I moved to Hawaii 33 years ago in 1989 with 2 surfboards $2000 and an Army bag of my stuff. Stayed with my buddy 2 weeks found a room and a job as an Electrician. Also surfed every chance I could. 33 years later I own an Electrical construction company and have become one with the people and the Aina- It's a certain vibe- You become one with Hawaii and Hawaii becomes one with you. The more you give, the more you get back- This is Hawaii- ALOHA!

Lived there for 7 yr as I went to college and worked... but the struggle is real. Moving back to the mainland was the best move to start a family. I miss Hawai’i everyday, but I’m no longer struggling to pay for the basics 👍

Time for some *Top Tenz!* 1 - You're retired and have a solid pension, Social Security, savings etc. 2 - You're from there and have family AND family is willing/able to carry you if needed 3 - You really "click" with Asian/Pacific cultures 4 - You do some occupation that's in demand like nursing or special ed. teaching 5 - You want to learn an Asian/Pacific language on a serious level 6 - You're Mormon 7 - If you want to really ruff it, land can be cheap on the Big Island. It'll be ruff but some like it. 8 - It's a good place to train for competitive paddling, kayaking, Ironman etc. 9 - If you're a fanatical diver - dive, teach diving, etc. 10 - If you're a minimalist. People own less "stuff" in Hawaii and less own cars. Now for top ten to not do it: 1 - If you're white you'll be a minority. You'll lose privilege you didn't know you had 2 - There are two languages: English and Pidgin. Hard to learn that 2nd and sound natural 3 - It's basically hot & humid all the time. 4 - Bugs. Cockroaches that fly, centipedes, termites, big spiders, etc. 5 - Hawaii actually has awful traffic. Gives L.A. a run for its money. 6 - Hawaii will not solve your problems. Once you get there, there you will be. 7 - Since it's a tropical climate it can be germy. You need to keep a top hygiene game. 8 - Public schools are "meh" and private schools are expensive. Concern if you have kids. 9 - Most of Hawaii does not really have a "night life" except Waikiki which is kinda lame anyway. 10 - "Island fever" is a real thing. Dass wy I say it's good for retirement mostly.

There are 3 major hurdles to overcome: 1-Financial be sure to have a ton of money to cover relocation costs and to survive off of while being jobless 2-Mental aspect to live on an island. Lifestyle change. No family, friends, old life 3-Social aspect. Goes back to not having friends and family to see and lean on. Have to make new friends find new places to go and things to do Visiting and living are two completely different experiences. Most people cannot differentiate between these 2 not just with Hawaii but with every place

🌊🍍🌊🍍🌊🍍🌊🍍🌊REMEMBER: 'WHEREVER YOU GO...THERE YOU ARE' There are Problems in Paradise too.

It’s been 15 years since I moved to the mainland, and I can’t wait to go back home. Mainland is getting nuts lol. Time for the simple life.

I left Hawaii and lived in California for 6 years, and then lived in Japan for 14 years, but I decided to come back and everything is going well as planned, safety and security of my family is the biggest factor of what decision I made, being Asian decent in Hawaii is the safest for a minority like us.

I don’t ever add comments but I would like to say thank you for making these very informative videos. I am from Colorado and we are thinking of moving to Hawaii in 5 years after all our kids leave for college and we become empty nesters. It’s nice to watch videos from a local person that is not so biased. Thank you!

Thank you for a very thoughtful, honest video. It is important to remember that the common element in every place you’ve lived, every job you’ve had, every relationship you’ve been in is... you. Switching things around isn’t necessarily going to magically change anything in the long run.

I grew up there, and want nothing more than to come home to Kauai. Been all most 40 years , and miss the people more than any beach there is.

Thank for the great information ,happy new year 2022 and best wishes to you and your family ! Peace ✌️

Island fever hits so hard! Good video braddah!

I lived in Hawaii before my dad was in the Navy..I was just a kid in the 60s... Sometimes I wish I could move back...it felt like home...boy I cried when we had to move back to the main land.... I hope I can go to visit

That’s the best and most balanced video I’ve seen on the subject. No ego or agenda. Logical. Great job and good luck to you and your family!

Amazing video! You really broke it down unlike any other video out there. Glad to see you’re getting a bigger following!

Great video! A lot of sound advice here, people! Please listen to it. I’m from the east coast (DC area) and lived in Honolulu for 15+ years. Actually moved to Hawaii twice-once to go to UH Manoa and again in 2010. Been in Honolulu ever since and constantly have the urge to move back home because of all my family and friends in the mainland (most of my local fiends moved to the mainland!), the super high cost of living in HI, limited job market in HI as well as public safety and public school concerns for my family. I work in hospitality and when visitors ask me about living here, I usually tell it’s best to just keep this beautiful “paradise” for vacation or at most perhaps just do a short stint to get the fantasy out of their heads.

This is one of your best videos related to solid advice. You are correct that the answer is different for everyone. Asking the right questions is crucial. I always think no matter where you move to go for a short period and then stay if you can't face the thought of leaving. Never ever leave loose ends they will always follow and remember everyone needs to feel valued and respected (not just people in Hawaii) so never take advantage of anyone.

What I love about japan is how open the people seem to be when it comes to pilgrimage, from Shinto shrine to Buddhist temple, how is it in Hawaii for those looking to experience the culture of the original natives and their spiritual practices ? Really appreciate your channel, and am grateful for the insight 💚

I actually loved Okinawa,Japan. I felt connected, the people were so friendly to me. Okinawa is home. It's where I was adopted into a family by locals as well as others who were originally from the mainland. I am currently planning to move back to Hawaii. I guess it is the closest I found to Oki yet still be in the states. Maybe one day I will return to what I believe to be my motherland. Okinawa! Thanks for this video! It was great. I found that I had allowed others to project their own feelings about me moving onto me and I became a bit discouraged. After watching this video in particular I know that deep within. It is my true hearts desire. Thanks

Great content! Thanks. One thing about sending packages on a move, is use the US postal services Hold for Pickup service, just send packages to the local post office and pick up when you get there. I've done that on moves on mainland.

The biggest thrill for me when I returned to the Mainland was being able to drive from state to state and so many different highways in each state; I love to drive, explore, camp, backpack, etc. In Maui my friends and I loved motorcycling around the island. After 11 years it started to get old. Instead of asking, "Lahaina side or Hana side?" It became "left" or "right" or up (Upcountry/Haleakala). I think my friends and I developed "rock or island fever." Now I'm in my 70's and Hawaii would be an incredible place for us to retire. My wife is a beach person and I loved the ocean; jet skiing and spear fishing were my favorite activities (as well as hiking and camping). You, my friend, would make an excellent guide. Aloha!

Such a great video! Thank you for sharing! Aloha from Atlanta!🙏🏽😃

Great video. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. All are spot on!

Always great stuff! I totally agree with all your videos. We just made 10 years on Oahu.

This is my favorite video you have done, great to see your maturity. I miss Hawaii forever.

Thanks for the video. I have thought about everything that you covered. And as my late aunt once said, “Come and see for yourself.” I do plan on visiting Hawaii one day. Having friends anywhere is beneficial to the enjoyment of a place.

Thank you for your vids, very helpful to me. After much consider and deliberation between retiring in Vietnam, San Diego area, Puerto Rico, or the Florida coasts, I kept coming back to Hawaii, and finally purchased a lot in the Big Island. I’VE NEVER BEEN TO HAWAI’I ! I’m shipping my camper van (built out to be self sufficient) and hope to call Hawaii my final home as a base while I can still travel. I’m in my late 50’s, I can’t wait to explore Hawaii in all her splendors. I think attitude is everything. Of course, having respect for the locals, and embracing the local culture are also key factors. KISS (keep it simple & safe). mahalo

Thanx for keeping it real man. things to think about.

I'm a New Yorker, but had my childhood in the Philippines. Hawaii is pretty close to what I'm looking for. I'm getting older and we don't have that much time left to live on this earth. Remember, 2050 is as far as 1990.

I was in Hawaii 3 years ago for 3 weeks. Loved it so much coming back july -aug Can’t wait.

This is probably the most informative video I’ve watched so far. I visited Oahu a few months ago for vacation and also visit a couple of relatives for about 2 weeks who moved from California,where I’m from, all the way to the western side of the island near Ewa. I had the time of my life there and got really embraced by the culture and the hospitality. As a Californian, its not as expensive as I thought or as I was told. Gas and food is roughly the same here in San Francisco and gas is actually a bit cheaper on the island than the Bay Area ( it was $4.02 this morning when I filled my tank 😬) and cost of loving is also almost identical (paying $1700 for a 2 bedroom 1 bath). The only thing I might struggle with is a job, although I do work construction and labor and like you said its not what you know but who you know and thats why I’m glad I have family on Oahu as well as the big island. Thank you for this information. Hopefully in the next year and a half to 2 years I’ll be enjoying life out there

Aloha, good to know I will have you as my 1st friend when I get to Hawaii. I truly appreciate & enjoy your common sense videos.

Very generous of you to offer your friendship. True aloha spirit.

I guess I was one of the emails! Thank you :D !

Hawaii is still cheaper to retire than in Los Angeles primarily because of taxes. Hawaii is like the Philippines with American flavor. This is the big reason why my wife and I would like to retire in Kona. Work hard, stay fit, invest, and save for a happy and comfortable retirement. \m/

Having grown up on Oahu from preschool, I really appreciate your style and wit. It’s entertaining the way you take an everyday thought and dissect and discuss it. Thank you for sharing! Oh yah I Iolani grad, lol.

I just found your channel and I really like your content. :) I'm an American living in Japan and thinking to move to Hawaii. Thanks for the great advice!

Finding paradise is like using a rainbow to mark a dream land! You see the rainbow 🌈 ! You see where it lands so you mark it! then when you go there, you find out it's just like anywhere else!

This is a great video, you give great, clear advice. I’ve been eyeing Hawaii as a potential move because my wife is a professor and UH Manoa would be a huge advancement in her career. Although I’m American now, I grew up in a tropical place so the Hawaiian weather and climate remind me of home. Pretty much the only way I see us someday living there is for her job, and it would also be a 50/50 chance it’s not permanent, so that takes some of the anxiety away. If her job took us to San Francisco or NYC I would still have to think about cost of living, changes in culture, etc. But the best thing you said that resonated with me is the fact that one should not move to run away from life problems. You are so right.

This was very helpful, thanks for posting. I have visited/vacationed in Hawaii several times before deciding to move there. I saved, am selling my home and all my belongings (as it is not feasible to move your stuff) as you will be more comfortable living minimally, exception would be a vehicle. 😎🌺 Mahalo.

so good to hear from a local guy ! sick of all these instagrammers visiting a place and acting like they understand the culture

Ha (I am Hawaiian). Not worth coming back until you have money. I left at 18. Not for college, for a job I lost. I started my own contracting business. I plan to buy houses in Hawaii and retire there. But for the most part. Hawaii is pretty much a money pit. All my family is there and thats the only reason to go back.

Great video. You cover a lot of information most people tend to overlook. I fantasize about moving to Hawaii after every visit. My favorite island is Kauai. This is mostly due to the Na Pali coast and the slower pace of life. Maybe one day I will make it a reality :)

Number one thing: Don't wear shoes in the house

Thanks my husband and I are planning a move to Oahu in a few years.

We love your videos as we plan on moving there in the next five years. I do flooring and am an independent contractor. Hoping on future visits to make more connections while there to make the move easier.

Thanks for the video :) now to find friends on Hawai'i before moving there...

This is solid advice for moving anywhere

Good coverage of so many different perspectives...

Good stuff bro thank you.

It cost a lot to live in Hawaii and with Covid many stores are closed and more will close.....so jobs will be hard to find. I would wait a couple years before thinking about moving here

You are definitely right about moving being expensive. I moved from Sacramento to San Diego a couple of months ago and it cost me a few thousand dollars to do so, including the rental deposit, and that was just to move across the state. My parents sometimes send me things in the mail and it's nice because it only takes 2 days for it to get here. I couldn't imagine having to pay to ship your car and being far away from everything.

Great points!👍🏼🤙🏼

We have lived in a few states thanks in part to the military. There are problem in all locations and cost of living is different everywhere. You speak the truth and appreciate you not candy coating it for people. Too many people want to hear only the good things, not the down side. And yes, Hawaii is beautiful and I hope to visit again soon.

I think Hawaii is good for a short time stay or a month vacation and that should be good enough.

Thanks for all your videos. I'm moving to Oahu this coming Wednesday. I'll probably be there for a year or two at the most working as a remote software developer. I'm a bit concerned about the apparent violent racism towards caucasians I've been reading horror stories about, but my friend on the island assures me that as long as you don't act like an entitled douche and respect the locals everything will be fine. I lived in Bangkok Thailand for 13+ years so I'm more used to being in a minority than anything else. Granted that Thai people don't hate white people in general (although distaste for them has increased in recent years due to westerners constantly looking down on Thais), and they don't have a sensitive history with us like locals in Hawaii do...However I truly hope I will be accepted at least somewhat during my time on the island. Thank you again for your informative videos! Mahalo

A few years back, I had a genius idea.. I’ll live on the beach! Camping in Hawaii!!! Then I did more research... uh oh, I wasn’t the first Einstein to think of that. Instead, I take quick trips via KZfaq

You know you are definitely correct. I was very lucky with my military occupational Specialty. I was a Ground Radio Repairman from 1973 till 1980. Between those years I have been to Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Guam and Thailand. After my overseas tour I was able to reenlist in the Marine Corps in 1976 for Hawaii as my duty station as a single Sergeant, local boy from Wahiawa who left in 1972 to joined the Marines. Long story short,

Awesome video and great points you made for people to think about before making a decision to move to Hawaii! We love Japan too and my wife talks about wanting to maybe move there. I love it there but will never want to move there cause I know I love it here in Hawaii more and that Japan has itʻs own cultural work ethics and lifestyle expectations. I explain that to my wife and she kinda sees that point too but canʻt help but see the wonderful things about there too. In the same way I can see the importance of why you said people should really figure out why they want to move here cause what might be a great place to vacation at might not be the best place to live in. Great episode! Aloha =)

Great information nicely presented.

Respect the people and respect the culture. It's not like moving from LA to San Diego.

Thank you brotha! I'm moving to Hawai'i on Wednesday the 21st of October. I appreciate your feedback and information. 🤙🏽

I can totally relate to the “brain drain.” I’m Native American and I grew up on the Indian Reservation created by the federal government hundreds of years ago. It’s breathtakingly beautiful but due to poverty and now rampant addiction I found it impossible to raise a family there. When I finished university I didn’t return home, my sisters did the same. We all left for school intending to go back but none of us ever did. I spent a few weeks in Hawaii recently and it very much reminded me of home. We were welcomed by a few friends of my daughters who were born and raised in Hilo. Aside from the beautiful beaches it felt like home, the people & culture and deep connection to the land.

Great video! I want to move to Hawaii.

Good info; so true that a beautiful place doesn’t fix everything else. We’ve vacationed there many times and our trips have always been enjoyable. I never look to fit in, however I respect the norms there - parts of Oahu feel like old San Diego and that’s comforting. We may rent a place there, probably on Kauai, for a month or so when we retire.

I’m just here for your local accent. Wink 😉 Grew up my whole life big island. College in Cali- tried to get my husband to live and love Hawaii, he struggled with being so far from family and when his mom got sick it cost us thousands to go see her. I don’t think I can move back, but my mom is still on the island so I get to visit. 🌈 keep up there videos I like em laddat.

DUDE YOU NAILED IT AND TOLD MY STORY. I MOVED TO KAUAI IN 2005 LEFT LAS VEGAS WITH MY HAWAIIAN EX-WIFE BETWEEN BOTH OF US WE WERE MAKING 85K SO THE DAY CAME SHIPPED 3 CARS OVER LEFT OUR HOME IN VEGAS FULLY FURNISHED WITH A FRIEND TO STAY RENT FREE IN RETURN TO WATCH OUR PROPERTY. 4 MONTHS LIVING ON KAUAI I FOUND 1 JOB THAT STARTED AT 11.00 HR LASTED 1 MONTH SO IN 4 MONTHS I DONE AND ALSO BROKE SO I LEFT KAUAI EX-WIFE STAYED WITH FAMILY FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS RETURNED BACK TO VEGAS UNHAPPY SO OUR MARRIAGE FAILED ALONG WITH OTHER ISSUES SO I SHIPPED 3 CARS BACK TO MAINLAND SO ROUNDTRIP FAIR FOR 3 CARS WAS 5800 PLUS 4 MONTHS MORTGAGE 5K PLUS OTHER EXPENSES AROUND -15K SPENT IN THE 4 MONTHS ON KAUAI SO I RETURN TO VEGAS BROKE AND STAYED BROKE AT THE END OF 2005 IN THE HOLE FOR -350K, DIVORCED, DEPRESSED, AND A FULL BLOWN ALCOHOLIC MY WORLD CAME CRASHING DOWN AT THE AGE OF 35 WHAT A DISASTER LIKE YOU SAID I HAD ISLAND FEVER AND MUCH MORE BUT I WOULD RETURN TO HAWAII AGAIN TO VISIT WHY BECAUSE HAWAII WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS ME BUT I WANTED FOR HAWAII TO FIX MY PROBLEMS BOY WAS I IN FOR A RUDE AWAKENING WHO DID NOT HAVE A MASTER PLAN FROM THE START SO FOR THOSE THAT ARE CONSIDERING MOVING TO HAWAII WATCH THIS VIDEO 3 TIMES OR MAYBE MORE AND THEN ASK YOURSELF ONCE AGAIN DO I WANT TO LIVE IN HAWAII AND WHY AND HOW GOOD LUCK ALOHA.

I enjoy your Hawaii life videos. I grew up in Hawaii and am wanting to do an extended 30 day stay to there. It would be cool if you could do a video on how that could work. Accommodations, transportation, best areas, etc. I have ohana there but would want a small (safe) place of my own. I also know the island pretty well as I go home every few years. My job allows me to work remotely so income isn’t an issue. You’re very insightful, so I’m sure you’ll bring up some plus & negative things about a 30 day stay that I didn’t consider. Aloha, Keoni

I’ve been toying with the idea of moving back but I’m pretty cautious right now just because I would definitely need a better job/monetary situation lol. I’d love to bring my family there or even retire there one day though if anything..your videos and their practicality and realness help me kind of keep an eye out lol to see what’s going on there or if maybe a window of low prices opens up 😉 Entertaining and love seeing your journey 🌈🌺

Thank you. Good advice.

Great Video!

Excellent, practical and reasonable analysis providing real-world advice. Thank you for posting these thoughtful, well-spoken insights. Most looking to move to Hawaii appear to be fairly intellectually lazy and do not consider these practicalities ... and inevitably fail.

Very helpful! I’m thinking about moving to Hawaii and you really gave me a lot to think about.

This will be my third time living in Hawaii. I moved for family. Second time, for a job. I have more friends in Hawaii and the lifestyle definitely suits me. The support system on the mainland isn't great. But maybe it's different for everyone. I never felt I was on an island. I never had a problem getting a good job even when the mainland economy was bad.

I've been wanting to move here for years, and I've finally saved up enough to feel comfortable moving. Only problem is I work for myself and don't at the moment make enough to support myself, but should be able to in about 6 months. I wouldn't go broke living there, I've made sure of it, but it's going to be a bit of a challenge. I was already motivated to move to Hawaii, but I'd say COVID really solidified that. You guys actually take it seriously, and my mental health has suffered here on the mainland from how common it is. I believe that by being on the islands, that anxiety would be solved and I wouldn't spend so much energy worrying about COVID. Thoughts on this are welcome, good and bad...aloha and mahalo!

Scrooge McDuck! Love that you used him as a reference, haven't thought about that guy in awhile!

im looking to do this in like 2 months ...cant wait to be there again. This time for a few months and not just 3 weeks

Thank you so much brah. Mainland retiree here dreamin of paradise even if it's in a small rented studio. You're takin the luster off, but still, ahh, it sounds nice....

Did you film the opening and most of the footage at The Waialae Beach Park? If so, that trellis in the background was the original location for the outdoor bar of the fictional King Kamehameha Club in the original "Magnum PI" television series from the 1980's.

Thank you for this amazing detailed video! Actually I just got an offer to work there in HI, but compared to my salary in the mainland, it is definitely a reduced amount. However, I feel the quality of life in Hawaii is better and I definitely am the outdoorsy type of guy. It would be a dream. I’m just torn.

Respect for the life advice bro I came here randomly

If you are in the planning/contemplating phase get an 808 number you can use with a mobile phone or a VOIP service. Very handy when inquiring about jobs, housing, travel, and other stuff. Carriers like Verizon and Vodafone and services like Skype and Google Voice make this easy!

All your videos resonate with me. I moved to CA after hs and return home after 20 yrs bc of family. It’s been two years, I knew it will be a challenge but i didn’t expect it will be so difficult to adjust. I ended up seeing a therapist, she told me my symptoms is called “reverse culture shock “. I’m tired of people glorifying Hawaii, it’s nice to hear from someone who feels similarly, you’re my virtual support system. Keep up the good work.

Ooh, I love Kaka'ako park. My kids used to slide down the side of the hill on cardboard boxes.

Really informative, friendly content! I've been considering moving to Hawaii, my biggest hurdle is my pets. I have 4 small parrots. How difficult would it be to move a lovebird, 2 conures, and a Pionus parrot?? (Probably pretty difficult I'm assuming)

I was invited to live in Molokai by a friend that I had made when on vacation there. I wasn't sure if I would do ok in a small place, though. Gossip was a worry to me then. Now, with Covid, and being on lockdown in my apt, I keep on wishing that I was in the little house that she offered to rent to me for $300 a month back then. (1992). I wonder what it costs now???

If was to move back to Hawaii, I would do it very close to retirement and move slowly over 3 months. There are several great short-term places to rent while I transition to the Islands. Of course, we can both work from home and make good money - so we just need to have really good internet.

I'm in the process of moving to Maui. Vacationed there before. The experience was out of this world.. So much planning and challenges now to move there. Still motivated! It will be worth it.

Excellent perspectives.

Good advise Sir, I recently accepted a new job in Oahu. Im in pursuit off living life simple. As a service member who's been around working hard for over 30 years, living in New York City, time to slow down and enjoy life. What better paradise to settle than Hawaii. I've done my research for more than 5 years... I think I'm overly prepared... Mentally and financially. It helps to have been born and raised in an island (PR) and have family in Hawaii for advise and support.

Ducktails reference ...... love lol

Great Video! How about people who live here and is thinking about move out? What’s your opinion? Much Mahalo.

Hi, I got a question for you regarding to Hawaii. What is the best method to find housing In Honolulu and do you have any recommendations for shipping your personal belongings to the island? I am from NC and trying to figure out the logistics. Thanks!

I guess my question is.. are these videos applicable to all the Hawaiian islands? Is it mainly Kauai and Oahu where the cost of living is such a big factor or does that extend to the big island? I would be coming from Oregon where the cost of living is a bit higher than average. I am wondering if working remotely would make up for the loss of opportunity.

Hawaii is scheduled to reopen for tourism in a couple of days. Do you plan on doing a video in the airport showing the volume of tourists who arrive on the first day, and the procedures that tourists will have to go through when the get to Hawaii now?

really helpful

Setting expectations when living in Hawai'i does greatly depend on what lifestyle you are looking for. That's true if you're living either in New York, Florida, or Kalifornia. Each island in the Hawaiian archipelago has it's own personality. If you're planning to move here, trying spending vacations, 2-4 weeks on each island and rent a house or condo. Live like the locals and not like a tourist. Live like where you live on the mainland. See if your mainland baggage will fit into the local overhead culture. Hawai'i for most mainlanders is a culture shock. Do you have a particular skillset that's marketable here, because jobs are mostly menial and fewer since the pandemic. The cost of living is different on each islands, some islands are more expensive to live than others. Access to healthcare is also important. About the only thing reliable in Hawai'i is the great weather. But you have to remember that an island is limited to its available resources. You just cannot drive from island to island and interisland travel is expensive, despite O'ahu's interstate hwys. Hawai'i is a great place to live and I wouldn't live anywhere else in the world, and I've lived all over the world. USA

That bell comes in handy boy. Thank you informative brother from another mother.

I central heat and air important to you?

I lived there for four years, every day I would think about the main land, I'm back in california where I'll stay, thanks