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1. MONEY! One of the most common questions I receive is “Do I have enough money to move to Hawaii,” and “Will I be able to make enough money to live in Hawaii?”
This is obviously a loaded question, but let me try to do my best. First of all, living in Hawaii can be very
affordable depending on your budget and expenses. . Let me explain. Depending on your needs, I’ve found
you can find very affordable housing (from $500-600 +.) You can rent a room (Ohana) or a single family home for
prices comparable to the mainland. And of course, the size and style of your home and the place you choose
to rent or buy will be very important. Just as on the mainland, where and what you rent or buy are the key
factors to your living (rent or mortgage) expenses
Regarding “living expenses,” my wife and I feel we spend the most money on food and gas. If you’re willing to
be disciplined and shop at Costco, you can save a lot of money. When we lived on the mainland, we used to
eat-out at least 3 or 4 times a week. In Hawai’i, it’s different for us. We live on the Big Island, and where we live,
we don’t have a ton of choices, and we’ve learned to cook and make our own meals. I can’t honestly remember
the last time I ate at a fast-food restaurant, and we hardly ever go out to eat. It’s not so much because of the
money, but just a different life style.
We don’t have air-conditioning in our home (don’t need it,) and we don’t have heating (don’t need it.) Also, we
don’t incur the cost of “high-priced” corporate clothing here, as most people dress casually all the time. I even prefer to go “bare-foot” in our home most of the time, something I would have never done in Indiana. We have hard-wood floors, so we don’t need carpet-cleaning, and our major utility expense is electricity. More expensive
for us since we have a home business.
Regarding your move out here, again, a loaded question. If it’s just you, than it will be minimal. For our family,
with all the stuff we brought, we budgeted $20,000 to bring the container, air travel, car, etc. I’m not sure what
the final number was, but I’m pretty sure we beat the budget. I bought a used convertible in Hilo for around $5k
versus bringing my car, but my wife chose to ship her car out here. With the cost of shipping her car, we could
probably found a used car here for less $.
You can buy a lot of stuff here at garage sales. We bought our daughter’s Queen-Sized bed for cheap- it’s very
nice and she loves it. We sold most of our stuff before we moved- some stuff I wished we’d kept, and some stuff
I wished we’d sold.
When I first started this site, I mentioned I’d wished we’d kept many different items. But after living here and
making connections and learning about the island, I’ve learned that you can find almost anything you need
affordably. (except food and gas- besides Costco.)
2. “Can I find a job in Hawaii?”
I’m asked this question very frequently. First, I have to say I’ve been an entrepreneur all my life, so I can’t say I
have experience in the job market. All I know is that my wife and I started a small sign company here without
knowing anyone (not a single person,) and with hard-work, persistence, and a positive attitude, we’ve been able
to thrive and grow our business. So I believe that anyone moving here, if you’re willing to work hard and be
persistent, you have a good chance. Hawaii is a tourist-reliant state, so the “tourist” jobs are affected by the
economy. However, many of our clients (resorts, spas, travel-related industries) have not only survived, but
thrived here (on the Big Island.) So if you have a special talent or niche, you may actually be really happy
here, even more than you were prior to your move (*disclaimer- just my opinion- as mentioned, I don’t really
know anything about the job market in Hawaii!)
3. “We want to move to Hawaii because of the weather, the people, and the ‘laid back environment.” “Is that why you
moved to Hawaii? And are you happy living there?”
First of all, the weather or climate was my biggest reason for moving to Hawaii. I lived in Indiana almost my entire
life, and was getting depressed as I grew older. After traveling to Hawaii many times for vacation, my wife and
I found it harder and harder to get on the plane to go back “home.”
The weather (where we live, on the north-west side of the Big Island,) is incredible. Sunny almost 365 a year,
dry (almost no rain,) NO STORMS - EVER (so far!!!) and very calm humidity (almost perfect.) In fact, we went
to Las Vegas (one of my favorite places to visit) for a trade show, and my nose bled almost the entire time
and my family got sick. It was really weird, because once you’re accustomed to Hawaii weather, you become
(proudly,) a “weather wimp.” The temperature here is normally mid 70’s to low 80’s 365 a year (it gets colder
and hotter at night and during the “summer.”
The people are FANTASTIC here. Where we live, it’s an international “melting pot,” and I’m so glad our
daughters have made friends with such a diverse O’hana (family). And the local Hawaiians are awesome.
We’ve worked almost everywhere on the Big Island, and have been accepted and treated with warm
hospitality. One thing I will never miss from the mainland is the “keeping up with the ‘Jone’s’” philosophy.
It simply doesn’t exist where we live in Hawaii. No one cares what kind of car you drive. No one cares what
kind of suit you’re wearing (no one wears suits here-that I know of,) No one cares what you did last Saturday,
or who you know, or what you’re doing. It’s EXTREMELY LAID BACK. “Hawaiian Time.” I’m proud to be
a part of it!
The “laid-back environment” is so awesome. The phrase, “no-worries” catches on quickly. We’re on an
island, and it really feels like almost everyone “gets it.” You have to look out after each other.
4. “Is there discrimination against ‘Mainlanders?”
I’m not sure why I’m asked this question, or where it came from, but I recall, prior to moving here, reading
posts in forums about the local Hawaiians being harsh or discriminating against mainlanders or “haoles.”
(pronounced “How-lees”) Now, before I defend all local Hawaiians, let me say, that I’m almost certain, that
discrimination probably or does exists everywhere. But having said that, I can offer that since living here,
my wife and I would both agree that we have NEVER been mistreated or discriminated against. Nor have
our children. Again, having said this, if you plan on moving to Hawaii, and plan on being an arrogant snob,
or lacking respect for the Hawaii culture, than you may indeed meet some problems, as you would moving
to ANY community, ANYWHERE.
A quick note about the word “Haole.” The word “Haole” has been translated in many ways. You can read
wikipedias information here: Haole. I have been called a “Haole” many times while living here, mostly if not
almost every time, by locals who know me, and trust me, and refer to me as a friend. So sure, if there’s some
“underground” meaning to this, than I’m oblivious to this. It’s almost a pride thing, or “being accepted,” as
we have been accepted. I AM a new comer to Hawaii. I AM a “foreigner” in the local Hawaiian’s eyes. I get
this. I, as I’m sure you wouldn’t, like to be discriminated against, but I’m not. I do business with so many people
here, my family is friends with all makes of color, creed, religion, etc. here. I don’t feel discriminated against.
If I felt discriminated against, than I may have a problem with the word “Haole.”
5. “How did you find your place to live?”
We originally thought we’d move to Maui, however, after visiting Maui for 2 weeks, and upon my wife’s suggestion, we traveled to the Big Island (one-way ticket, very strange) and landed on the Big Island on Jan. 2, 2008.
We met with Timo Driedger, a business broker, and he showed us the “lay of the land,” which included taking
us immediately to Waikoloa Village. After visiting Waikoloa Village, we immediately knew this was where we wished to move. We drove around and after talking with many local business people, were referred to
Dan Aldridge- A real estate broker in Waikoloa. He almost immediately found us an awesome home. We’ve lived
here for almost 4 years.
6. “How were you able to start a business after moving there?”
My wife and I have experience starting small companies, and we got started researching opportunities. We had
lost a great deal with the real estate bubble and moving to Hawaii, and we didn’t have a great deal of time before
we had to gain revenues. In essence, we were starting over from scratch. This was a very great strain on our
situation. We had a very comfortable living back in Indiana, but had made some very poor financial choices
and were starting over. Literally. The clock was ticking. I had never worked a job or for a company (for only
9 months out of college,) and my wife and I had always been entrepreneurs. After several months of researching
and settling-down in Waikoloa, we decided to launch “Lets Go Banners,” a sign and marketing company. We
researched the industry, purchased some very affordable sign/banner equipment, and started “pounding the
pavement.” I also had a lot of experience in web design, and we focused on building LGB’s site for the first few
months. We’ve been able to survive and actively try to grow the business, although it hasn’t been easy, by
any means. But we’ve been so excited to make contacts and build friendships and clients here. Once the
economy turns-around, I’m confident that things will grow very rapidly.
7. “How did your family handle your move?”
My wife is really the only one with any issues, but it’s actually turned out really positive. I don’t have much
family left at all. But my wife’s family has visited (her father and brother-in-law,) and I have an extended relative
on Oahu that we’ve visited many times. My wife’s family thought she was crazy for moving, but as her father and
brother-in-law visited, they soon realized why we moved here. Now her family is planning a family reunion
next summer. Hawaii is really a special place!
8. “Do you get ‘Island Fever’?”
No. I don’t, but I have met people who do get “ancy” for the mainland. The ONLY place I miss is Las Vegas,
and it’s expensive to travel back to the mainland. Except I don’t miss the weather on the mainland, even in
Vegas. Except I do, really, sincerely, miss Video Poker. If Hawaii ever opened-up cruise gambling or a few
casinos around the islands........ (or maybe even a few scratch-off tickets!) However, I’ve saved a butt-load
on not gambling!!!!
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