I grew up on O'ahu and joined the military, married a Midwest gal and settled in California. I'll admit, in all my travels, the culture in Hawaii is special. That said, you need to take inventory to figure out if your life on the islands makes you feel as if you're thriving or just surviving. Only you can answer that question.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Great advice 🤙

@blueemu9725

Жыл бұрын

I'm in Maui. I've been struggling with the thought of leaving. Breaks me up honestly.

@daflyinhawaiian2

Жыл бұрын

Same as me. Joined the USAF and did 20 years. I was station in California for 17 years, but moved to Florida when I retired from the Air Force.

@bigmike1850

Жыл бұрын

There is no culture in Hawaii. You clearly haven’t traveled very much.

@MrTrincent

Жыл бұрын

@@bigmike1850 interesting. Born and raised myself, how do you mean? I was never fully in the culture, but I was familiar with it. Home ownership and opportunities were always out of reach or hidden. Many people were oblivious to my struggles as they either lived a few generations deep in a home or they night and owned their homes years ago.

I’m from Japan. I was lucky enough to move to Hawaii with my then 14-year-old daughter in 2011 when Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant exploded after the tsunami. I knew no one here. My daughter and I had to start a new life from zero. It was a scary place to be. But you guys, the local Hawaiians welcomed us with open arms and made us feel at home. I am eternally grateful for you. It is sad to see those very people are having a hard time staying.. It is ironic in a way, that it is people like us outsiders who contribute to higher prices in Hawaii. I want you guys to stay and be happy . How do we do that?

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Not sure what can be done. But glad that you felt welcomed when you moved here.

I think you hit the nail on it's head, Hawaii is too expensive to just stay for the weather and beauty, but family and community usually supersedes that. Getting together with family and friends is all good.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

@michaeltamares7974

Жыл бұрын

Family and friends can get together anywhere for reunion.. Economics should be num 1 priority

@KevinNordstrom

Жыл бұрын

@@michaeltamares7974 I agree. If family won't understand then they truly aren't family.

Grew up in Kona, Hawaii. I moved to southwest Florida. Found more “Aloha” here than I ever did in Hawaii. Life is much easier and more laid back, having more money sure helps… and the roads…omg, sooooo much better

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

The roads 😆

@billmurphy9230

Жыл бұрын

Weird, I grew up in Florida and lived here for 50 years, just spent 5 months in Hawaii, and I can say that Hawaii is much more laid back and roads are empty and much better. Everywhere I went on the big island and Oahu I dealt with Aloha. Never was tailgated, had a gun pulled, horn beep and on and on.. Southwest and east coast of Florida have polluted water, dead reefs and urban sprawl. Fish kills, algae bloom.

@sdwilliams1986

Жыл бұрын

I just visited Kona, Hawaii and thought the roads looked great compared to the mainland. Maybe they're new roads...

@ThuyPham-lr5dc

Жыл бұрын

@@billmurphy9230 not to mention Florida Man…😂

@socialmoth4974

Жыл бұрын

My husband’s niece met her fiancé in Hawaii and he moved to be with her in Florida. Is that you? Lol

I left Hawaii at the end of June 2000 and no regrets, the past two to three years have been very difficult for lots of people in Hawaii and I would have been in the same situation if I was still living in Hawaii.

@WindsongPodcast

2 ай бұрын

What's been happening there in the last two / three years?

I left Hawaii for Japan in 93. Since then everything’s gotten so expensive back home. I think it’s cheaper to live in Japan now. Plus, crime is almost nonexistent where I live. With that said, Hawaii will always be my home. Mahalo for reminding me that in your awesome videos! Aloha from Yokohama🤙🏽

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. I think Japan is a great place to live. Might be hard to find that work/family life balance, but the safety I felt there was amazing.

@hori166

Жыл бұрын

I came to Japan on a teacher exchange in 2003, went back to Maui for a year, then sold my house and moved here permanently in 2005. I had a great life on Maui (17 years) with a well-established social network. But I never looked back. My Japanese friends think I'm nuts for leaving Hawaii, but you can't compare Tokyo with Honolulu. Tokyo is a world capital. You could reasonably compare Honolulu with Okinawa, without all the hurricanes. I dunno, but I have a lot of OMG moments when I watch KHON KZread videos. Are things that bad there?

@Ken-ul6ll

Жыл бұрын

I have been living in Tokyo since 2017. Grew up in Honolulu. Definitely takes a while to get used to working and socializing here but it’s hard for me to imagine a better place overall. It feels like the country has stagnated and needs a lot of work - but I strangely want to be a part of this change.

@ShimaUta86

Жыл бұрын

I live in Okinawa and it’s way cheaper to live here. I wish I can move back to Hawai’i but I would struggle to get by. Okinawa may not be Hawai’i but it’s a great substitute for this local boy.

@hori166

Жыл бұрын

@@ShimaUta86 Lots of SPAM and aloha shirts, though I don't know why they don't make them out of the local bingata fabric, which is really beautiful. I had 3 shirts made...by a Japanese woman living in Honolulu who makes costumes for hula halau. Spam musubi made with koshihikari and top shelf nori is a step above what you would normally find in Hawaii.

I was raised in Oahu majority of my life and left when I joined the military, yet I decided to retire to American Samoa. I miss Hawaii, and I still have two daughters working and going to college in Hawaii and they don't want to leave because they consider Hawaii home. Their journey reminds me of yours and appreciate your evaluations on your channel. Aloha, Brother.

Locals for 40 years. In 2010 we took 20% pay cuts to live in SA TX which was 40% lower cost of living (housing, food, gas, utilities). My kids had experiences we could not have afforded if we stayed in HI. We saved for their college (no student debt). My husband and I have retirement savings. All would have been impossible had we stayed in HI. We try to visit home every 2 yrs. So many places to see and experience. HI will always be home, but we’re thankful for the decision we made.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Sounds great. Lots of opportunity in cheaper places and you can always visit Hawaii.

@BlackVibeBallsack

Жыл бұрын

Hey Sue...are you here to vote for the same Democrats ,that caused you to leave Hawaii???

@miketexas4549

Жыл бұрын

Moved from San Antonio to Oahu in 2007. Bought my house in SA off Judson and 1604 for $90K in 2002. Had more money than I knew what to do with cost of living was so low. But my God there was nothing to do there. Most boring place on earth unless you're willing to drive to Austin all the time. I'm much happier being less well off but in this paradise wonderland with endless things to do.

@Skuikidigitz

5 ай бұрын

im at the point im thinking im going to have to leave the end of this year its realy hurts and is hard to think about but im pretty sure its the right thing to do if i end up moving im pretty sure i might any tips ?

Born and raised Hawaii all of the 1990s and all of the 2000s. 2 full decades of paradise bliss and (mostly) joy and happiness. Im forever grateful to my family for selecting Hawaii of all American states to live in back in the day because it made my childhood and teenhood unmatched in enjoyment. That said I currently live in an unknown underrated part of the state of Texas now with only a small partial amount of family because it just got too expensive. We gave in on October 13th 2021. So technically I've existed on Hawaii for officially 3 decades. Not too bad for a local style boy who didn't make much of himself. With all that said though. Like what Chris said at the end. No matter what. Hawaii will always be my... no. Our home. The economy, evil government and secret societies can and ultimately will take most of everything away from us. But they'll never take away our pride and love for where we came from. Aloha. 🌺🌴

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Yes, Hawaii will always be home.

@haleohanamalama2967

Жыл бұрын

Yes from those suckers… By the way, Texas became one of the few remaining true American state alongside Florida these days 😢

@TheAgentAssassin

Жыл бұрын

The 90s was awesome in Maui. My rent was $300 a month FROM 1991-2003 My aunt and uncle still live there but yeah the property and rent prices now are CRAZY !! I got back from Maui about 3 weeks ago visiting my uncle/auntie and I nearly cried my eyes out at Kahului airport , leaving again. Maui is so my home though , when I went back it was like a warm blanket surrounded me and all the Ohana , oh so good the feels there. Maui is where I became a man and lived life free and wild. I'm glad I got to experience the good days. Sugar cane , pineapple , no costco , no wal mart , just local stores and local loving people. Oh man I better stop now gonna cry again. No worries I miss plate lunches too!

@michaeltamares7974

Жыл бұрын

@risinglotuswind umm . Its fact

@lisalu46

Жыл бұрын

@@TheAgentAssassin Those days are gone. I remember when rent was $400 mo and we thot that was high! 😂 Lol!! Back in the 70’s it was pristine! 65,000, maybe, people living Maui. I lived out North Shore side in Haiku near Jaws. There were No traffic lights back then, only 2 on island. One in Wailuku and one Lahaina side. And they went to flashing yellow after 5 pm!! and no traffic! Those were the days! I live in mainland now, SC. We left 3 years ago. It has been a very difficult transition for me😢. It’s cheaper. I miss Hawaii terribly. But also don’t want to go back because it’s too overcrowded and changed so much and has lost it’s small town island charm. I now have my memories of how it was when you could drive around the island without stopping at a traffic light or being stuck in traffic, and being able to enjoy the beaches, Hana, Haleakala, Poli Poli, and so many secret places with rarely anyone around. When you knew everyone @ Star Market or Ooka’s Grocery strore or Noda’s Market. And took the keiki to Hookipa with their friends and the dog. Those were the best days!♥️🌸Maui No Ka Oi!!🌺

It breaks my heart when locals, especially Hawaiians leave Hawaii. My son just bought a one man outrigger canoe from a lady in makaha. When I heard she was selling it to move to the mainland, I was sorry for her. My son paddles that canoe to his job. We're blessed. Thank you ke Akua, that we are able to stay

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing 🤙

@jasontipton8430

Жыл бұрын

DONT VOTE DEMOCRAT we must get these people out of government its there terrible policies

I moved to the East Coast to attend college, and have lived away from Hawaii ever since. However, I always tell people that I will be forever conflicted. I love my life on the mainland, but Hawaii will always be "Home." Hawaii is the one place that I feel completely myself, where I truly blend in and belong and can relax, and I visit almost every year. At the same time, my wanderlust and constant desire to explore the world are what drove me out of Hawaii in the first place, and I think I would go crazy living on an island again long-term.

@Musashi413

Жыл бұрын

Plus, the older I get, the less tolerant I am of cold weather. I used to drive around in the winter with my car window down. No longer! Lol!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

I don't mind the cold weather, but I can't stand the ice on the windshield. 😆

@bw5277

3 ай бұрын

Hawaii will always be home for me too. Family moved when i was ten and I'm 69 now. I try to stay in shape so I can hike , swim and eat plate lunches 2-3 times a year when i come back.

When I lived in the mainland I was always "da aunty from Hawaii" it was a badge of honor. The only change with me was wearing shoe's more then I would've liked to. I made a lot of friend's, even Amish people, they thought I was "funny kine" but they laughed with me more then at me. I came home 3 yrs ago and don't miss the mainland at all. It is cheaper (most states) but being home is GOLD. Hawaii is pricey and I do struggle but I can wear "Slippa's" all year round! ISLAND GIRL FOR LIFE!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

😆 Slippahs year round!

I left Honolulu 7 years ago. I now live in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Best decision I ever made. No car or catalytic thefts at all. There is true Aloha spirit in the culture here. I would recommend any one thinking about leaving consider Thailand.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

@jerrymylove1754

Жыл бұрын

I did the same but I chose the world.

@WindsongPodcast

2 ай бұрын

​@@jerrymylove1754Nice. So now you travel nomadically?

@jerrymylove1754

2 ай бұрын

@WindsongPodcast yes

I left Hawaii in 97. I just couldn't make it even working 3 fast food jobs. I joined the military seeking a better life. My wife, kids, and I visited Hawaii in 2019. It was even more expensive since I last left in 97. And there were so much homeless people...

Born and raised in Hawaii, my fiance and I are feeling choked by the things you mentioned in this video. We're planning to move to LV by spring of next year. It's too hard being a young person here. It's been a lot of struggling and hating the compromises it takes to stay here. Who knows if it will be a permanent move, we just want more out of life than what is here. Good luck to anyone trying to survive in HI let alone buy a home. This is the depressing reality we live in. I love you Hi but its getting to be enough is enough.

@maxfit68906

Жыл бұрын

I left HI in 86’ to attend college and play football in CA. After graduating, I ended up staying. I seen both my parents struggle growing up. They encouraged me to pursue a better life. I took every opportunity and ran with it. 36 years later, It’s the best decision I ever made. I’ll be retiring in 2 years with a pension of 90% of my highest paid year. I currently own properties in CA, NV and recently closed escrow this past April on my third home in AZ where I’ll be retiring. Been married for 23 years and have 2 daughters. My oldest is married and the youngest is now in College. I truly believe you’re making the right decision. Good luck in your journey and your new life in LV 🤙🏽

@Nicky96792

Жыл бұрын

@@maxfit68906 Nice that's the kind of plan we're hoping to pursue also..we'll definitely come back to visit. My dad has been saying the same things about HI since I was a child and the struggle here is only gonna get worse as usual. and Thanks! We are dreaming of room to breathe elsewhere.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, getting tough for younger families. LV will be nice, though. No income tax and plenty of local people there.

@maxfit68906

Жыл бұрын

@@Nicky96792 Yes. Struggle is good if there’s a specific goal that is attainable to reach. It’s when the struggles continue and the effort and sacrifices yield nothing in return. If you’ve exhausted all the alternatives back home then moving to the mainland where theres ample opportunities to afford a home, obtain a good paying job, save money and raise a family then it’s the right decision. It’s definitely not for everyone. Home is where you hang your hat. Like you said, you can always fly back and visit. I promise you this. Your trips back home will be more satisfying when you know that you are no longer struggling but rather living a life that you and your family have always wanted and earned.

I hope you and others in similar situations who want to stay can continue to do so. There are intangibles that are so unique to Hawaii-the people and the land. I think of classmates from Hawaii who returned after attending college on the Mainland and they are very glad they did, not only for themselves but for their elders and their children. I have friends who left young, raised families on the mainland and returned in their 50’s (almost 30 yrs ago!) and they are so glad to be back in Hawaii, living their lives as Kupuna. Sure, there can be a strong sense of community on the mainland but I know quite a few folks who look forward to trips to Hawaii to “come home” and decompress. Very best wishes for you and your family.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Great to hear stories of people returning and life turning out great for them.

@Chosenone24930

Жыл бұрын

Exactly! No place like Hawaii

It’s wonderful to listen to you process the pros and cons of staying or leaving. It seems that your highest values are your family and being close to all of them. That’s important to know! That is awesome. And your heart and mind are open. Your family is lucky to have you.

I think what's sad is that the local people, born and raised in Hawaii, forced to move. That's sad.

I left in 2016. It was so hard for me since Hawaii was all I knew. It had to be done though. I miss my family. I miss everything. I hope to one day be able to go back.

Mahalo! I have watched this dynamic for years and wish there was an answer that we could all reach out and touch. Something we could find to change this ongoing situation. At one point in my life, I was looking at my checking account and had $6.23 in it until my next paycheck. I was literally looking at the gas in my car, the food in my house and thinking, "Ok I am alright". My other thought was how many are not alright? Fast forward from then (It was 1995 in Hawaii) and I am better, and doing fine. My wishes go out to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. Sometimes life just has a way of working out.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the Super Thanks. I wonder about those that are struggling too. With the holidays approaching, I hope people are budgeting and not spending what they don't have. 🤙

@TheAgentAssassin

Жыл бұрын

yeah I moved to Maui in 1991 with $300 in my account I stayed another 12 years and only left to visit family when I LEFT maui my rent was $300 a month , my landlord was so cool

Thanks for sharing. Great reflections.

Another great topic and video! I never left Hawaii for college or to escape the high cost of living of Hawaii. My husband and I lived within our means and sacrificed a lot to make it here. I will never regret our decision as our children got to grow up knowing their grandparents while creating family traditions. This was invaluable as the positive relationship they had with their grandparents helped shape them into who they are today. I hope when I have grandchildren one day, I will be able to have the same type of relationship with my grandkids as my kids had with their grandparents. But with the higher cost of living in Hawaii and the state of the economy, especially the cost of housing, I am worried if my kids will be able to make it in Hawaii. Life is so different now.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. It's going to be interesting to see how the next generation of locals will make it. You'll end up with lots of families all living together.

My husband is Korean and we’ve lived on the mainland and in Hawaii. I think if you can make a decent salary in Hawaii it’s worth staying. As an Asian male, my husband felt uncomfortable on the mainland and was discriminated against often. We were on the east coast. While Hawaii has its flaws with high cost of living and dumb politics, there’s also lots of ways to not spend a lot of money and still have a lot of joy in life. When we were on the east coast, we had to have nice vehicles and spend a lot of money and time traveling on days off because there wasn’t much to do where we lived. Whereas in Hawaii you can just meet family or friends and hangout outside somewhere and enjoy the beauty and genuine people. And having an expensive car isn’t really necessary on island and no one seems to judges you for not “keeping up with the Jone’s” . At least I never experienced that. As someone that has moved around a lot, based on what I’ve experienced, there is NO place that compares to Hawaii and those of you that have family there are very blessed. Your people picked the best place. If my family was in HI, I’d never leave. That was my only struggle since I grew up on the east coast. God bless you all. I hope and pray for a bright future for Hawaii.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Hawaii is definitely a special place. No place like it. 😁

I enjoyed the video. Your advice is very appreciated and informative: it’s great to know that sometimes if things get too expensive then to move on to the mainland. This also applies to the mainland too. Moving from a more expensive area to a cheaper area. Thanks for the video 😊

FYI, I listened to "Leaving on a Jet Plane" by Justin Young so many times while editing this video. 😆🤙If you're local, you know how great this cover is. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Ypp329qjnNOzYco.html&ab_channel=manakotuifua

I lived in Hawaii, for four years, back in the early 60's. My dad was in the Navy and stationed at Pearl. Hawaii was a wonderland of enchantment for me back then. Every day was a new adventure. My dad hated living there. He was from a very close knit family and being separated by an ocean was not a good thing, especially around holidays (really bad case of island fever). He told me later that Hawaii was a great place to visit on vacation, but working there was not his cup of tea. Through the years I have been back to the Hawaiian Islands over twenty times and always love it. Though it has changed quite a bit from the 60's (not always for the better) it is still a land of enchantment for me.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing 🤙

I’m born and raised in Hawaii and this is my first time living in Japan since I got an opportunity to leave and try make money and be independent. It’s so hard for me right now since I miss all of our culture. In Japan, I’m getting used to the culture but at least the people I work with want me to bring our culture to Japan. I hope to return back home and live the rest of my life after my experience in Japan. Hawaii will always be my home

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Japan must be nice, though. Lots of ono food 😆

Please, no goodbye from Hawaii 😢. Pray you and your kids get to enjoy the islands for ever. Thank you for always sharing your wisdom and experience. Love your wife and kids. And totally enjoy your content.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙 Mahalo

Mahalo for this and all your videos Chris. I have been away for a very long time and don't visit as much since my parents passed away. These videos keep me connected.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo. Glad these videos help 🤙

As someone who spent their entire life in Canada, with very brutal long cold winters on the prairies, it's quite a shock for me to hear about someone contemplating leaving paradise.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, the weather is great here, but the cost 😮

@miketexas4549

Жыл бұрын

Try buying a house Russel!

It's an age old story. my Dad left in 1952 because of lack of opportunities...to be the landing pad for all the siblings to come, make something of the opportunities....full circle comes, life is long, he retired and went home & passed and now I am home too-after being raised mainland...

Inflation is everywhere. California is just as costly as the Islands.

Wow, another great video! Keep it up! Born in Hawaii in the 60’s. I left Hawaii in ‘86 and never looked back. I would come back every year before we started a family. Post kids we would come back every 2-3 years. For me going up in Wahiawa in the 70’s & 80’s it was a matter of wanting to push my boundaries, both in environment but also in personal growth. Back in the 80’s they already had a brain drain happening. Opportunities for professions and quality of life were limited in Hawaii. Sound familiar?

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

I'm sure the older folks have heard and seen it all, as history is repeating itself. Similar issues back then. Affordable housing, cost of living, environmental issues, etc.

I hit my limit back in 2019 and my rent in a shared house (communal bathroom and kitchen) was $1700 without utilities 😢

Love your videos! You tell the truth to Locals who grew up here. I think you and I are around the same age and I totally agree with all your videos. Keep up the great content baddah!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙 Appreciate it

Spot on! “I had to figure out who I was” whether you are on the mainland or in Hawaii..it’s really all about figuring out who you are. You’re identity isn’t Hawaii or the mainland. You are just you..no matter where you are!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

@TheAgentAssassin

Жыл бұрын

That was the mistake I made , I left Maui to be with my mainland family , but I had become a stranger to them cause when I left for Maui 12 years passed. In hindsight I should have stayed in Maui and just visited the mainland. I thought I needed to change my environment to change , but really I was still me wherever I went. I just got back from Maui this last month and it was amazing. All th good feels coming back from my wild days in the 90s there. Such a great time. Back then there was no costco , no wal-mart , no big stores , no crowds , just local places and local stuff. Still nice there now , Kahului is CRAZY busy now. Just miss the old days. At least I got to live them.

@ylana4444

Жыл бұрын

@@TheAgentAssassin me too! I was raised in Waikiki in the 60’s and there were only two hotels, the Moana and the Royal Hawaiian. It was classic old Hawaii and I always think I was so fortunate to have experienced the old days in Waikiki. Surfing everyday and listening to beach boys play ukulele on the beach. I’ve realized that family is most important ( as long as you get along with them that is lol) . When I was on Oahu I had no one and it got pretty lonely. It took therapy for me to realize I have to take ME along with ME wherever I go. So I sure as hell better love myself first!

So I was here in the 90s, left and came back. There is definitely a financial issue but east coast living is not all it's cracked up to be. Kid's comfort is primary for sure

Thank you for making these videos. I am fortunate enough to have a remote job (the one good thing to come from this pandemic) that I'm able to visit my parents for six weeks from the mainland... but that "hybrid visitor" line was really spot on. The question "are you from here or just visiting?" is never a simple answer. I may not live in Hawaii but it will always be my home. Aloha!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Great that you can visit and work remote. Tough to navigate that visitor vs moving home mindset. But whenever I would go back to the mainland, I just went on with my life. Hawaii will still be home.

Hawaiian is what I am no matter where I live.

Very thoughtful video. Thanks.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Chris, what's important is the fact that you are living in a city and state that you love, close to your family. I'm from the SF bay area born and raised, and hated California. The day that I retired, sold our house, and left town was the happiest day of my life. I do miss my bay area family and friends. Japan is fully opening up to tourist travel on October 11th, so I'm hoping to get my family out here to visit us. Take care!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Excited about Japan opening soon too. 😁

I grew up in puna on the big island and know I live in Northern California… it was hard to leave and I miss it everyday … but I have a great life here and I love it …

Hawaii - in reverse: fantasy vs reality. My wife and I had a tiny trailer in the mountains of northern California in our early 20's. My parents got us a loan to buy the trailer on a half acre in a very desirable area. We loved it, and so did our kids. But, after 6 years, my mother got really anxious about the loan, and wanted us to pay it off, but we couldn't, and we couldn't get a new loan on our own. So, we sold our little home and moved to Hilo, and had some equity from the sale of our tiny home. We tried to buy another tiny home, in Puna (this was back in 1989), but it would have taken all our savings. We didn't have jobs, and while our kids were at school in Hilo, we drove around Puna looking for vacant land instead of buying a house. Eventually over the course of about 5 months, we bought and resold 4 vacant lots. We also started substitute teaching at lots of schools in Hilo and surrounding areas (my wife and I were not teachers!). We stayed in Hawaii, Hilo, for a year. No one, none of our families or friends from Calif. came to visit us! My wife was worried our kids were speaking pidgin. We were getting cabin fever - it was raining for weeks and weeks it seemed. And there were other little things that started us thinking about moving back to CA. We made lots of good friends in Hilo, and belonged to great church in Hilo. We never did buy a property for ourselves, but we sure had a great time exploring and getting to know the subdivisions of Puna, and enjoyed investing what little money we had, in vacant lots. We moved back to California, to a little retirement/resort community. We found a little cabin that needed some basic repairs, and we paid cash for it - thanks to the investments we made in Puna. Unintentionally, we flipped a few houses over the years, and always increased our net worth. We thought different times over the years that we could now move back to Hawaii and afford a real house. But, like I have always told people who have the dream of moving to Hawaii, you have to separate fantasy from reality. The reality is, you'll leave friends and family behind, Hawaii is expensive - even on the Big Island, making new friends takes time and effort, if you're not retired (like we are now) - you still have to go to work, take the kids to school, go shopping, pay bills, etc. You need to be very flexible, and be able to think outside the box - i.e. looking for opportunities that local people do not recognize exist, that you can seize upon to make the money that you need to support yourself when what you used to do is not going to work for you in Hawaii. (I had created a great little, highly profitable business in Calif. that did not work in Hawaii. So I had to do something else.) In retrospect, we could have stayed in Hawaii and made a very good living. We were always poor, but we lived well because we were frugal. Anyway, we moved on after Hawaii, and always missed it. We've been back to visit. Initially, we went to Hawaii in 1975 with our bicycles and rode all around (literally) the Big Island for a month, camping WITHOUT a tent. After working a construction job on Maui so I could buy a return ticket (we bought one-way tickets to Hawaii), we returned to Calif. after 3 months - broke. Hawaii changed our lives. The people in Hawaii changed our lives. We did Hawaii on the cheap to make it happen, and it paid off for us (not the first time, anyway). We still think about moving back, but we still have to separate fantasy from reality.

@LilyGazou

Жыл бұрын

An adventurous life. You took risks.

For someone who grew up on the mainland and went to college in Hawaii, I understand how special Hawaii is. I loved it there and am lucky enough to be able to visit. I find it terribly sad that many of my native Hawaiian friends are moving to the mainland and I know that it is not exclusive to my friends. Many locals and Hawaiians are being forced to leave. What happens to Hawaii when Hawaiians leave...?

@saralotti7174

Жыл бұрын

It becomes China? 😉

@LilyGazou

Жыл бұрын

Similar to what happened to Ireland when their young people have to go to other countries for further education or to get better paying work. The young get married and settle down and may never come back to live. And foreigners with more money colonize Ireland.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Not sure what happens. We just become a theme park?

@marites4

Жыл бұрын

Same as what happened to the native Americans in the mainland, they become diluted and disappear.

@ericjones363

Жыл бұрын

@@saralotti7174 sarcastic

Living in Hawaii is way too expensive & I experienced the same thing. I moved back to Japan & never looked back.....It was a great decision & I never regretted it.

I relate 100%. Maybe one day my small channel will change to Mama Left Hawai’i lol. But it’s not easy to live here, and not easy to leave. Thanks for sharing

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Agree. Tough to live here and tough to leave.

Aloha Nephew, Important message. Thanks. I sold my farm and left Kaua'i for work almost exactly one year ago. Now I am a nomad and I work in other parts of the world. When anybody asks me where I am from I tell them Hawai'i. "Home" is where I am always going to return to, and I do. Being Hawaiian seems not to be about DNA, or an address. If one would give ups the rest of the world to be home, and it is Hawai'i, then they are Hawaiian. You do a lot to help people with your talks. Mahalo nui loa. Promise you will live Hawai'i wherever you stay. Shootz, Uncle

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the encouragement. Hawaii will always be my home, even if we move away one day. 🤙

Wasn’t my only option but left anyway. Traded in a huge mortgage for the next 20 years for a fully paid off house. Opportunities, travel, cost of living is way better! Quality of life is huge.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Huge quality of life upgrade 🤙

There’s not only a brain drain when people leave Hawaii but also a cultural/Aloha one as well. Unfortunately, some of those who can move there (not always the case) from the main land are the ones who don’t care or even refuse to learn the Aloha spirit. They are entitled here and will be entitled there. I for one am glad that you are there and would like to remain there because you seem to embody that great spirit and want it to continue. The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and yes you may make more money on the main land but that will come at a cost, a cost to the soul in a sense. The minimalist movement reminds us that we work so hard for stuff we don’t need to impress people we don’t even like…so much truth in that. Stay strong and keep doing what you’re doing.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. Agree that the brain drain is also a cultural drain as well.

This subject has nothing to do with Hawaii. It's the same for anyplace on Earth. People struggle to leave where they're family is, which is a real struggle. You're right in your thinking! Stay and enjoy your family as much as you can! That love is all we have in life.

Great vid Bro. well made.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Appreciate it!

Great vid. Sharing your thoughts may help someone else process and make their own decision. We left to be closer to family but plan to return for retirement. Mahalo!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

If you move, don't come to Colorado. It's gotten so expensive with all the California's and Texan's moving here.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Even northern Colorado?

@bertfukuda559

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii I'm not a realtor but prices are way up everywhere since we got here. It's almost impossible to find a single family home for under $500k anywhere.

Can relate. We live mainland (SoCal) and we think how much we like move back home, but the cost of living is just as expensive as it is here. I hope if and when you decide, you find a state that isn’t expensive to live as both Hawai’i and California and also get good Asian markets so you can at least get some staples from back home. We like move back home because I have ohana there, but I have my hubs ohana here and spread out across the lower 48. Good luck with whatever choice you choose.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the advice. I haven't look at the other states, but I know CO pretty well.

TY and happy Friday

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

Born and raised (Mililani). After 40 years, uprooted to Seattle. Coming up on 8years in SEA going continue the grind so I can go back home to retire. Ngl much easier to live than being back home, for now. I hope you and others can continue to be home forever. Awesome vlog. Mahalo plenty!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

@soo-jinOT7seoulite

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii Howzit! Replies? 🤙🏽

We moved from Hawaii on 2007 to Colorado then backed Hawaii again on 2008 then backed to Colorado again in 2009. Now we still in Colorado and my son who’s born in Hawaii is 17 he loves it here in CO but still loved Hawaii of course. We had a little boy at that time and that’s a big reason for us to move some place else. We visit Hawaii as our vacation about once a year. My husband had tear every time when we at the airport leaving. Honestly I have no regret moving out the island. Hawaii will always be ours home doesn’t matter where we live. But eventually it doesn’t seem to be a right time moving back Hawaii. You can try if you don’t like you can come back home anytime because your family is here which is hard I know. Good luck with your decision whatever you choose. 🤙🏻

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Lots of moving. Glad you settled and can visit Hawaii. It's always home.

I just went shopping at Kunia times: two small steaks and three bags of premixed vegetables $45. It’s crazy!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

😦

One of those young people leaving Hawaii just bought my oldest daughter's house in VA. I was so surprised that it was someone from Hawaii who bought it. Talk about a small world since my husband I are from Hawaii but moved to NY decades ago when we were your age. Your video just told me a lot about why the buyers are leaving Hawaii. I miss Hawaii and I am one of those that are now the Mainland Auntie and now the mainland grandma. My 2nd daughter moved to Hawaii from NY and just had a baby. Talk about full circles!! BTW, about that one bedroom with 2 kids -- we raised 4 kids in a 2 bedroom apartment in NYC. Costs are crazy in NYC too for real estate. Looking back I don't know how we did it but you do what you have to do! We gave the kids the master bedroom and we made do!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. VA and NC are popular places for locals to move, even though far away. Great that your daughter had a baby here. Great place to raise a family, assuming you can afford it.

@dancermom2

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii We tried to warn them about cost of living but NYC is pretty awful too. They are actually in a better situation than they were in NYC. It's like my daughter and Son in law were meant to be in Hawaii. I thought oh -- they have to find jobs this will take awhile but bam -- they both found jobs right before the Pandemic hit and moved literally 2 weeks before it all shut down. They used to spend every vacation going back to Hawaii. It was meant to be and now I have another reason to go home to Hawaii!!

Aloha Chris, your video is right on the money. My family and I was raised in the Islands many moons ago. We both still have family members living on Oahu, Pearl City, Mililani, and Waianae area. Most of my siblings are living there and the rest is either in Minnesota, Las Vegas, and in Southern California where we reside. I grew up in the Islands with the Honolulu Stadium, the Dole Cannery, where I worked during the summer during high school. I went to Leilehua High School during the late 60’s and grad in 72. Joined the United States Marine Corps and never looked back. I was married in Wahiawa to a local girl and had our first born at Tripler Army Hospital. Moved a lot during my later years in the Corps, but I got to be stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station three different times. Eventually I retired there, then moved my family to San Diego and lived here ever since. After I retired, my wife and I had moved back to Hawaii just for one year and returned back to California. We now have lived in Menifee, California, in the Riverside County since 2017. Bought our second home here and just living our lives to the fullest. You’re young yet and I would recommend that since you and your wife have two young children, stay in the Islands for them. You can do it if you have family, and friends. Hawaii will always be my home and my wife’s. Our son attended Kamehameha Schools during the early 90’s, but I retired and not happy with what was going on with the economy. I never regretted leaving the Islands.but one day I will return to be buried there. Mahalo for you blogs. It’s great to see what other locals have to say. Malabo nui loa. Jim

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. CA must be great if you have a home. Glad that things worked out outside of Hawaii.

I so badly want to leave Hawaii and have been wanting to for many years. It’s a very easy decision even though I’ve been here since 10yo. I have never had family here and I want to do my PhD in global health and I feel very frustrated about the limited opportunities for education, career growth and a social life here. Living in Hawaii is great if you love the ocean, your content with your life and want to settle down, it’s great if you’re very young or elderly, and if you have a lot of family here, and don’t mind working multiple jobs and want to learn and work an environment that focuses on native Hawaiian and local issues, but it’s not a place for young professionals in your 20s-40s who want something more, especially to learn more about things in a global context or a different perspective. It’s also difficult to make friends in Hawaii if you’re not the same ethnicity or have not attended the same high school as someone as they tend to cluster together.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. Great assessment of how things can be in your 20s-40s. Agree with a lot of what you said.

Never EVER thought I’d be one of those that left, but after being stationed in Japan for 5 years the sticker shock was too much to come back to. 😢

Aloha 🌺🥰 Lived & worked in Australia for a year. Was surprised to see hibiscus 🌺 growing there. People thought I was Marish. There is quality Health Care. Since I'm fighting cancer now it's a blessing to be here. Many places don't have health & hospitals. The Aloha spirit is what keeps us here!🥰

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Keep up the fight. 🤙

I get you, born and raised here leaving will be hard. Yet sometimes if one has not left this will be a new adventure. Hawaii will always be here and family will always be here to open their doors to you as you come back. Think of it as seeing the world with new eyes especially for one that has never left for a long period of time to the mainland. Hawaii will be my home and in my heart, nothing will change that. To return home will be the end goal. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 🙂❤👍

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

Well stated. It's unfortunate that your state representatives don't do more for the state of Hawaii. It doesn't have to be this way, but the two faced government bureaucracy feels entitled. Hard working citizens ultimately suffer to make ends meet. God bless everyone. Aloha.🤙

@KevinNordstrom

Жыл бұрын

They keep voting the same people in though. It's by their own hand

@mE-zx7pt

Жыл бұрын

@@KevinNordstrom It's the American way.

@kauaiboy5o

Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately it's all about location, location, location. Small islands in the middle of nowhere with no natural resources, overall, Hawaii is doing extremely well with what they have to work with. It is what it is.

@riptheripper9060

Жыл бұрын

@@kauaiboy5o Don't settle for not getting more assistance. Government officials give more assistance to illegal aliens who shouldn't even be here milking the system. We need to take care of our own citizens first before illegals and other countries. Love Kauai by the way. Aloha.

@youtuber5305

Жыл бұрын

For those who think they can depend on the government, read the 2023 article "My Dinner with Sydney, or, Roy Batty meets HAL?" which mentions Lampedusa's 1958 novel "The Leopard" whose elderly main character says: - What would the Senate do with me, an inexperienced legislator who lacks the faculty of self-deception, essential requisite for anyone wanting to guide others …Now you need young men, bright young men, with minds asking ‘how’ rather than ‘why,’ and who are good at masking, at blending, I should say, their personal interests with vague public ideals.

Move as often as possible! See the other parts of the world and experience many cultures! Life is too short to let your roots/family keep you in one place, I understand going back to parents when they are older for sure but go and get education in a different place, live amongst other people, etc. Wherever you end up will be home. Mahalo!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

I have traveled and lived away. I was on the mainland for about 10 years. But coming back home to Hawaii was a great decision.

I love your channel, I Just found you. Love your stories. I was born and raised in Maui and moved to Las Vegas in 94 when I was 24yo. I love it here and when I go home to Maui to visit, I can only handle about a 2 weeks stay before I want to come back to LV😂. The only regret I have is my daughters are now the “mainland cousins” but I guess with texting and Instagram they talk to their cousins all the time but definitely not the same. Thanks for your relatable stories. ❤

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Glad you found the channel. And yes, technology can keep us connected better now than when I was growing up.

I identify with the same challenges when I left Hawaii for college back in 1980. Hawaii has this fantastic culture which builds an identity in us and we love identifying ourselves with Hawaii, and the longing to return never ever leaves... and visits just never satisfy. I know of no other state that has this powerful effect...but maybe other states have that effect, especially those states with a distinctive and unique culture, history, diversity and food.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing

BRAH you talking FACTS 💯👍

Well spoken, it appears that your longest and happiest life is in Hawaii.I just subscribed and will continue to listen

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo 🤙

Aloha I was born and raised on Oahu. Left for college on the mainland. Hawaii was always where I identified as home. I married a mainland girl 43 years ago and now have kids and grandkids on the mainland so I will never be able to live that dream of moving back home. Family is so important and is the main reason. So we did the next best thing, we bought a small place on the big island and spend part time in Hawaii. I think it’s hard for my mainland family to completely understand my Hawaii heart. We notice how expensive things have gotten and I know a decision to leave and move to the mainland would be so hard. On thing to keep in mind though, stuff on the mainland has gotten real expensive too so be careful where you move. Of course mainland expensive is ever as expensive as Hawaii expensive. 🤙🏼

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. At least the Big Island is a little more affordable for housing.

Beautifully said. Such a sad situation for Hawaiian people. It's always been my dream to move there to become part of the Aloha community. Sadly, greed and stratification has made it impossible for those who are not rich to live there. I'm glad you're making it work.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. Yes, still trying to make it work, like many locals.

@hollypietruszka3102

Жыл бұрын

We actually bought a house on the big island that was more affordable than being a house on the east coast, where we lived at the time. There are, or maybe now only were? still some affordable locations. Of course, surely, not Oahu

@johnatyoutube

Жыл бұрын

@@hollypietruszka3102 I really love Maui, but it's real estate has gotten ridiculous. But I also love The Big Island. I was just there in July. My husband is from there. Kahena stole my heart as did the north end of the island. Parts of Kona are nice. The beach just north of Costco was bliss. If only they'd put a Costco in Hilo! And the hospitals and doctors were a bit better. And food more fresh and reasonable. Costco had the best food that i could find on the Big Island. Restaurants were overpriced and mediocre for the most part. I love the water and live on the Chesapeake in a small home with a beautiful view. I'd want something with a ocean view. That's expensive even on the Big Island. So i might just continue to appreciate what i have.

@normcorewizard

Жыл бұрын

@@johnatyoutube try Cost U Less in Hilo - it's a bootlegged Costco

Lived in Hawaii for 25 years and we moved to Texas 8 years ago. We're loving it. So much less financial stress here and people here are actually more chill and so much less stressed. Still, I dream about surfing almost every night.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, it must be nice to not have the financial stress. 🤙

I left 4 months ago after 27 years. It’s been pretty hard. I keep Shaka waving at people, it’s so sad.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Maybe they'll shaka back one day 🤙

@mauimarianne

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii 🤙🏽🤙🏻❤️🤙🏼👍🏾 mahalo!☺️

@syvajarvi2289

Жыл бұрын

I have been away since 1990. I still 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 every where I go. Please never change. Aloha lives where ever you bring it.

@mauimarianne

Жыл бұрын

@@syvajarvi2289 thank you, I really needed that reminder. 🌴🤙🏽🌺

@syvajarvi2289

Жыл бұрын

@@mauimarianne I’m glad I could help and spread some Aloha. I was talking to the people I work with and they thought I was weird until I started talking about how I grew up. I lived on O’ahu for a total of six years. When I was very little, then again for a while during high school. I don’t claim to be local, but I claim Hawai’i as home. I felt safe and loved there. I embraced the spirit and pass it around every where I can. Just because you left doesn’t mean that the Kama’aina spirit is gone, it just means you get to share it with new people. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼 🌴🌴🌺🌺

Originally from Mexico, I moved to the east coast in NJ 36 years ago. Just like you said, there are better opportunities living here, but I have never got used to it, I will always be the outsider. I have adjust but will never consider it my home. I was lucky to visit Oahu 3 times in the past 6 years and fell in love with the place and the culture. Driving down the coast on Sundays and seeing all the families enjoying their life together reminded me a lot of my life growing up in Mexico, something I have never felt here. Just like you said, Family it's very important.😊 Good Luck to you and your love ones!

'Left home this past Summer for better job and education opportunities in CONUS. We'll come back to visit a few times per year, but seriously... NO CAN make a reasonable living in Honolulu anymore, and the future prospects are bleak at best. Seeing news about all the recent cray-cray in Waikiki and Chinatown just reinforced my decision made was a good one. Good luck trying to stay in Hawaii. I'm out, and probably won't be back until after Old Boy Democrat rule is miraculously disrupted.

It's definitely not a rant video, It's a serious discussion that many families (including mine) have had at one time or another. Family, the culture, and just Hawaii in general is alot to lose and the tough question we ask ourselves are does the pros outweigh the cons of living in Hawaii. The fact that a question like that has to be asked, for local families to contemplate that, is truly a sad thing.

Thanks for this. I grew up in Kaneohe in the 70s, but now I live in Japan. We really want to come back to the islands but I just can't figure out how to make it work financially. Especially since my family has all since moved to the mainland. This situation is terrible, because we really want to come back but it's impossible. If my mom was still there I'd make something work, though, even if it meant getting a teaching job that paid below a livable wage. Hang on, brah! You've got a foothold and connections and a lot of us are jealous of that!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo. Japan is looking nice, though. I know the culture is different from Hawaii, but looks much more attractive than going back to the mainland.

@edwinam8252

Жыл бұрын

Will someone send this to our government in Hawaii.

Great discussion about staying/leaving Hawaii. But Chris. Maybe the reason you had a hard time disassociating from Hawaii was because you have a name tag that says "From Hawaii" 😉

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

lol 😆

Visited my Japanese side of my family in Manoa, coming from ATLANTA GA. Definitely a culture shock. What's weird people thought I was a local there because my name "Keone" is a local common name. Very expensive in Hawaii as well. It was very beautiful there

@TheAgentAssassin

Жыл бұрын

Same , I'm haole with dark hair but get crazy dark in the sun so they always thought I was local. In fact my best friend was 1/2 Hawaiian and inherited land on Lanai. We both worked at the Hyatt and everyone thought we were brothers.

I agree with what you said. I was born and raised in Kaneohe. I left when I graduated from high school. I moved to the east coast. I have lived in the mainland for 33 years. I have been home 3 time. This is something I regret. You are right about family. I couldn’t be there when my grandfathers, grandmother and cousin died. I look back and I see a big hole in my life. Honestly I wished I never left Hawaii. But it has gotten so expensive in Hawaii, some of my aunts are talking about moving. Even though I live in the mainland, it is not my home.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. It's tough when you're so far away. But Hawaii will still be home.

I am Alaska native n stayed on the Big island for a short while. I miss that place and it helped me health wise in a big way. My daughter's mother-in-law is from Maui. I miss the smell and heat (I never thought I'd miss the heat but I do). I miss fresh ahi and fruit. Especially swimming! A turtle swam right next to me all the way to the shore line. Yes I miss it....God bless you all 💝 and I have a new grandson half AK native (German) and Hawaiian.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Congratulations on the new grandson 🤙

@mjtrigg8154

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii Mahalo nui loa 🤙quyanna

I think it’s always so different for everyone:) Family is a huge help in everyday life. I had non when I moved to Alaska. And we still have no family to help:) Distances for work and schools might matter a lot. And how can you travel home/ vacation. Weather! I mean that does matter:) we got 3 months of warmth and then cold and colder. 😊 We are always escaping to Hawaii for the warmth and people. ❤

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

Stay where you are. I lived in Hawaii in the 80's and the spirit never left me. I now live in the South Bay and the costs are comparable to yours. You cannot beat Hawaii, especially the weather. Those going to the east coast freeze in the winter and swelter in the summer and have to expect tornadoes, hurricanes.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

🤙

I also grew up in Hawaii, after HS, I joined the Army and friends went to the mainland for college and never came back. I was back after 4 yrs. and 40 yrs. later my friends prospered in the mainland and I was surprised after all that they are planning to come back home to Hawaii to live.

Thanks for the video brother! I’m guilty of this bcuz I left exactly for this reason…the cost of living! Everything u said is Facts🙌💯I’m born and raised Native, and I now live in Vegas it was so hard for me to go but Becoming homeless after covid forced me to pick up n leave. At first I was excited for a new adventure! But the moment I landed in Vegas I felt like I made a mistake! My first 2yrs on the mainland was tough I cried and was home sick to the point I was willing to throw away everything I established here and come home but the thought of struggling like I did made it harder for me to choose HOME! Til this very day I yearn for my Hawaii🙌😢

I lived in Honolulu when I was a young kid, back in the 80s… I’ve wanted to visit again someday, but it looks like a whole lot has changed. My childhood home is now gated at the driveway, as is every house on the block. It’s sad to me, because I used to run around the neighborhood, play in the canals (yikes!) and just run around, carefree. Things change, and places like Hawaii really reflect that. Hard to accept the passing of beautiful things/ times.

I left Hawaii , created a life on the mainland, me and my family have traveled back ever few years, all my kids and their kids love Hawaii. It makes it special for all to come and visit. You can live like a king on the mainland and every visit back is super special. I was able to retire at 52 because i made that decision, otherwise i would still be working to this day. I love Hawaii and it will always be my home, but u only have one life to live, think how u want to spend it. From what i remember u r having your second child and r barely able to provide him or her with their own room, think about it

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. It's hard to leave with my parents and family still here. If they weren't around, it could be different.

Every curse has a blessing, and every blessing has a curse. - J.K. Ensley

We took our honeymoon on Maui and fell in love with the islands. It was our end game dream to live in Hawaii. Fast forward 16 years later and we finally did it! We moved to Oahu and it was GLORIOUS......for the first 6 months. Then reality slapped us in the face and we realized living in paradise isn't what it's all cracked up to be. But we we're anxious to make it work. Then covid hit and took its toll on the economy. When we realized we couldn't afford to buy a house (and renting again would have put us in a renting forever spiral) we had to move back to Texas. While it's heartbreaking, at least we got to do it. And we immediately got a 20% raise even though our salary didn't change just because of the more affordable cost of living. We still think about Hawaii all the time, and watching these videos helps see what we miss so much. Thanks for what you do. 🤙

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Six months is pretty good before the shine wears off in Hawaii. The reality sets in and it's tough.

I've only lived here for three years, so I may be a bit out of touch, especially considering that I'm commenting in a local's comment section, but I think a question we need to ask ourselves is if the wonderful things in Hawaii are worth the cost of living. I suppose you could apply that to just about anywhere, but I think it's more prominent in Hawaii, where not only are there beautiful beaches, dramatic mountains, good food, and great people, but also an insane cost of living.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Good question to ask. I think for some, it's worth it. For others, it's starting to not be worth it.

My wife and I were born and raised on the islands. We have moved to the mainland now about 5 years. It is a whole lot cheaper. We live in Utah where is not much crime. Food is cheap. Rent was cheaper a few years ago but it is going up. We feel like it it a great start to actually owning your own home. A lot more opportunities for me and my family! Lots of things to do! We do miss the beaches and people. We have lots of Polynesians in the mainland. I know how to cook all of the ono local food so not to bad! If you are struggling, I would say try it! If you work construction lots of work in the mainland! The ALOHA SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS BE WITH YOU! Share it with everyone you come in contact with…. Aloha🤙🏽

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Glad you were able to find opportunities on the mainland. And, yeah, you can cook all the good local food and visit home if you miss it. 🤙

Great topic, and no doubt that the price of everything is going through the roof. As you have mentioned, the housing price seems to be the biggest driver for forcing people to leave for the mainland; and there are pros & cons of leaving the island, which were explained very well by you. It’s not easy to say good bye to a place where you grew up and moving away from the relatives, but I think people who are leaving might be doing it for better opportunities for their children, the island has limited options when it comes to careers. Mahalo for another great video, I know it’s a very difficult topic to touch upon

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. Yeah, tough to talk about since it's so personal for each household. We'll see how many more families leave after the holidays.

Aloha! East coast haole here - this is a story kinda from the opposite direction. I was married into a Waimanalo family for 30+ years, but divorced in '08. My local family was much larger than my mainland one, and I had hoped to retire in the Islands, but hey, it goes. Was estranged to my in-laws for a long time, but returned by invitation last December, and had a wonderful time reconnecting. Many asked me, "Uncle - why you no come live here?" Sorry - no offense - but that's how they say it, right? I had to think long and hard about it - such a tempting proposition - to be back among a beautiful Ohana, watching the keiki's grow, living in that beautiful place - still, I couldn't commit. On a modest fixed income, and moving my stuff there, and many other factors as well - it just didn't feel the right time. I'll go back and visit like I used to, and when my travelin' bone gets too short - I hope that will be the time to stay. Loved your video - Mahalo!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Visiting is still great. And it's easier to connect with Facetime and video chat.

My parents left their home country to migrate to the U.S (in Hawaii) for a better life. Many of us here in Hawaii have someone we know who immigrated to the U.S or Hawaii for a better life. My parent's home country had war, lack of job opportunities, a bad economy, or many other issues. In a way, I see that me leaving Hawaii similar to my parents leaving their home country to seek a better future for my family. If my parents can do it, so can I. I am sure my parent's have a piece of their heart in their home country, especially since they have family there. In the same way, I'm sure I'd feel similarly to them as have a piece of my heart in Hawaii because that is where I was born, grew up, and where my family is. However, I need to live in reality and recognize that Hawaii is not what it used to be anymore. Hawaii is a place to vacation and visit, not a place to build generational wealth and a family. Unfortunately, I cannot simply pick up my family and move to the mainland with me because a few of them like the weather in Hawaii and are accustomed to the Hawaii lifestyle. That's their choice and I respect that, but those are bad reasons to stay in Hawaii given the high cost of living and lack of opportunities. I think some people fear change, novelty, and the unknown. I believe that is a fixed mindset, not a growth mindset. Often times, if a person wants to be successful, they need to take more risks, try new things, and make more sacrifices. To me, it sounds like those family members of mines who want to stay in Hawaii are also choosing to struggle financially and not have much to give to their children. While I may be happier being with my family in Hawaii, I need to put my happiness aside if I have kids. When I have kids, my happiness is irrelevant. My kids' happiness is more important and I wouldn't want them to have an attachment to Hawaii like I do. I'd rather them have an attachment to another area where they will grow, prosper, and well taken care of. Yes, if I left Hawaii, I'd be that "mainland uncle" and have "mainland kids," but keep in mind that this "mainland uncle" will have a bigger house and his "mainland kids" will be better taken care of. His "mainland kids" will have more job opportunities, better education, and better healthcare. If this "mainland uncle" wants to go back to Hawaii in the future, he can. This "mainland uncle" will be able to buy that house in Hawaii that many Hawaii residents dream of but can't afford. I am sure I will get a lot of hate from Hawaii residents who are broke, bitter, jealous, and telling me to go back to the mainland and how mainlanders are taking over Hawaii while they are ignorant of where I was born and raised. Also, I am sure many of their family were migrants too. But even if I was able to buy a home in Hawaii, why would I? The homes in Hawaii are so small, looks broken down, ghetto, and are so expensive. The cost doesn't match the value of the home in my opinion and there are better options elsewhere.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for the comment. Agree that many locals fear the change required to move away. Also, I don't think there is bitterness that ex-locals may have a bigger house or better life. Whenever I hear that, I just smile and know that that's the life they chose, while we choose to stay. Just a trade-off.

I lived on O’ahu twice in my life when my dad was stationed out of Pearl. My first memories are of the island. We were transferred back when I started high school. O’ahu to me is home. It was the only place I felt that I fit in because I am hapa. We transferred out before I finished high school and moved to the mid west. I was a foreigner there. Here is the thing….. I use to spend a lot of time up in Kahuku on the beach. One day an older local surfer saw me on the beach, just sitting there and watching the waves break. He and I talked for a little while and at the end of it all what he told me stuck. Hawai’i is a place but it is also a feeling. Aloha is from the heart and as long as you breath you can feel the spirit no matter where you are. I miss Hawai’i and always will. It is home. Like everyone I know who has left we all would love to come home to stay but know it’s very hard with the job market the way it is. But there is always hope.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Mahalo for sharing. Great words of inspiration from that guy you talked to.

@syvajarvi2289

Жыл бұрын

@@HelloFromHawaii thank you for sharing as well. He was a wise man. I’d take the bus up there every weekend and he took an interest in me after a while. We would sit and talk while everyone was out in the surf. He kept asking me what I was searching for, until a few years ago I didn’t have an answer so if he is watch….. I do now. Your channel takes me back to a place I carry with me in my heart. I’ve come across displaced locals from time to time and what got us talking is the island sounds I play to relax. At one point we would take vacation time during the Monarch festival and watch the dance competition. I’d dig a kalua in the back yard and we would roast a pig, make musubi, poke, Mac salad and make a weekend of it like a family reunion with music, dancing, and tell stories about the places we use to go and things we use to do. Good times.

Going on my 50th year and am a 3rd gen kamaaina. This whole year weʻve been thinking of selling and relocating to the mainland. My son’s could care less if we do and probably would grow more in the US…

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Where you thinking? Vegas?

I have friends who moved to Hawaii from the mainland and now they have moved back to the mainland. Hawaii has gotten too expensive, social services, healthcare are getting worse there. Hawaii is definitely great for a vacation but for a growing family, it's harder and harder to get by. But the option of moving to mainland is always going to be there.

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I'm seeing more and more people who moved here starting to move back.

O Kalapana, kai leo nui, Ua lono ka uka o Hōlei, He uwā lā Kalapana, ē, Kuli wale, kuli wale i ka leo, He leo no ke kai, ē. I listen to this song every day. When ever Iisten to it, I was so emphatic about local hawaiian people.

Nice video. I understand. We've been working on moving back since we left. It's looking g like 2024 is going to be the year we move back. The cool thing about living on da 9th Island is that there's lots of HI peeps here. Moving to the mainland gave us a boost economically. We left in 2002, and the plan was to return in 2012. 💪😁🌴🤙 2024!

@HelloFromHawaii

Жыл бұрын

I'm sure there are plenty of locals up in Vegas. Recognize them by the 'Hawaii walk'?