How long have you lived away from Hawaii!

[aleno]

Yesterday made 20 years since I moved away from the state of Hawaii. I've only been back once for 1 week when my father died in 1999. a lot had changed from when I lived there. I plan to move back when I retire and wealthy enough to live comfortably. :)

[Leimamo]

I plan to move back when I retire and wealthy enough to live comfortably. :)
I doubt we'll ever be wealthy enough to live comfortably in Hawaii but if we're gonna struggle, no better place in the world to stuggle at.

This time, we've been away from home for 3 years and have another year to go before moving back home. ;)

[aleno]

I bet you wish the year would just fly by...LOL.
I need to be able to buy a house and have some sort of income where I don't have to work so hard. I thought of marring some one rich but I figure that might still be hard work.

[Mocha]

I don't live away but had to comment on Aleno's reply...yes you could marry someone rich! You don't have to be rich to live in Hawaii...you just have to be frugal. Priorities...kids first, then the pets, then the "regular" adults! We had to deplete what little savings we had while raising our kids, but they give back. And they take care of us now. Visit more often...and Lei the year will wiz by! :D

[Mokihana]

Too confunnit long! And I haven't been back. I know get plenny changes... and the 'aina is not the way it used to be when I grew up there... but still yet, the homesickness rages!

[Meisenzahl]

I left the summer of '81. Went off to the East coast, attended university, and now find myself 14+ years living in Tokyo, Japan, which is closer to Honolulu than Boston, so I get back with my family 1-2 per year.

[thebulacans]

sadly 20 years I go back when I get a chance last time was about 3 years ago
I miss it and have been trying to get my wife to move or a least visit more often

[kukui_nut]

Yesterday made 20 years since I moved away from the state of Hawaii. I've only been back once...

Ho. I neva realize that you've been away for so long...
(Eh, but you still "get 'em".)

I went to college in one of those "rectangular" states and absolutely hated it. I eventually finished my degree at UH.
So I give all you guys that moved to the mainland credit...
I doubt that I could do it...

[aleno]

Mahalo Kukui,

It does take alot 'fo be away from Hawaii. I miss home all the time. But I get family hea now and I not goin' leave yet.

Eh, I give you credit 'fo making the atempt. Takes alot to figua on moving.

Aloha,
Aleno
PS the ones who away......Aloha to you too.

[aleno]

I don't live away but had to comment on Aleno's reply...yes you could marry someone rich! You don't have to be rich to live in Hawaii...you just have to be frugal. Priorities...kids first, then the pets, then the "regular" adults! We had to deplete what little savings we had while raising our kids, but they give back. And they take care of us now. Visit more often...and Lei the year will wiz by! :D
I just wanted to reply to what you said about marring rich. They way I want to live when I return to Hawaii.....go fishing and just be a beach bum...you know....no work.LoL..... I need somebody to support the habit....hahahahaha.

Aloha,
Mocha.

[exadent]

10 years away from maui.ho bra way too long bra!

[Linkmeister]

I left the summer of '81. Went off to the East coast, attended university, and now find myself 14+ years living in Tokyo, Japan, which is closer to Honolulu than Boston, so I get back with my family 1-2 per year.

Wow. I lived there for two back in the early 1970s (it was actually Yokosuka). I'd imagine it's changed as much as Hawai'i has, if not more.

[Mocha]

Aleno: Is your son coming soon? Give him a big hug...you can take the person out of the Aloha State but you can't take the ALOHA out of the person! Have a wonderful reunion! :)

[Mocha]

Last message on this thread is a mistake...I don't think I meant Aleno, can't remember who was meeting his son sometime in July...after not seeing him for two or three years cuz he's in the service. Apologies to Aleno. :(

[Krash Kolohe]

Hoo...lessee. Twelve carry da one add tree.
Minus da time in Koolau and multiply da time me and Curtis
wen jump dem marines in Kailua. Ok..wait.

Divide five kakimochi wit nori and
one free pass to Palace Theatre ...um...I
been away too frickin' long.
(hoo if you remember where Palace Theatre was
you makule like me den!)

Bruddah stay on the beeg beeg Island of America
but I still stay "brown".
Every year I go back and get my "Island Flavah"
as a reminder that I am
Hawaiian blood.
Hawaiian born.
Hawaiian spirit.
Keiki o ka aina.
Kanaka maole

Watch out Makapu'u, bruddah Krash stay
coming home dis summah...gonna
get the feel of da warm waters of Hawaii nei
leaving behind the pilau cold pacific waters
of the West Coast.

Did I mention a special "bonding" moment
with a certain teriyaki plate lunch,
two scoop rice, mac salad
and side orda small saimin?
"scuse...me waitress but you guys
get day old poi?" :rolleyes:

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

4 years, 3 months, 12 days...

I might be moving to SF next year, so at least a little bit closer than NYC. Eventually I will be going back home, hopefully in the next 2-3 years. Hey, I'm a librarian, so I get no mo' kala no matter where I live... :D

[Mocha]

AuntieNellie: There is a need for SCHOOL librarians coming up...but you need a teaching certificate too. So if you have one, start searching...you may get lucky and get back to HI sooner than you think! :)

[aleno]

Last message on this thread is a mistake...I don't think I meant Aleno, can't remember who was meeting his son sometime in July...after not seeing him for two or three years cuz he's in the service. Apologies to Aleno. :(

Aloha Mocha,

I think it was meant for me. Much Mahalo for the sentiment and I hope your visit to Vallejo is good. The temp is increasing and 100 degrees expected here. Once in awhile it gets that hot near Vallejo but not to often. I hope you enjoy your time in California.
I spent time with my 3 sons and 2 out of 3 grandsons. What a blast we had traveling.
Oh yeah, theres a hukilau resturant in San Fran I like and if you are in the area there you ought to try it too. give me what you think.

Alot of mahalo and throw kisses to you,
Aleno :D

[Mocha]

Thanks for the tip Aleno...I'll check it out next time I'm in the city...and I'm glad you had a rewarding visit with all your guys! :)

[aleno]

Thanks for the tip Aleno...I'll check it out next time I'm in the city...and I'm glad you had a rewarding visit with all your guys! :)

There's the Aloha fest the 7th and 8th in San Fran. I plan to take my youngest boy to that. Were you planning on going?

Mahalo, being with my sons really put me back on track. Nothing beats family.

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

AuntieNellie: There is a need for SCHOOL librarians coming up...but you need a teaching certificate too. So if you have one, start searching...you may get lucky and get back to HI sooner than you think! :)

Unfortunately I don't have a teaching cert, if I did I would probably be back home working for the DOE as a zookeeper, uh, I meant teacher... :D I've considered going back to school for a Master's in Education if I could do it part time.

My focus is more college/university level, but I could work at the Hawai'i Medical Library(I've taken some medical administration classes and used to work in the billing dept. at Straub), at a law firm or the public system.

[AuntieNellieKulolo]

There's the Aloha fest the 7th and 8th in San Fran. I plan to take my youngest boy to that. Were you planning on going?

Mahalo, being with my sons really put me back on track. Nothing beats family.

I'm planning on going to this, sounds fun.

Does anyone know of any local style bakeries in the SF Bay area? I know get plate lunch places but I'm jonesing for guava chiffon cake, chantilly cake, malasadas, etc... :)

[EastCoastTropics]

Next month will make 20 years for me! Time sure does fly!

:eek:

[aleno]

Aloha,

Give a little history why you live away for so long, east coast tropics.

What state are you in and have you been back since you left?

[EastCoastTropics]

Aloha,

Give a little history why you live away for so long, east coast tropics.

What state are you in and have you been back since you left?

I met my husband when he was stationed on Oahu. We now live in MA!! :)

[Fernymack]

Hoo...lessee. Twelve carry da one add tree.
Minus da time in Koolau and multiply da time me and Curtis
wen jump dem marines in Kailua. Ok..wait.

Divide five kakimochi wit nori and
one free pass to Palace Theatre ...um...I
been away too frickin' long.
(hoo if you remember where Palace Theatre was
you makule like me den!)

Bruddah stay on the beeg beeg Island of America
but I still stay "brown".
Every year I go back and get my "Island Flavah"
as a reminder that I am
Hawaiian blood.
Hawaiian born.
Hawaiian spirit.
Keiki o ka aina.
Kanaka maole

Watch out Makapu'u, bruddah Krash stay
coming home dis summah...gonna
get the feel of da warm waters of Hawaii nei
leaving behind the pilau cold pacific waters
of the West Coast.

Did I mention a special "bonding" moment
with a certain teriyaki plate lunch,
two scoop rice, mac salad
and side orda small saimin?
"scuse...me waitress but you guys
get day old poi?" :rolleyes:

Tanks eh brah! I friggin had the coke coming out da nose!

For me...if has been almost 10 years (but I go home every summa). Whitmore Village Here I come. ( only fo grab my boggie board) Hawaiian!!!!

[Krash Kolohe]

Eh howzit Fernymack ...Halemano ??!!
Shoots brah ...I know 'zackly wea dat
is.

I still no can get da red dirt stains
off my feet from playing softball
at the elementary school barefeets!

My fuddah used to be janitor at
the elementary school ova dea..
no joke, brah. fo' reelz! :D

Things change plenny now...
neva been to Whitemore Village
in many moons. Mebbe I go
check 'em out dis summah wen
I go home to da aina.

Aloha Krash.

[makepagirl]

since 1981!! but, i flew to oregon last september to visit my pops..4th time seeing him since 1973...sooo he ordered tons o'stuff from zippy's online..manapua,porta.sausage,ling hi mui (spelling??),etc..besides having laulau,mac salad,teriyaki & rice balls ready with it..ahhh..made me homesick....oops!!can't 4get the poi!!!even as a grown up i still had to eat it with sugar!!!..mahalo for all da memories....

[paauilogirl]

Too confunnit long! And I haven't been back. I know get plenny changes... and the 'aina is not the way it used to be when I grew up there... but still yet, the homesickness rages!

Eh Sistah... Just found this site and what... you stay hea already.
Renee

[paauilogirl]

Yesterday made 20 years since I moved away from the state of Hawaii. I've only been back once for 1 week when my father died in 1999. a lot had changed from when I lived there. I plan to move back when I retire and wealthy enough to live comfortably. :)

I've been away for 33 yrs. But, I go home occasionally which is nice. I'm going again in 2 1/2 weeks. Can't wait. Big family reunion at the Laapahoehoe Point Beach so that will be really fun. Talk story and kau kau local grins.
Nae

[Mary]

I moved away from Hawaii in 1986 when my dad got transferred to Nebraska. Haven't been back since, but I would love to visit there, and hopefully live there someday! Yeah I know...wishful thinking, but it could happen!

[808_m3]

Left hawaii in 1998. I usually try to make trips back to hawaii at least once a year. Like all you guys, when I'm there I get my fill of all the local grinds...and then figure out how to burn off all that stuff when I get back.. :)

[memorylane]

2 or 3 of you here were there when i was then, be 'kine funny if we went to the same school. We left in November of 81, not too long after Hurricane Ewa----anyone remember that!? Spent a month at home before going on to the dreaded Georgia.......
Doe anyone know when and why they removed the cross from Kole Kole pass?? I wanted to cry when i read that online a few months ago, couldnt and still cant believe it! My brother (god rest his soul) and I used to climb inside the cross to the top and it symbolized what it did, how could they have removed it!!!?
:(

[Karen]

Doe anyone know when and why they removed the cross from Kole Kole pass?? I wanted to cry when i read that online a few months ago, couldnt and still cant believe it! My brother (god rest his soul) and I used to climb inside the cross to the top and it symbolized what it did, how could they have removed it!!!?The ACLU struck again, upset there was a religious symbol the "poor" public was "forced" to look at?! (G)

[Glen Miyashiro]

The ACLU struck again, upset there was a religious symbol the "poor" public was "forced" to look at?! (G)
Not quite. The Kolekole Pass cross (http://starbulletin.com/97/10/20/news/story2.html) had a lawsuit against it from Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church, which in part led the Army to decide to scrap it in 1997. Also, they weren't using it for Easter services any more. It was the Camp H. M. Smith cross that the ACLU sued against a few years earlier.

[Karen]

LOL a rose by any other name, still stinks? No, wait...those that sue to save someone's eyes from such er....oh nevah mind, I get it. (G) thanks~

[memorylane]

Thanks for the info Glen and Karen.....I guess I'll just have to make do of my old pic of it as I havent been able to find any pix of it online.

[Glen Miyashiro]

Here's a photo (http://starbulletin.com/97/10/21/news/wild.html) of the Kolekole Pass cross, just before it was dismantled.

[memorylane]

:mad: :( :o Thanks. My picture is too light to clearly tell that my deceased brother is on top like this guy but its almost the same shot. I was sitting here getting ticked off while ago looking thru stuff and seeing how the main basis was religious reasons.........it was just plain beautiful when I was able to see it from my bedroom window while living on Schofield all those years ago and that doesnt have jack to do with religion.

[Mahina]

Aiyaaaaa.....! Jus' realize I stay away from Hawai'i nei almos' eleven years awraddy!

Mmmmmph....whea da tissues? Da maka stay all wet lidat...musta get sumteen in um. :o

[fvck3k]

I'm going on my 6th year away from the islands. We make it back at least once a year. The changes happening in the Kakaako are is cool.

[Ailina]

I made 10 years in January. Hard to believe. Did most of us know we'd be gone so long when we stepped on that plane? I SWORE it wouldn't be more than a year.

And did most of us cry like a big baby? I didn't have a window seat on the way back. I'm kinda glad of it, too, because I know I would've made a big scene. I was inconsolable for at least a year.

I cried at the drop of a hat. Every time I'd hear Bob Marley...every time I'd look around and see the FLAT BROWN landscape, or the highway littered with billboards....

You know, my shoes had the red dirt on them forever. I didn't want to throw them away because they still had Hawaiian soil on them. And my Hawai`i drivers license!!! I hung onto that for two years! Then, I got my Louisiana license, and they confiscated it. I begged them to punch a hole in it or something, anything to let me keep it because "it's sentimental," but they had no mercy.

Dad tried to comfort me by taking me to a halau performance in Texas, but it had the opposite effect. I cried the whole time.

Sucks, but.

[EastCoastTropics]

I cried big time! Almost didn't wanna go onto the plane! Husband was in the Army and stationed out of Schofield...oldest daughter born at Tripler Army Med Center. I swear I didn't do it on purpose...while packing I accidently threw our plane tix away! Army had re-issue a second set! Fort Riley, Kansas was out in the middle of nowhere but I loved the slower pace there. It did remind me of home!

[WERUreo]

It's been just about 11 years since I left Hawai'i to come to Florida for college. I used to go home every summer and Christmas time for a few years, but then, I started only going for Christmas so that I could take summer classes. Then, eventually, I couldn't even go back for summer because I nevah have kala.

Now I have a job here and a fiance that works here. Kind of stuck little bit. We try to go back whenever we can. We went there last summer. That was the first time I'd been back in like three years. Was real good to be back there. We going back there this December to get married and visit da 'ohana.

One of these days, I would love to move back, but I know it's hard. I just have to win the lottery or something first. :)

[Ailina]

Fort Riley, Kansas was out in the middle of nowhere but I loved the slower pace there. It did remind me of home!
I lived at Fort Riley for a while, too. I worked at the bank there on Fort Riley. For me, in the dead of winter, it was the furthest thing from Hawai'i I'd ever experienced--next to Texas. But then, we never met any Hawaiian Club or anything.

I know what you mean about not even wanting to get on the plane. What's worse, one of my best friends barely made it to say goodbye. She talked the attendants into letting her walk back into the plane to hug me goodbye! I can't tell you how bad I wanted to just grab up my family and follow her back into the airport!

[Laakea]

I've been away for 5 years. We make it home at least once a year.

[Leimamo]

I asked how long you've been away at your introduction but I guess I know now. :D

[avekm]

I'm going on 8 years. It's tough but the web makes it small kine a little easier. You guys might want to check out www.homegrownhawaii.com if your looking for friends or family or want to show some high school pride. It's pretty neat. Anyway, hope you guys are all doing alright away from da islands!

[homesick]

Hello all, this is the first thread I read, so I'm going to post here, then head over to the intro board and make another introduction... anyhow... I spent my early childhood on the big island, in hilo and kamuela mostly. I left when I was 9 or 10, and I'm 20 now, so I've been away around a decade (!) and have only been back once when I was 13 or 14, for a summer, on oahu. I really miss my family, but I don't miss the drama (which I guess I only faintly remember, because I was a child and didn't have to deal with it... but if the amount of drama my mom has to deal with over the phone is any indication, there must've been lots when we lived there). I'd like to move back, perhaps sooner than later, but some things have to fall into place if I do. I have to admit, the prospect makes me rather apprehensive, as while I do wish very much to go back, I think that I might not mesh so well as I did as a child. My mannerisms are very... western, for lack of a better word, and I guess I just feel that I would be at a loss as far as being able to relate with my peers/cousins... That was certainly the case when I went back for that one summer, years ago. Anyhow, I'm interested in trying to 'plug in' to a Hawaii-based message board, thought it might do me some good. :)

[Miulang]

My mannerisms are very... western, for lack of a better word, and I guess I just feel that I would be at a loss as far as being able to relate with my peers/cousins... That was certainly the case when I went back for that one summer, years ago. Anyhow, I'm interested in trying to 'plug in' to a Hawaii-based message board, thought it might do me some good. :)
Eh, no worries, anden. I have lived away from da 'aina longer than I lived on Maui and I tink da 'aina is bred into you and stays with you no matter how long you stay away. It's a good thing that you are now interested in embracing your roots even with all da pilikia in da past. Your 'ohana will always be your 'ohana, through all da good and da bad times.

Malama pono,
Miulang

[homesick]

Eh, no worries, anden. I have lived away from da 'aina longer than I lived on Maui and I tink da 'aina is bred into you and stays with you no matter how long you stay away. It's a good thing that you are now interested in embracing your roots even with all da pilikia in da past. Your 'ohana will always be your 'ohana, through all da good and da bad times.

Malama pono,
Miulang


thanks, that is comforting to hear. :)

[DannyWilliams]

I sadly left Hawaii in 1998 and have been dwelling here in California since then...........
I always get asked WHY did you leave paradise?
WELL..... Hawaii will ALWAYS be home to me and its nice and all but deep down for me home life was NOT doin it for me and felt a change was needed and I needed to take that chance and do it........
What was kinda hard was that I left great people that I worked w/ who I knew at least 10 years and seemed like my second family.... I was more to close to my fellow co-workers that what was goin on at home personally.... SIGH...... I miss Hulas (at the old location) it was fun when I was absorbing every moment of it before they had to close up.........
I did briefly make a visit to the islands January 2003 but actually to Maui that is and was on Oahu for a good hour or so......
I dunno if I will trek back again to Oahu but would like to visit Waikiki, Ala Moana Center and Pearlridge Center and see the MANY changes....... :D

[1stwahine]

eH! COME BACK HOME!

Drums of the islands is beating in your heart
It's with you where ever where you roam
Wher ever you wander, whenever you're apart
Remember, the DRUMS will lead HOME!

To live and be unhappy is no way to live...

The Islands await your return! ;)

[Kalei99]

Aloha Blalahs & Sistas,

Anyone live in Las Vegas? Just moved here a few months ago.

Kalei

[1stwahine]

Aloha Blalahs & Sistas,

Anyone live in Las Vegas? Just moved here a few months ago.

Kalei

Blalahs & Sistas...that's cute. Just wanted to welcome you to Hawai'i Threads. I'm going to Las Vegas late March but not to live. I wish I took that chance when I was much younger, I love bright lights and the night life...well, I used to.heheheheheh ;)

[Plumeria76]

My husband and I have lived away from Hawaii for 15 years now. I am new to the boards and posted an introduction this morning. We we stationed at Schofield twice during his army career. Hawaii is the first place we lived together as husband and wife....it is HOME to us. We arrived on Oahu just a week after we were married in 1976. There is no place as beautiful as Hawaii on this entire earth and we have many happy memories to cherish. We both miss it terribly and have not been able to make it back for a visit. My husband and I dream of living there someday...oh how we dream!! He now works as a contractor at the air force base here and he is always on the internet looking for jobs on Oahu. :)

[Pikake]

4 years and counting!

[Da Duke]

I lived on O'ahu for 28 years. I wanted to see what the Mainland was all about regarding success so I told myself I will go for 2 years and I will be back. Well, it is now 5 years and I am still living in Vegas. It was extremely difficult at first but I was able to adapt because of Lake Mead. I call it my "Sandy Beach". It is my only escape.
I come home twice a year and it is very refreshing. OH, I MISS THE FOOD. I always hit Rainbows, Zippy's, Byrons, and Magoo's Pizza. Believe it or not there are 2 Longs Drugs in Henderson and they have a Hawaiian Products section. You can buy all of the Hawaiian Sun drinks, Mochi Crunch, Frozen Zippy's, Kalbi Ribs, and Mays Teriyaki Hamburger Patties(My Favorite). With the huge Hawaiian population in Vegas they say that this section produces the highest sales then any other section in Longs.
All is good here. Landed a great job with the MGM Grand and now own 2 homes here. I do not plan to return to live in Hawaii because of the economy. I thought I would never say that in my life. I miss the beach everyday. I even have dreams of it at times. That is when I know to start planning for trip back home to visit.

[poipndr]

left home in 68", but go home every chance i get.

[GypsyLika]

Way too dang long ~ 32 years! Am I da record holder here? :) Pretty sad, huh. :o

[Palama Kid]

Way too dang long ~ 32 years! Am I da record holder here? :) Pretty sad, huh. :o




If you look at poipndr's input (post #59), he's been gone 37 years. Me? I been gone since '74, but if you add my four years in the Navy, it's 35 years. Now, dat's mo sad den you.

Palama Kid

[GypsyLika]

If you look at poipndr's input (post #59), he's been gone 37 years. Me? I been gone since '74, but if you add my four years in the Navy, it's 35 years. Now, dat's mo sad den you.

Palama Kid

K~den I no feel so bad den. Just junk. :D At least us still get and will always have da Aloha in our hearts and ways. :)

[Rickyrab]

26 and a quarter years, save for a couple of weeks of vacation time.

[onocoffee]

I make ten years at the end of this month. How fast time flies. So much has changed since I left. I remember the 80s when Honolulu was still like a small town - not too fancy Ala Moana, no WalMart, no Sam's, no Home Depot.

But guess I'm lucky too. I get to go home at least once a year and life is good.

[poipndr]

yaka 37 years :D

[florence nunes]

it's been way too long, I get homesick and want to get a plane ticket each year the tax refund check arrives! I've decided I'll probably won't get back till I win the lottory or retire. So I've decided to bring hawaii to me, and surround myself with all the music and aloha aina spirit and to live Hawaiian!
Aloha Oe

p.s its been since 1984, when I left

[FRAGGLE ROCKER]

I left Hawaii 20 years ago this coming September and spend many a late night browsing the internet for stuff about and pictures of everything from Castle Park to Rabbit Island.

[Pomai44]

Been only six years but seems like a lifetime. Out in da boonies not many locals here, hard to find.

So I started a site that helps locals find other locals living in there area.
take a look you might find someone you know or that lives next door.

Try Look here (http://users.isp.com/hulalei11/mainland.html)

[Vanguard]

Seven long years ...

[drumorgan]

Left in 1981. Been back twice. Once in 1998, once in 2006. Too long in between.

[kaneohegirl]

I think was in 87... been back to visit but not often enough...

[Mangoseed]

I have been away from Hawaii since 1979, when I started working overseas and then later on the mainland. My wife and I have revisited, and our next trip is in August 2006. I am a retired local person and I am a hopeless "dreamer." I dream of the Hawaii I knew growing up in the 40's and 50's.

[HomesickHoneyGirl]

3 years too many. :(

[keoki]

Ive been away from Hawaii 3 yrs.
I miss Hawaii for obvious reasons but I like living where I am now.
The cost of living is reasonable and its not too crowded in the suburbs.
The communities are spacious and well planned up here.
Hopefully I can come back for some long vacations in the future! :-)

[molokai]

Graduated high school in 98 and moved away after a year of college. I don't really miss a whole lot, just my mom. All my 'ohana is still there. They come to visit, but Moloka'i is so small... I go to visit for 2 weeks every year and that's just enough to keep me happy until the next visit. :cool:

[jenphen81]

It's been 17 years since I lived on Oahu (since 1989). Father was stationed there for 3 1/2 years at Schofield Barracks. Miss it SO much. Finally getting to go back next year for vacation! I'm SO excited! Depending on how it goes, I may end up moving back. Some of my fondest memories are there. Compared to D.C., it's not that bad as far as costs go. I love the laid back life style and just the overall feel of the island.

[Dale]

Went away for school, but came right back after 5 years ago. No can handle the mainland since no more good poke, no more good beach. No more Zippy's and no more lunch wagons. 5 years is like a lifetime sentence .... and no can handle!

(Wish had more jobs, with cheaper rent, with less stress and more pay, but this is one island, so can't have everything!)

[KoaukaLoop82]

It's been 24 years...and isn't it odd that people who haven't been back in that long all sound as homesick as if they left it last year?

A couple of teenager's memories that I know are long gone:

* 69 KKUA Honolulu (but I have a couple audiotapes from August 81)
* Riding The Bus from Aiea to Waikiki for what, 25 cents?
* Daiei at Pearlridge
* Macadamia Nut Factory at Waikiki (we'd have lunch, down it with a Diamond Head punch from an ABC store, then go get a sample for "dessert")!
* Buying my new school clothes at Foxmoor (Pearlridge)...pretty big thing for a girl from Northern California!
* Playing Mini Golf at Castle Park over by Aloha Stadium :D I got my golf ball stuck for good in the windmill one, good grief
* Buying generic food at downstairs Daiei...only because it preceded a hysterical attempt at spaghetti that was better suited to mudding new drywall than actually eating!
* Checking out the gorgeous 1981/1982 Magnum PI-style Ferraris and dreaming of the day I, too, could afford the gargantuan price of $58,000! (I still can't afford it!)
* Paradise Park (that's gone, isn't it? A parrot did something unmentionable on my shoulder there but other than that, a fond memory)
* Sugar Shack at International Marketplace (those funky colored/layered sugar jars that we got for decoration)
* Rap Reiplinger
* Andy Bumatai or is he still around? (cookie-plate-pushem!)
* Waikiki Theater
* Kam Drive-In in Aiea (and swapmeets there too)...although I hear the swapmeets still go on, oddly enough.

Do they still have the bumper cars at Fun Factory in Pearlridge? I bet they're gone too...liability insurance and all...

But one of the things I miss the MOST is walking down Waikiki Beach--from Kuhio Beach to Ala Moana--during sunset and dusk. I also miss smelling Plumeria anytime I want...I bought a couple Plumeria trees (little ones), but although they put out gorgeous green leaves, they don't like Maine and won't flower for me!

I miss taking that weird tram between the Pearlridge buildings. Or stopping for a few pineapple spears at the Dole plantation after scuba diving at Shark's Cove...(sigh). And I understand that there is now a bridge over to Ford Island at Pearl Harbor??? How bizarre!

THERE! What are your memories???

Karina in Maine

[girlstar]

I have been lurking for a long time, I know ... :D

I've been living away since 1986 when I started college and I am still in school. lol

I do plan to eventually move back with my family.

[1stwahine]

I have been lurking for a long time, I know ... :D

heheheh...

I had to look three times at the date!

Welcome and ALOHA!

You shua was lurking a loooong time!:p

Auntie Lynn

[Vanguard]

8 long years. I'm feeling particularly sad mellows of seperation lately :p

[Zendik]

1 year and 2 months.

[akrauth]

I've only been there twice and didn't fall in love with the culture until seventh grade. I wonder if I was born with the island feeling in my heart or if it just found its way inside me during my seventh grade year. The second trip there was even better than the first because on the second one, I knew way more about Hawaiian culture than I did on my first one. I want to go back, and everybody wants me to come back also.

[Hot Dog]

20 months now........even DAT seems like a long time!
(also must count the time I was deployed, 15 months)

but through it all, I'm STILL HAWAI'IAN! DAS DAT!

-S-

[DannyWilliams]

When I left Paradise which was this month The 31st I believe back in 1998 its going to be 9 Years though I was on Oahu for 1 good hour back in 2003 during a connecting flight to Maui though.