So, you are moving to Hawaii. Lucky you! Beautiful scenery, temperate
weather, and beaches! Living in Paradise has some perks, and also some
extra costs. You will be better prepared and assimilate faster into the
community if you are aware of a few things.
Hawaii is a group of islands in the middle of the huge Pacific Ocean.
It is the 50th state to join the United States. The more that you learn
about the history of Hawaii, the better you can understand those around
you. If you show a love and respect for the culture and especially the
land ('aina), you will have a much more positive experience.
Try to learn a few basic Hawaiian words and their meanings. The
population is so diverse, but for the most part they speak in English
and pidgin (a mixture of dialects). Most of the people who live in
Hawaii share the aloha spirit, but you may find that a few are quite
resentful of the way Hawaii became a state. Most of all, do not be
judgmental and try to learn all you can from the people.
You will find that because the weather is fairly good all year round,
the insects love it too. In order to avoid infestations by termites,
cockroaches, mosquitoes and other creatures, you will need to spray or
put out baits on a regular basis. It is better to control them than to
get rid of them.
The moist salty air is perfect for rusting just about everything.
Vehicles and appliances seem to suffer the most. There is rust spray
available that you can use to slow down the process. Also, mold and
mildew can form quite easily especially in places where it is warm and
moist like the kitchen and bathrooms. It takes extra effort to keep this
under control unless you have an air conditioner going all the time.
This can be harmful to your health if the mold is allowed to grow.
Also, food items seem to go bad quicker unless they are stored well
inside of plastic air-tight containers. You can also keep many things in
the refrigerator or freezer that you may not have in the mainland.
When there is no breeze, it can become quite hot and humid. Be sure
to purchase enough fans or air conditioners to make your family
comfortable. With the use of electricity comes a higher bill also, so
think about cost-effective appliances.
Traffic on the island of Oahu can become very frustrating, especially
close to Honolulu. Also, there is only one main road going to the
North Shore of Oahu, so it can also be totally cut off if there is an accident or an electricity pole falls down on the road.
It is wonderful to have sandy beaches and palm trees close by. But,
as I said, living in Paradise does come with a cost. In fact, prices in
Hawaii are some of the highest in the nation. The cost of gasoline,
groceries and clothes can be quite expensive. There are Walmarts, Costco
and Sam's Clubs where you can get the best deals. The cost of housing
can be two or three times as much as on the mainland. It is also usually
smaller than what most people on the mainland are used to.
Funny though, even with all the pros and cons of Hawaii, people who
have lived in and loved the islands of Hawaii do not want to leave, or
hope to move back soon. We have been living here for almost twenty years
now and really love it. I have learned many lessons the hard way, so I
thought writing this hub may help someone that is moving here have an
easier time.
There is so much to see and do in Hawaii. Hiking, swimming, golfing,
cruising and gardening are just a few things that can be done almost
year round. Because of this, you probably will not want for visiting
family and friends from the mainland while you live in Hawaii.
The Hawaiian Islands offer much for the sight seeker. The island of Oahu, on which I live, boasts many gorgeous beaches and lush dense mountains.
