09-03-2007, 04:24 PM
My first venture to Hawaii was not by choice. I was in the Army, stationed at Ft Campbell, KY. One day in 1977 I was called into first sergeant's office on a ruse that I was in deep trouble. After keeping up the pretense for a couple of minutes he then informed me I was being reassigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. A big deal was made of this was it was usual to be reassigned to Germany or Korea, but not Hawaii. As said, I had no choice and would be moving in 3 or 4 months. Ended up staying 4 years on Oahu before being reassigned. Vowed I'd return someday. As the plane rolled down the runway, then rotated, tears rolled down my cheeks. I really didn't want to leave.
Life has a way of happening and as the years passed so did the hope of returning. Sophie and I were able to return for a short visit in 1989, but again, no prospect for permanent return.
In 1999/2000 as Sophie recovered from her accident, we debated where to move for retirement. On a trip returning from Florida where we looked at possible acreage, Sophie remarked "I don't understand why we are looking at property in Florida when you always wanted to go back to Hi" Well, slap me side the head to wake up!!!!
I only really knew Oahu, but it was too congested, way too much traffic and not apparently affordable (we're owners, not renters). A survey of the other islands had con's out listing pro's. My only experience of BI was training on PTA, a summer of training National Guard troops from BI, and my former Ewa Beach neighbor who was born and raised Ookala. My research began in earnest. Our first trip to BI felt like coming home. We were fortunate to find the perfect place for us in 2003, moved in 2005, and hope to move into our new home in a few more weeks. Take me to new home Plenty challenges getting here, more a different ones once here, but we marvel almost daily how blessed we are to be here. Perhaps not paradise, but will surely do until we do make that final move.
David
Ninole Resident
Life has a way of happening and as the years passed so did the hope of returning. Sophie and I were able to return for a short visit in 1989, but again, no prospect for permanent return.
In 1999/2000 as Sophie recovered from her accident, we debated where to move for retirement. On a trip returning from Florida where we looked at possible acreage, Sophie remarked "I don't understand why we are looking at property in Florida when you always wanted to go back to Hi" Well, slap me side the head to wake up!!!!
I only really knew Oahu, but it was too congested, way too much traffic and not apparently affordable (we're owners, not renters). A survey of the other islands had con's out listing pro's. My only experience of BI was training on PTA, a summer of training National Guard troops from BI, and my former Ewa Beach neighbor who was born and raised Ookala. My research began in earnest. Our first trip to BI felt like coming home. We were fortunate to find the perfect place for us in 2003, moved in 2005, and hope to move into our new home in a few more weeks. Take me to new home Plenty challenges getting here, more a different ones once here, but we marvel almost daily how blessed we are to be here. Perhaps not paradise, but will surely do until we do make that final move.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident