Posts: 6,214
Threads: 354
Joined: Feb 2006
Lenny, We moved here a year ago (to pursue my 30 year dream of studying Marine Science, with a dream that old, why not in Hawaii?) Anyhoo, 3 days after we landed (1st time ever in Hawaii) we went to a cookout at the Lamont ranch, and met a bunch of (now) punawebbers, made soem good friends and we were asked to get involved in the Watershed Group. We did. a week and a half later, the Tribune Herald paper had an article about a cleanup on the Hamakua coast. We went & helped clean up a lava tube. The community member were wonderful, and some even tried to get us to move into their community. (we did want to live closer to the university). We have stayed active in volunteer activities, cleanups, education outreaches, and the university. It is amazing to me how many people we know, and are friends with, in just one year.
My take on this is be willing to give to the community first, accept everyone as they are, do not complain - but get active in those things you believe in, and really smile a lot here (it is easy to do, and I have not gotten the cold icy stare back here, it really is more like a small town).
Aloha, Carey
Posts: 248
Threads: 11
Joined: Jun 2006
Hi Lenny,
My husband and I with our three (now four) children now ages 19,14,6 and 3 moved here five years ago sight unseen from the east coast.We wanted a safe,healthy,affordable place to raise our children.We did lots of research everything seemed great.But after moving here we realized the public schools were awful,the charter schools are still to be determined and the private ones are just o.k.
There is discrimination in hiring so its best to bring your job with you(unless your a teacher I think they are desperate for those).My children tell me the local kids all hang together and the haloe kids hang with the haloe kids.Partying,pot smoking and fist fighting are pretty regular activities for the youth.
My six year old was taking a gymnastics class she was the only non local and they all made fun of her and would not let her be friends, so now I only involve her in activities with mostly haole kids.Since she goes to a private school that most of the other haloe kids go to its not much of a problem.
Some locals really don't like mainlanders (and they let you know it), some just tolerate us and some love us.
My only tip as you've read before is to always use your best manners,smile,MAKE eye contact.
Another thing is the unexpected cost of living, your food and electric bills will be like having another mortgage, we won't even talk about gas,I guess thats killing everyone everywhere these days.Then there's private school costs about 300 to 400 a month per child, ect...
Our population is growing quickly and our infrastructures are having troubles keeping up with demand so in some ways its becoming more stressful for folks then it used to be.
But we're still here,the weather is beautiful,the land is remarkable,and you WILL meet great people which will be enough.Just forget all the romantic notions of living in Hawaii and you'll do fine.
Posts: 542
Threads: 41
Joined: Nov 2005
The Small World Phenomenom appears to be as alive in Puna as it is, and has been for 40 years that I can attest to, in Small Town, Maine. Local kids hanging w/local kids kids from away frightened and trying to fit in. Partying, Pot Smoking and fist fighting commen occurances down on the "Corner". It's America, The Beautiful. The highway sign coming into Maine reads......."Welcome to Maine The Way Life Should Be..... yeah right..... We do mean well, though, don't we?
I picked up a T-shirt once in St Lucia that pictured a local person smoking a joint face to face with J Q Tourist the message below read "Same S*** Different Island" I laughed, bought the shirt... It is not only America it is the world we live in. And for some strange reason it can't be controlled anywhere.....so I'd say.....
You, who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
and so become yourself
because the past is just a goodbye
Teach Your Children Well
Their father's hell did slowly go by
and feed them on your dreams
the ones they pick, the ones you'll know by
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry, So just look at them and sigh and know they love you......
 )HADave
Aloha HADave & Mz P
Hawaiian Acres
The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
Posts: 414
Threads: 10
Joined: Jun 2006
Lenny,
Ok, here's the truth (no gas station stories) I've lived here for about 6 years. Some locals don't like me and let me know it. Many do like us and are very ez to get along with. My son will never be a local because he wasn't born here. I guess my wife and I are to blame for that. We have drug problems at the High School (meth) and fighting is as well a problem. My 5 year old son goes to mentessori school so there's 400 a month. The cost of hay is through the roof this year so my horses are costing me to much. Diesle is way to high so my truck is costing me to much. I must be seen as a cash cow by my cell phone provider. For a three person family the cost of groceries is through the roof, turns out that things are priced by demographics here so we pay more for meat than other areas, hmmm... that aint right. Oh well, just thought I'd let you know how things were going in Dripping Springs Texas for a 6th generation Texan and his family. Well..it's the truth :o 
Take care,
dave
Blessings,
dave
"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young
Posts: 1,260
Threads: 55
Joined: Nov 2005
I agree with you AkoniV, Big Island/Puna is not paradise, far from it, this is Earth, this is reality. I feel it's just 100% better than the place I left. I have to say I never had as bad an experience as you, but I know that happens. I also know about attitudes and places to avoid. I learned early on here to stay out of places like Keaukaha and anywhere that is homelands, etc. I can understand the resentment. But like you, I am here, will continue to be here, I expect to die here, in my little bit of "paradise". And I have to agree too, that some of the locals do have the foulest mouths I've ever heard!
Posts: 2,014
Threads: 46
Joined: Jun 2003
Here's my 2 cents of rambling...
Pam's rules are great.
I'd add -
Don't whine about what you don't have here (be it some store, food, medical or whatever. If you need or want it that much - Don't move.
An observation I find interesting. Many locals accept they were here before you came, would be here even if you weren't, and will be here after you leave.
Could be just the words, but if you feel you have to "work" at acceptance, perhaps you should review your decision to move. You will be accepted for your natural self.
Myself, born and raised in Maine, my seven brothers and sisters all graduated same school system, but after almost fifty years we were and still are outsiders. That said, my Mom could go back to her Maine home town and be greeted as being home, but not my Dad because he came from 6 miles and another town away. Just how it is.
Paradise? Guess tht depends how you spell it. It's been the home in my heart since I first landed in 77 and I cried when I had to leave, but I'm back. Just last week, while driving in Honolulu, some Haole yelled and called me a Dumb*ss. I hoped he said it with ALOHA, but doubt it. All kinds of people here - just like where you live now.
Some will tell you, Hawaii will test you, but perhaps that's another topic.
Best of luck
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
Posts: 10
Threads: 3
Joined: Mar 2006
Hi all!
I agree with Pam's guidelines - this can be applied to other areas that have local, indigenous populations. Having lived in two areas that have long-standing local populations, I can attest to it.
Here, in New Mexico, a person can have lived here for 30 years or more, and still be considered a newcomer by the traditional Hispanic community. Instead of the term "haoles", it's "Anglos" here, who of course are blamed for ruining everything here! That's always there, even if you make friends with some of the traditional folks, which we have - that's just the way it is. But despite that social backdrop, there are many good, unpretentious people here who don't have an attitude. But once even the Spanish here were newcomers - they've "only" been in the state for 400-500 years - the real locals are the Native tribes, which are now surely in the minority as far as population goes, and with many of the same problems that indigenous peoples are facing worldwide. Human habitation of this state goes back about 12,000 years.
Where I grew up on an island off the coast of New England, the island community was very taciturn and begrudging of most "outsiders"(even though they made most if not all of their living off of them).
Personally, I believe in respect for all peoples as we're on the same planet, and one tends to get what one gives. Being natural, true to oneself and not having an "attitude" are good too.
I must say, during our trip to the Big Island last January one thing that stuck with us was the friendliness and "good heart" of various people we encountered - it made us feel very comfortable! And of course being in the Hilo-to-Puna district for most of that time was really like that in spades!
We are surely looking forward to returning, whether its for another long visit, or to move to the Puna area! We are currently processing our different choices, so it is still in flux.
health-conscious visionary artist in transition
health-conscious visionary artist in transition
Posts: 2,312
Threads: 59
Joined: Jun 2003
I just love the "Haolipino" word! Thanks Tony!
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185
Posts: 414
Threads: 10
Joined: Jun 2006
Yep, I just love "haolipinos" on my nachos. Sure you don't have a little Texan in ya Tony?
Well spit him out!!
Take care,
dave
Blessings,
dave
"It doesn't mean that much to me.. to mean that much to you." Neil Young
Posts: 2,312
Threads: 59
Joined: Jun 2003
I guess if Cathy and I would have children they would be "Haolwanese" right?!
Aloha,
John S. Rabi, ABR,CM,CRB,FHS,PB,RB
http://www.JohnRabi.com
Typically Tropical Properties
75-5870 Walua Road, Suite 101
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
(808)327-3185
|
