Making the Trip

[girlster328]

Hello all
My fiance and I are making the move to the big island from boston this summer. Puna web was recommended to me by a person who I talked to on craig list.

I am currently an 8th grade science teacher for Boston Public Schools. I have been teaching in boston for two years. I am looking to get away from the gangs, drugs, and violence that are a part of my students every day life. I am also looking to live in a place where people look out for each other. I am going through the recruitment process right now and would love to hear from anyone who also teaches on the island.

My fiance is a tattoo artiest, cook, and has worked in construction for years. He is looking to move to hawaii to help simplify our lives. right now we are not to sure what he will do for work on the island, but we did find a zoo that he said he would love to work at. does anyone know anything about it?

well I just wanted to introduce myself. I have been slowly looking though all the posts and it has really helped me see that I am not the only one going through this. I am getting a little tired of people here saying one of three things. "Thanks sounds crazy" "It is so expensive there" or "nice, free place to stay". It is amazing to me how many people are scared to just go out and do what they want to do.

I am counting down the days[:I]

[mella l]

Welcome girlster, what a small world ya, heard about the PW on Craigslist! LOL

pslamont, here on the web is married to a fine and dandy guy named Bobster! He relocated from SDG and teaches. Perhaps Pam will get some answers for you. I do know the subject has come up many a time.

As for the Zoo, it is my understanding that it is a volunteer work force. However, I'm not currently on island, so things could be different. I'm sure your multi talented fiance will find something productive to do it he is the industrious type. Hey maybe start with a TSA job! LOL

Best of wishes to you both.

mella l

[chrislo09]

I am currently a teacher at Kealakehe Intermediate School in Kona. I went through your same situation last year. Unfortunately, all those things you went through in the Boston public schools such as drugs and violence are also here. There are however, many good things about the keiki here that you do not see in other places. They have ideas that will blow your mind, eventhough they come from a house that does not have enough food for them to eat or their parents are high on ice every night and beat them. Also, the employment process is a long and awful wait. Be prepared to not know where you will work until the first day of school being an off island hire (the island is very big and you can not commute everywhere especially from Puna). Also you will not get a paychecjk until september. I do not want to scare you away because I have met some of the best teachers and students that I ever could have met being here, but I just hope you come here with open eyes. If you have any other questions plase email me privately. Aloha.

Chris

[Carey]

The Pana'ewa Zoo is run by Hawaii County, and does have a few employees, but most of the work is done by volunteers. see: www.hilozoo.com
Volunteer docent training is offered annually. This training is six wednesdays in spring (this years just ended.
I have done some university research wok here & know a few of the docents,
teaching positions are available, but working with the statewide DOE is something... esp in the hiring...

[LeeE]

Have you ever noticed that everywhere you look, folks are talking about "drugs"?

It's like Richard Cowen says, "Everybody wants to talk about drugs, but nobody wants to talk about drug prohibition."

I swear, year after year, decade after decade, it's like listening to a broken record.

No wonder the big boys in the drug trade rose to leadership positions and positions of power in our country, political parties and government so easily...

[Nalu Mama]

quote:

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Originally posted by girlster328

I am looking to get away from the gangs, drugs, and violence that are a part of my students every day life.[:I]

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and you wanna come to Hawaii? ummm...

Breathe. Relax. Focus.

[missydog1]

I wish you all the luck, but seriously, I hope you can come with a safety net, financially. I would say bring enough money to make it for six months without pay. The cost of living simply here amazes me. I came from California and yet I still can't believe where the money goes ...

Cooks can find jobs, but the pay is so low, 10 an hour maybe. Construction has slowed down and guys I know who had work coming out their ears are now hustling and taking small jobs they would have laughed at two years ago.

I don't want you to be starry-eyed about our schools. You know we are 48th worst testing in the nation? (not that I believe testing is all-important, but it's the measure that gets applied). We are almost the worst state for methamphetamine addiction. Domestic violence and abuse is bad.

It sounds like you think Hawai`i has fewer social problems than where you are. I seriously doubt that's the case.

Naturally I'm glad to hear of new teachers coming and bringing optimism and enthusiasm, but my concern is for you, that your picture of this place is idealized.

Honestly, if I had school-aged children, I would probably not put them in public school here as I did with my kids in California. My best friend here, who was born and raised on island (no unrealistic expectations), finally pulled her children out of public school and came up with the insane money to send them to HPA because they were falling through the cracks. She says the "no child left behind" law is terrible, wearing the teachers out and leaving the children in the middle with no one looking out for them.

One way to transition here is to leave the stuff you want to keep on the mainland, in storage of some sort, instead of paying the high shipping charges, until you know it's going to work out long term. Our papers are full of "moving back to the mainland" garage sales. I actually think too many people aren't concerned enough before they come here and don't think it through.

Just the aspect of being an expensive plane flight from all family and old friends ends up getting to people.

[oink]

I suggest subscribing to a local paper for awhile. The ads and classifieds will give you a good idea of what to expect. From my S.Fla perspective, the housing and grocery costs are about on par with S.Fla (based on the Maui News grocery ads). Electric is sure more in Hawaii, but try living without A.C. in S. Fla. Gasoline prices here in my area of Fla vary from 3.30 to 3.50 for reg. Compare that to 3.58 to 3.64 in Hilo. So I guess the comparable costs depend on what you compare it to. Home insurance is sure a lot cheaper in Hilo. With the insurance figured in, I think it would be cheaper for me in Hilo. The homeowners insurance costs are kicking my ass.

Pua`a
S. FL
Big Islander to be.

[pslamont]

Hi... I am the one you met on Craigs List.

I have to wonder if any of these people have ever been to South Boston. there are problems here but nothing like the gangs and drugs there.

Costs here are definitely different but we came from southern California and food and utility costs are comparable.

Pay for teachers here is a little over half what hHubby made there but his classes are half the size, his special ed case load is half. He says he loves his school; I think you wrote him an email recently.

I have never seen our group be so doomsday before. This is a lovely place to live; I live here I choose it. There are social issues but they are minor to me.

One thing to note is that as a white person, you are in the minority here, BIG TIME. Being the minority make for a different feel. However, I find myself accepted and have made wonderfu friends of all persuasions.

This is not, however, the Hawaii of tourist advertisment. We are not stylized resotrs or sandy beaches. The Big Island has a flavor all its own and you either love it or hate it as a rule. I happen to love it. There is a country feel. Hilo is the biiggest city on the island but it is still a town as compared with any city in California or your experience there in Boston.

Financially, because you have a job waiting, I disagree with the 6 months of financing comment. You will live on your wage but live simply. Your finance will find work but it will not pay well. However, anyone with an entrepenurial spirit will find either work or business opportunity. There is lots of need for services. Success here requires that you provide a great job at a fair price and that you show up when you say you will. That last is a key...

Okay, enough from me.
My friends across the road have a very old Hawaiian house they rent out for short term stuff. Be in touch when you are about to arrive and I will let you know if it is open for something temporary while you look around.

Aloha, Pam

Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!

[Beachboy]

girlster, have you and the "old man" been here before? Puna district alone is the size of Oahu!! There are many,many things to consider before you actualy make the plunge into America's version of paradise. Someone said to have enough savings for six months, I say have enough savings for one year!

There are two ways to go about making the move to Puna. One, you can hit the ground here, running! Putting your foot in every possible opening no matter what it is! You greater your chance at success. This especially applies where employment is a concern. It's easy to get caught up into the beauty of Hawaii, and get a real lazy attitude in doing so. Apathy is the biggest killer of new residents to Hawaii....be very, very careful!
The second way to come to the Big Island is a new "Punatic". A real Punatic move would be to come here. Purchase a lot, then buy a bus from a tour company. Then move into that until you get your life together.

Listen, moving here isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. I'm raised here in the islands(Maui). I moved here from Honolulu just about a year and a half ago. I still haven't found any employment. Oh, but my wife has!!! But she must commute daily from Puna to Waikaloa. That's going from one side to the other side .
But thank God, she finally quit her job. It was really taking it's toll on her and on the family because of it. So, starting next month I will return to work, and my wife will get to be the "stay at home mother" she so richly deserves. Yes, I will return to Oahu to once again work.

Keep in mind girlster, it's not easy establishing ones self here. But it's possible for those who truly want it. But you gotta be ready to pay the price too.
My advice to you, make sure you have enough money to survive a year. I hope you are coming here to buy, and not to rent? If you come here thinking you're gonna rent a place, then you really are gonna be in a hole....just my opinion though!

Good luck whatever you do..

_______________________________

“The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.”

-Hunter S. Thompson