Living in Hawaii

Here are some articles about moving to, and living in Hawaii that should help you as you come to the decision about whether or not living in paradise is right for you and your family…

4 Things You Cannot Find in Hawaii

Although Hawai’i can offer you so many different activities and amazing adventures, there are some things that you cannot find in Hawaii. The islands offer a very unique lifestyle, and it’s not for everyone. For example, if you’re really into your winte...

5 most needed clothing in Hawaii

When in Hawaii, there's some necessary clothing you'll need to enjoy paradise at its fullest! Here are our top 5 most needed clothing in Hawaii. Clothing in Hawaii you'll need #1: Bikinis You must have plenty of bikinis if you choose to live in Hawaii!...

5 things you'll never do again after moving to Hawaii

Hawaii offers a lot of things for you to do, but it also takes away a lot of things. Here are the 5 things you'll never do again after moving to Hawaii.   1. You'll never scrape ice off your car in the mornings after moving to Hawaii When I...

Adjusting to Hawaii culture in the best way

If you're going to live in Hawaii, or should I say “the melting pot,” is a unique place filled with several different cultures, languages and ethnicities and you need to know about adjusting to Hawaii culture if you're going to survive. Hawaii is one...

Top 3 Ways to Deal with Crowds in Hawaii

Crowds in Hawaii can be unbearable at times, especially during the holiday season. During the week of Christmas and New Year’s, good luck finding parking anywhere! Popular tourist attractions like the Diamond Head Crater Hike and Ala Moana Shopping C...

Best place to live in Hawaii

Best place to live in Hawaii Although the entire island of O’ahu is a heaven for beach-goers, there are still some areas that are better places to live if you want prime beach-access. The best place to live in Hawaii is going to offer the best beach a...

Driving in Hawaii, what every newcomer needs to know

Driving in Hawaii is a very different experienced compared to driving anywhere else (in the world.) Hawaii has such low speed limits yet its drivers drive excessively over the limit. For example, a limit on one of our main freeways (The H1) is 55 and ...

Five reasons why Hawaii has a healthy lifestyle

Hawaii’s has a healthy lifestyle throughout the islands.  There are a few components such as our proximity to the ocean (like literally, we’re in the middle of the Pacific,) the warm climate and popular lifestyle activities. Hawaii has a healthy life...

Five secrets about getting along with locals in Hawaii

The locals in Hawaii are very proud of their islands, beaches and culture.  There are several native Hawaiian activist groups leading movements to preserve traditional Hawaiian culture, food and practices. There is tension between the Caucasian and native ...

Five things to love about Hawaii

There are so many things to love about Hawaii and here are five Hawaii can offer a lot of things that many other places aren’t able to. Weather is the primary difference, but there are a lot of other inconspicuous differences as well. What to l...

What makes Hawaii awesome?

Things that make living in Hawaii awesome #1: you will always win every envy comparison When people are asking you about your hometown and you describe recreational activities, weather, popular locations, food, etc. you’ll quickly realize that y...

Five ways to show you are clueless about Hawaii culture

There are some obvious signs that some people show when they are clueless about Hawaii’s culture. Although it’s really easy to pick up on the aloha culture from the minute you arrive in our open-aired airports, it can still be difficult to express the...

Five ways to show you've accepted Hawaiian culture

You reach a point as a newcomer when you’ve finally accepted Hawaiian culture. For example, some have a hard time adjusting to the lifestyle here, but after a while most come to love the values of Hawaiian culture here in the islands. It’s not a difficult lif...

Are Drones in Hawaii Legal?

What Does the Law Say about drones in Hawaii? Drones in Hawaii are considered to be unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and are allowed in the islands for recreational use without a permit.  However, there are restrictions. For example, it must be registered ...

Can you Accept the Oahu Bag Tax?

What is the Oahu bag tax? The Oahu bag tax was recently enacted in the islands. It was passed in 2017 in Honolulu and put into action in July 2018. As a recent piece of legislation, I think locals are still adjusting to it. The tax has various definitions...

Top 3 Ways to be Respectful and Accepted by Native Hawaiians

The native Hawaiian community is an exclusive group of locals that are one to be respectful of. It’s important not to cross boundaries or risk discomfort and unpleasant interactions. How to be accepted by native Hawaiians #1: clean up after yourself a...

Hawaii food we love : Poke at the market

Hawaii food we love: Poke, duh! Sushi is a mainland favorite. It’s aesthetically pleasing, decorated in cream cheese with cute designs. Sushi restaurants typically have a fun environment, with music and ornate detail. It’s fun. I like it! Sushi in ...

How grocery shopping in Hawaii is different than what you're used to

The rumors are true - grocery shopping in Hawaii will shock you. You'll want to buy different things and you’ll notice a change in your grocery costs when you move to the islands. I remember this when I was grocery shopping at home, after not having b...

How to Avoid Crowds in Hawaii

How to Avoid Crowds in Hawaii tip #1: Hit the Beach in the Afternoon.   Beaches, like Hanauma Bay, fill up very quickly, especially on the weekends and during the holidays.  Tourists come from all over the world to see the beautiful sea life, gorgeous s...

Hula dancing in Hawaii

Hula dancing in Hawaii Hula dancing in Hawaii is a significant component of the Hawaiian culture. I’m sure you’ve heard of the term “hula,” regardless of whether you’ve even visited Hawaii. A question I get asked a lot is, “So do you hula? Do you wear...

Our favorite places to visit in Hawaii

Some of our favorite places to visit in Hawaii offer a variety of scenery like long beautiful drives and beautiful shorelines. There’s so many gorgeous views that you can admire with your windows rolled down. The North Shore of Oahu The North S...

Our favorite places to visit in Hawaii-part 2!

Our favorite places to visit in Hawaii include some of the world's most fascinating locations, like Kilauea Volcano!  There are so many various natural features throughout the islands that can capture your intrigue.  Check it out! Ka Iwi Coastline ...

The spiritual side of Hawaii we love

One of Hawaii's most amazing features that you will never "see" is the strong sense of spirit that pervades this place.  Here are some components that make up the spiritual side of Hawaii that we love so much. The spiritual side of Hawaii is in the ...

Things we like about Honolulu: small town kindness

Things we like about Honolulu - the people! You’ll quickly learn that each island is very small - everyone knows everyone. There are only so many high schools and people on each island. So, each island is like it’s own little small town. With small tow...

Things we love about Hawaii's island culture

Humility is highly valued in the Hawaii's island culture. Locals appreciate one another’s accomplishments but never flaunt their own. It’s really part of the native Hawaiian culture that embraces a deep appreciation for simple things like water, the mou...

4 Types of Modern Hawaiian Food

Traditional Hawaiian food consists of dishes like kulolo (taro fudge,) haupia (coconut cream pudding,) laulau (pork wrapped in taro leaf,) and many others. I could go on forever listing the ‘ono(delicious) Hawaiian food that I was raised on, food that I...

Hawaii Driver Attitudes

Hawaii driver attitudes are known for having a slow pace and aloha attitude. By “aloha,” I mean we let people merge in our lanes without attacking them and other things. Slow and Steady Wins the Race As you already know, Hawaii drivers are on the...

Illegal Fireworks on Oahu

Oahu's partial ban on fireworks prompted a negative response and illegal fireworks on Oahu. Fireworks have long since been a tradition in the islands on holidays like New Year’s Eve. Aerial fireworks and huge amazing spectacular shows of light are o...

Is there segregation in Hawaii?

Segregation in Hawaii: Local Language Local language is a quality of Hawaiian culture that contributes to segregation in the islands. It’s easy to see who is a local based on the language and slang they use. For example, familial terms like “cousin” and “...

Some Don't Drive with Aloha

Most drivers drive with aloha on the roads on Oahu, but some don’t. Times are changing and with more people on the islands, it can be difficult to get along with some chaotic drivers. Speedy Drivers do Not Drive with Aloha on the Freeway I have noticed i...

Top 3 reasons why you might think Hawaii locals in Hawaii are rude to you

Why you might think locals in Hawaii are rude to you reason #1: They aren’t as cheerful as the people who picked you up at the airport. The personal hotel chauffeur service that picked you up at the airport were probably the happiest, cheerful p...

Why we love Hawaii's people

Hawaii's People Hawaii is unlike most other states in that you can’t refer to citizens of Hawaii as “Hawaiians.” It’s simply incorrect. For example, you could call an individual from Nevada a “Nevadan” and that would be correct. However, that’s beca...

Top 3 Reasons Why Hawaii is Not for Everyone

Hawaii is truly an amazing, magical place. I was lucky to grow up there as a kid. It’s warm, safe and offers exotic scenery and activities.  However, paradise comes with a cost. It’s expensive, small and a radically different lifestyle than what you ...

Top 4 little known things on what makes Hawaii great

The active lifestyle in Hawaii incorporates a lot of different things.  For example, you can go on wild adventures to other islands or shop at premier shopping centers alongside the beach.  The great thing about Hawaii is that we have this wide spectrum o...

Top 5 Cultural Differences Between Hawaii and the Mainland

Some of the cultural differences between Hawaii and the mainland may seem apparent but some of them may come as a shock to you. For example, you have probably already heard that driving styles in Hawaii are much slower and relaxed, it’s pretty different f...

How Hawaii Culture is Unique in 5 Ways

Hawaii culture is a very special, unique and different style. The island offers something you have most likely not experienced before and that’s the aloha lifestyle. The food, people, culture and warm waters are different - and amazing! I love it, who d...

Top 5 cultural no-nos in Hawaii

The cultural no-nos in Hawaii encompass the culture's taboos and things that people of the islands frown upon. If you haven’t already learned from this website, Hawaii’s local culture is very different from the mainland’s culture; and just like with ...

What are high schools in Hawaii like for my kids?

High schools in Hawaii are a different experience from the mainland, obviously. I grew up in Hawaii for 18 years and although I’ve never experienced high school on the mainland, I now attend college here and I’ve heard a lot of different things from my ...

What's island life like: plate lunches in Hawaii

For those wondering what's island life like: it's plate lunches in Hawaii! What are plate lunches in Hawaii? Plate lunches are essentially what they sound like. They’re a serving of lunch, usually with some meat, rice, and side dish. They’re really com...

What's island life like?

What's island life like when you're driving around the island? For one thing - you'll never get lost. What's island life like : Cardinal directions aren't commonly used Traditional cardinal directions aren’t heard in everyday conversations like they a...

4 Things You'll Miss About the Mainland

It is possible to miss the mainland after your move to Hawaii. Although Hawaii is a beautiful, stunning and magical place, you may miss some things about the mainland after your move. I remember visiting home in Hawaii during college and missing a few...

Three ways people envy living in Hawaii

Ways people envy living in Hawaii #1 - Best place to return to from a trip People envy living in Hawaii when you get to return to warm weather that’s welcoming and relaxing. For example, if you were to travel somewhere warm and tropical-like in D...

Top 3 ways Hawaii residents afford the high cost of living

How to afford cost of living in Hawaii #1: Simple Lifestyles Locals in Hawaii live very simple lives. People don’t own “toys” like recreational vehicles or ATVs. No one has a boat, unless they are a fisherman for a living. It’s things like this th...

What Will Your Home Be Like in Hawaii?

Fewer Traditional Homes in Hawaii I don't have any data to support this idea, but one need only look at the high cost of living to know apartments, condominiums, and shared houses are the norm on the islands. Space for building traditional 3/2 homes...

What's it like living on a small island in Hawaii?

What's island life like when you're living on a small island and everything is so close by? One of the many conveniences of living on an island is the nearby proximity of everything. For example, the island of O’ahu all of 597 square miles. It’s a s...

How to Handle the Hawaii Island Fever

Something I experienced having been born and raised in Hawaii was island fever.  Many of my high school friends also had this, and it was one of the reasons why we all moved to the mainland for school. Living on an island for 18 years can get boring, ...

How to Not Get Bored in Hawaii

How to Not Get Bored in Hawaii Tip #1: Try Different Water Sports I always encourage people to try different water sports and activities at the beach rather than just sitting at the beach.  That can get boring and redundant. This is why I encourage ...

Top 5 ways Hawaiian life is different from mainland America life

Is Hawaiian life different? Difference #1: not layering your clothes Hawaiian life can be different because you spend less time planning your outfit to adjust with the varying temperatures of the day.  For example, in Reno Nevada, the weather changes ...

Why Hawaii is way more expensive than big mainland cities.

Hawaii more expensive reason #1: cheaper alternatives are scarce Grocery shopping in Hawaii has been proven itself to be more expensive in the islands compared to anywhere else. Your general commodities are more expensive like milk and eggs, and the...

Why Everyone is So Nice in Hawaii

Ever wonder why everyone is so nice in Hawaii? There’s a few good reasons why this happens - and one of them is probably because you’re related to them. However, there are also reasons for why everyone is so nice in Hawaii, a few of them revolving aro...

Why we love the weather in Hawaii

What about the Weather in Hawaii? If it isn’t obvious already, the weather in Hawaii really is gorgeous. Because of our position near the equator, the average temperature bounces between 75 and 80 year-round. Summer times are moderate when compared t...

LIVING IN HAWAII – MORE INFORMATION

Living in Hawaii is different from anywhere else you could live on the planet. Many people have an idea in their mind of what it will be like, and yet they are shocked to find out that the reality is different. Hawaii, as a state, is different. But, individual islands are very different from each other as well. Read a lot about the differences between islands here before making your decision. I strongly recommend you spend the money and go visit Hawaii’s different islands before deciding which one matches your lifestyle and is best for living on for you and your family.

Youtube Videos

Moving to Hawaii – Video 1, Video 2, Video 3, Video 4

Living in Hawaii Articles

Our list of Hawaii articles covers most everything you need to know about living on the islands of Hawaii.

Off-Site Resources

Maui, Hawaii – Jon Blum’s excellent resource about living on or visiting the island of Maui.