Why I am Leaving Puna and Hawaii.

[Anagami]

I just spent two month in Puna and a lot of time in Hilo thinking I would move to Hawaii. All I can do is warn others now who are being sold the whole "paradise" idea.

The Big Island, and Puna specifically, is only a visual paradise. In all other areas it is a living hell.

Why?

The drugs here are a big problem, which includes alcohol, pot, and meth. It ruins the place because you are always dealing with people who do not think straight or who are just jonesing for the next high. I cannot tell you how many people I see hitchhiking carrying a case of Busch Lite. But it really bugs me when I see young kids, like 12 years old getting high at Kehena Beach with no adult caring or giving them guidance in the decision.

The mentally ill and the lack of care for them on this side of the island, which leaves them homeless and taken advantage of.

The deluded young hippies. Jeez if I see one more white kid with dreadlocks I am going to slit my wrists. When will they understand that they are no different the a woman who wears Prada. And put down that didjeridu, you are not aboriginal! AND YOU DO NOT NEED TO COME TO HAWAII TO FIND YOURSELF!

The economy. 11% inflation in two years? No thanks. And the tourist industry seems to be tanking as well. For more on the economy in Hawaii read:
http://www.coastalhawaii.com/Economic%20News.htm

High DWI's, up 9% last year on the Big Island.

The lack of care to buildings and roads. Hilo and Pahoa are run down and dirty.

No Aloha. Or if it is there they are only doing it to get something from you. Really, I am Buddhist, I treat people nicely, unconditionally, but I have met more friendly people in Manhattan then anywhere on the Big Island.

The parks are a desolate mess.

The Vog. Personally, it makes me feel like crap. Headache, stuffed up.

Staph infections are a huge problem here, including the MRSA strain.
Hawaii Leads Nation in Deadly Staph Infections

The mosquitoes.

But I think it is that many come out here thinking it is paradise (and we all know if you want to ruin a place just call it "paradise") then they find it sucks and they transfer that negative energy to you.

And I think the volcano is about to let forth, but that is just my opinion.

See ya'll!

Do not follow a life of evil; do not live heedlessly; do not have false views; do not value worldly things. In this way one can get rid of suffering. - The Dhammapada

[Haole]

ALOOOHA!

[wyatt]

Everyplace has it's problems.

Paradise is found within yourself, not in the deeds of others.
Good luck finding paradise in your next location.


Wyatt

[Anagami]

See Wyatt, that is the thing. I was not looking for paradise. I feel that this place is not a healthy place. More unhealthy then the hundreds of places my work has taken me. And it is your sentiment that is another reason I am leaving. This place is SOLD as paradise, but it is not a paradise for healthy people. It is a paradise for drug abusers and slackers and faux hippies.

I came here to work and to see if I would like to live here. My work is done, and it is not a place for healthy people. Every place has its' problems, but Puna has way more then average.

Yes, aloha. I hope you all find the truth in that. But you might have to leave Hawaii to experience it.




Do not follow a life of evil; do not live heedlessly; do not have false views; do not value worldly things. In this way one can get rid of suffering. - The Dhammapada

[Bob Orts]

Anagami, I know everything you mentioned is occurring and has also been part of my decision making process. What were the items that made you want to move to the Big Island & Puna? [?]

[punafish]

I've met numerous kinds of people here, some healthy, some not. It's dangerous and wrong to paint everyone with the same brush.

Your words seem to indicate that you came to Hilo and Puna with "false views". Now you're leaving with a judgmental heart. Is this an enlightened view of reality? What WOULD Buddha say?

Tim

Other people can talk about how to expand the destiny of mankind. I just want to talk about how to fix a motorcycle. I think that what I have to say has more lasting value.”
Robert Pirsig

[Rob Tucker]

Years ago I learned to basically not give travel advice.

On a given corner in Amsterdam or Puna one person might find true love and happiness and another person might be violently attacked and left for dead. I think that Anagami found what he describes and it doesn't suit him, it is all here, and he is wise to decide he wants to move on.

Best wishes

Punaweb moderator

[Anagami]

Hey Bob,

I have friends who live in Puna and I was offered a few months of technical work by a firm here. Both of those experiences were great. My job is finished and I did a good one. I did not come here to escape or find paradise, only with the idea of work and see how it was.

This is not a case of "boy I thought it would be paradise but now I see it is not".

Punafish, Buddha would say "get away from that unhealthy place. They are interested only in external experiences and sensual delights.". I am not painting everyone with this image, but it is certainly the majority. A statement of reality is not a judgment.

Do not follow a life of evil; do not live heedlessly; do not have false views; do not value worldly things. In this way one can get rid of suffering. - The Dhammapada

[punafish]

I respectfully disagree with your judgment that the "majority" of people here are unhealthy. But that's your perception. Rob is right, you are wise to move on.

Best wishes.

[robguz]

I guess everyone sees different things in different places. The drug thing doesn't bother me because I moved here from SF and I will take stoned hippies over cracked out mentally ill people who defecate on the street in front of me while I walk to work any day. I also lived in Berkeley for several years so the white kids with dreads thing is probably below average here compared to what I am used to. I don't worry about getting shot or mugged ever. I rarely lock the door to my home. Those things are amazing changes for me and make me a happier person.

I actually do find a lot of aloha here. I find it again and again when I am in stores and am always surprised by it. Today I was returning some rented supplies and was at White Cap in Hilo and while I was waiting, I was struck by how different the scene was than it would have been in the Bay Area. Nobody was stressed out, the clerk was carrying on a smiling conversation with some of the customers, and there was none of that tension that I pick up on back where I am from. Where I am from, clerks barely look at you, act like you are inconveniencing them, and carry on conversations with other clerks while ringing you up. That's all just one example.

In my 6 weeks here I have met a lot of wonderful new people, but they are primarily people who worked really hard to get here for various reasons. I imagine it is different in your situation in that it was not a huge goal of yours for years to live here.

It isn't paradise here and I don't believe anywhere in the world is, because it is still the world and run by the same general principles and largely limited by human behavior no matter where you are.

It seems like you are really bothered by some things that you could otherwise let go of. I don't smoke pot and have no desire to grow dreads or not work, but if someone else wants to do that and doesn't interfere with my life, then no big deal. There are bigger problems in the world.

I don't really go to the parks and have always kind of thought they were sort of pointless given how there are an infinite number of beautiful places you can drive or hike to pretty easily that are just out in nature. The mosquitos seem to leave me alone too for whatever reason. I actually got MRSA in my first 2 weeks here, but it turned out it was passed from my mom in CA who volunteers in nursing homes. LOL! Took antibiotics for a week and it's gone. No big whoop.

If this isn't the place for you that is ok. If it was the place for everyone it would turn into Oahu, then it would be hell [] (for me at least). Aloha,
Rob