08-25-2008, 07:12 PM
The Big Island is a wonderful place, indeed, for us. However it all depends on what you are looking for. This is NOT the Hawaii of beach fantasies in books and movies. It is a living, breathing community. It is very easy to get stuck in a rut here. You have to GO OUT AND ABOUT AND PURSUE the adventures.
That said, the Big Island offers an incredible array of outdoor activities. We have 11 of the 13 internationally recognized climate zones right here on our island. Yes, that is snow on the top of the volcano and a dry hot desert in Kau. We have waterfalls and lava tubes, rainforest and beaches, hot-ponds and mountain retreats. We have tourist attractions and everyday life. We have social and political problems associated with any rapidly changing society. We have good guys and bad guys. We have drug issues and food issues and cost of living issues. We have rain and sun, heat and cold but we have mostly MODERATION that allows us to live simply and comfortably.
Mostly we have a land filling up with highly spirited, intelligent and adventuresome people. Opportunity is ripe if you see your glass as half full. Education is a major issue here, but then again, YOU are the primary educator of your children. School should be he framework of formal information but not the end all.
Most discrimination is against whites.... haoles... I am one and I have had no problems. It seems that every year, with a more integrated general population, the children's experiences are changing. However, we "implants" are not the privileged class. We are new to a small town and have to prove ourselves on many levels. As Hapa (mixed race) your children will enjoy the opportunity to blend in more easily than many.
If you have never visited here, it would be wise to do so before making your choice. You will be stricken with the beauty but also the solitude of this place. Of those who "don't make it" here, many leave simply because they can not function being this remotely disconnected from family and friends.
I moved here less than 5 years ago and it sure feels like home to me. Then again, I invested my heart into the place, learned by listening to my new neighbors, practicing cultural behaviors that were foreign to me and gave respect to traditions of th land. A native will throw a dirty diaper or a used fast food bag onto the side of the road while touting how disrespectful of the aina (land) it is of those new people to move rocks from the mountain down to the shore. I don't get it, but I don't fight it either. I simply attribute some things to the fact that the new generation is picking and choosing their own attachment to their culture. Instead of arguing it, I try to embrace the respect intended by the traditions. There are great traditions here and if they aren't scientifically sound, they are spiritually fulfilling and just darned fun. You pretty much take it all as a package and enjoy.
One thing that is important is to learn not to criticize things that are not like at home. If you want life to be like the mainland, stay on the mainland. Here you learn to do without a lot of "stuff" but if you open your heart and mind, you will find a large gap between what you want and what you need. Settle for what you need and sprinkle a little of what you want onto it and you will find a very simple, fulfilling life.
Good luck and welcome to Punaweb. You have found a very special niche in Hawaii. It is truely a community and along with lots of information, you will find friends and assistance in many forms.
Oh and if this was all too much for you, just ignore it. It's just the ramblings of an old woman who is loving her own adventure in lifeand who, when asked, isn't afraid to express an opinion.
That said, the Big Island offers an incredible array of outdoor activities. We have 11 of the 13 internationally recognized climate zones right here on our island. Yes, that is snow on the top of the volcano and a dry hot desert in Kau. We have waterfalls and lava tubes, rainforest and beaches, hot-ponds and mountain retreats. We have tourist attractions and everyday life. We have social and political problems associated with any rapidly changing society. We have good guys and bad guys. We have drug issues and food issues and cost of living issues. We have rain and sun, heat and cold but we have mostly MODERATION that allows us to live simply and comfortably.
Mostly we have a land filling up with highly spirited, intelligent and adventuresome people. Opportunity is ripe if you see your glass as half full. Education is a major issue here, but then again, YOU are the primary educator of your children. School should be he framework of formal information but not the end all.
Most discrimination is against whites.... haoles... I am one and I have had no problems. It seems that every year, with a more integrated general population, the children's experiences are changing. However, we "implants" are not the privileged class. We are new to a small town and have to prove ourselves on many levels. As Hapa (mixed race) your children will enjoy the opportunity to blend in more easily than many.
If you have never visited here, it would be wise to do so before making your choice. You will be stricken with the beauty but also the solitude of this place. Of those who "don't make it" here, many leave simply because they can not function being this remotely disconnected from family and friends.
I moved here less than 5 years ago and it sure feels like home to me. Then again, I invested my heart into the place, learned by listening to my new neighbors, practicing cultural behaviors that were foreign to me and gave respect to traditions of th land. A native will throw a dirty diaper or a used fast food bag onto the side of the road while touting how disrespectful of the aina (land) it is of those new people to move rocks from the mountain down to the shore. I don't get it, but I don't fight it either. I simply attribute some things to the fact that the new generation is picking and choosing their own attachment to their culture. Instead of arguing it, I try to embrace the respect intended by the traditions. There are great traditions here and if they aren't scientifically sound, they are spiritually fulfilling and just darned fun. You pretty much take it all as a package and enjoy.
One thing that is important is to learn not to criticize things that are not like at home. If you want life to be like the mainland, stay on the mainland. Here you learn to do without a lot of "stuff" but if you open your heart and mind, you will find a large gap between what you want and what you need. Settle for what you need and sprinkle a little of what you want onto it and you will find a very simple, fulfilling life.
Good luck and welcome to Punaweb. You have found a very special niche in Hawaii. It is truely a community and along with lots of information, you will find friends and assistance in many forms.
Oh and if this was all too much for you, just ignore it. It's just the ramblings of an old woman who is loving her own adventure in lifeand who, when asked, isn't afraid to express an opinion.
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"