Uncle Billy's Hotel?

[Cindy V]

Thanks John! I think the wood is still there too! Trusses should be there now! We'll see in a couple more weeks.

Glad you sent Victoria our way when we asked, you have a gem!

Aloha

[KeithLee]

Hi Lenny,
You will be fine when you get here. I always tell people that you are basically going around the island or up and down a mountain.
Some driving habits catch people of guard. Passing on the right is very common if someone is waiting to turn left just about anywhere. So while you are waiting patiently for the guy to turn, everyone behind you starts passing you on the right. That can get sketchy if you don't pay attention.
As you drive around take a good look at the landscape around you. Trashed out yards and neighborhoods are a good "unwelcome" sign.
However, there is a difference here between a neighborhood with an abandoned car here and there and one that is trashed. None of us like to see junk cars but they are a part of the landscape in some of the less populated subdivisions. Heck there are junk cars all over the place.
Its strange actually, I drive buy cars on say the upper hwy between Kona and Waimea that appear to have broken down. I figure someone owns it, it isn't a total piece of junk. The next day it is vandalized and it just sits there...forever! Who is the owner? Why don't they call a tow truck before it is vandalized? I will never know
Puna is a different bird. Follow your instincts and you will be fine.


“They are so perpetually alarmed with the apprehensions of these and the like impending dangers, that they can neither sleep quietly in their beds, nor have any relish for the common pleasures or amusements of life.” Gulliver’s Travels

[lluberesm]

Aloha Cindy,

Looks like things went extremely well for you Cindy WOW! I can only hope we get lucky too, and by luck I mean finding an area that fits like a glove and knowing in our hearts that that is the place we want to buy our home in. I guess submitting the resume too early might not be such a great idea since so many things are possible between now and when we are finally there for good. I made contact with an employer from through monsters when I first started researching the move. He told me that he would of loved to meet with me except that I was not yet living on the island. He asked me to keep his information and to contact him when I get there. I asked if I could keep the lines of communication open so that I would not lose any possible employment opportunity and he said that sounded great. I will be emailing him now that I have booked my trip and hopefully set up a meeting to submit my resume when I am there. I figure I'll meet with him and submit my resume just to keep any prospects of employment open.

The Mai Tai tip is great and would come in handy if I wasn't traveling with "4 year old twins"! Well, I guess after a 10 hour flight with them I am entitled to one or TWO of those Mai Tais! LOL


Lenny

[Andrew]

Lenny:

Regarding your week in East Hawaii: I thought about your question regarding whether to bring your resume or not. It's a toss up to me which is the more important - finding your new home or finding your employment. Both are very important.

You could find your dream home over here but run through your savings real fast with all of the inevitable costs involved with moving and then be miserable because of money problems with no income to support you and your family.

On the other hand it would be tempting to try to do both major tasks but end up not doing either one very well. My wife and I took 2 months of driving all over Puna and looking through http://hawaiiinformation.com to find our perfect place but we had the double advantage of living on the island and we already had an established business here in Hawaii. You have a week to find your place and to mix that up with trying to secure your employment as well might be very harrowing. I would print out a dozen or so resume copies just to have with me in the event that I needed one but focus my attention on finding my house.

Later, when you are back home, you could scan the internet for employment possibilities and email out your resume to prospects.

Here’s one piece of advice: I imagine that your week long trip will be a whirlwind of driving and data collection but try to take it easy and enjoy the sights and sounds of Hawaii. Take a walk in the park, or sit at the coast and look out to sea, visit a farmer’s market, take it slow and try to get a feel for the place. Things in Hawaii really can be slower and more enjoyable but it starts in the mind first.

Best of luck to you,
Andrew

[Andrew]

Driving the neighborhoods at night is a good idea. You'll get an idea of what the coqui frog problem is all about. Also more people are at home and not at work so you can tell better if there are a lot of loud stereas blasting and so on

[quote]
Did you drive around the neighborhoods at night?

[loffelkopffl]

coqui frogs and loud music go together, lol!


by the way driving around at night in upper puna subdivisions might be challenging.

[Cindy V]

Also when you are driving through subdivisions stop by any community centers you come by and check out the area CC&Rs, Leilani's are strong which was a deciding factor for us, my elderly mom is joining us. They also have a great playground for the kids.

Since you have children with you also keep an eye open for others in areas of interest your kids my befriend.

Aloha and happy hunting, your heart will know when you find it!

Cindy

[lluberesm]

You are right Andrew there no possible way of doing both things well. Both housing and employment are equally important (one can not exist w/o the other) but I do not need to work on both during such a short visit. I would most likely have a better chance at employment if my living situation is secure and I can prove to prospective employers that I actually do live on the island. I guess I will just bring copies in case I get SUPER lucky with something.

When I started my research I figured I could just apply from NJ for anything within my field. I quickly realized through people on the forums as well as reading books, that employers will not even take a second look at you if they see that you are applying from the mainland. I was not aware at first, that Hawaii has such a high percentage of people moving in and out on such a frequent basis. I would not venture employing someone eigther if I was not completely sure they lived there. I read somewhere that the average time of stay for newcomers is between 12 to 18 months. After which they decide it is not for them and move back to the mainland.

One idea I came up with when I tried applying on line (which could work for anyone else looking for employment) was networking with anyone that would answer my applications. I sent out resume to as many employers as possible. Those that answered me with an apologetic denial on account of me not living there yet, I would send a very formal and respective email thanking them for the reply and asking if it was possible to keep communicating so that I would not lose any prospects of employment with them one I arrived. I stopped sending out my resume soon after because I realized I would not get hired. But I did get a reply from one employer in Hilo who was more than happy with my letter and said yes to keep his information and to contact him as soon as I got on the island. I guess I will submit my resume to that one and see what happens.


Lenny

[lluberesm]

Thanks Cindy for the advice. Now, I have to say that I am extremely shy especially after some of the things I have read about how newcomers are viewed. I would hate to walk into a community center and get the evil eye for asking questions. I have researched and asked so much that I have some information mixed up in my head and I apologize in advance if this is something I read on the forum vs. a book....but, I read somewhere that one person was walking around looking at different places and everyone was ok with them. However, once they found out they where planning on moving the otherwise warm smiles and nice talk turned awkward and cold. I would hate to go through such an experience. I will still ask the question because regardless of what that is where I want to live and raise my family. Thank you again Cindy for the tip!

Lenny

[Cindy V]

Lenny

I don't know where you read that but we have never ever never experienced anything but warm aloha. I was expecting negativity wanting to come over from the mainland, but not once. Cooperation, help, and patience.

Knowing you'll experience the same.

Aloha
Cindy