06-30-2010, 07:18 AM
quote:
Just remember, you can't come here and "fix it" to "make it better the way we used to back home". Embrace Hawaii in its entirety, good and bad, charming and aggravating. It is what you fell in love with after all.
Couldn't agree more. I took the time to look at your photos and your caption above the broken wind turbine thought, "oh, don't say that to a local..." (I also thought, "I hope you killed that frog after you took the picture", but maybe you are one of the lucky few that hear coqui as music.)
If you are from the mainland you'll be much happier in Hawaii if you never mention how anything is done better "back home". I say this in all seriousness and tongue firmly out of cheek. Hawaii is what it is and ain't in any hurry to change.
However I would say it was hard to adjust to this mindset when the mainland way is "how can we make things better?" or "lets do something about this".
Once you let that go and let Hawaii be Hawaii, its much easier. Just a different approach to life and locals are not too interested if they perceive you to be a mainlander. You'll be accepted eventually but it takes a while, we've been here two years and still get the feeling we are visitors to the locals.
The upside to letting go of the mainland mindset is lower stress and probably longer life, downside is progress in Hawaii happens at a glacial pace.
It sounds like you and your wife are a perfect fit for the island and should have a great life out here. You two will be preoccupied building a house and a life so doubt you'll have time for any of Hawaii's issues for quite awhile.
Take the time to find an honest realtor (I think there are a couple on Punaweb) so you get a straight opinion of where you choose to homestead and you two should be very happy on the Big Island.
Welcome!