The fact that there’s a pecking order revolving around race/ethnicity makes me want to move there to spite the racists. Not gonna let them have a beautiful island to themselves just because they’re bullying people out.

I am 73 and planning to retire in Hilo within two years. My wife and I have come here every year for two months at a time for the last six years. I have had no problems interacting with all the people. I’ve had very few, if any, bad encounters. We own a house near Keaau. I would say that the Pahoa area has higher crime than Hilo because of drug problems. This is not much different from parts of the Bay Area CA. It is a problem than needs to be solved across America.

A fascinating read by Brian Burger in Living Hawaii, about the reasons you should NOT move to Hawaii. A lot of what was said was on the mark, but it calls for a little perspective.
Yes, we need to go back to the overthrow of the legal government of Hawaii by a small band of white supremacists (look it up!) backed by sailors and war materiel from a leading warship of the time, the U.S.S. Boston. But we actually need to go back before that. Hawaiian people have suffered endless indignities from white people from the United States, and it continues to this day. Have Hawaii people – of whatever background – had more than enough?
Quick summary: Hawaii gained an instant reputation for its welcoming, tolerant, generous culture and its vigorous, capable people, having accomplished astonishing feats long before whites arrived: navigating long stretches of vast open ocean while Europeans were hugging the shoreline, creating state-of-the-art, incredibly prosperous kalo field systems and fishponds without western tools – while Europeans were living in disease-riddled hovels. Under a united monarchy, Hawaii was the first to electrify its capitol and one of the earliest to achieve world-wide recognition as one the several nations among the nations of the earth, with treaties creating ties to some 80 other parts of the world.
The indignities began when self-appointed missionaries descended upon the islands, foisting their version of a religion – which most of us have discarded by now – upon a proud and resilient culture. As a safe haven and re-provisioning port, Hawaii was subjected to western diseases, reducing the population in successive pandemics to 10% of its original vigor. Merchants swept in on the heels of that, confiscating and buying up land for cents on the dollar. Sugar planters created an indentured servitude among people it had to bring from foreign lands. While these people formed a multi-ethnic culture built upon the Hawaiian culture, a classic and robust creole culture, they were left in perpetual poverty while the white merchants took over everything, outlawing the Hawaiian language and suppressing its culture.
By the time of the overthrow of Hawaii’s legitimate and U.S.-recognized government, Hawaii’s powerful army was also reduced to a shadow of its former self, badly outnumbered and outgunned. The United States, not surprisingly, abrogated its agreements with Hawaii. In its weakened state, the Hawaii government, supported by a huge proportion of the citizenry, petitioned the President for redress, but were abandoned by imperialist American Senators. What proceeded from there has been illegal by accepted international standards every step of the way, including the fraudulent “Statehood” vote. President Clinton said “Sorry”?
Under United States occupation, the islands are incapable of controlling our borders and real estate. Under U.S. control, this “paradise” has attracted the rich from both sides of the Pacific, dominating economic development and prostituting local leadership. Rich people from elsewhere have made a habit of buying up Hawaii land, pricing out local families. Development is ruled by big money from elsewhere, with the profits flying back to other shores, not invested in Hawaii’s welcoming society. We see a net drain of local families priced out of their homeland, being replaced by foreigners who do not know the history, the culture, the limitations of its small size, the vulnerability of its native species, and do not seem to give a damn. What we see, instead, is the privileged attitudes of people who have only their own pleasure on their agenda, overrunning our neighborhoods, pooping in our yards and tearing up the trails, disrespecting customs, displacing locals on our own beaches. What locals want to share their free time with hordes of self-invited “guests”?
The resurgence of native Hawaiian culture has given voice to this suffering, to our pride of place, culture, and each other. This land is family in ways foreigners may never understand. The military continues to poison our landscapes which they usurped for a single dollar. Do you think we like having disrespectful foreign values rubbed in our faces very day? Are you surprised that you may not be welcomed? What is most astonishing of all is the graciousness that persists among Hawaii leaders, endlessly trying to appeal to some vestiges of humane attitudes and behavior among the invaders, and trying to find halfway measures that protect what’s left in this forgiving land.

Hawaii is the last place I would live. My daughter got a divorce and requested to move herself and her 3 girls back to the mainland to be closer to family. She works 3 jobs and the 4 of them live in a 800 sq ft 1 bedroom/1 bath apt. which means they all sleep in the same bedroom. For her relocation request she was REQUIRED to find a job and housing in the town of her choice. And provide proof the cost of living was much lower. She found a job and housing and provided all the documents, lower cost of living, school and their ratings etc. But her relocation request was denied by the Judge saying just because you want to be closer to your family and the cost of living is cheaper, the move would not benefit the girls in any way. He flat out disrespected our family. She had to decline the job she was offered and give up the 1300 sq ft 3 bedroom 2/bath for $1300/mo. She was devastated. Hawaii is supposed to be a “Ohana” state. My daughter was denied her Ohana. The judge and custody evaluator were outwardly biased and the trial was a sham. The Judge wouldn’t even let all her REQUIRED documents be brought into evidence. My advice;—DO NOT MOVE TO HAWAII, THEIR JUDICIAL SYSTEM CANNOT BE TRUSTED AND JUDGES ARE VERY BIASED. They are holding my daughter and her girls hostage. She lost her right to move home to family.

Aloha! Thank you for this article, it gave me a lot to think about! My husband and I are 25, no kids, I work remote and my husband is a young contractor. My husband is not Hawaiian but Korean and he grew up visiting family and friends in Oahu. It’s our dream to move to the North Shore in the next 1-2 years. I know they say their isn’t much opportunity for starting a small business but is that true for Construction/ home remodel?? We were under the impression that the Housing market is expensive but vibrant? Is this true? or would it be unwise to try to move his skills to Ohau and try to start up a business?

I grew up on Oahu as a haole and actually feel I benefited immensely from the diversity and the lack of white privilege. By growing up in Hawaiian culture, I learned how to relate to anybody all over the world. And the part about Hawaiians not being American? People here are the best part of America and an example of what the future looks like. And yes, check your history. Hawaii was illegally confiscated by business interests on the island and the push of America in the Pacific. And who celebrates statehood in their state? Not in California, Texas, South Carolina, Oklahoma or any other state I’ve lived in. You need to “cool your jets” brah. Your lucky to live in Hawaii. Yes, there are challenges, but it is the state in the US, hands down.

Perhaps you may want to understand the meaning of the term “native” when used in this context and you’ll understand

I appreciate the information, cost of living and such as for as pecking order I think it�s good for it�s as it should be. The example was set by the mainland. You�ve given me much to consider and I thank you

This is definitely a necessary reality check for me. With only a few exceptions (#’s 2, 3, 6, maybe 8 & 11, 12, and 13), all the reasons you put down apply to me. I still want to live in Hawaii but I’m far from being able to afford it so for now, it’ll be nothing but a dream.

All the reasons(14) listed are perfectly valid. I could add at least one
more based on some of the comments. Specifically medical care, or rather
the availability of it depending on where you live. I won’t get into the
generalities of how health insurance is done in Hawaii, but anyone who
plans to move to Hawaii needs to consider health care very, very carefully.

It’s all fine if you and your family are healthy and/or do have good health
insurance, and happen to live on Oahu, which happens to have most of the
medical facilities since those will obviously be concentrated where the
population is highest.

Let’s assume though you live on one of the other islands. You have found a good
General Practitioner. GPs and nurses are very valuable, underpaid and
underrated everywhere. I would feel very lucky to find a practice which
would take me and my family as new patients were I to move to Hawaii.

Beyond the family doctor though— we tend to love our high tech(and very expensive)
medical care which uses lots and lots of high tech equipment and specialists. What
happens if you need some of that care and its simply not
available on the island you chose to live on? If you are lucky, you won’t
need an emergency transport via helicopter. You can make an appointment
with a specialist on Oahu and do a RT plane ticket. If an emergency
transport is needed, often the timing is critical and you or your family
member simply may not make it. Or, maybe you are already at your financial limits
due to the high cost of living in Hawaii. Close to 2/3 of all bankruptcies are
due to medical bills. Even if you have insurance, go take a look at what the
deductibles are on the policy, and what may be excluded. Go do an internet
search on costs for ‘medical air transport’ and see what sort of numbers you
come up with.

Don’t kid yourself. Do your due diligence.

Hawaii is a good place to live if you really like Asian and Polynesian culture and food. I really think before people decide they want to move to Hawaii they seriously need to research and see if this culture is compatible with them personally. Don’t just see it as a tropical destination because it’s so much more than that. Research everything, the positives and the negatives, cost of living etc- and don’t buy property right when you come here, rent for a year or two before deciding you want to live permanently.

Okay, don’t know if my long-a comment posted or not, but just read more of the older comments, some I’m really glad people took to write because they added important things from a perspective everyone reading this should hear if they actually have considered moving, and some that blew my mind and made my head hurt and made me want to say PLEASE!! Write more about why people, no matter how they ‘left their heart in Hawai’i’ should seriously think twice about moving there because they just want to live there because it’s so paradise. Just because you have the means to, imo, doesn’t mean you should, unless you plan to bring multifaceted value *to the NATIVE locals* like creating more sustainable good jobs for people already living there not bringing in more and more people…or filling in a need that someone else is not able to fill currently. There are reactions and consequences to everything, just because that condo is there for you doesn’t mean it didn’t have another negative affect on someone else, you’re not just there as an individual, which is the American mentality that can be so inadvertantly destructive without you knowing what you’re doing. Just because say you’re stationed there and you stay and are ‘nice’ to people and they’re chill with you doesn’t mean it’s your home, your island, or the thought that haole=nword [mind*blown] [although not really guess i’ve heard that a million times].

I’m not dissing any white people who have grown up there or stayed for a long time saying go away, what’s done is done, but the fact that so many white Americans in particular feel they can go anywhere in the world because they like it or want to experience something new (which is an awesome privilege to have the means for) is not okay when it’s done without truly considering the impact of their choices and even the impact of what is set into motion usually unintentionally. To grow up in a tourist economy where you must embrace tourism to have jobs and must be welcoming on a certain level to changes and accommodations and destruction and so many painful things—but then to have people come and like stake their claim (not with bad intention of course) the way Euro explorers always did, put the flag down and boom! it’s ours! Yes it’s the US but no you’re not contemplating moving to just another state that will easily let you change your address and official ID with a few clicks. Honestly I feel like people just wanting to move, work, retire in paradise need to consider, is it okay to move onto reservation lands and buy up land to develop or live or make money from that doesn’t actively, holistically support the actual local community in generative, integrative sustainable practical ways, or just to experience and enjoy and ‘learn Native ways’…I think many people here would agree that this sounds like a pretty heavy, complicated decision that would require a LOT of motive-searching and deep research and deeply tuned plans to make it with integrity, why there and not somewhere else off the rez. Maybe some will disagree, but I feel like the main difference is when it comes to Hawai’i you can do what you want b/c legally you’re under US law, no permission needed… just because you can doesn’t mean you should!!

I get that it’s not straightforward, and like I said a huge main tourist economy is a tough thing. It is impossible for a place to not change. It eventually gets overwhelmed if the tourist population continues to stay and bring more people, more more from their own culture into yours and they are minority but still at the top economically (and at the real power base, politically). There are healthier and unhealthier ways to try to keep damage down and make the most of their resources and such. But at the end of the day, if you take the attitude of yay, everyone who wants to come and can, should b/c hey, this land is your land, this land is my land! Nope, doesn’t work even if the central government of a country that colonized you still has the ultimate power.

I guess I’m just saying, I think this article is really great if it causes people with the motives I mention to take pause and perhaps see the Islands beyond their vacation and not see it as a Paradise Version NYC or Portland or LA whatever beckoning them to have a change of pace, scenery, new job, etc, relocation! You have so much privilege that goes unnoticed it can become unintentional entitlement that I know many don’t want to have. I guess I see a big difference between moving because you have rooted friends/family and have some investment in being an outsider in a new country/land but through the connection with those roots and those who want to expose their kids to the Aloha culture yay! and surf yoga or want to live the island life or get a condo and write Hawai’ian tiki mystery novels or something…islands are small! Each person takes space. I think the ultimate question to ask would be ‘How would I take up that space, what is that space I’m taking in the first place, and how would I truly (i.e. not in theory or through one perspective) bring something to that space that would contribute to the whole.’ And when I say the whole, I mean by the standard of the indigenous people whose land you are somehow allowed to come on whenever you want without permission–but shouldn’t… Maybe that’s could be a fair question to seek understanding for. You might find a good answer that leads you to move there into a space you can live and thrive in and bring life to, but then you’ll be doing it with motives that you are aware of and will make decisions and have perspective that will make you a good foreigner transplant!

Just ideas and feelings. Nothing eloquent, smart or necessarily well grounded. But I would love to see more articles like this helping people get a more dimensional image /perception of what may be an ideal or limited picture. Definitely has been thought-provoking to read the article directed at a demographic considering or even already making plans; and then all of the comments I was able to…even though I didn’t think this article was relevant to the reason I found this site, it actually was along with other articles that indirectly kinda gave me the perspective I needed to hear about some questions I had. Mahalo Jeff!

Also: if my old comment posted, sorry for two long comments.

Perfect article that backs up what I previously commented on, but for some reason my comments never showed up in the posting. I agree with Dwight’s post. I didn’t experience the racism and hatred others have made note of here. Perhaps it’s the way they acted towards the locals that made the difference in their experiences vs mine and many others I know.

We are relocating to Hawai’i Island in less than 2 weeks and although I’m scared for the unknown of jobs and such, I am excited to return and cultivate new relationships and new experiences. I am happy to give my son the opportunity to live in a beautiful place with fantastic people, culture and history. I have encouraged him to learn the Hawaiian language so he can better understand the native people and where they come from and how they have had to unfortunately adapt to outsiders pushing their values upon them.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/the-happiest-healthiest-states-in-the-us-are/ar-BBU92m2?ocid=spartanntp

Sincerely,

Bob & Amanda Gallo

Just returned from my 23rd trip to the Islands. Big Island has been my special place, but I’m pretty sure I could give tours of Oahu and Molokai also. I’m an East coast white male and have sensed the stink eye from locals from time to time, but it doesn’t stop me from enjoying the awesome beauty and atmosphere of this very special place. As a tourist I yield to the locals their spots, like Hookena beach on a B.I. Sunday afternoon, and the entire leeward side of northern Oahu, Makaha and Ka’ena Point anytime, etc. “Respect” is what seems to be the real currency in Hawaii. I get it. We land and spend money renting houses, hotels, and driving cars the locals could never afford. We’re there for a couple of weeks on a vacation. They’re there every day.

The one important aspect someones needs to enlighten the Hawaiian local community about, concerns this prevalent attitude of resentment and self pity concerning the “takeover of our sacred lands by the U.S. government”.

Really?

And do those who feel this way actually believe that in our modern age of world struggle, they were going to go on living on the most militarily strategic island chain in the western Pacific, peacefully living the life of fishing, planting taro, and with Ohana as their only concern?

Everyday they should be grateful for the fact that they are NOT part of China or Russia, for that was most definitely their future without the United States annexation. Any locals parading in front of Iolani Palace who don’t understand this simple fact, need to check their naiveté on the lanai and wake the hell up.

We lived on the East side of Big Island for 3 years in the late 90s-early 2000s. Found this article pretty spot on and accurate. Think the poorest we’ve ever been was our time living in Hawaii, but at the same time, still some of the best memories. We moved to a rural area and our white/haole neighbors were friendly enough, our hapa/mixed neighbors, not so much. They were not overtly hostile and one even told me that if we stuck around for a few years they’d get to know us!? As a younger white male, you will experience racism here and there, but hey, welcome to the good ol USA! Racism is (sadly) part of the American landscape and it just comes in different flavors in HI. I learned to adapt, took a soft-humble approach to locals and worked to embrace the unique gifts the place had to offer. We’d consider retiring on the Big Island some day..

Personally, I don’t think that living in Hawai’i should be all that difficult if you are willing to make some sacrifices. I did it in the past and yes it could be trying at times, but the benefits outweighed the negatives, for me at least. I became materialistic in the years between living in Hilo and the past couple of years, but I’ve shifted back, especially with the situation my wife is in. Her health is in decline and Hawai’i, particularly Kailua-Kona has the ideal temperate climate for her conditions.

I’ve already started to sacrifice here on the mainland, I closed down my business, I’m selling off as much as possible and giving away more. I’ll work two jobs full time if necessary, so my wife can either work just part time or not at all. I want my son to continue to grow up with the values we’ve taught him about tolerance and acceptance. To look at someone as equal no matter what they look like, or how much they have. To value the person they are above all else.

Life is never what we expect. I didn’t expect my wife to have to use a walker at age 36 on bad days. I didn’t expect to find ourselves faced with health conditions that have caused her to deteriorate and now possibly our 14 year old son facing similar issues. But we take things a day at a time and the 3 of us are strong together. We will find a way to make it work.

I miss the Aloha spirit that is so lacking on the mainland. Most here put themselves first, it’s, what they want, what they can get and what they can achieve at the expense of others. I’ve never been that way. I put others first, I try to help others when I can, sometimes, if you ask my wife, at my own detriment, but that is my nature. I ran a business in Colorado for nearly 15 years and my clients still call me asking me to return, because I was honest and not driven by money. I was driven by happiness, theirs, which translated to mine.

I carried that into my business in Washington and already, I’ve had clients saying how much they are going to miss working with me, because I was different than my competitors.

I may always be an outsider in Hawai’i, but when we visited in June, it felt like coming home, more than Chicago, where I was born and raised, more than Colorado, where I spent 17 1/2 years. My time in Hilo, was some of the best times of my life in respect to lifestyle and happiness, only eclipsed by the life I share with my wife and son now. And hopefully, I will be able to share that feeling with them in the coming months.

Financially, life in Hawai’i may be difficult, but living around Seattle has proved to not be much cheaper if at all. I’ve done cost comparisons and it’s relatively close to living on Hawai’i island, if you can do without all the amenities, and you see the beauty as worth the trade off.

Thank you Mr. Kay for your YouTube channel and this website. The added information is helpful in making the right choices. Perhaps we will bump into one another some time.

Mahalo,

Bob Gallo

I grew up in Hawaii from 1993-1996, and 2002- 2008. I remember nothing but good memories, plenty of beach, laid back cruise culture. I grew to love the people, music, food, drinks and culture. However, I will probably never go back there nowadays. As politicians have ruined Hawaii and jacked up cost of living, increased poverty levels, and created a toxic environment for freedom loving Americans aka Gun owners or conservatives etc. in other words, the past 10+years have not been good to Hawaii . And yes I blame the radical policies of Obama and his administration. Former Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle at least had a gas cap on prices, etc. Democrats have only continued to ruin da Aina. Look at Waikiki, Waianae, Waipahu, Ewa Beach etc. Homelessness, drugs, addicts, crazy people. I mean watch the 1998 movie “Beyond paradise”, it’s only gotten worse for Haoles and I’m Hispanic btw. Yeah yeah I know “ahhh no can, dis guy!”

Being a blonde hair white girl, born on Oahu and in Hawaii for 43 years I offer this: Dont raise daughters there older than 6th grade. The girls on the outer islands dream only of getting pregnant. I moved to California to save my daughter from that path. Shes now 21 and a JR at sac state. Every single
Female classmate as1 to 3 children. All are single mothers. None went to college. Private school girls are no better off. I’m the only one out of everyone I know that doesnt have grandkids, many even have great grandkids. Theres no pressure to finish highschool. Pay is minimum wage either way. They all live at home because rent starts at 3200 for a 2 bedroom. There is no huh housing. They canceled the list when it reached 10 years. 30% now are homless.

Drugs. Maui is unique because in 1996 they took down all the drug lords. Organized crime vanished. With it went the control over drugs being brought in. They realized their mistake – let them out early but it was too late. Maui is the only place in the world where anyone can show up and sell drugs anywhere- so they do. Meth is Maui’s drug. Once it became cheap – everyone stopped doing stupid stuff to get it and people thought it went away. There are Lawyers, doctors, teachers, and law enforcement that use to be more functional at their jobs. 7 out of 10 people that enter the ER test positive for meth. My daughter complained that kids smoked pot in school in 6 grade. I was the only person I know of that doesnt smoke pot. Just dont raise kids in Hawaii.

I live in Australia but am from NZ so the Polynesian culture is pretty familiar to me. However the thing that puts me off the most from this piece is the traffic congestion. I see Hawaii as laid back but still a city, but the idea of driving around an island tgat is also clogged with traffic is awful. Auckland is also horrific in terms of traffic and one of the reasons we dont live there. I currently live in Perth on the remote side of Australia, population 2,000,000 to an area as big as Europe. It really is paradise but like any place that is Pardise lacks the meatiness of a real metropolitan area. I may rethink my plans of holidaying in Hawaii based on this article – expensive, congested and racist!

My two cents: I was born and raised in Hawaii left when I was 24 and will never move back. Graduate of MidPac then UH then UW graduate school.
Other reasons
1) too much homeless
2) public transport? Terrible
3) too much tourists and too many mainlanders coming to the islands and acting all local – you need to go back where you came from
4) we bettah than everybody’ attitude (by the new “locals” who just moved there – go home)
5) it’s become Southern California – no more local style
6) expensive as hell
7) get one hurricane you going Make in 7 days ‘cause no mo enough food n supplies
8) surfahs are just idiots
9) there is nothing to do other than go beach or go beach or go beach or go Waikiki …or go Maui and go beach. Again surfahs are idiots.
10) Canna afford one house
11) the idiot surfahs blocked the ferry system that would have changed the local people’s lives- so that they can surf and be beach bums fo’evah
Kaniela

Thank you for this site. I really did want to know the worst and be able to make an informed decision. Interesting: I first failed the test, then retook with only selecting interacting with lot of cultures(which I do not now, but having working at University with foreign students) then received a “What are you waiting for?” I think one needs to look hard at where you are living. Here in Idaho the rich(lots from Orange County California) are out pricing us “locals” middle class and the schools are the rock bottom for the nation.(50th for graduating High School, then the ones that try college 50th for college so it may be even worse than the statistics. Some counties are dangerous if you are thoughtful(high amount of guns and low enforcement. This attracts Neo Nazis, sever conservatism). I would have to buy sercuity systems and learn about native use of private property.

Hello, I guess I’ll add my two-cents to the conversation. I moved here two years ago and love it.
1.You forgot to account for VA loans in your home ownership section, that was how I afforded my home. I served my country, killed other human beings for my country, and my reward was a college degree and a no down payment home loan. We have to work hard to make the payment and go without a lot of things we would have had in the mainland. But you know what, BFD, we live right on the beach so that is all that matters to me.
2. I think your “culture shock” reason is a little overstated though, the culture shock was not that bad. I am of European descent and we live in Wailaua area, no one has ever been anything but nice to me. People are friendlier here than anywhere else I have lived (5 other states and two other countries). It’s like anything else, if YOU are nice, courteous, and respectful, guess what? You will GET that in return. Are there locals who wouldn’t be nice to me because of my race? Sure, but they’re just assholes, guess what we got them in the mainland too lol. And sorry to all the locals who use the word “haole” but when I hear you guys use it, all I hear is ni***r, and all the other racial epitaphs that are used in the mainland. It doesn’t bother me to be referred to as such, but does make the user seem rather ignorant. The whole racial hierarchy thing you mention isn’t that bad either, we’ve got that in the mainland too, thats just normal human behavior. I didn’t move here expecting to be treated like a native, lol. I am of European descent and proud of it, I’m not looking for validation from anyone. Also, for all the talk about being “anti-american”, locals definitely have no problem enjoying some of the benefits of being part of the good ol’ USA. I’ve never seen Costcos, Wal-Marts, and “locals” shopping malls as busy as I have here. I see lots of Kanaka Maoli flags flying from 50k tundras and f-150s too….

I love this island, I love the people here (even the ones who apparently don’t want me here!) and I am going to do everything in my power to keep this island clean, respect tradition, respect culture, support my local community and take care of my little home.

Aloha,
I found some of the comments even more interesting than the article, as they seem to run the spectrum of opinion and perspective.
To give context, I am quantified as 50 %Hawaiian from my paternal side, and Haole on my maternal side. Haole has never been derogatory, unless assigned some type of degrading adjective when used in addressing someone.
Haole references anyone without 8 generations of lineage in Hawaii- for anyone!! It was started in the 1840’s by missionaries to establish the US vs. THEM parallel between the ‘civilized and the savage.’ But you won’t find many people who know that now, not even in my own community….. we are called KANAKA; Hawaiian is a legal term prescribed to us under colonization.
I disagree with the “pecking order’ mentioned in the article. I hear white mainlanders say they are the minority here, my own husband tried to make that claim too until I set him straight that every non-Caucasian group is a separate and unique culture.

But I’ll concede some similarities as Polynesian and Asian languages originate from Proto-Austronesean; like English, German, Romance languages originate from Indo-European. There are common practices and acceptances between the cutltures but they are all individually unique.
Western values are almost opposite of either Polynesian or Asian and that is difficult for Americans to understand or comprehend when coming here.
The Mainland Haole attitude is very difficult for kanaka and most Island locals here in Hawaii. American consumerism values gratification and rapid growth; the islands want slow pace and everything in its time, when its organically suppose to happen. I appreciate this but it’s not for everyone.

I have a Haole husband, retired Navy vet who served for 22 years. He’s lived here his entire career. When he met this pro -sovereign Hawaii native girl, he didn’t always agree on my politics and vice verse. We still agree to disagree on certain issues. But one point he readily grasped is how Hawaiians can easily dislike mainland Haole who are so ignorant of our history, our beliefs, our values, and the injustices we have undergone and still go through. It took him meeting me to get an in depth knowledge of Hawaiian culture… my question was why? I think he still struggles with that realization,something that I believe singularly defines American imperialism- the lack of knowledge and true understanding of conquered cultures. And the choice to stay ignorant.

I read some of the comments above, and I want to point out the difference; moving here and saying I love Hawaii and I love the culture is a statement almost everyone makes but less than 1% of people that move here can actually claim. Because I grew up in Hawaiian Homes/ New York City I have a unique interaction as the “go between “ betweeen my two racial halves. I see a big difference in cultural approach. It’s rude for a Polynesian to start a conversation with “what’s your name”. We say where are you from? Who is your family… it’s paramont to establish a tangible connection to create a thread between strangers that has meaning.
Lastly, I will say some of the hostility does brew over the financial disparity. If you’re generationally from Hawaii you either have 3 jobs or live multi -generationally to afford a home. Yet, people from the mainland can swarm in and snatch them up because they come from a more exonocally viable community that pays higher wages for the same work. It’s a hard thing to swallow.
I’m from Kauai an island that I love… I have no animosity to anyone as I am obviously bi-racial but I have to point out that people moving here – will turn into crowded Oahu and all it’s problems. At one point in time people moved to Oahu for the same reason they now want to move to my home island Kauai-to find paradise and experience the Aloha spirit. Yet Oahu changed and absorbed all the problems of the mainland, now it’s transferring to the outer islands…. paradise can’t stay paradise if everyone comes here… just something to think about.
I live in my ansetral home where my grandparents graves were dug up by developers to install toilets, and my sacred areas aren’t considered as important as buildings with crosses. To me,the pecking order firmly puts Hawaiians at the bottom….
but I’m starting to digress into other topics…
Mahalo for the interesting read

Aloha! I visited Hawaii in 2007 and left my heart there. I went island hoping spending time in Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. I have since visited Oahu several times, mostly due to affordability from the mainland. I have to say that the Big Island captured my heart due to is veratility and rustic nature.
I live in Las Vegas (the 9th island lol) and um a single mom living pay vheck to paycheck. I have a dream of buying some land and investing in a tiny house. I love the outdoors and its something not usually accesible due to the high temperatures of desert living
I was windering if you had any input on tiny living. I think that would be the only way for me to make it happen but not sure on how feasible that is.
Mahalo in advanve for any input!

I agree with everything you stated and need to add one more: the dearth of intellectuals is striking. I came here three years ago (my wife grew up on Maui). I work from home and am also in an online PhD program. People come here to vacation or retire. No one comes here as a career choice. Ambition? Meh…what you mean, brah? As you said, starting a business here is extremely difficult. There is ONE bookstore on the island. NO daily newspapers (except for the local ones). Sure, I can get the WSJ MAILED to me, but… I love the weather and some of the restaurants and Maui IS a beautiful island, BUT once you’ve been to the beach a few dozen times, there’s just not much else to do. I’m planning to move back to the mainland, i.e. “civilization” in a few years and be rid of the “haters” forever!

oh, so much to unpack, where to begin, where to begin/ Well, I tried to keep an open mind. I took some deep breaths. I read everything you wrote. I read all of the comments. After capping some steam coming out of my ears, and trying to stem the flow of lava that wanted to flow from my fingertips, i managed to get myself under control enough to attempt to thype without melting the keyboard. So, here it goes:

I am not going to give you all a lot of personal background story on what my racial ethnicity is. because i have had to do that all of my living days, almost every day of my exhistance. ‘What are you? What ethnicity are you/”, ect. i am really tired of having to explain to the privileged white class who I am, what i am, or explain my right to speak, and even to exist.

I will just tell you that I live in Hawaii. It is in my blood, my soul, and every single cell that makes up my physical form.

I am educated. I speak pigeon only with family and friends. I try to speak reasonably coherent English, although I pepper my speech with Olelo Hawaii often. I went to the mainland a few years ago, and never felt so out of place in my life. I saw a sea of white. iI got looks wherever i went. Thank god I was with white people, who kept people at bay. people wanted to touch my hair. There were always comments about my hair. I really really hate that.

People would ask me; “What are you?”. I am human. I am not a zoo exhibit, or a zoological dissertation.

I have felt racism deeply from people from the mainland. I will tell you that I have been in tourism, serving the tourists who come to this state for over 45 years. At first, when they came, we worried about them. They were like children, always getting into trouble, and we had to rescue them. They did not know where to get food, or how to drive on the roads, or where to go for basic items. They were confused as to why we had outhouses outside our homes, and kitchens not attached to the houses. We had to explain to them our ways, our culture.

My ohana brought in tourists all the time, when they needed to use the bathroom or get a meal. The island that I live on was entirely unprepared for tourism, yet it was being reported. Tourists were nice back then and respectful. We had a lot of fun with them. We teased them, joked with them. We thought they were strange, but they were fun. Good nature d. They were very generous to us. Sure, we yanked them around for a few coins now and then, but that is the fun of tourism, isn’t it? They were so curious about us. They did not care about pretty mountains or beaches, or all of the touristy things they have to do nowadays. They wanted to meet us. To talk to us. To share our lives, and assimilate and be like us. We wanted them to come back.

But then things changed. Tourists started to be mean, rude and demanding, and acting very racist, privileged. They for got our history, forgot World War 2 concentration camps for our people, who got through it with grace. *I am not Asian, b ut i am Hapa.* They forgot that just a few decades ago, this was not a state, but a territory, stinging new fresh wounds over the incarceration of our beloved Queen. Not all of the Alii were good, many were bad, but our Queen was a Christian. We were to be annexed by England, which is part of the reason the union jack is on the flag, you see. But American businessmen, who were racists, did not want this country to be ruled by a person of color. And a woman at that.

if you want to talk facts, and this is a place for truth and facts then let us have some facts then, shall we? But you see, tourists were after the land. They were rich, and moved here. This second wave, in my lifetime, was still philanthropic and generous. But they built schools to separate themselves from us. However, of course we had Kamehameha schools, which until recent history really was about Christianizing native Hawaiians, and teaching girls how to be good maids, and boys how to fix cars. They did not teach Olelo Hawaii, *Hawaiian language* at Kam school. That is a fact.

Now, we have these commentators here. Malulani and Jo are correct. When put together. But when you add my perspective you might get an even clearer picture. I quit tourism. Because of the attitude, the racism, the belligerent attitude and the rudeness of the people now coming here. We are not the gracious host culture anymore. We are truly servants, here to serve their every whim. In return they give us a few dollars, then get on a plane, and whine about how terrible the locals are.

i decided, after over 45 years of “serving’ tourists, I was done. Because I could no longer hold my tongue. But to be honest that is only half of what fuels the real issues. it is the fact that people are moving here. Not with humbleness, or clarity of purpose, but to be ‘outsiders’. Wow. I always expected it, but I am so surprised to see people perfectly fine with being perceived as outsiders and not fitting in. Who cares right? You are adventurers, and you can do it!. Of course you can. because you are that certain class of person who owns the world.

Now, there is a whole other coin to this huge log we carry on our shoulders. We are moving out, and moving to the mainland, because we cant live here anymore. yet, you are all moving here, with your wonderful 90,000 dollar a year job offers. Really? I have never been offered a job that pays that much, and I am sure that i am reasonably as educated and talented as you are. I can do more than the culture, dance hula, smile and serve you drinks, and show you Las Vegas style aloha. I have a mind, I have talent drive and ambition.

Sure people have migrated. There are more native Hawaiians in California than Hawaii. Did you know that? The Hawaiian culture is alive and well and coming to a state near you. I have ohana who has left Hawaii and become very successful. Do you know why/ Because here, we have a ‘Crab in the bucket’ mentality. Why? Because it is never a good idea to be so successful in front of mainland people. they become jealous. They pick your brains, steal your ideas, and make money better than you can.

This happened to many of my ohana, who were approached, asked questions, interviewed. They thought it was because people thought they were smart, and learned and had knowledge. Nope. They went on and started tour companies and businesses and wrote books, on what people told them, for free with aloha.

Do they profit from it/ Certainly not. This is the attitude. And the people who are now coming here as tourists, are just warming up for the main event. moving here. While every person from the mainland moves here, two are moving out from here. locals. The people you want to see serving you your drinks and dancing hula. however, now, when you see dancers or people working in hotels they are from the mainland. Blonde hair and blue eyes. This is happening. This is a fact.

You, from the mainland have killed the goose that laid the golden age and now you can watch hula dancers from Iowa, California and Nebraska, and get served a drink by a guy from Montana. A good majority of the dancers are also, thinner, smaller and more slender Filipinos, because mainlands do not like our larger more fluffier Polynesian bodies. It is not good for business. That is a fact. I worked in many major hotels, and I can tell you it is most definitely true.
On my island, it is easier to get a job if you are white, or Filipino. If you are native Hawaiian, you are expected to do heavy manual labor, physical work. Build that road, that wall, tote that barge. Security guard. protect the rich new white plantation owners. you will be paid well for it. The rest of us? Not so much. When your body turns to flab and your looks go you cannot get a job in tourism. Not on my island. Pretty white blondes from the mainland? Sure. When can you start. This is our reality.

True Hawaiians, Tahitians, and others are large people. We get larger with age. We are tall, stately. Yet the stereotype of a big, obese Hawaiian under a tree strumming an Ukulele is a stereotype. you can get a job dancing hula if you are a California girl, or a Filipina a lot easier than if you are a Hawaiian with a little bit of padding. This is a fact. And Filipinos call themselves Hawaiians *as in native*, when around tourists, because they are told too. They have to especially curl their hair before a performance, so it looks like mine. I ask you, how would you feel? Cultural appropriation is one of the biggest reasons for issues in Hawaii.There is the locals you will meet.

But lets not be really blind. our people have issues. Drugs, alcoholism, domestic violence, lack of education, extreme poverty, anger. Everything that most oppressed classes have. Yet we still know to smile when a tourist comes around, or bow our head when a haole who is rich offersw us a minimum wage job, or steer clear of racist haoles because they always have an itchy finger to call 911 on some ‘scary looking local’.

What do i think, from my many many decades of living here? I think things have reached a breaking point. Case in point is madame Pele. She goes where she wants too. or the flooding on Kauai.both areas where mainlanders and upper middle class locals have built their dream existences. The good ones, you would say. The ones who belong to come here. the ones that should be accepted.

As you stated, so clearly. ‘Make sure the right ones come here.’ The right ones were always here. The right ones are still here. When we have the same opportunities as the mainland then things will improve. As it is, we are like a third world country who immigrate to the mainland to make a better life for ourselves. and, like most beautiful places in the world if you have enough money to make it, you feel obligated to be able to come. never mind the class gap. locals are here to serve you. They should not complain. you are gracing the island with your presence.

it should be telling though, that if such an aloha person as my self, who has spent a lifetime in the tourism industry can no longer stand tourists, or those who move here that something is definitely wrong. there needs to be a dialogue, understanding healing. And so, I think what i have learned here is good. I hope that you have learned something from me too. After over 45 years of educating peple that have come here or moved here, I hope that there is some crumb.

Mahalo a nui loa.

While there are certainly some on point items on this list there are others ….. #14 in particular. You and I clearly don’t live in the same place. A new, and very delicious Mexican place just opened up 5 minutes from my house and I can think of several other equally good ones in other parts of the island. Sure you won’t find deep dish pizza in the islands, but I’m not a fan anyway, so I’m more that satisfied with Boston’s or Roundtable. You won’t find good inexpensive Italian either but I can think of several moderate-pricey places around town. Surf & turf type places abound, as do local burger joints, roadside Puerto Rican food, I’m blessed to live close to one of the best places for Hawaiian food. Thai food trucks, Mom & Pop Vietnamese, Indians from Fiji making naan to die for, Moracan food, Korean, Japanese, and can you honestly tell me you can live without the occasional trip to L&L? But sure if you insist we’ve got terrible food options here.

Hawaii isn’t for everyone, we may be part of the US but Hawaii will never truly be American (colonies seldom are), but when you come here with the right state of mind and reasonable expectations you’ll do fine, so in that regard I hope your site help people to manage their expectations. Hawaii is happy to welcome those who want to respect and embrace it but it can be miserable for those who don’t fit in or are hell bent on changing to to fit some imagined ideal.

Bro, you hit the nail on the head. I was born and raised on Maui. For the first time in 27years I have gotten off that rock. I live in California now and it is soooo much better.

Hawaii is for some, but I hated it the moment I popped into existence.

You’re gonna get a lot of hate from people that have thier heads up thier asses, but I though this article was great

Since I got here (California)I probably say “screw Hawaii “ 4 times a day.

Beyond it being expensive or island fever, the local attitudes to anyone and anything new are atrocious. There is no variety of food – You ask for no rice and you are giving a cultural lecture.

You speak pidgin and people are baffled.

The worst though is when you try to warn people about coming here and they look at you like you are crazy.

I NEVER want to go back and live in constant fear that I’ll be dragged back to the hell hole

Terry, we had a constitution since 1843, and a treaty that the US broke in 1893. Hawai’i was bombed because of the US military presence, not the locals. We were taken over without any bargaining between kingdom and sugar barons/Pres. Mckinley. Bargaining should have occured, not conqueror take all. The statehood vote passed because people from the US were flown in to sway the vote. Why should we greet new residents with a smile when their homes most likely caused Hawaiian burials to be dug up and thrown away, and hardly any transplants are willing to spend time reading archived documents to understand why many Hawaiians arent American and dont respect the status quo. When in rome, do as the romans, or dont come at all. This place was conquered as the native voice and LAW was squandered…and the lands (many now avail in real estate) have been swindled by faux laws that replaced the kingdoms. We’re only a part of America under American Law, not under native or world law. Think about that notion and read what is in the archives, including free online Library of Congress access. Cultural respect means honoring the wishes of the (displaced) host culture. Most who moved here over the years simply don’t have it

No Jews, no African American culture, no strong Latino presence?? No thanks, a place can’t be great without Jews & blacks. They have the richest cultures and have contributed the most to human experience. This place sounds awful. I don’t even know if I want to visit now. Many thanks for this candid info. I seriously had been contemplating moving there to start a business. Any place that discourages small business is incomprehensible to me. Plus don’t Japanese care about education? Quality of the school system is a baffling situation

Signed,
Kid from New York currently @ home in NOLA

Hi everybody! I love this page. There is mot many pages about living on Hawaii compering to other destinations! I live and work as Psychologist in Europe. I would love to move and work on Hawaii. I know it can be difficult to fing a job as Psychologist in short time, but I can do other things, if they allow me to pay the bills. I would like to come with 2 kinds and my mother to look after tchem when I am at work. So I am lookind a job before I come to minimalize costs. Do you know any good job agences for foreigners? The problem is that on most job offert they write that the offert is only for Hawaii citizens…:(

I was nervous to read this but really glad I did. It made me feel better about moving there actually. I also passed the quiz. I have immediate family who just relocated there and started businesses and are doing great. I’m a young architect living and working in Miami. After an apples to apples comparison of Honolulu to Miami, the cost of living is nearly the same and salary is actually significantly higher in Honolulu (per salary.com) for my line of work. I have a good chunk of savings and can stay with family until I get on my feet. I also have a couple potential job connects I can utilize. I really think I can make it work! My only concern is that I’ve never owned a home before, I’ve rented the last 10 years since college. I’m confused by your math on reason #5. If median home price is $712k, are you saying 20% of that is the average down payment? You can pay 3.5% down with good credit in Miami.
Anyway, great article. Planning to the move by next year. Mahalo!

Hi. Thanks for the quick reply. My main question is how my part time concept relates to the cultural disconnects noted elsewhere in the list and comments as compared to full time living for longer stretches such as a decade plus, ie really moving there long term. Will this reasonably soften the cultural blow and ease of acceptance in both direction between the newcomer and long time residents.

Hum, I take issue with your opinion on being a haole and never going to truly be accepted. As a hapa, my husband also a hapa and his sisters marrying haoles from the mainland, and us all having a huge mix of whites and ‘other’ as friends whom we treat all equally and they us. Why would you say such a thing? Hawaii has a lot of whites living here and I hardly ever hear any problems with any local and whites not getting along. Maybe now and again some local may do something to a military person, but in all fairness it’s usually surrounded by nightlife and drink and it doesn’t happen hardly ever.
You forgot to mention however the incredible greed that is Hawaii, from the landlord hiking the rent every single year and heaven forbid the 80 year old roach infested dump needs repairs, the landlord will hike the rent to cover those costs too. Also, Hawaii is very dog UNfriendly. We take our dog out for lunch or any where really, just walking around the mall and we get the ‘dagger’ look. Forget renting with a dog over 10 lbs.
You also say Hawaii has very little variety in food choices – really? You do live in Hawaii right? I lived on the mainland, Seattle to be exact for two years and honestly the choices were all the same and tasted all the same. Hawaii has a pot of amazing cultures to choose from.
You made a comment about Hawaii offering pooper service. In Seattle I cannot count how many times I was ripped off. From having my vehicle serviced, to yard maintenance to home repairs, it was never ending. This doesn’t happen in Hawaii. Because in Hawaii we look out for each other and we go by word of mouth. It seems you have a very poor view of Hawaii so I ask you, why do you live here? You’ve basically put us down while trying to be diplomatic.
While it is true, Hawaii is far from rosy, there is daily struggle and there are parts not so desirable, dangerous, but isn’t that in every state in America? What I know about most locals is if you don’t bother them, disrespect them they won’t bother you. Don’t move to Hawaii with the attitude you’re better, smarter, think you ‘need’ to change how Hawaii operates, locals don’t appreciate that and please, don’t move here and then try to talk pidgin because you will do that with the wrong person and perhaps get some sense knocked into you. Besides, anyone other than a true local trying to speak pidgin sounds utterly stupid. Hawaii is a beautiful place with a mixture of amazing people from all over the world, if you disagree you don’t belong here. You should never put your home and it’s people down. Shame on you.

Dear Peter,
What a great site and article. I have been enjoying your newsletters. We visited the Big Island this summer for the first time to visit friends who now live in Hawi. We currently live in San Diego and we were shocked at the EMPTY beaches and roads and CHEAP housing. We’re now considering making a move when our son is grown. Have considered foreign countries too and like the fact that HI seems different culture with no legal immigration issues. So do you think coming from So Cal and going to Big Island our experience would be different than what is described above? I have NO desire to live in Honolulu (too much like here), but the Big Island seems blissful. We did certainly notice the HIGH cost of food and Island fever is something to consider for any island, but I wonder if there are others who came from crazy SoCal traffic and expensive houses who find it all so much more more relaxing and even affordable since we already deal with the worst here…. Or am I being naive? If I’m wrong, please let me know. Gathering information.
Mahalo!

That’s just like me telling the Pigeon, I’m native american indian don’t come to our Mainland it’s for us, we look what that attitude got use our land takin away. Yea keep that up mulehoggo, or mulalanie. From poco to you.

Aloha, Good article. I’m debating about taking a job on Kauai for about $90K which is a significant pay cut. But, I have no debt, some savings, and I am single. I miss the ocean, and I am a big surfer / paddleboarder, etc and the ocean is calling me back. I can not surf where I live now.

Friends think I would wait until I retire, but I want to take advantage of being 41 and healthy and fit and be active while I can. I’ve worked hard in my career for 20 years, it may be time for me to chill a bit and live in paradise, but still be in my career field, albeit, not on the same upward career trajectory. Can you please offer me some advice? Thank you!

Thank you for the article, very un-biased and pretty much on point. I was born and raised in Oahu and lived there most of my life. One thing that I think people don’t realize about Hawaii is the incredibly high amount of property crime (violent crime is also on the rise) due to the meth epidemic which has only gotten worse as the poverty level along with population density has risen.

I say this as someone who has worked in law enforcement for most of my adult life in Hawaii and the amount of thefts, car break ins, and home burglaries and even the increasing rates of violent robberies has made Hawaii feel less safe than it was 15 years ago. It’s really sad because the Hawaii now is so different from what it was in the 90’s and early 2000’s. Now it’s laden with crime, congestion, and construction with political stagnation with monorail that will probably never get finished.

If you plan on retiring, there are many better options than Hawaii.