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Another option is Verizon's MiFi - uses cell phone technology. Advantage is that you can take it anywhere with you, disadvantages are many: it's pricey at $60/mo. for 5GB of data transfer (vs. $30/mo. for 250K, which is a joke); you can't really stream video consistently (YouTube's ok, not great, but no way would I watch a tv show thru it). BUT, when it's dealing with normal online stuff, like surfing on amazon.com, it's great. We're at 3rd & Maku'u with no other options except dial-up (no DSL, no cable, no satellite). Bottom line, don't believe a real estate agent when they tell you there's DSL or cable at that address; ask the seller.
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quote:
Originally posted by hawaiideborah
Bulwinkle,
trojan Homes is pau...
totally closed up, a thing of the past.
hawaiideborah
I think everyone knows that.
What Bullwinkle was trying to do was point out that if you see "Trojan" design house in the real estate ad, it may be worth looking into because they had some really great designs for what you are looking for.
(hint)
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Thanks mdd
I believe HPM has the plans
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quote:
Originally posted by garymatt: Sometimes the connection speed drops and it takes touching tin foil to the wires to make it all better.
Could you explain that please.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.
Posts: 246
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I've just changed from the Verizon express card modem to the company's MiFi system DTisme mentioned. Instead of plugging in a card or connecting via USB the MiFi connects to the computer using WiFi. I was told that I could still use my external antenna but that doesn't appear to be the case, so the jury's still out on whether it will be as fast as the older modem using the external antenna.
Still looking forward to the arrival of 4G service.
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quote:
Originally posted by Dave Smith
I've just changed from the Verizon express card modem to the company's MiFi system DTisme mentioned. Instead of plugging in a card or connecting via USB the MiFi connects to the computer using WiFi. I was told that I could still use my external antenna but that doesn't appear to be the case, so the jury's still out on whether it will be as fast as the older modem using the external antenna.
Still looking forward to the arrival of 4G service.
will 4G service be on the Big Island?
I heard a radio ad this week sayiing that the Big Island does not get 4G.
?????
hawaiideborah
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I also heard that. I'm pretty sure that 4G is only going to be made available to Oahu.
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Speaking from experience I would say Orchidland gets more minutes of rain than almost any other place in Puna. Not more inches, but more minutes. When we lived there I would leave for work in a misty drizzle every morning, drive up through Hawaiian Acres to Kurtistown for work, and then back down in the afternoon. It would generally clear off during the day up on the mountain, with alternating sun and showers, but when I got home my husband would have experienced non stop drizzle all day. We had terrible problems with mold and mildew on everything there too, stuff would mold overnight, even with fans running all the time. That was the only place in Puna we have had such horrible mold problems.
If roosters are an issue for you, don't buy anywhere zoned AG. We bought a place in HPP with no roosters in earshot, after two years a new neighbor moved in on the next block with nocturnal roosters and I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep since. If you are zoned AG, and there are no CCRs prohibiting them, you can end up with roosters for neighbors at any time.
Carol
edited to add: The DOE is reducing teachers statewide and even math, science and sped teachers have been laid off from Pahoa, Kea'au, and Hilo schools in the last 2 years. Next year looks even worse, and every teacher I know is hanging onto their jobs, even if they want to leave, because nationally the job market for teachers is so tight. You should also know that the teacher pays a very big chunk for their insurance (unlike most mainland school districts) and it takes 5 years to be vested in the retirement system (most places it is 2). I was only able to get a job here because we moved here first and I had multiple endorsements on my license. Even then I was unable to get any traction with the DOE hiring process, instead I was hired at a charter school. Because of how they are funded charter schools are experiencing even greater budget cuts than DOE schools, and judging from the meeting of charter schools I just attended there will be very little hiring done this year. Christian Liberty and St. Josephs are the only private schools in commuting distance to Puna, both pay a fraction of what public school teachers earn. Kamehameha schools pay better, but rarely hire people who have not taught in Hawaii before.
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
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Everybody,
Thank you so much for the invaluable info about the area. I hope this year is starting well for you, and I wish you all the best of everything in 2011.
Carol, thank you especially for the input on teaching situation on BI. It sounds very disheartening. From my conversations with DOE representatives I got an impression that teachers are still needed on islands other than Oahu, and hoped it is not going to be a multi-year endevour to get a full time teaching position with a High School on BI. The good news is that I will have 3 endorsements on my licence by March of this year, and I don't mind teaching private school or drive to Kau for the first year or two before getting a more convenient/ better paid position. The bad news is that the endorsements I have are not in a great demand (Social Studies/History; Business/Marketing/Computers and Foreign Language: Russian). The situation for teachers is so bad everywhere, so it does not matter for me much if I move to Hawaii or stay in Illinois, I still have issues with having a job for the next school year.
What is your insurance contribution, if it is not too personal of a question? Right now we are paying huge money for health insurance every month, I was hoping once I get teaching position in HI, that amount will go down because me and my son can switch to the insurance provided by DOE.
Thank you,
Dina
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quote:
Originally posted by macuu222
I also heard that. I'm pretty sure that 4G is only going to be made available to Oahu.
All I know is, Verizon's website says the company is "aggressively" working to convert its entire 3G network to 4G by the end of 2013. The staff at the local Verizon store is noncommittal but I have been led to believe it could reach the Big Island by next year. Let's hope it's sooner rather than later.
