Safe? The Bounty Hunter is busy out there bra. What better place to be a bum, meth head, drunk, ect. I have been to big island, Maui and Oahu. Like to visit (Not Honolulu) but could never live there.

Kamuela, and the surrounding area is on the Big Island. In that area the volvcanic flats govern. Not much like the tropical scenery associated with Hawaii.

I lived in Hawaii 12+ years (Honolulu, Kailua, Haliewa, Hilo, & Kona) and loved it. It is very different. As for the cost of living, it's relative. There are good areas and bad areas.

In Hawaii it all comes down to who's grandfather came first. Racial prejudice is abundant. Whites who have lived there all their lives and own businesses are never considered a local. It does not matter how long you lived there. They love for you to come over, stay a few days, and spend your cash. Just don't stay. The attitude changes quickly.

And if you do more, know how to get to the airport, because you'll make many trips a year dropping off your friends as they discover Hawaii is not for them and they return home.

That said, a different type of person finds happiness living in Hawaii beyond a 10 day vacation. If you are one of those rare people you will love it. Thers is a special majic in the air and land in certain parts of Hawaii. It is a spiritual thing that links the person to the land. If you can find that you will be very happy. I can't describe it. Hawaii is a land of myth and legend. It is something you have to experience. Many places do not have it, and many people are not capable of sensing it. I found very few places on the Big Island have that spirituality.

I agree entirely. You deal with it.

That said I still remember the $28.- hamburger that I had at the coffee shop of the Ritz Carlton on the big island.

Well if they are going to fly you out there you should go just to get a free trip.

I have been to the islands more times than I can count and I will continue to visit all my life. Do you like water sports? I don't know how you will handle "island time" everyone is very laid back... restaurants open late and close early... if there are waves half the island shuts down and goes surfing...

I love it, I would love to live there, but this pretty much sums it up.

If you are of non- Asian decent, be prepared to be treated as a minority. Tough to get used to. Also look at the crime stats, last I knew it was high.

pbs911 pretty much hits it on the head.

Lots of racism. Much of it passive-aggressive. When you show up from the mainland, they are pretty much waiting for you to leave.. Hawaii does attract it's fair share of losers, knuckleheads and dreamers - the locals are not totally unfounded in their feelings.

Also, can be a very violent place. You could walk through the worst NYC neighborhood with a 1/2 of 1% chance of any sort of trouble. Stop at a wrong 7-11 in Hawaii and it would be 60 - 80%.

That being said - if you are one of those rare people - you will love it.

Yep, it's kind of like LA - there's still plenty of parts away from Honolulu that still have the plantation days feel. It's definitely not concrete and glass.....

Also, everything rusts. Say bye-bye to your car..


rjp

It's kind of like that with the hardcore "locals" - the guys that didn't make it past 7th grade and are proud of the fact they have never left the island. Fights are common since that's an accepted method of dispute resolution there.

I remember when I was a kid, rolling into a 7-11 at 10PM - two big samoan guys were scrapping and hit my car, and rolled off the hood.

rjp

I think you guys are overstating the crime/violence thing, I have been there over a dozen times usually for two weeks visits and never been hassled.

Having said that there are definitely "locals only" parts of the island where they don't tolerate white people however I would guess seventy to eighty percent of the island is fairly safe.

I would also say for every hard ass/drunk/druggie local boy that wants to kick your ass there is also a native Hawaiian family that will take you into there house as a stranger and feed you dinner for free.

While there are certain places of the islands where you shouldn't be after hours (hell, I've lived here for 18 years and I STILL stay away from those areas), regardless of the color of your skin. I don't agree with the racial comments entirely. If you come here and act stupid and touristy, that's the way you'll be treated. But if you come and learn what "local style" is all about, you'll fit in just fine. Worst case scenario stay close to the military bases and you will feel like you belong. :D On Oahu, 80% of the island is pretty much safe, and there are some areas that are better than others. If you're gonna get your ass beat anyway, it doesn't matter what color your skin is. It all depends on your attitude.

I would move to Hawaii in a heartbeat, but then again I live near Detroit!

Isn't Detroit known as the "Heart Beat" of America?

It used to be the Murder Capitol of America.

I would add as long as you stay in the Caucasian or touristy area (again about 70-80 percent of any island) you will be relatively safe.

Come on guys Jeff lives in the big city I'm sure he knows better than walk into a bar and pick a fight with the locals... or get *****face drunk and stubble around the parking lot with hundred dollar bills hanging out of his pockets. :D

Violence? I know there's a huge meth problem on the Islands, but I'm sure the violence is contained to a few neighborhoods here and there. Unless you're talking about the hooker turf wars in Waikiki :D

Seriously, I've been to the islands probably 20-30 times (used to live on the north shore of Oahu as a kid) and have travelled to practically every inch of every island. Always in a rental car with cameras around my neck. NEVER hasseled! Not once. Definitely not something to be worried about.

But there is definitely truth to the fact that as a non-Asian, you will never be accepted. Once a Howlie, always a Howlie. I can remember being there over 4th of July about 8 years ago and there was a huge secession movement going on on Oahu. Not sure if they're still talking about it, but it was big for awhile.

Life can be rough for a mainlander haole (off the military bases) in the West Honolulu/Aiea/Pearl City area. Makaha Coast is a definate no-no.

The mainlander haole's safe habitat is in East Honolulu, Waikiki, Windward side, and North Shore.

Upside down Hawaiian flags is a call for Hawaiian Sovereignty. This was popular with the Hawaiians that I went to high school with back in the late 90s.

If you been to Hawaii lately you should stay in the Asian or touristy area. Most of the higher end shops cater more to the Japanese Tourist then the Caucasian tourists. They spend more money, are bigger tippers and are not as obnoxious as most Caucasian tourists.

I know a guy - Irish - grew up in my neighborhood in New York. Naval Academy grad and ex-Marine. Married a Local gal and lives up in the hills. He is like the neighborhood notary and tax preparer. Very, very rare.

"Locals" (part Hawaiian) often don't much like Asians either. And the reverse is often true as well.. It is a beautiful place, but their are some bad undercurrents between groups.

The place can be brutal on school age kids. I have some good friends whose parents discovered paradise - and they got a good beating every day..

Hey, I am not being negative here. Just realistic. Going is actually easy - once you leave Hawaii, you will wander forever..

So Jeff..... WHAS UP??????

Well, I imagine the earthquake has kinda' messed things up over there. I tried calling this place back yesterday and couldn't get through (phones dead probably). I'll try again today or tomorrow and see if they still want to GTG. If not, no biggie (I have two other offers (mainland) on the table, but I'd still obviously like the chance to go at least talk to these guys. . .