I will be moving from Great Lakes, Il. to Honolulu, Hawaii in the summer of 2006 (military). Don't want to live on base, so was wondering if anyone had any suggestions? Will be moving with my sister and my daughter (10), so would like to know about the schools. Would this be a good place to raise my daughter? Looking for someplace that is warm and friendly. Please help. If necessary, I can change my destination. Thanks

Your post is unclear. The title refers to the island of Hawaii (Big Island) and the body of your post says Honolulu which is on the island of Oahu. I'm guessing you will be stationed on Oahu since most of the bases are located there.

Honolulu is on Oahu, not the Big Island.

We'd need to know more specifics about what base you'd be working out of to make better recommendations of areas to live in. School information (unless you're sending your daughter to a private school) depends on the area you'll live in.

Hawaii is a wonderful place to live, but there are considerations to keep in mind before moving here. First is the fact that you're living on an island. Some people get "rock fever" - they hate the fact that they can't get in their car to drive a few hundred miles for a quick getaway.

Second is the relatively high cost of living. The rental market is pretty tight right now - finding something suitable might be a longer process than it used to be several years ago.

Third is the concept of "island time". When I moved back home after 8 years of living on the mainland, it was a bit of an adjustment. Not to say that "island time" automatically means slow and inefficient - but (as an example) the cashier at the market stops to "talk story" with the woman in front of you who has been a longtime customer of hers. Won't hold you up but a minute, but it's not necessarily the fastest.

Fourth is the "island culture". Part of this is based off of the many (racial) cultures that exist here, and part is just "local" (not race based) culture. Hard to explain, really.

Hopefully the above considerations don't sound too negative. I don't mean it to be that way, as many people move here and love it. At the same time, people move here and don't care for it, either.

In talking with mainland transplants, I've heard that the hardest transition may be fitting in with the "local culture". I think that if you understand that things aren't necessarily going to be the same as on the mainland, and are open and accepting of your neighbors, they will in turn welcome you with warmth and friendliness.

If you are, in fact, moving to the Big Island, you should check out www.konaweb.com. There is a "moving to the big island" message board on that site that is very active and very helpful.

I have many military friends who have been stationed there. The schools are some of the worst. I would send to private if at all possible. Maybe even homeschool. That is the reason we chose not to the move there. If I didnt have kids I would go without a second thought! I love Hawaii... especially Oahu!