Hawaii and the Aloha Spirit of today! (just a couple of questions)?

Question

Hello everyone I am a senior at The University of Tennessee and have planned on moving to Hawaii with my girlfriend, whom is currently pregnant and I just had a few Questions.

1. How is the aloha spirt when it comes to interracial couples (African American and Italian)?
2. Is Meth "Ice" an extreme problem, and if so what areas have seemed to avoid it as much as possible?
3.How much money would you suggest to have saved to move out there, get situated and find a job?
4. Which business industries are really booming in Hawaii?
5. Between Kenoehe, Kailua which is the best neighborhood?
6. Lastly what is a good website to find an apartment/townhouse in hawaii?

I appreciate everyone's input and hope that these questions also help others whom are planning on moving to hawaii in the future.

Answer 1

Here are the answers to your questions:

Don't worry so much about the Aloha Spirit when it comes to interracial couples. People will always have something to say regardless. Just be yourselves, enjoy your lives, focus on eachother as well as preparing for your newborn baby who's on the way. This is a free country, so if anyone on the island tries to make you feel uncomfortable, your best bet is to IGNORE THEM.

YES, Meth "Ice" is a big problem in Hawaii. It's all over the island, the drug & crime rate in Hawaii is HUGE. use common sense & stay away from drug abusers if ever approached or surrounded, just walk away. Practice safety ahead of time, make sure you lock up your vehicles, home & insure yourselves in case of fire, theft, vandalism, burglary & from Mother Nature. I would suggest you calculate your expenses just so you can get a feel of how much you need to make your move. Think about the cost of car shipment, car insurance, registration, safety inspection, first & last month payment for an apartment, utilities & last but not least money for food, gas, entertainment to last at least 7 months or more in case you don't find a job right away, make sure you have enough left over in case of emergency. I don't know how long it will take for you to find a job, it's different for everyone depending on your background & experience. You'll have to look up info yourself on which business industries are booming since I'm not too sure. There are a lot of jobs on the island, but don't expect to get paid much since the cost of living is different. I do know that AAA HAWAII (the insurance company) is always hiring. They are located in Honolulu. You can do Customer Service or Tow Truck Driver, they are always looking for people. You should walk in the office & ask for management. I am familiar with Kaneohe & Kailua, out of the 2, i think that Kaneohe is a better neighborhood (next to the Marine Corps Base Hawaii) it's quiet & not too dirty. Lastly, here are some websites that will help you find an apartment/townhouse in Hawaii:


http://honolulu.craigslist.org/

http://www.apartmentratings.com/rate/HI-Kaneohe.html

www.honoluluadvertiser.com


becareful & don't make decisions to quickly, do your research & you will be fine. Island life was not really a cup of tea for us considering it being "paradise" & all. A lot of people get excited about visiting or wanting to live in Hawaii but they have no idea & don't ever stop to think about how the lifestyle is different & how things will change. Sorry this is so long, but i hope it helps. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Answer 2

I spent two winters in Hawaii in the 1970's, and just returned from two weeks stay on a coffee farm in Captain Cook. For what they're worth, here are my thoughts. The aloha spirit is alive and well if you show it yourself. "Ice" is a BIG problem on the big island. The only way I can think you could avoid it completely is to live in a gated community, but meth. is an epidemic everywhere in America these days, so it isn't fair to "get down" on the "locals". Housing is expensive - look at the online adds for an idea. Food and gas were about 10% more than what they are in my rural N. California town, but restraunt meals are way more expensive. Building is still booming, and anything relating to tourism is doing great. Both towns you mentioned are $$$ tourist towns, so you're probably going to end up somewhere else. One other thing about the Kona coast - the highway has bumper-to-bumper traffic for hours every morning and evening because everyone works in town but can't afford to live there.

One separate thing - Hawaii is the most ethnicly diverse place I have ever been. Lot's of people are dark-as-dark can be, and the huge influx of "mainlanders" has dampened the predjudice against "Houle's" (whites). I chatted for an hour with two African-American women from Chicago at the airport and they made a point to talk about how they felt accepted. Your children would just be some shade of brown like most other people. Not a color-blind place, but about as close as you'll get.

Hope this helps,

Aloha!

Answer 3

First of all the aloha spirit is alive in Hawaii. Remember if you give respect you will receive it too.
Meth is a big problem..watch "dog the bounty hunter" on tv.
You need to save a lot of money to relocate to Hawaii cost of living is much higher then Tenn..I've been there too. Here is a website to look things over...www.honoluluadvertiser.com
you can get an idea of housing and such.
Construction and the nursing industry is booming in Hawaii.
I grew up In Kailua so I am bias. It is also a big military community cuz of the marine base there.
Lasty my boyfriend is white and I am Japanese, interacial relationships are no big deal.
Just don't walk around with your nose in the air and you'll be fine.

Answer 4

Uwaiu is right that is the best sourcee book out there for wanting to move to Hawaii. Don't forget every experience in your life is created by you and the energy you attract! Please do your reasearch before moving out. It is wise to get a job first even if it's just a starter. Understanding a bit of Hawaiian history will help to.
Good luck and Aloha!

Answer 5

May I recommend the book entitled: "So You Want to Live in Hawaii" by Toni Polancy. It covers pretty much every question that you may have about Hawaiian life & relocation there.

Answer 6

1.bob would have to say just about everyone in hawai'i is interacial now days dont worry bout that.
2.meth hit hardest in honolulu, generally the town area. china town is probobly the worst place. kalihi is pretty bad too. east side ain that bad.
3.kenoehe hahahahhahaha bob laughs at the white man.