Las Vegas

[Kalalau]

Las Vegas is a huge draw for many Hawaiians, and I am wondering why. Whats the attraction? Some people call it the Ninth Island now, because of the influx of Hawaiians there. One of the big hotels on the Strip features a Hawaiian buffet. An internet station from Las Vegas plays Hawaiian music, and does a good job of it, too. A popular prize on Hawaiian radio stations is the all expense paid trip to Vegas.

If you had been alive 1,000 years ago and wanted to predict where the Polynesian migration of that time would be by 2008, the odds are astronomical that you would not have come up with a town in the North American desert that wouldn't even be in existence without the invention of air conditioning.

For me, I like the neon in Vegas. You won't see any better neon anywhere I am aware of. But thats about it. Does Vegas have nice weather, like Hawai'i? No. Beaches? Tropical breezes? Rainbows? Miles of sugar cane waving in the breeze? Coco palms bending in the rain? None of the above. Yet the attraction of Las Vegas for many Hawaiians seems quite real and quite strong. So what is it? The night life? The opportunity to make a fortune on the turn of a card? Employment opportunities? Real estate prices? Wayne Newton?


If you like Vegas, what, please, is it about it that you like?

[cabanalane]

Hot weather. Hotel jobs. Gambling. Night life like (a super giant Waikiki) And other Hawaiians (locals). As far as no ocean.....When I lived in Hawaii for 25+ years, how many times did I actually go to the beach (for beach reasons)? About 5 times. Growing up, parents were too busy working 2-3 jobs. Then I got school. And when I grew up after college, I was working two jobs, so no more time for da beach.

Now I would love to go back to Hawaii. But no can do. Life is here on the mainland. If you are thinking about moving, keep that in mind. Once you leave, you'll almost never go back (except to visit). I have a friend in WA. It's sad to see "local kids" that have no idea what life is like in Hawaii, or most of all, his kids don't see Hawaii as a special place, like us.

[Palama Kid]

I've been going there since '75. Initially, I liked the fact that it's sooo different from the Bay Area (and Honolulu).

Not being a gambler, I still enjoyed meeting friends who love to gamble, especially those from the east coast. Then it was meeting up with friends and relatives from Hawaii / Idaho who don't love to gamble.

Then it was going to be my retirement site, so I went there during varied times of the year. FYI it can be downright freezing during the winter months. But I've comfortably watched several Super Bowls in casino gambling pits . . . certainly, a different experience.

Not being one to enjoy going to anything big (although I did see the SOS with Lani), I still enjoyed going there for my Navy & high school reunions.

Eating at intriguing, familiar, unfamiliar restaurants is a big plus; walking around the casinos during the heat of the days keeps me from getting bored; & shopping . . . well, ah, not so much, but hey, the malls are air conditioned, so I go (as the "duty driver") with whomever wanted to do that.

Another plus is my 9-hour drive thru the Mojave Desert and Death Valley. It's sooo different.

Can't forget: the "after 11pm" oxtail soup at the California Hotel is always a hit with me.

[SusieMisajon]

When my dad moved to Vegas, I asked him why, as it seemed such a contradiction. He said it was cheap housing and locals nearby.

[kani-lehua]

gambling, food and shopping. in that order. that's what does it for me. well, the shopping isn't that special anymore because some stores are already here. even victoria secret is coming to ala moana in the very near future. would love to have a bath and body works or crate and barrel or a trader joes and/or ikea.

[Nords]

I enjoyed the challenge of gambling well, but the secondhand smoke and the weather aren't worth the money.

I'm surprised that the casinos have been kept out of Hawaii. I think that's a good thing, but it's a war of attrition that they only have to win once.

[sin]

sheesh, where should i begin?

i love the fact that you do'nt have to go to sleep, that you can get a prime rib dinner for 12 bucks and play craps everywhere. that the pools during the summer are like outdoor nightclubs during the day and that you can just bust loose with your friends. i love eating a stack of ribs at the ESPN bar and watching a game on the big screen after you put some money down. love that there's entertainment everywhere from live shows to small bands to tigers and magicians. the only problem is when people bet to make money back instead of just betting what they can afford. it's just entertainment, not an investment.

[DannyWilliams]

Was fortunate to have experience what Vegas was like back in 2000.
As soon as I got off of the plane and absorbing the airport terminal surroundings around me, low and behold...............SLOT MACHINES!

Wow the state of Nevada really wants you to gamble right away when you touch base.;)

There is lotsa places that have all you can eat buffett and the prices they offer is A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Lots of things to do and places to see but oh boy..... DA WEATHER!:rolleyes:
You really appreciate being MORE Indoors or basking near the pool w/ you favorite drink. I also noticed by 7PM-ish it suddenly gets HUMID!

Took part on two virtual rides on one day at looooved browsing at Ceasar's Place. Enjoyed my stay at Vegas and would not mind trekking back someday.

[Mililani]

I moved to Vegas because I liked the lights, the ginormous billboards, and the gambling! And, I knew I'd get to see my family on a regular basis. You see, although we live miles apart, Vegas is "grand central" for us. They don't mind throwing their money away for a little fun in Vegas, too.

There's a difference between visiting and living here in Vegas, though, but it wasn't until my first summer here that I realized living here is NOT what I want to do. I 'bout died with the 115-120 degrees heatwave, which is why we're moving back in 3 weeks.

I've had lots of people ask me why I'm moving home when it's so expensive. My only response is, "you do what you gotta do, to make it." I refuse to let any excuse be the reason I never go back home, y'know?

It's cheap here, but the pay is low too. I think the pay is low because there are so many people looking for jobs that employers have the mentality that anyone can be replaced if things don't work out the way the want it to. And, they're probably right because on average there's at least 9,000 people moving to Vegas every month.

[cezanne]

We go up to visit friends and check on our house we have up there. We bought there in the early 90's with the intent of moving up. She would continue working at a hospital and I would rejoin my friends working construction.

My wife had no qualms about moving since she's from the mainland but I honestly kept thinking about how far the beach would be.

Long story short, construction started cranking here again so we stayed, my wife is still working the same place, I'm still part of Hawaii's building industry and the ocean is 5 minutes away. :)

[Jake's Ohana]

Las Vegas was an exciting place when I turned 21 many moons ago! It represented freedom, fun, and a nightlife that did not stop. In fact, I celebrated my bachelor party there with 15 of my buddies. It was outrageous fun, and without the stereotypical bachelor party activities that sometimes go on.

Fast forward being married nearly two 7 year itches, and 2 kids later, I rarely make it out. However, my ohana will make it this summer for an ohana reunion and my father's high school reunion.

Downtown Vegas is the bomb for locals, especially at The Cal. They have been catering to the islands for years. They use to honor great deals if you showed proof (birth certificate) if you were from the islands - discount rooms, food/buffet coupons, etc. Not sure if they still do, but I'm sure they always have great package deals. And you always pop into someone that you know:).

[Mililani]

...Downtown Vegas is the bomb for locals, especially at The Cal. They have been catering to the islands for years. They use to honor great deals if you showed proof (birth certificate) if you were from the islands - discount rooms, food/buffet coupons, etc. Not sure if they still do, but I'm sure they always have great package deals. And you always pop into someone that you know.

They still run those package deals, but they are a heck of lot more expensive than way-back-when. :) It's still a good deal, though. Can be as low as $650/pp. Includes everything except your spending money. :)

[MasterTang]

My wife had no qualms about moving since she's from the mainland but I honestly kept thinking about how far the beach would be.



Dude... The beach outside of Vegas is ENDLESS.

No water, but a sh!tload of sand:D

[Pua'i Mana'o]

What an excellent topic. Neither my hubby nor I have ever been there. Firstborn did apply to and was accepted by unlv. Daddy & I told her nfw. We have several friends whose kids went there and not a single one graduated.

[cabanalane]

I was just at Vegas last weekend. While there, I saw on the hotel TV, they were promoting Sam Boyd California Hotel, and it's "Aloha" Sprit. I didn't get a chance to go there.

So how is it? Is there a lot of local people there? Is there really a hawaiian feel to it, or just marketing? Local food? Don't really care about the gambling. I loose anyways.

I did see a lot of locals in Vegas including my hotel - Orleans.

Just wondering if California hotel would make me feel a bit closer to home.

[kani-lehua]

any one of the boyd hotels feels like "home". seems as though one never left the islands. we used to always stay at the mirage which i truly love. but, having been retired these last several years, we've been staying at the california--can't beat the package deals with vacations hawai'i. never stayed at the fremont which we will do this year.

[Kouko]

Aloha all, I went to Vegas for Lei Day. It was the 12th annual celebration. There are almost 200,000 Hawaiians living in Vegas-Henderson and area. The Cal was Hawaii central............Great local grinds and peeps. A good friend who owns (Partner,Don Narup) 50thstateradio.com passed on the day before I got there but Uncle Paul Natto is still doing the station. Dennis and David Kamakahi and Kevin and Ikaika Brown were the headliners but as usual the Extended Hawaiian Ohana made the trip so ONO!! Most people don't know it but Vegas is one of the top ten most livable cities in the country. Schools etc. are great. I don't think the gambling is as big a draw as affordable housing and better work oppurtunities than back in the islands.That said no place can ever replace Hawaii Nei in my heart

[Mililani]

Aloha all, I went to Vegas for Lei Day. It was the 12th annual celebration. There are almost 200,000 Hawaiians living in Vegas-Henderson and area. The Cal was Hawaii central............Great local grinds and peeps. A good friend who owns (Partner,Don Narup) 50thstateradio.com passed on the day before I got there but Uncle Paul Natto is still doing the station. Dennis and David Kamakahi and Kevin and Ikaika Brown were the headliners but as usual the Extended Hawaiian Ohana made the trip so ONO!! Most people don't know it but Vegas is one of the top ten most livable cities in the country. Schools etc. are great. I don't think the gambling is as big a draw as affordable housing and better work oppurtunities than back in the islands.That said no place can ever replace Hawaii Nei in my heart

The Fremont, California and main street are for the locals. You do feel like you're at home. However, it's hard for me to believe that Vegas is one of the top ten most livable cities in the country - students' scores fall short of the national average, the crime rate is crazy (and that includes kids bringing and using handguns at school), the gangs have gotten bigger and braver (not brighter, though), the jobs might be many but with 7,000ish people looking for jobs every month, you're not indispensible, the traffic accidents are so common that people don't slow down when they see one, home invasions several times a month, and the water sucks! And I lived on the safer side of town. But, I will agree, "no place can ever replace Hawaii Nei."

Visiting is fun though! :D

[islandguy]

We were not impressed with Las Vegas at ALL! I was sad to see all the elderly throwing/giving their social security checks away on the games.

I also saw a bum Masterb_ting in the bushes outside a casino.

Glad I didnt PAY to go to las vegas, and went there when passing through.
Nothing fancy there!

[sansei]

:o hi this is sansei and i heard that a postal worker won big in las vegas and even though i dont win,i enjoy going with my mom as her escort and be in my deceased father's place and i dont think las vegas isnt as bad as many who's thought's may seem so i thought to share this with everyone.

well thank's for your time:o

[WebDude]

I moved to Vegas shortly after I turned 21 with some friends, and I've had a blast. But just like any city, it has it's good spots & bad spots. Being the positive guy I am, I'll try to focus on the positives and the tons of activities this city has to offer. From gambling, first class dining, shops & boutiques, Cirque shows galore, concerts, and the nightlife is simply unbelievable. And that's just if you stay on the Strip. Granted, all these things can also be bad for you if not handled in a responsible way, so I'm referring to this activities in a recreational manner. If you venture off the Strip, there's Mt. Charleston, Valley of Fire, Red Rock, Lake Mead, Lake Las Vegas, just tons of outdoor activities. Location wise, it's 4 - 5 hours from L.A./San Diego, 8 1/2 hours from San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe/Reno & Salt Lake City/Park City are also within reasonable driving range, although I've always flown. Anyways, just wanted to share what I know about Las Vegas...=)

[turtlegirl]

I also saw a bum Masterb_ting in the bushes outside a casino.!

The first time i drove to Vegas, I was somewhere on the fringes of the strip, and I stopped to gas up my car. On the way inside to pay, I saw some guy who was bleeding from his head, asking for money for a BEER! I told him that I'd call him an ambulance, or drive him to the hospital, but he refused, because all he wanted was beer. Ooooo-kaay. I reported him to the guy in the store.

Two minutes later, as I was walking back from paying for the gas, I saw a crack smoking bum get in my car. And he was smoking crack - literally! In my car! I guess because it was really windy that night!??! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I was only 21, and VERY surprised at everything that was going on at this gas station!

So I ran around to the other side of my car and yelled at him to get out and go away. (pre cell phones. Today, I'd just call the cops!) And it was late and dark out, and nobody was around, except for the station attendant. Who never came to my aid. The bum told me to cool it and offered me his pipe!! Then proceeded to smoke it some more! Aaargh! What was he not thinking!! Finally, I guess I had been hollering at him enough, and he got out, asked me for money, then took off running! It was so strange! I got a hotel room, slept a while, then drove back to california as fast as I could get out of there!

I thought I'd never go back, but my friends eventually had me go with them, and thankfully nothing like that ever happened to me there since that odd incident. Yay! I've even won a little once in a while on Wheel of Fortune slots! Even spent a very nice Christmas there.

You wanna see people gambling away their social security checks (then bumming off you for cab money home)? Indian casinos.

[oggboy]

Back in the mid-80`s, alot of my friends started to pack up and head to Vegas. Telling me of the affordable housing, job`s available, great school`s. At first I wanted to move my family over and start another chapter of life! Well things didn`t turn out that way and I don`t regret not moving. Sure life in Hawaii is down right expensive, but at least my family happy!!!! Oh yeah, for visit friends sure, but for live, nah!!! "LUCKY WE LIVE HAWAII".

[WebDude]

The first time i drove to Vegas, I was somewhere on the fringes of the strip, and I stopped to gas up my car. On the way inside to pay, I saw some guy who was bleeding from his head, asking for money for a BEER! I told him that I'd call him an ambulance, or drive him to the hospital, but he refused, because all he wanted was beer. Ooooo-kaay. I reported him to the guy in the store.

Two minutes later, as I was walking back from paying for the gas, I saw a crack smoking bum get in my car. And he was smoking crack - literally! In my car! I guess because it was really windy that night!??! I couldn't believe what I was seeing! I was only 21, and VERY surprised at everything that was going on at this gas station!


Turtlegirl, what a horrible experience. Do you remember exactly which gas station it was? I want to make sure I don't get gas there...=)

WebDude