Oahu07

I will be moving to Oahu, Hawaii (Ewa Beach), around August 2007. My sisters husband is in the Navy and has been stationed in Hawaii (he is also Samoan, so has lived there his entire life), so my sister will be moving there with my nephew next year. Both my sister and brother -in-law asked if I would like to make the move to Hawaii so we (my sister and I) could continue running our business. I thought about it and said what the hell, why not, let's go. So that is how I came to be posting this email regarding a move to Oahu.

I would have asked my brother-in-law all the questions, but with him being out to sea so often, it is really hard to catch up with him.

Okay, my questions.......wait....first off,
I will be moving from Chicago. I have an 11yr old daughter (who by the way is so excited about the move). I am currently a Special Access Specialist for a communications company, however, I also have administrative experience, so my brother-in-law at least told me I should not have a problem locating a job.

Now, my questions.......
1. I hear the cost of living is outrageous, could someone that lives in Oahu offer feedback?

2. I've started taking classes to learn the Hawaiian language. Should I continue to learn Hawaiian, or drop that calss to learn Samoan?

3. How are the schools (middle) in Ewa Beach?

4. Are there single parent groups?

5. I know there is a Dave & Busters on the island, are there theme parks?

6. What are the names of the bank institutions in Oahu? If possible, I would like to open an account now, if the same institution is in Chicago.

7. Do you guys have Krogers (food store) or Safeway?

8. This may be a really dumb question....here goes......I have been pretty much spring cleaning since I made the decision to move. Outside of maybe one or two sweatsuits (don't plan on coming back to the mainland anytime soon), is it safe to say, I could give away or throw out all our winter clothing?

9. Are there bowling leagues (children)?

All in all, I am very excited about this move. I have heard nothing but good things about Oahu, from family and friends who have visited Oahu in the past. I am looking to become more mellow. Right now, I am constantly moving, and am looking forward to lazy days (weekends of course) at the beach, or hanging out on the lanai. All the information you guys can provide will be most appreciated.

I forgot to mention, we already have a place to stay when we get there, but eventually, I will be looking for something of my own.

Thanks for your input, Aloha : )

ANP2

I am also thinking about living in Hawaii in the future. What fruits and vegetables are grown in Hawaii? What is the Hawaiian diet?

chepar

Not sure what the job market will look like next year, but currently unemployment is pretty much at a real low. I know that my firm is having a hard time finding qualified administrative/clerical help.

1. Cost of living is pretty high. Many people work several jobs. The highest expense is housing. Gas is higher than on the mainland, cost of goods is also higher because almost everything is shipped in.

2. You really don't need to take Hawaiian language lessons - at least in the sense of needing to speak Hawaiian to communicate. It is good so that you'll be able to pronounce street names, I guess. Not sure why you would need to take lessons in Samoan.

3. Can't help you re schools in Ewa Beach.

4. I'm sure there are, but I don't know of any.

5. The closest thing to a theme park is the water park in Kapolei.

6. Bank of Hawaii, American Savings, City Bank, Territorial Savings, Central Pacific Bank, First Hawaiian Bank. Those are the first that come to mind.

7. This is kind of weird. Are you asking specifically about Kroger or Safeway - or are you asking if we have grocery stores? If you're talking about national grocery chains, we have Safeway. There are also several other local chain supermarkets.

8. The coldest I recall the temperature ever getting at night during winter is in the mid 50's. You won't need a heavy winter coat, if that's what you're asking.

9. There are bowling alleys and there are league nights, but I don't know offhand if any of the leagues are for kids.

It's good that your BIL grew up here (and I'm assuming still has family here) - you'll have a ready made family base to help you through the adjustment and transition period when you get here.

MelissaHI

Good stuff chepar! And here's my 2 cents to add on to her comments:
1. Cost of living is high, and many people work two jobs. HOWEVER....it can be done. As with any city, you will be able to find discount stores, cheap yummy mom-and-pop restaurants, Walmart, Costco, etc. The most outrageous thing is the price of gas, so try not to drive a big ol' SUV if you don't have to.

2. Ditto chepar!

3. I'm not sure how the middle schools in Ewa Beach are. Here's a link to the Department of Education:
http://doe.k12.hi.us/
which you can then cross reference with this annual report:
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/psg/intro.html

If you decide to send your kids to a private school, here's a link:
http://www.hais.org/school_directory.htm

4. You mean Parents Without Partners? I believe there are.

5. Ditto chepar. There's also a big arcade & theater at Pearlridge Center (www.pearlridgeonline.com).

6, 7, 8 - ditto chepar. I guess it depends on how thin your blood is. I think it gets colder out in the "country" where you will be, which is down in the 50s. But even at that, you will probably be wearing shorts and a sweatshirt. We call that a "two blanket night."

9. I *think* the military bases may have this.

You should check with the Chamber of Commerce for a Newcomer's Guide--it may be $4 or something but well worth it.

Keep checking the media outlets:
honoluluadvertiser.com
starbulletin.com
khnl.com
kitv.com
khon.com
kgmb.com

and, here's a good one:
http://ssl.honoluluadvertiser.com/li...006/index.html

Jolie

1. COL is high. Average house is something like $650,000 - and I do mean "average." I don't think the houses are built as well there, or with as good materials as on the mainland, but since everything has to be shipped in, that's understandable. I think condos average around $340,000.

2. Few people speak Hawaiian. Samoan might be better if you want to speak to your relatives-is-law. But for business purposes, Japanese would be better (if you will deal with tourists) or Tagalog if you will work with local families (many Filipino families there speak it).

5. There is a water park near Kapolei (not far from Ewa Beach). There is also SeaLife Park which is like a mini-Sea World. There are no full theme parks with rides like roller coasters; however, there are carnivals and fairs with temporary rides by E.K. Fernandez (they are put up specially for the event, such as the State Fair in the Stadium parking lot) then taken down again. There are also game arcades around the island like FunFactory. And, there is an ice skating rink right across from Aloha Stadium.

7. There are many Safeways. Other gorceries are Times, Star, Foodland. There are also health and organic stores like Down to Earth. There are Long's Drugs stores, and Walmarts, Costcos and Sam's clubs.

8. I would keep some. You might visit someplace cold while you are there (are you never going to leave Hawaii?). Also, even if you visit the neighbor islands, you can encounter freezing temperatues, such as on Haleakala. I would keep a little bit of winter clothes.

9. Oahu lost many of its old bowling alleys. But there are still a few around, and I think the military bases all having bowling alleys.

A small tip, if I may - when you do get there and are invited to anyone's home, you ALWAYS take your shoes off before going in. I learned the hard way (I didn't know any better). And people drive slowly - even more so when it rains, even a light drizzle.

I love Hawaii, and would certainly take an opportunity like the one you have. Good luck.

Jolie

I forgot to add something, and I hope I don't offend anyone from Hawaii.

But in my opinion, the people of Hawaii can seem like the biggest racists around. There is a stereotype for everyone - Haoles (whites) are greedy land thieves, Japanese are secretive and nerdy, Hawaiians are lazy and on welfare, Filipinos are violent (I think same steretype for Samoans), Chinese are tight with money, etc.

But if you can get past all that, it turns out that there are so many nice people, and everybody looks racially mixed, that I don't know where it comes from. Somehow it seems so racist, yet there are so many diverse people living in harmony. It was really weird.

suze

Oahu07:

2. You don't need to learn Hawaiian nor Samoan unless it is of interest to you. English is what people will be speaking.

7. Grocery store chains are Food Pantry, Safeway, etc.

8. I would keep some warm clothes, as there can be storms and cool weather on Oahu. Also if you ever travel off-island you might want them.

MelissaHI

Hey, Jolie, I'm sure you didn't mean it the way it sounded, but the stuff about racism is actually something that goes back to the plantation days. So many cultures & ethnicities were thrown into one place that one way of coping with it was to highlight the stereotypes and turn it into humor. If you go to comedian Frank DeLima's show, you will see that he makes fun of every ethnicity, even his own. Heck, I make fun of my own. That's what keeps us living in harmony. It's not true racism like you see on the mainland.

mark99

Ohh you lucky lucky (*(*^&^

As a frequent traveler between mainland and Honolulu, I can alleviate your fears on the cost of living. What they call high cost of living...you will find quite normal coming from CHicago. I live in Miami, and actually I find most items approximately the same. Housing is about the same as Chicago, actually I think you will find it better.

As for language, if you wanted to add a language that would be helpful there..that would most definately be Japanese!

Japanese is to Honolulu as Spanish is to Miami.

The grocery stores are my dream come true...lots of fresh fish, sushi, etc. and I saw little price difference as compared to back home.

I envy you....but I will see you there in about 10 years!

MelissaHI

p.s. Hawaiian words are part of our everyday life. Not conversational Hawaiian, mind you, but words here and there. Directions go from Ewa to Diamond Head, Mauka to Makai.

My friend's toddler speaks Hawaiian and every so often, I will spout off a word that I know and he'll shoot me a look, like, "very good!"

Not sure about the comment re: Filipino since there are so many different dialects.

One more thing....the unemployment rates are very low here so hopefully that will remain till you get here! Jobs are plentiful right now--it's so hard to find good help (people who don't have psychological problems etc)

islandmom

Ewa schools would be a rough transition for a new child to Hawaii. They are newer but cultural differences would be great and the schools don't test well. The peers will be rough for your daughter unless you have family youngsters to look out for her.

I've been here 13 years and have yet to learn any language. I took French for the fun of it.

The grocery stores don't have the selection like the mainland.

It will be an adjustment yet hopefully a great experience.

JoyceL

I lived in Hawaii for two years in the 1970s. I do not recall ever hearing anyone speak Hawaiian. Everyone spoke English.

What many Hawaiians do speak is something called "pidgeon English". Pidgeon English was very common when I lived there. I do not know if there are classes taught in this. But after being exposed to enough pidgeon, you can probably figure it out for youself, even without classes. Pigeon was used mainly by native Hawaiians speaking amongst themselves, not in interaction with other ethnic groups. Everyone I met who spoke pidgeon also spoke regular English.

As a previous poster mentioned, rascism is probably the biggest cultural issue you will encounter, or at least it was when I lived in Hawaii. Afro-americans had a particularly difficult time. But there was also considerable anti-white discrimination.

Oahu07

Thank you so much for your responses. I am even more excited about this move. You have helped me calm down quite a bit. I talked to my sister and found that my daughter will be attending school in Pearl City with her extended ohana. So instead of Ewa Beach school info I will take a look at the links for Pearl City.

Chepar, if you could provide information regarding your company, and the administrative opportunities offered, I would greatly appreciate it. I would like to get my resume out there soon.

As far as grocery stores, I was interested in finding out if any of the chains were familiar.

My BIL's family mostly live in Hawaii (Pearl City), so I will have a very large extended family awaiting my arrival.

I currently have t-mobile as my cell phone provider. Will I need to change carriers?

I kind of figured the cost of living was pretty much the same as any major city. I just didn't want to get to Hawaii and find a loaf of bread with a price tag of $7.00, or a gallon of milk at $5.00 (wait, we are pretty close to $5.00 a gallon on the mainland).

Right now, I pay $2.49 a gallon for gas within the city limits. How much is gas going for in Hawaii?

My Mom told me to throw this in, so when she comes to visit she will know if she needs to bring extra money......does Honolulu have casino's?

Today, Chicago will have a high of 39 degrees. August 2007 is not coming soon enough. I dread the cold weather. : )

Aloha

MelissaHI

we have tmobile here as well as all other major carriers (in case you do decide to switch at any point).

Casinos/gambling is illegal in Hawaii, which is why Las Vegas is called 'the 9th Island.'

Gas is hovering near $3 a gallon...depends when and where you buy.

You might want to wait till you get a little closer to August to send your resume....I don't think anyone will be hiring a year in advance! subscribe to the Career Builder in the honoluluadvertiser.com site.

Hawaii has changed a lot since the 70s. Just be respectful of the culture, don't keep lamenting that you want things to be like they are on the mainland, and be open to everything you experience.

One of our shopping center GMs was white and had an african american wife and they & their kids were so sad when they relocated to the mainland after 10 years here. they lived in central oahu as well. He looks back on his time here as a gift....I don't think that's the attitude of someone who felt racism, esp since the family is constantly yearning to move back.

chepar

At regular supermarkets, bread is about $3 a loaf and milk is about $6-$7 a gallon - regular price. However, if you sign up for those supermarket customer cards, there is always something on special, so you can get the bread for more like $2 per loaf and milk for $5 per gallon (if you're not picky about the brand). Or go to Costco, where it's cheaper.

The cheapest place to get gas is at Costco, and right now it's about $2.65.

No casinos, no gambling, no lottery, etc.

Right now my firm has filled whatever positions were open, but to be honest, employers are pretty desperate these days for good help. If the job market is the same when you get here as it is now, you should have no problem finding a job.

As far as cultural issues, Hawaii has its own unique "local" culture. Things are not going to be the same as on the mainland, but if you are open, accepting and respectful of the differences, then you shouldn't have a problem. Having a family base here will help the adjustment tremendously.

As far as the racism claims, this is something that sometimes bugs me. I'm not saying it doesn't sometimes exist, but you'll find the majority of people in Hawaii that are not so close-minded.

However, the same thing can be said of probably every other state in the nation - that racism sometimes exists, but most of its residents are not so close-minded. The difference is that in Hawaii, the majority of people experiencing racism are white, which must be a very different experience for them.

I have friends who have moved here from the mainland and talk about how racist Hawaii is. It's a matter of perspective, because they haven't experienced it anywhere else. Along the same lines, I could say the same about North Carolina and Texas - places where I have lived and personally experienced racism - but of course I'm not going to label the entire state as being racist.

To the OP - the friends that I mentioned that complain about racism are in the minority. I have many other friends that have moved here and have not had such negative experiences. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Ag3046

Even thought it is a posting board for The Big Island, www.konaweb.com has great practical information for moving to Hawaii, in general.
You need to read up on shipping belongings, cars and their shipping and licensing, pets, etc.

Jolie

To the OP, MelissaHI, and others - I apologize for the way my post came off - I didn't mean that everyone in Hawaii is a racist. I suppose an example of what I meant is that people can call you "Haole" or "Pake" (or whatever term defines you by race) and yet not mean any insult by it - more likely, it's friendly talk. It was just a different experience for me.

I love Hawaii and the people in it, and I'm just very sorry if I offended anyone.

ANP2

Jolie,
I spoke to someone, who was very fair and she told me how she and people were sometime distinguished. She lived in Hawaii as a young woman in the 70s. I was telling her of my idea to retire in Hawaii because I was interested in the beaches, and the foods associate with a tropical island. She told me about how people are categorized and that prices were high there.

carolyn

As far as warmer clothing is concerned, I lived on Oahu for a year a long time ago when my husband was stationed at Schofield and maybe wore a sweater once or twice on a cool, rainy night. If you're used to Chicago weather, you won't need anything but summer clothes.

If you should go to the mountains on another island, just buy a wrap and save on the packing from home.

MelissaHI

To get a better understanding of the racial thing, go to see Frank Delima's show when you get here. Here's a link to his site:
http://www.frankdelima.com/about.html

He sums it up best when he talks about how we make fun of our ethnicities: He celebrates, not disregards, ethnic differences and integrates them into his comedic routines.

"Humor breaks down barriers and being able to laugh at oneself is the first step down that road," Frank explains.