Paradise? The Realities of Life in Hawaii (Real Talk)
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- čas přidán 9. 11. 2019
- First, let me say that Hawaii is a great place to live and I’m thankful for having grown up here. However, if you are thinking of moving to Hawaii, please know that life in Hawaii is hard. Hawaii people make certain concessions that people outside of Hawaii may not know about. The realities of life in Hawaii make it hard for families to continue to live here. We've been seeing a lot of local families leave, which is sad. In this video, I wanted to talk about the hardships people in Hawaii face each day. Again, Hawaii is a great place to live, but it's definitely getting harder and harder to make it here. Some of the biggest concessions you'll have to make if living in Hawaii are:
1) Forget home ownership
2) Shipping will take longer
3) You'll end up paying more for less
4) Working multiple jobs
5) Always in traffic
📷 IG - / hello_from_hawaii
#Hawaii
#LivingInHawaii
#PriceofParadise
I did a phone interview with a guy who lived in Hawaii. He told me he just felt "stuck" living there. I usually don't hire people over the phone but he seemed so sad. I told him if he came to Idaho, he had the job. I helped him get "unstuck".
Did you really? That's great you did that 😊! Did he eventually make it to Idaho?
That's great. I think a lot of locals can relate to that "stuck" feeling.
Good for you giving him that option.
Common scenario, especially with several of my Ohana who left the Aina. Even many of them who end up staying (often not by choice,) they seem very "stuck" as well and I feel for them.
@@HelloFromHawaii What is your opinion about Hawaiian independence?
Finally, a youtuber who isn't try to sell his/her life as amazing!
True. Like van life. So many drawbacks to this!
I agree. This is the most realistic video about Hawaii I have seen on CZcams. This guy is stating the brutal reality .
Agree. Not some old codger who moves to the Philipines gets a 19 year old girlfriend then tries to convince you how inexpensive it is to live there. HA! We all know why he moved there!
He’s good but his constant hand gesture was really distracting.
It’s irresponsible of those CZcamsrs to do that. Younger people will watch that crap and think they can just hop on a plane and everything will be fine. Then, the bills start stacking up and the Bank Of Mom And Dad is closed.
I grew up in Hawaii. Lived there for 30 years. Left and moved to the mainland in 1996 and couldn't believe the difference in the quality and cost of living. I was not only able to buy a house, but also take regular vacations. Never would have happened if I had stayed in Hawaii. But, I must admit, Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places on this planet! Didn't have to wear shoes until the 6th grade! Running around barefoot, climbing mango trees for fresh mangos, going to the beach, hiking in the mountains, simply wonderful!!
I’m sorry circumstances didn’t allow such beautiful experiences for a lifetime in your home. I was born in New York and couldn’t afford to stay. I live in PA now much more affordable. I was able to have children and purchase a home.
Check Tenerife :D it is the same... 95% cheaper with a cheap and easy flights to Europe for as cheap as 5 usd :)
ditto
born, raised in paradise UH grad
3rd generation in Hawaii.
moved to southern California in 1975 when it was truly beautiful and blessed to experience its glory.
got out before the downfall & moved to Florida when it was affordable in 1998.
life is an adventure, chose your path wisely.
Hawaii is a vacation😊
Nowadays it’s all eaten up by fire Ants
This is 100% correct. I lived in poverty as a child on the island. My family had to move to the mainland to survive. So coming back to the island brought back a lot of bad memories. My grandmother’s place needed to be renovated on the island so I my dad tasked me to move back and take care of it. Getting on the plane and coming back brought a lot of emotions to me and I don’t think I smiled once while being surrounded by so many people excited for their vacation. Then the hard work started, taking me over a month, dealing with contractors, cleaners and coordinating late shipments. Just so much had to happen and spending thousands of dollars in the process. I’m now contemplating getting a second job because of how much I saw leaving my bank account from all of this and this is coming from someone who makes pretty decent money living in a townhouse on Capitol Hill in DC. There are very few high paying jobs on the island. Luckily I can remote anywhere from work but the cost and quality like he says just doesn’t add up. Also the fact I see so many people here struggle and live in poverty gives me uncomfortable flashbacks. It’s just hard…
Life is tough when you're stupid
Former Hawai'i resident here letting you know that this man is 100% correct. It's beautiful but it is absolutely brutal on your wallet.
I guess Hawaii would always stay as a touristic state
@Mocha Visions TV or a rich man's paradise
Yep
it is sad to see such a beautiful place, where people should have time to enjoy the awesomeness of it, having so little time for people to really rejoice themselves
Sometimes it's not brutal. One can spend $20 on wardrobe - t-shirt/shorts/rubber slippers - and wear it all year round. Hang loose!
Ive lived on Maui for 40 yrs. In the last 15 yrs rich people from the mainland have worked at gentrifying and make it like where they came from but with a beach. Maui “cruisers” have become bmw, lexus and mercedes. Home prices have almost doubled. The attitude and respect for the aina and culture that seemed to be present in most of the mainland transplants 35 or 40 yrs ago is not present in the majority of people moving here with all their $ now . It,s reflected in driving habits, rudeness while shopping etc. the most beautiful place on the planet deserves more respect. Many people who have loved and respected Hawaii for decades are being forced out financially. It is very sad.
Agreed 💯😤
Money talks…..
Everything has double in price everywhere. It's called inflation.
I’m from Chicago and totally agree that people are disrespecting Hawaii when they move there from the US mainland. Not all but a good amount.
I been to Maui 3 years ago and I'll understand that mindset of wanting to start business, buy real estate, gentrify the area so it can resemble the Hamptons.
This is one of the few "Life in Hawaii" videos that doesn't make it seem like 24/7 sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. It's awful that younger generations that are born and raised there have to uproot their entire lives and move to make a living. It's even worse that this problem is pervasive. People born and raised in New York and California are getting nickel-and-dimed out of their homes as well...but at least sometimes the food is affordable
Thanks. Just trying to provide a more real perspective of Hawaii.
Yep I was actually born in Honolulu and raised in San Diego. I now have two grandkids close to me in San Diego. I am getting closer to retirement and there is no way I will be able to stay here. It’s ridiculous so raised my kids we are close and I will have to retire elsewhere.
Life is tough when you're stupid
I hate to say it but it seems universal . Alot of people are calling it unbridled greed. As the earth is choking on all the consumerism gods.
Loved this. I moved from Maui to Oahu because I wanted to experience the "city" life. Did it for 12 years... And yes, TRAFFIC is bad both on Maui and on Oahu. Inheriting a house from someone is not what it's cracked up to be. When I rented my apartment on Oahu, it included EVERYTHING. So when something broke, the landlord would fix it. Home owners have to either fix it themselves to find a repair person and PAY FOR IT. Yes, cost of living in Hawaii is "HIGH" but I always tell myself that I live in "PARADISE" and some people only dream of it....
As I get older I realize “less is more.” Having more stuff in your life is what bring the most stress. Living with less and enjoying what Hawaii has to offer is more.
Do you still live in Hawaii? I so badly want to get out of New Mexico. It's hot, dry, and dusty here with 0 jobs.
" Inheriting a house from someone is not what it's cracked up to be" what a bonehead statement
it doesnt sound like you make your own money
@@TheLayman316
Amen brother!!! I couldn't agree more!🤙🌈
Tourists & rich people take over the best spots worldwide 😭 heart breaking 💔
Capitalism Moment
Try buying a house in Hong Kong. When there is limited land, like anything limited in supply, prices do go up. That's how the world works. It's heart breaking that I can't own a private jet...but that's life.
@@mementomori29231 just heard that HK citizens are rushing to buy London property now.... price hikes incoming! Hope they won't be ripped off by unscrupulous estate agents
This is one world for everyone.
Hawaii is sinking. Very true
We miss Hawaii. The food and aloha spirit is unlike anywhere else.
My wife and I left Hawaii almost 20 years ago for many reasons. We could have stayed at my wifes parents house is mililani mauka for free and even a free house wasnt enough to keep us.
Expensive, crowded, traffic, no parking, no road trips, we had to fly everywhere if we want to see other places, school system not so great unless you send kids to private school, houses are small, electricity is expensive.
In Nevada I only need one job. Wife can stay home with our 3 kids. We can afford a big single story home in a neighborhood that looks like mililani mauka lol. We go on road trips and go camping alot. We just went to Yellowstone! We play in the snow in the winter in Tahoe and play in the lakes and rivers in the summer.
But most of all....we have quality time together since I get home at 5pm everyday in about 15 minutes and mommy is home all day with our kids since this is 2020 (covid19)
We visit Hawaii but we dont miss it enough to move back. Unless things change in Hawaii we will live in the mainland for a long while lol.
What is ur avg annual income? Nevada sounds like a good deal!
@@SeaFlower38 Nevada is awesome. I make about $65k a year with a state job. Wife doesnt work. I have a side job with you tube too that makes a few extra bucks.
@@mixflip I only make 56 so far at my job. I was thinking of making a youtube or something.
@Heather Mckenzie I used to rent a beach house in Kailua when I was in the military. I miss those days. They needed more room on base so 2 of us pooled our BHA to rent the beach house. The 90s was a cheaper time lol.
How much do you have to make in Hawaii in order to have the same standard of living?
My uncle and aunt moved from Connecticut to Hilo on the big island about 10 years ago to finally escape the cold winters. They started renovating their house as soon as they moved there and now even 10 years later are still working on it. There are so few tradesman, that the tradesman can set whatever price and timeframe they want and you don't have any alternatives.
The tradespeople on this island are so much cheaper than California (I live half-time in Hilo; half-time in CA)
@@ramcduff Yes, but sometimes they don't show up.
@@joybanks1602 They don't show up in California too!
my wife and i thought about moving there. we could both secure really great jobs, we don't have children, we have no health issues, but we would still be living very modestly and have very little, if anything, to save. we visit several times a year, so we have taken time to understand the culture and the islands. we came to an understanding that as non natives, it isn't our right to move there and create struggle for ourselves and take away from the energy of the island and the people. i understand that might seem pretty hippy-dippy, but we are trying to respect some sacred things the island hasn't had stripped away. instead, we can upgrade our situation on the mainland and still have the privilege to visit the island and contribute to the local economy several times a year.
Amen.
Unfortunately My Husband and I have decided the same
We would be taking our California money and buying property
Would make it harder for the native Hawaiians to buy in their home land
We have visited Hawaii for 25 plus years
We are sad but In our hearts it’s the right thing to do
@@pxnmalsg i did
I love your hippie dippy philosophy. ❤❤❤🏝
Mahalo for your love and understanding . We live in a limited environment . Hawaii is home for us. Our Aina. Our heart.
I'm not even from Hawaii but I can't emphasize how truly relatable the impossibility of home ownership in present day is!!!! Makes me cry.
It's tough.
What if u live on big island? U can buy a decent house for 200k..
@@_mr_cat but can you get a job that will pay for that?
@@arwyss that’s what i wanna know.. I’m assuming most jobs are on oahu?
That isn't the case in the ENTIRE state of Hawaii. The state has more affordable places than what's described here.
His voice is so relaxing and soothing , he sounds like a peaceful soul :)
Thanks :)
ASMR lol.
As a native New Yorker who left the city after college because I didn’t want to have three roommates in order to move out into the real world, I definitely can relate. Before college I worked three jobs and still couldn’t afford my own place. Twenty five years later it hasn’t gotten any better and I’d only consider returning for family emergencies, or if I could maintain the lifestyle I have at present, minus a car and single family home.
I have family in Hawaii, just returned from another visit, and he is spot on. It's extremely expensive, getting a well paying job isn't easy, and home ownership very difficult. I've grown up with, and worked with Hawaiian 'expats' on the Mainland. Everyone misses Hawaii with plans to someday retire "back home".
I thought about moving to Hawaii several years ago. One of my Nieces went to college there and said the following: If shipping stopped for whatever reason, Hawaii would run out of food in two days. That was enough for me. I live in the midwest, in a college town with a population of 20k, own my own home and am 5 minutes from work. I had better start counting by blessings. Thanks for the video.
As someone who’s trying to learn how to homestead, I would only add that I think a Hawaii is a great place to grow your own food, go fishing and water catchment is already normal in many areas. Water shortage is a real problem in several states now but not in HI. The problem is I don’t know which types of crops grow best in HI climate. I love pineapples and macadamia nuts but not sure if I could survive purely on that. Also I’ve heard it’s dangerous in some cases to eat homegrown leafy vegetables due to the bugs I think or slugs (can’t remember) who carry some disease
Your life is what it’s supposed to be. Blessings.
No it would not. Maybe for Oahu, but for the outer islands we would be fine. We are trying to make the state self sufficient on food resources. And the Outer would always pull together with the State.
Work, pay mortgage, eat poke, go to beach, pay mortgage, go to Costco, repeat.
Wait, gotta add drink Heineken...repeat, repeat, repeat.
G Major7 can’t forget dah green bottles
Haha!
If I do decide 2 move back to Hawaii someday, I will live a simple life. I will go back to eating Saimin, Poke, Cone Sushi, portage sausage, etc. go 2 Sams club, Costco, and Walmart. Hang out at the beach. Oh yeah go 2 Sams club eat my favorite hot dog and coke for $1.50.
Very good attitude, my friend
Coming from mainland, Hawaii has fresh air and warm temperatures. The breeze, the rain, the sunsets, the rainbow…
I like Hawaii
I used to go to Hawaii a lot as a kid and adult until I discovered Brasil and now I’ve visited Brasil 18 times. The culture is alive and well unlike Hawaii which was pushing the hula dancer culture for many years. The food is great in Brasil and the people are very friendly. It’s cheap too. It’s easy to spend 200-300 per night to stay in Hawaii but I’ve stayed in a mansion in Brasil using Airbnb for 9 dollars per night and a nice new place on the beach is 40 dollars per night. It’s a little rough sometimes but 1 day in Brasil is like 3 days in the US because of how fun it is.
I'm a 31 year old man, what advice and tips can you give me if I decide to visit brasil? I also only have 1 leg but get around on my prosthetic leg very well. Hiking climbing pretty much anything.
@patfromamboy
I was stationed on Oahu 1990-1993. When I went back in 2009 for a vacation I was shocked and saddened at how things had changed. The traffic felt like it was a lot worse, it felt very crowded and there were homeless people everywhere. “Call some place paradise, kiss it goodbye.”
If you thought the homeless problem was bad in 2009 you should see it now!
Homelessness makes me so angry. I wish I could solve the problem. It's not right while some people have everything handed to them and others who work hard for nothing.
I talked with this lady who is a Native Hawaiian here in Florida. During our conversation, I got the impression that indeed Hawaii is being invaded by a really tough enemy - Money !
This is a great video. It shows why so many people born and raised in Hawaii move to the mainland. You are doing a great service to people who are moving or considering moving to the islands. Keep these videos coming.
Life is a trade off no matter where you go. The price of living in a cold climate is the extreme heating bill. The price of living in a hot climate is the AC bill. The price of living on an island is the import package. There are realistic pros and cons everywhere! Your weather is a big pro for lots of people...everything you talk about is part of the price to pay. Thank you for your honesty on this topic. I have to point out that for many people, living close to family is worth any price!
Youve got the best comment i just read. Period. Very well said.
Yeah, but...he has to pay that AC bill AND pay an exorbitant mortgage on his home. Expensive groceries. Crazy shipping. Not to mention being an island, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE IMPORTED and costs more. It’s kind of his whole point-and respectfully, yer missing it. It’s NOT the same everywhere. Pros and cons are one thing...over-priced EVERYTHING IS ANOTHER. At least on the mainland you have other options, you can move to a cheaper neighbourhood etc. He’s saying even basic survival in Hawaii is insanely over-priced.
It isn't hot in Hawaii. Usually about 80 degrees. No high air conditioning bills. But other things are expensive.
@@vickyrun8796 it’s hot in Hawaii
@vickyrun8796 False. A/C is needed roughly nine months out of the year, unless you happen to be among the few who live up in the mountains at higher elevations.
People don't realize how far away Hawaii is from the mainland. It's a six SIX hour plane flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu.
We live in THE MOST ISOLATED CHAIN OF ISLANDS IN THE WORLD! Further from any other point of land.
Try getting back to Boston, 24 hours! You are flying east and the sun is going west, double wammie?
@@chrispowers9517 it is not the most isolated. the most isolated are in the south atlantic.
@@talksolot sorry but your wrong, Hawaii is the farthest from any other point of land, what islands are talking about?
@@chrispowers9517 Technically speaking ,Pitcairn Island is furthest from any mainland. In their case NZ. Their population is only 49 so of the significantly populated islands HI would be it.
"So long as I went to school, work real hard, got good grades a home would just be waiting for me."
Don't feel too bad. You're not the only one who thought that playing by the rules would get you what you wanted out of life only to find yourself getting the shaft instead. Welcome to reality.
Gen Xers discovered that pretty quickly.
@@kateaye3506 YES! GenX was the first to get that rude awakening and it's only gotten worse.
The Boomer false narrative for we Millennials. The “American Dream” is exactly that…nothing but a dream.
@@magiclampboogiesdown9717 Bull. There are plenty of Millennials making bank.
I work with 2 Millenials. They learned a trade, stayed out of debt, and both bought homes. There is nothing special about either one of them.
@@youtubesucks1499 you missed the point. I know this bc you said they got a trade. The OP wasn't referring to the route they chose. Reading comprehension rules. Try it sometime.
I am so glad that there is someone like you talking about these things!! I talk about these factors that drew me out from staying back home. I miss it, I miss seeing my family so easily. Thank you for this video and shedding truth on our hardships.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video. Times are tough here. Hope the next generation can make it.
Exactly, I was born and raised on Oahu, Mililani and UH Manoa grad. I miss it so much, but yea the realities he pointed out are brutal but true.
I’ve lived between the mainland and Big Island since 2006. We left several times because it was just so hard to get by. If it wasn’t for food stamps and Costco, no one and especially not families could survive except the 1percent. The snow birds show up this time of year with their range rovers and shiny sports cars that have been in some air conditioned garage for the last 10 months, and the rest of us are in traffic with the windows down because our air conditioners stopped working a long time ago but there is no money to fix it. My husband is a white collar professional. We both work, but in Hawaii our family has faced hunger and homelessness. We were evicted from our rental with our children because our land lord decided she could make more money renting it out as an airb&b.
We love Hawaii. Our children were born here. But we can’t even get to the beach very often because we are really so busy just getting by. Also, it used to be before the pandemic, going to the beach made it all with it. It was community. You met friends there and if you didn’t know anyone that day, you made a new friend before you left. Kids I never met would come get snacks from my cooler bc I am the mom. All kids are our kids. If a kid is hungry on the beach, a mom would find that kid a snack. But now with Covid, all that seems to be a thing of the past. It’s sad. Now my husband is Ubering in addition to his white collar job. I think anyone moving here should consider this: a gallon of milk is$18.29 at choicemart in Captain Cook. My boys can go through a gallon of milk in a couple of hours. We love the island. But it’s tough. Aloha
Mahalo for sharing. Definitely appreciate you sharing your experience here. It's tough.
$18 for a gallon of milk? nothing online to back this up.
@Al Bundy I looked at Walmart in Maui and it's $5.98 a gallon there
@@dawnrandazzo9790 that's believable.
@@albundy3929That does seem a bit high, but it is a LOT, especially at Choice Mart.
Outside people moving here and they don’t live the aloha spirit. I’ve lived in Waikiki for decades and locals are leaving and tourists are moving in. I’m surrounded by A holes that want the Hawaii vibes but don’t respect the
culture!
Outside people? Which inside people live in Waikiki?
Totally agree
Stacy Bee. good
When I lived in Kailua, I found that the amount of violence, drug use, and racism against foreigners by the locals wasn't exactly in the Aloha spirit either. They have become as bad or worse than the foreigners they despise so much and allowed hatred and resentment to destroy their own spirits.
Jonathan 916 this is the part people forget to mention. I live in Wahiawa and it’s the same way.
I total agree with you. I lived in Hawaii for almost all my life. Then one day in my late 50's my daughter wanted me to stay with her for awhile in Washington state. I was so scared cause different state. After a month with her it was amazing. Everything was so cheap, I loved it. Then 6 months later I went back to Hawaii, I regretted. So my son moved to Vegas, and I moved with him I loved. Well I am telling you I will not go back to Hawaii and live. I will visit that is my home and where my mom and dad is buried. So what you are saying is so true. I think people should listen to what you are saying. Thumbs up to you, mahalo to you.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I heard Vegas will have Zippy's. Gonna be great. :)
@@HelloFromHawaii Well Vegas is a shithole brah, someplace like NM is pretty and not cheesy like Vegas if you like the high desert climate. I like Northern California myself.
that's the thing most people is scared to make changes in life.
Can't complain about Hawaii. Love the ocean, trade winds, people.
💯So true, I live on Oahu. Income doesn't come close to cost of living. The crime, drugs and homeless has risen to a crazy level within the last 5 years. Blessings and Aloha 🌈 Mahalo Nui Loa for the video.
Unfortunately this is what the elite (aka millionaires etc ..) want … they want more and more and they push the middle class so down. It is capitalism and Extreme greed the issue .. and it is worldwide
Love your illustration of the Monopoly board and coming into the game late - so accurate! My wife stands to inherit a home through HI Homelands - and I still have serious misgivings when we talk about the possibility of moving there…
I know that the Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list is pretty backed up. Hope you figure out what to do when the time comes. 🤙
I m born and raised in Hawaii and currently stuck here because of the pandemic and I never see anything on CZcams like this video: clear succinct logical explanation of why Hawaii is economically not feasible to live in.
This is a perfect video to show to someone who wants to live in Hawaii.
Why I left 13 yrs ago for LV,NV
@@sansankudo I'm hoping to iron the final details and leave this year. Can't wait to get out of here.
The big island has cheap lots for sale for off grid living. You have to adapt. Who wants to live in a material world?
@@skooltyme3379 You have the wrong video section .
Hawaii is expensive no matter where you go. There is no cheap place to live in this state.
Clearly you are not from Hawaii. Stick to talking about the mainland.
@@MultiSmartass1 I've lived in Hawaii goofy. Land on the big island is adorable. Your the type that NEEDS everything to survive in paradise. I'll be buying land in Hawaii soon. There's a whole community your just not that type of people dude
is so expensive even magnum P.i. Left
😂😂
🏆 Awesome comment!
HI 5-0 left. Magnum PI still here.
Noah Boy where
@@noahboy6349 Not the one that counts, lol.
As someone who just visited Oahu recently and drove from downtown Honolulu to Pearl Harbor (30 min) everything you are saying makes so much sense now! I am born and raised from Los Angeles, CA and I couldn’t help but feel like I never left home! We work endlessly, sometimes 2 jobs to pay sky high rent for a small apartment to live near the west coast beach’s like Malibu, Venice, and Santa Monica. Downtown LA is always a traffic nightmare a 3 mile ride will take u 20min...the only thing I found to be different is the Aloha Spirit! People are so kind and laidback they don’t cut you off driving and stop for people to cross in the middle of the street. The homeless problem and housing market is the same here too maybe it’s just capitalism exploiting another beautiful place! ☹️
Hope you had a great time on Oahu. I was in downtown LA a few years ago and it was different than what I expected.
I grew up in Hawaii as a child to young adult. Miss it a lot but like you said, affordability. Unfortunately I am one who can’t afford to live there although I’d love to and wish I could.
This video is spot on! I moved there for two years and it was a constant struggle to stay alive. I was surprisingly and shockingly happy and it changed me for the best. But knowing how much easier it was to live on the mainland and missing family and realizing I’d never own anything I decide to leave. It was such a relief. It’s a magical place for sure and I am eternally grateful to have been able to live there. But it’s very hard
Thanks for sharing!
This video makes it much more easy to understand the resentment I have seen from some Native Hawaiians. Very understandable. Mahalo for making this very informative video.
Stumbled in this channel, man, this is the best CZcams video I have ever watched in years. So insightful and genuine. Full of contents as well emotions and yet without those lame background "music". Thank you. Just subscribed.
Mahalo. Glad you enjoyed the video.
This is such a great video, and it’s really pleasant to listen to you telling your story. You seem like a nice quiet guy that would be fun to sit around and chat with. I made my first visit to Hawaii about 8 years ago and have been back 5 times already. It’s easy to fall in love with the beauty of the islands, and the people. But as a tourist that only experiences Hawaii from a tourist’s perspective, I appreciate you sharing what it’s like for the folks that live their day by day. Thanks for sharing!
Mahalo for the comment.
So true. After visiting both Kauai & the Big Island, my girlfriend & I can’t stop thinking of selling both of our houses to move to Kauai. Unbelievable beauty.
I live in Vegas, and this is exactly the reason why the Hawaiian's consider Las Vegas "the 9th Hawaiian island". Ive met a ton of folks from Hawaii and they all said the number one reason they left was because it was way too expensive! Many of them miss home but they dont have any intention on returning!!
Yes I am native Hawaiian and majority of my family has moved to Vegas because of this
@@tay4950 I'm from Europe and I've been to Vegas. Why Vegas? Isn't that one of the most materialistic, crazy, dusty and ugliest places of the USA? If you're used to lush tropical islands, why don't you move to South Carolina or Florida for example?
@@rsdtknqr maybe because they can easily travel to California, Arizona, and other cool places plus the housing in Vegas is affordable.
Homelessness is amazingly prevalent in Hawaii.
No shit Hawaii has been oppressed
I heard. I was really surprised when I heard that. People from Hawaii were telling me about the beaches being like tent city.
Why is it amazing? Things cost money and there is a finite amount of land. The state economy is a one legged stool and the state hasn’t invested in infrastructure and local agriculture etc to where it would be sustainable and provide food or energy at more affordable prices. Once you lose your job or are priced out of the market it’s very hard to dig yourself back out unless you have a situation where you don’t have bills to pay to get back on your feet or increase your salary at one of your jobs.
It’s a socialist shithole what do you expect high regulation and tax will never be sustainable. Hawaii will inevitably fall due to their Gov. over reach.
@@willam779 no blame the Democrats for that they have run the state for all 60 years elected republicans then you’ll see everything drop 50% in prices obviously it wont be as cheap as the mainland but certainly much cheaper than it is now
Love you sooooo much !!!! For the way you are.... Honest, straight forward, sincere, no BS, down to earth... THANK you... Hope to hear sooooooo much MORE from you SOON !!!!
Mahalo. 🤙
This is a thoughtful video; my wife and I recently moved from a suburb of Baltimore where real estate values had gone up very sharply to a smaller town in south-central PA - about a 60-mile move but the three-bedroom home we bought was literally 1/3 of the price. I am very thankful we had this option to lower our debt load and also buy a smaller house that is less to take care of. Hawaii though is a closed system. Here in the US there are some places that are very expensive, some moderately expensive and some areas that are actually pretty inexpensive from a cost of living perspective. But it seems in Hawaii there is only "very expensive" and "expensive" leaving the "in-expensive" off the menu. I've never been and it looks to be such a beautiful place but, to the author's point, it is an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and any consumables people need to live had to come in by plane or boat. I pray this young man will continue to be able to make ends meet or, if he chooses, re-locate to the mainland if HI proves too costly in the future.
Mahalo for the comment. It's getting more expensive, which is hard to imagine. I'm not sure what will happen to future generations who want to continue living here.
Thank u for that "raw truth" I lived with 2 lil kids & my husband in Kauai, i had 3 jobs & it put such a strain on me that i left with my kids & my husband I divorced. I saw the hypmatizing force that was not worth holding on to. I'm happier now my kids have grown into adults, my ex & I are happier as friends & know Hawaii is for visiting ONLY!!!!
May o ask where you live now? I’m living on Kauai right now, moved here in 2016. Love this island not so much the struggle of hustling for work. I started a great job in February with a helicopter company and felt i could finally breath then this covid hit and the helicopter company had to shut down. Now I’m working with my roommate in his plumbing businesses and getting paid fair for hard physical 10 hour day work. I know you feel my pain. I’m actually a hairdresser and tried to get my license here yet they asked me to jump through hoops I wasn’t ready to jump through. Sorry just ranting.
Aloha
@@giselafiege7169 I'm a barber in Miami I suggest you do house calls as a hair dresser meaning go to them or they come to you.
You can make alot of money that way.
God Bless..
DJRUCKUSAKALOGIC thank you yes I have been doing so. Just not advertising for it.
Blessings to you also!
Very true.I have been to HI 4 times.I like most Oahu and Maui.Staying more than 2 weeks ,and it is getting very boring ,even in Honolulu. the sunsets and sun rise is the same as in Miami or PR or NYC. U can have that Aloha spirit inside of u anywhere.And after C19 ,with the most leftist state in USA,Hawaii will be the dream for the super rich only(I do not think they stay there for more than 2_3monthsca year).
When I moved to northern Cali I walked into Trader Joe’s, and I looked at the prices for the produce. And I was just shocked at how cheap the food is compared to Hawaii. I love my home, but like many local kids we have to move, because we can’t make it here simply because it’s so expensive.
Hawaii people love Trader Joe's. So many unique things.
YEARS ago in the early 90s I went to Hawaii my first time for a job. I was staying temporarily at a hostel and remember vividly going to star market in Waikiki to get food for dinner. I almost fainted when she added up the few items had. Luckily my job was on Johnston island with literally no place to spend money. After 2 years I had saved a lot BUT going back to Honolulu is started to drain me.
Besides i didn't really like it- the culture, weather, beach and obsessive tourism are quite one-sided and get boring after 6 months. I packed up and headed back to the mainland. Paradise my @$$.
California is cheap compared to Hawaii??? I thought cali was most expensive in us
Not true lol. I just came back from Hawaii and the food there is about is a bit cheaper than Bay area.
Bay Area is very ridiculous in cost of living.
@@Tropical-Aes I wouldn't say cheap just less expensive because the wage structure in Hawaii is very skewed. You don't have big tech or big pharma or industry there. They dont make or grow anything there really and almost all food must come from mainland so you pay that markup.
I will concede that now there are a couple of lower cost option. Walmart is across from Ala Moana mall and there is a Don Quixote (used to be Daiei) as well. I dont know if they still there but I assume they are.
Dollar stores have good deals on a lot of things and so does grocery outlet. The thing is now days one has to comparison shop. There are a few apps that take the guess work out of it so you can see who got best price on what. Saves a ton of money.
Aloha Nephew, Now three months later and I have been living and working in Vermont and India. Your message rings as true as ever. I will come home in November, but my work will keep me traveling. I will perpetually return home to Hawai'i. I write to add something to my previous comments. The world is very much changing, in addition to the changes that you note in Hawai'i. For example, homelessness is nearly everywhere. Important to recognize, this is not only a problem in Hawai'i, but rather a symptom of a larger cultural problem. Our social fabric is being ripped apart many places in the world. The kindness that is part of the Aloha Spirit is perhaps one important part of getting through this. Another part is for our larger community to acknowledge that what is going on is broken. We are experiencing the unfortunate results of some bad policy decisions. Beginning by acknowledging this fact is essential. As always, your work brings me home. Mahalo nut loa.
thank you for this insightful real conversation. everything has different sides… even paradise. Hawaii has been my favorite place i’ve ever traveled to, but I realize it’s not a perfect place.
A minute in and already amazed. Real talk. It's expensive here.
Inheriting a home is 99% of Hawaii locals' plan. The prior generations bought homes when the prices were the same or only slightly higher than the Mainland.
I don't agree that most locals plan to inherit a home. I bought a home and so did many of my friends and family. I am 37, and bought my home 3 years ago. On the Big Island where I live, homes are still relatively affordable. On Oahu, many opt to pay expensive rent or live in far off places like Waimanalo or Waianae.
@@johnsonkahili9097 East Big Island is another world and is the exception, not the norm. If remote work becomes permanent, maybe more people will go there.
@@Waingro808 There are already many remote jobs. When I was younger I worked in the construction industry and worked on Oahu a lot while living in Hilo. As a medical worker, I've worked at an affiliated center on Oahu while living in Hilo. There are many companies that have branches of business on different Islands and share workers from other Islands in all lines of work. I just didn't agree with your sentiment that all locals plan on simply inheriting a house from their family. If you have a siblings who gets the house? In my family only one of us is getting it and it is already decided.
Can you explain 'Mainland'? Is mainland the rest of the island or mainland is the largest one of the islands?
@@racquelrobinson3030 Mainland=Continental US
Love your honesty, brother! Hawaii has been a potential dream since I visited college buddies in '92, but I know there are serious considerations like the one you've pointed out. My other two concerns for myself would be 'island fever' & then missing out a lot of the mainland American (& European) music & culture that also seems to arrive late to the island. Perhaps now with the internet, that is not as lacking...
I appreciate this CZcamsr for giving a realistic perspective of how things are in Hawaii! Unfortunately persons in other countries aren't giving the full reality of such places.
Unfortunately the housing issue is also happening everywhere else in the developed world.
Not on the same level by any means! On the mainland--here in the Midwest...decent housing can be very cheap.
Using round numbers of say one percent of 1 billion people with new disposable incomes and wanting a piece of Western Society and lifestyle ( Aust/NZ Hawaii, Western America Coast, Vancouver) either for their own use or for "investment", then that is 10 million potential buyers ( and growing) that are out there buying property. The 98% North American citizen has no chance and the future is bleak unless the laws, statutes, and rules and regulations are changed. Eg in Mexico non-citizens cannot own any land that is within x miles adjacent to the sea coast , only leaseholds. A radical change is needed in who can buy property, keep America land and property for American citizens, and if this is offensive to anyone, tough beans.
Especially on the west coast where 1000s of people are living under bridges and on the streets.
@@jameswest4819 absolutely, as a CA native it is astounding the amount of people I personally know who have either left the state already or want to leave, myself included. The driving factor being the outrageous living costs and over population that leaves employers no incentive to pay barely over minimum wage because if you want more money they will just find someone who doesn't and you'll be out a job.
@@margietucker1719 Where the affordable housing is are the wages low or are they decent livable wages? Is the affordable housing in the ghettos?
So you live in "paradise" but have two jobs, working seven days a week, everything is expensive and really bad traffic? Alright.
@@BrokenCircuitRanch big island is my favourite, kauai & moloka'i also awesome
forget maui and oahu :D
@@BrokenCircuitRanch What’s the average income on the outer islands? I’d assume most opportunity to be on Oahu just due to job availability.
@@BrokenCircuitRanch is the cost of living higher on Oahu? Fuel prices aren’t as high as outer islands, are food and other things cheaper? I find it hard to believe that the outer islands have lower costs or higher paying jobs to offset the cost of living where it’s more economical to live on an outer island. At the very least there are potentially more shifts I can pickup on Oahu for my second or third job hahaha
@@BrokenCircuitRanch just looking at median selling price big island is around the $400k mark. Those folks must be retiring and selling million dollar houses on Oahu.. I own a fixer upper worth maybe $650k(would be worth closer to $800k if family members weren’t idiots) but if I sold and bought a $180k new construction on big island I think I’d still outlive the money. Especially since I’d be paying taxes on the profit from selling even if I put it into an IRA. An uncleared lot on Hilo side is maybe $20k? Not sure what the cost to clear, scrape level, and run utilities and a road to some of those lots is.. it still seems like you would have to have money to begin with or I guess you could camp on your parcel while working and paying for improvements? I still think at a median selling price of $400k for Hawaii county you could get way more on the mainland and no risk of lava flows.
if anyone thinks thats bad go live in california and let me know how that goes in 4 years
I was a tour guide on Maui for 6 years and lived very well. With 1 job. I see alot of videos about what it's like to live in "Hawaii" as if it's the same everywhere there. the life in Honolulu is VERY different to living in rural Maui or Big island. Yes, it's expensive on housing and always will be. It also has the LOWEST property taxes in the US. If you can get your housing cost under control (a challenge) and live simply, the cost of living is reasonable. Farmers markets for food, growing lots of fruit in the yard, free entertainment in nature around you, lots of free local events, no real need for AC or heating, minimal clothing needs, state mandated health insurance when you work 20 hours per week (my work provided free health insurance) There are certainly pros and cons, but I love the lifestyle when you find the right place in the state of HI. The experience varies incredibly from location to location.
I noticed a lot of this when I went to Waikiki nine years ago. My advice to those who are from the lower 48 and want to visit Hawaii for the first time, when you set your food budget on your trip, multiple it by 2.
When we visited fifteen years ago. I was shocked by the prices. Outrageous! 🙁
Yeah, and the prices are getting higher.
Have you tried buying a home in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles or San Francisco?
Milk was 5 a gallon when I lived there. Its gotta be 10 now
@@HelloFromHawaii That is too bad to move to Hawaii. I wonder to change the place to move,just for sightseeing might be good.
I live in maui. Low income housing. And I make 70k a year. And barely scrape by. Work a lot, to be on vacation after work for an hour or two. Paradise for a few hours, hell for the rest lol
That is insane, i make less than you, working semi regular hours, have a really nice car, live in a 3 bed 3bath house in central Ohio. It’s deff the furthest thing from paradise tho.
Blueemu n...nothing but the truth,I was there for couple years in 1971...way worse now..
You need to leave. Life is too short.
Thanks for sharing. I hope you are at least enjoying those hours? I earn less than you and live in a beautiful condo with an easy job and shitloads of disposable income. And yet, here I am watching a youtube video on moving to hawaii lol.
This is very true, life in Hawaii is very hard especially for locals. I’m a native Hawaiian from the Big Island and me, my mom, and my brother were basically forced off the island because of the low job opportunities.
Sorry to hear that you moved. Hope things are okay on the mainland.
@@HelloFromHawaii much love to you!
I'm a 48 year old Californian whose lived in Cali, the Midwest & the south. I bought a home in Pepeekeo, Big Island for 296k in 2014. I'm a local home based business owner. I make custom quilts, offer quilting services and embroidery & embroidery design. My husband and I live off 1.8k a month. We grow our own veggies and fruits to supplement our meals. We eat more locally caught fish instead of beef & pork. I save on Helco bill with solar power. I think people's choices affect their economics in Hawaii more than the cost of living. I think those who are having trouble living in Hawaii need to rethink what they value in life. Do you need to live as you do. Can you live with less? The answer is most likely, yes. I have never been more economically stable & free than I have living in Hawaii because it allowed me to drop the baggage of what I thought I should be doing with my life and instead focus on the important things. I never felt more encumbered and burdened than when I lived on the mainland.
Same in Florida...The Beachcomber 😎!
A native Hawaiian said that real estate prices keep going up bc foreign investors buy up so many properties as their summer or second or Nth home or as an investment. And local ppl can’t compete with that and many ppl are moving to main land.
Happens in Colorado too & the homes just sit empty most of the year
That happens in all major cities. Chinese buyers come in and pay cash outright, and they’ll pay over market prices to get the property, tear down the house, and rebuild it.
Yes. Hawaii is becoming expensive even at this pandemic time. I’ve never owned a home, I’ve rented all my life and I Thank God that He provided for us. Which as a Christian we are here only for awhile then when Jesus returns we’ll go home with Him. But for now we are here and doing His work, and living in His Peace. God bless you my brother in your decision making. In Jesus Name. Amen.
@ Ernesto, what you said, for any Christian is all day, all day....as long as we have shelter over our heads, it does not have to be elaborate, if it is, still Praise God....but I feel as you do, be it an apartment or house....whatever, I am here but for a moment, to try to bring into the kingdom....keep, keeping on my brother....God is pleased....
Yes, the magical man in the sky shall provide now and forever, Amen. John 3:16. Let’s pray. Our Father, who ...
That’s a great way to look at the challenge.
I was only there for 2 nights after my husband passed away in Hawaii, the medical costs were horrendous and the food and hotel accommodation was quite expensive. Taking that aside you have a nation of very friendly, welcoming people who without their help and support I don’t know what I would have done. Times may be hard in your beautiful country but your hospitality is second to none don’t ever change 💕
Hawaii is not a country/ nation though it's part of the usa
Lived on Oahu 20 years ago. I recall being absolutely shocked at the price of food the first time I went grocery shopping. I was also surprised how bad traffic the traffic was during the morning and evening commutes.
We were there for holiday in Jan. Spoke to so many locals who confirmed same. Hubby and I were also in a bad road accident at the time and in our three weeks in hospital found that the nurses were working multiple jobs. (taxi drivers had other full time jobs. Teachers had second and third jobs). It was crazy to hear that so many people were working so hard just to survive and support their families. No time to enjoy their island paradise. It was Very sad to hear. And yes we noted cost of living was in generally expensive.
My daughter lives on Oahu for 10 yrs now. They work very hard. She helps the homeless on the island. People think that if they move there and can't afford it that they can just live on the beach. But that is not true. The police will run you off. If you are lucky you will end up in a shelter. She was in a car accident and has been waiting for 6 weeks to get her car repaired. All this time she has had to find another way to work. (Uber and Lyft do not work where she lives.) Their home is very small and friends always want to vacation in their home which ends up costing them alot of extra money. They are loving and caring people and have really enjoyed living there. They have had to make alot of changes to continue having their lives on the island but they believe it is well worth it. Aloha to you all.
My wife is from Hawaii and I’m from Georgia. The reality of living and working there is not what I expected. We see the tropical beautiful destination on TV and not much else. Everything from shared homes to multiple jobs is a burden that needs to be lifted from the people. Especially the lack of AC in most houses. They’ve also been over stepping the rights of the people in Oahu..all the windmills and the telescope. The people had no say.
Shared homes?
I live in the Florida Keys. I could so relate to all of this with the exception of batteries, and we have a 2 lane road for 120 miles from Miami that spans the islands. Vacation rentals have made workers homeless and forces even the native Conchs to leave to find somewhere close to affordable.
My wife and I was born and raised in Hawaii. We both graduated from Hawaii. We both have families there and both of our Father’s were in the military but different services. My wife was born at the Tripler Army Medical Center and I at the Saint Francis Hospital before Hawaii became Statehood. We left Hawaii 27 years ago after I retired from the Marine Corps and been here in California ever since. Do we both miss the Islands? Sure, but like you mentioned it’s not easy raising a family and working there. I’m fully retired now and we have a nice home. So I guess we both made the right decision for our family.
Mahalo for sharing. It's tough raising a family and it sounds like it was a great decision for you and your wife to settle down in CA. 🤙
I've always noticed that in the TINY fine print of almost every contest and sweepstakes promoted nationwide it says "Prizes will not be awarded in Hawaii or Alaska except for electronic transfer of cash prizes. " If the grand prize is a new car, it costs too too much to ship the car to Hawaii by sea freight or air freight.
We always get nothing lol. Shipping for us is like 5 times as much as the item
When I was a teacher there, it was called the “paradise tax.”
Hawaiis expensive because its so beautiful! I feel rich living here . I could never go back to the mainland. Im doing amazing here and im very fortunate and thankful 🥲
well, I live in Florida and life here is the same as in Hawaii but the quality is far better. we are are red state. not run by some woke leftists just like California or for God's sake, Oregon.
Florida is ghetto conpared to Hawaii.
You don’t have to be a bitch and rub it in people faces. That can’t live like that
Ruby,May I ask what you do for a living in order to survive in Hawaii? I'm just curious which jobs can support a life in your state.
Same here in Sioux Falls. Wherever you are, please don't come here.
Thanks for making this- I'm glad to see a perspective on Hawaii other than the normal touristy stuff. Cheers from Arkansas!
🤙
You wake up at 5 am and sit in traffic for hours. You work for 8 hours and hit more traffic on the way home. Everyday!!!
That could be because of terrible roads, one lane each way, poorly maintained!
Everyday Traffic sucks here that's for sure...👎🏽👎🏽
Try living in NYC it’s way way worse. So much more manageable to live in Hawai’i.
Kailani Capelouto lol I don’t get it I used to commute from Haleiwa to Waikiki work at 4pm and be home at 10.. then from Kapolei to Waikiki it’ll take me like 30 mins for both areas Kapolei and Haleiwa.. don’t be afraid to be there it’s more nice.. people in mainland example I’m from the Bay Area people work in Bay Area and live in Tracy, Stockton takes 1:10 no traffic then with traffic like 2-3 hours and to make it worse there’s nothing to do there you need to go to Bay Area and find things to do.. that’s the same story to people that move from ca to Texas, Arizona and Las Vegas don’t get me wrong you better homes for cheaper
Chris Stokilo but at least NYC has a semi good public transportation system. Hawaii only has the bus. Which also has to sit in hours and hours or gridlock traffic. Unlike NYC, theres no way to bypass traffic
Thanks for sharing. I've always felt that way. Currently one year on the mainland bc I never got a good job offer in HI after graduating with my Masters. Not to also mention that home prices aren't just BC of local competition, but wealthy Americans, Japanese, Chinese investors buying up property and driving the building of luxury condos, which also increase the property prices in the area.
Dude , since I was a kid growing up I wanted to move from my Texas town of San Antonio to New York or L.A. or Chicago . When I was at that age I could travel believe me , I did. I wanted to move even to Houston or Dallas , and my favorite Chicago anywhere to get me out of this laid back city . You know that , the older I got the more I realize the “ grass isn’t always greener “. I noticed the homeless , the dirty downtown , traffic and cost of living in the other cities . I’m glad I decided to stay . San Antonio has always been a nice city but now it’s so beautiful and coming to its own . Cost of living is low , big homes and mansions If you’d into that , great economy . You can live in a beautiful big house and great schools and clear air ; it’s possible ! If I want to go to a paradise vacation I just book a trip but return to my beautiful Texas ! I guess most of all there is Nothing like good ole Texas southern hospitality ! I’m just hoping the Californians don’t ruined our state ! They don’t understand it is politics that has ruined their beautiful state !
Texas just opened up 100% despite Covid. Downside to living in Texas - politicians who care more about business than their citizens.
@@benjalucian1515 let’s analyze this shall we ? We have a state ( California ) that has the “plague” developing with the “ don’t touch , don’t remove homeless “ that is causing more of a disease issue than C-19 . Also California is working around the Sanctions: for example : movie and porn industry and the mass exodus that IS California but compared to the southern belt states strong economy but yah Benja ..it’s Texas’s fault . Texas is opening up and dealing with this epidemic, we’re honest ... not like hypocrites that are Californians ! If that’s how you feel stay in that disaster of a state that you created instead of running .. fight and get your state back , but they won’t .
@@SOCCERNUT32 - no, they're not. The capital city of Texas, Austin, filed suit against the state government for ignoring CDC recommendations on masking and distancing that have been shown statistically and scientifically to work to slow down transmission of the disease. A judge agreed with the city of Austin. Governor Abbott is corrupt and the Attorney General is a criminal about to do prison time, a man the governor has failed to ask to resign in over 6 years.
It’s really ashamed that California once a beautiful state, it becomes a third world state without hope of revival.
Great video! 🙌🏼 thanks for sharing your perspectives
You're so welcome!
I was a part owner of two condos in Maui for years. I had to sell because of the astronomical cost increases. HOA fees went from about $250 per month to about #1,000 per month in seven years. Food, groceries....everything was so much higher than the mainland. Also, there isn't a really good hospital on Maui, so don't go there if you have a chronic illness.
Hoa fees can go up that much? OMG....I always wanted to own a condo, but your comment makes me reconsider.
No kidding! Have to be helicopter to Queens medical center on Oahu ! If you have any mobile disabilities and something happens your on the floor waiting for days and could die due to no medical access! Not a good place to live if you have medical disability
@@paperroses7615 My friend who lives on Maui said that the locals voted down a hospital. Not sure the reason but I think she said the locals were afraid it would encourage more people to move there. ??
@@moe4meswtdg There's a tendency to build on land that's sacred and the environment very irresponsible and prejudice to vote down a hospital 🏥⚡🔥 I'm not surprised because they make up their own rules as they go over there I had a few nice friends but the rest was so prejudiced to the point of it being dangerous to live there sadly this was early 2000 year . Okay to visit but not live there to much prejudice and hostility and can be dangerous life threatening. A cruise ship company tried hiring all native locals but they sabotaged it by rehanging dirty bath towels and putting dirty sheets back on the bed rotten food yes they really did it! The cruise line was trying to help the unemployment ⚡🔥 but they just threw it back in the face ! They ended up hiring a whole new crew due to many complaints when things happen in the islands things happening travels fast . There's a small island between Hawaii and Maui island one guy comes in where I worked intending to snorkel over to it but he was warned to not go even close because it's only indigenous people and they will hurt him they have guns over there too and they use them people very commonly go missing due to hatred and prejudice ⚡🔥 Sadly the local law is crooked too and doesn't protect anyone but their own interests It's to primitive living and too expensive $ One day I woke up and was mostly paralyzed and the nearest hospital is on Oahu and no ambulance to come get you to get on a helicopter to Oahu to Queens hospital That explain another reason why they don't want it they rather people die than have a hospital Not worth living there ⚡🔥😈 too much Prejudice 😈
@@paperroses7615 I agree with every thing you’ve said. All the people on this thread talking about how nice the Hawaiian people are. -- ?? Not been my experience. I was almost run off the road twice by angry native motorists. And my friend who lives there, said the people don’t take education seriously, skipping class when the surf is up. And they continue to talk a gibberish form of English. And I had a three hour talk with a former college history professor who lives in Maui, and he said one of the reasons there is so much poverty among the natives is that previous generations sold their land and homesteads to rich mainlanders, and left nothing for their grandkids. Just so they could spend their golden years laying on the beach. And that there are few native blood Hawaiians. They all immigrated from other places, mostly Japan, and the other Pacific islands, to work in the sugar fields, farming, etc. and your story about the snorkeler going to a remote island is true. On HBO documentaries, Anthony Bourdain visits and island there just like that, and that’s exactly what the natives said too.
Right on, especially your last line. I was Born and raised in Hawaii, mostly Oahu. Left when I was 18, and have stayed away. I do miss some things, but I own a great house, don't worry about food or gas. Where I live the traffic is nothing. I have no financial stress compared to all my friends back home, and many of them make more than I do. I used to say I would go back someday, but not anymore.
Lots of great opportunities outside of Hawaii. It's tough, but somehow people manage. However, more locals are realizing how much easier it is elsewhere. When I was on the Mainland, I couldn't believe the housing prices. So cheap compared to Hawaii! :)
I moved to the mainland back in 1982. I was born and raised on Oahu. As they say lucky U live Hawaii. Hawaii has amazing foods. So does Chi-town. I live a simple life out here. I have friends who live out in Vegas and Reno who use to live on Oahu back in the day. Of course back in the 60's, 70's and 80's things like homes were more affordable, especially out in the Nevada area where my friends bought homes back than. You pay the price to live in Paradise. Aloha.
@Ted Montana Sorry to butt in, but yes, absolutely. I was born in Hawaii, moved to the mainland as a young boy, then moved back when I was in my thirties. So I can see the contrasts in the culture and that's another video completely, and a long one.
When my husband and I had the pleasure of living there in the early 90s, we HAD to shop at Costco to get by. We got more for our money. I would spend certain weekdays running around getting the food sales at the local markets. Tough, but loved it.
I was paying $2,400/ mo for a one bed efficiency in ‘95, in Honolulu. It was in an older, well-kept building near Waikiki. I can’t imagine what that would cost now. It was SPENDY back then. I left due to the economy, but I can’t count the days I wish I’d stayed. During a visit in ‘97 I found a house at Lihue for$58k. As cheap as inter-island fares were, I could have easily commuted, and by now I’d be payed-off and diggin it! New wife said NO. Damn. It is the most beautiful, friendly place I’ve ever lived. Loved the life.
This is true for most tropical islands. Source: Former USVI resident
Come to the Dominican republic. Get you a nice one bedroom apartment for $450 a month
What about non tropical islands?
@@kristoffliftoff9316 depends where you want to live. Do you want to live somewhere where it's warm all year round? Don't like cold weather?
Even though we were fortunate enough to live on Oahu and own a home with one income, it probably meant working until 67 or older. There's a saying, "Work to live, don't live to work". So I transferred to Utah for my Govt work, but built a home in Las Vegas. In a year, I realized that we could probably manage if I retired and just moved to Vegas, so we did. Like you said, there's things we all miss in Hawaii, and there's definitely things we don't miss. Your video hit it on the head. Vegas is definitely the 9th island with so much locals here. Locals that opened food joints, food trucks, from chicken katsu to poke bowls, you definitely don't get homesick for the food. :)
So true! And I was surprised to see so many ABC stores when I went to Vegas!
That’s awesome!! Enjoy, bruh!
Why do you think so many from Hawaii are in Las Vegas? It's warm in Vegas, but a desert. I would think more Hawaii transplants would be in California or Florida unless they don't miss the beach.
@@jenanalleman6285 me personally, Florida puts me too far from family back home. Florida can also be extremely humid, like 95-100%, plus all their hurricanes. As for California, too much of everything...traffic, expensive housing, gun restrictions, etc. Also, of the 6 or 7 states with no income tax returns, I chose #1 as Nevada, #2 Wyoming, #3 Washington, and pass on the rest. LOL!
Very insightful & helpful! Thank you for sharing!
Glad it was helpful!
I know this video was made 4+ yrs ago and things are different now.
I currently live here on Oahu, I moved here in 2013. Lately I've been watching videos like this about life here on the islands. This gentleman's perspective I believe represents the masses who have lived here a long time or those who were born here.
However, after living in over 30 different places my feelings are quite different.
I absolutely love living here and don't think it's hard at all. The topics he brings up are real, the facts regarding cost of living are real. But, it's not that way for everyone.
You create your life through your thoughts and beliefs, so if you believe it's hard... then it will be hard.
Everyone's perspective is different and therfore their experiences are as well. So if one learns how to change one's perspective, then you can change your life. I had the same perspective as this man did for the first 5 yrs I was here. The island is still the same, even getting worse in most people's eyes, but it's life in paradise for many people!
I hope people could learn that life is what you make it and not what other people say it is, no disrespect to this fine gentleman.
Everything in this video is so true! After 6 years on island my husband and I were ready to buy a house. Just before we decided to buy we had a pros and cons discussion. We wanted to expand a lot of things including our family and one day I wanted to be a stay at home mom or maybe just work very part time. We decided we couldn't put up with the traffic anymore, beaches were getting too crowded to enjoy, food prices rising, our salaries were not going up anytime soon and our future home would be more than half our monthly income. On top of that $600-$800 a month for in home childcare. We asked ourselves how would we be able to survive if one of us got sick/injured or lost our job? We wouldn't be able to survive. Fast forward to the pandemic we know now that we would have lost everything. We moved to FL purchased a home for less than 1/4 the cost of the home we were looking at in Hawaii, its 5 miles from the beach. I work part time 10-15 hours a week, and our income is less than half what we made in Hawaii together. I know how to make my husbands favorite local Hawaii eats. So we are set. 😜
I partially grew up in Hawaii (military) and been back a few times for vacation. I miss it but couldn’t live there for the same reasons. I’ve been to Miami/Southern Florida a few times and it’s very similar weather wise, just a bit more humid. The same coconut trees 🌴 are there too. It was the closest Hawaiian feel I got here on the mainland. Florida is a good choice.
Women have the option to be a "stay at home mom" and Women have the nerve to complain.
Same thing happened to Seattle.
What a troll. What you're assuming is a luxury fo most is a necessity if you LOVE your babies. Day care is expensive, why "work to afford day care" when you can budget and raise your babies in a safe nurturing environment. Your mom raised you right? Or maybe your comment stems from "mommy-abandonment" issues???
Men have options too. It depends what kind of wife you want to surrender your package to and if you want to be a stay at home. After 11 years im very happy running errands, getting household chores done, making homemade meals and having a home run the way it should. With both people in the home working 1 and sometimes 2 jobs things get chaotic. I can't begin to explain the feeling of accomplishment if feel with the consistency of my schedule/life. My last job and a child protective investigator was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. My eyes were opened to how important it was NOW that my child was still young. Moving back to the mainland was a good choice.
I have some Canadian friends who pulled stakes and moved to Hawaii.
There must be some downsides as they were pretty excited to leave here.
So surprised to see them back after only one year.
It’s so sad, the reality for kamaaina. I hoped my parents would have been able to pass on the house they worked SO hard to buy in 60’s. With sacrifice it WAS possible then. When I would visit dad, he would ALWAYS ask (when preparing supper, “How hungry you?”). He would portion EVERYTHING.
Your videos bring such joy remembering Hale Koa for their 50th anniversary party, lunch with Auntie at Ilikai, taking Mainland friends to their first teppanyaki at Ala Moana Center.
At 18, I saw the financial struggles then to own a home. On the Mainland at that time, homes were like mansions for what my dad paid for a small house. It was then I decided to live Mainland because it was a dream to own a NEW home. My dad came to visit when I moved into my new home. He had to INSPECT it to be sure it was good. My mom used to send me local favorites to fix, and snacks. But even Amazon has everything Hawaii I ever want.
But, I miss the ohana feel, local style gatherings, just being with locals. And yes, am guilty of asking, “You from Hawaii?”. Once, in Germany, this man and I turned simultaneously asking, “You from Hawaii?” WE WERE! Just want to thank you for your videos! Like the talk story kine. Brings smiles to back then.
Have to go to 9th Island just to feel like back home and get local food.
Used to get fresh poi shipped from west coast…no mo.
Where I live there's choke Hawaiians. They always have local style parties, etc. Maybe you can find that where you live?
Good real talk video! My son (active duty Navy) and daughter-in-law, have lived there for the past 3 years, and yes, they made the best of it and had some enjoyment, but overall they hated it and they're so excited to be moving back to the mainland in a couple weeks.
Sorry to hear they didn't have a good experience here. It's not for everyone. Most people end up leaving within 5 years. You can only do so much on an island and it gets expensive.
Thanks for this reality check. Paradise is not paradise anymore.
It is if you can afford it, just like other crowded destinations like California
IT NEVER WAS “paradise”.
Nailed it. I lived there a year and absolutely loved the pros but the cons out weigh the pros for the working class.
This gentleman makes some good points. As a former resident of Maui, one key decision is which island on which one chooses to reside. Also after 20 years I can say I do miss Hawaii very much. Several visits have helped. Aloha!
Mahalo!
I can imagine. I met a lady from there in the early 2000s and she said she had to have 3-4 jobs to maintain and that’s why she left. This was in Minnesota. This is exactly what’s happening in NYC. Also, whenever I encounter people from the mainland, who have moved to Hawaii, they are SO unhappy and mean but when I talk to the natives, they are really sweet and kind.
The cost of housing issues are very real everywhere. I'm in MD and if I had to purchase my home again there is no way that I could afford it.. No Way.
I moved to Hawaii from Maryland and I agree it’s expensive in MD as well. I’m from the Montgomery county area. But atleast in Maryland you can drive off to other states lol here you’re stuck
@@cinderellaasmr I wouldn't wanna be stuck anywhere else even with all the struggles, but HERE IN HAWAII, MY HOME FOREVER & EVER!!! Mahalo Ke Akua
I moved from Annapolis to the Big Island and honestly MD was way more expensive than it is here.
Same. Basically the Boomer generation was by in large the last generation to be allowed to afford property. Wages kept up with living costs in their earning years. Our currency is being devalued by Federal Reserve, especially since 2008 and will be really bad moving forward.
No matter where you go or who you are, Life is never easy!
Imma disagree with you on that
It's a lot harder in places like North Korea.
@@chrischris666 Everything is relative
@@jonathanilabbeluong3603 Everyone has problems, even if they're imagined
@@brucebaker3523 yes, everything is relative so by definition some lives would be considered "easy" and some "difficult"
I lived in Honolulu and Makapuu in the late 60s and early 70s, and it was so wonderful. At the Ala Moana mall the areas between stores were wide open, with Koi pools and fountains, and no sales kiosks. It's really sad to hear how dense it's become. It makes total sense, because Hawaii is awesome like no other place I've ever been, but the nicer a place is the more people are going to want to move there.
Mahalo for sharing. Getting a lot denser, especially around the Ward area.
People want to live in the nice places like Hawaii and Florida. They will pay for Paradise!
I just subscribed thx for the great content. I never realized how hard it is to live in Hawaii
My husband and I love vacationing in Hawaii. We often have wondered what it must be like to live there. Last time we went, we talked to some people on the plane who lived there and were moving back to the mainland because they said living there was a tough lifestyle and that they needed better cost of living.
I lived in Hawaii for many years. The cost to live there was just too much and I moved. I try to go back every 1-2 yrs because it’s just so beautiful!!
thanks for your company -makes me smile-helps to stay confident
I have cousins who have lived in Oahu for over 30yrs. They don’t have a large yard or big home, but they keep a nice sized garden to supplement their food. The plus is they can maintain a garden all year round.