much for your posting Rob. My wife and I are in the process of buying in Puna, it's so strange that we already love this place that we have never ever set foot on. We too continue to hear what a big mistake we are making.So reading about your good experiences has made us feel more at ease. We are, like you were, living in Southern california, Santa Monica.When we do move to hawaii we will know no one, that's hard of course, but your good experiences assures us that we will make good new friends quickly. all the best to you mate, and thanks again. Gary & Jean. Tally-Ho...
RE: Moving to Puna stories - Oligos - 06-13-2004
I am planning on moving my myself and 4 children to Puna in mid July. I have found it difficult to find realtors to deal with me as I am not on island yet has anyone else ran into this problem? Are there many for sale by owner properties in Puna? I use to live on Kauai in 86-87 and have longed to return to the warm aloha spirit I remember, finally the dream is being realized. I hope to hear more stories like those posted here.
Mahalo
PeaceIn=PeaceOut
RE: Moving to Puna stories - webmaster - 06-24-2004
I wi8ll be finally arriving in Puna july 9th. Long time awaiting lots of stress later but finally will be there. I am willing to share my experience as aa newbee. Me and my dog are going. Maybe my brother but Im doubting it and maybe for best! I will be certainly looking forward to meet any of you who are presently residing there. I will be in Fern acres. Just come by Hibiscus street between poles 40-41 I should have a numbered sign reading 11-3286 posted at front. Come by introduce yourself! On another note can anyone tell me best place to buy some quality used furnishings? I will arrive to a bare house! You can email me at oceandreamer50@netscape.com thanks
frank B.
RE: Moving to Puna stories - Glenn Pressel - 07-20-2004
We just bought three acres in Orchidland Estates and hope to move and build in the summer of 2005. As we were looking for property we were concerned as many are about being outsiders. Once we had picked out our property we decided to get to know the neighbors. Like Rob's experience we were met with the spirit of aloha and knew we had picked the right place. We were quickly introdeced to "cousins" and told that our new property would be looked after until our return.