Mexican-American

[arturo_h]

Hello all! I’m planning to move to Honolulu some time next year, and wanted some advice on a few matters. I’m a Mexican-American and was born and raised in California after my parents moved here from Mexico. I’ve read almost all the posts in this forum and now have second thoughts on moving. I’ve visited Hawaii a couple times, and have always loved it. I already have a job lined up and maybe will have a place to stay temporarily before I can find a permanent residence. I’ve read the resent posts on Aaron and his family moving to Hawaii soon, and I got the impression that many people are against people moving to Hawaii from the mainland. Is this truly felt by the majority of “locals?” I am aware of the sovereignty issue and also the issue of over-population present in Hawaii. Are these the main reasons for this attitude? It’s hard to see that this would cause this type of “retribution” towards outsiders. In all my 32 years, I’ve never come across this when I or someone I now plan to move to a new area. I thought Hawaii was proud of its great diversity, but I’m unsure if I’d feel welcome. I’m sure most people including myself wouldn’t want to live someplace where they’d feel unwanted. Thanks so much for your time and for any comments.

Arturo

[kimo55]

>" Is this truly felt by the majority of “locals?”"

no one really wants to know what the locals really think.


>"and also the issue of over-population present in Hawaii."

IF you are aware of this problem, why would you want to add to it and plan to move here?



>"I thought Hawaii was proud of its great diversity, "

well, the HVCB sure would be happy to see it is doing its job.
Hawaii ain't so proud of it that it wants more of it.

[MadAzza]

Hello all! I’m planning to move to Honolulu some time next year, and wanted some advice on a few matters. I’m a Mexican-American and was born and raised in California after my parents moved here from Mexico.

Welcome to HT from a Cherokee-Swedish-Scottish American. I'll let others answer most of your questions. As far as "overpopulation," well, ain't that the planet? Everyone has to live someplace.

(see, guys, I'm trying to be nicer!)

[aaron]

I'm going any ways. Hawaii WILL be my new HOME beginning 2006. See yall soon!!

[kimo55]

I'm going any ways. Hawaii WILL be my new HOME beginning 2006. See yall soon!!


okee doakee pardner. I'm a fixin ta see y'all soon too.
welcome to vandal village and the ice capades!

[LikaNui]

I'm curious: am I the only one who is wondering about this sudden and large influx of threads by so many wanna-be residents? Used to be maybe one every couple of months, but now a whole handful in mere days.
Odd.
:confused:

[kimo55]

I'm curious: am I the only one who is wondering about this sudden and large influx of threads by so many wanna-be residents? Used to be maybe one every couple of months, but now a whole handful in mere days.
Odd.
:confused:


might be due to the rising popularity of HT...
We otta have a FAQ for fast answers on this subject somehwere...

[Glen Miyashiro]

I’ve read the resent posts on Aaron and his family moving to Hawaii soon, and I got the impression that many people are against people moving to Hawaii from the mainland. Is this truly felt by the majority of “locals?” Honestly, most local people are working too hard to think much about it on a regular basis. But if you sit quietly at a local party and have a few beers, you'll hear people worrying about the cost of living, and the low wages, and whether their kids will be able to ever afford a house in the islands. They shake their heads and wonder, where are you going to fit all these people? We're up to a million already, and they just keep coming.

I am aware of the sovereignty issue and also the issue of over-population present in Hawaii. Are these the main reasons for this attitude? It’s hard to see that this would cause this type of “retribution” towards outsiders. In all my 32 years, I’ve never come across this when I or someone I now plan to move to a new area.Part of it is the political and cultural aspects of sovereignty and Americanization, but a huge part is the plain practical economics of making ends meet and paying the bills. For a lot of reasons, Hawai'i is expensive as hell for regular folks and it's hard to see how adding more people will make things better.

I thought Hawaii was proud of its great diversity, but I’m unsure if I’d feel welcome. I’m sure most people including myself wouldn’t want to live someplace where they’d feel unwanted.It's not that most people are personally hostile to newcomers; we're generally not. But taken as a group, it's worrisome when you realize that they just keep coming. :(

[pzarquon]

Firstly, there will be some people here who will be hostile and sarcastic to everyone. There are then the folks who will be hostile and sarcastic to anyone planning on coming to Hawaii for any reason, be it to visit or stay. (Some people fit both profiles.)

Then, there are people who are willing to help people thinking of relocating to Hawaii, but will strongly, emphatically, passionately advocate making such a decision only after several visits, only after having employment and housing lined up, and only after a great deal of research, learning, and interacting with people online (such as in lovely fora like HawaiiThreads.com).

Most of us have lived here long enough to have seen dozens upon dozens of people arrive with no plan, no money, and either end up going into debt to buy a plane ticket back home, or landing on the street and ending up a burden on our already overburdened system. Understand that every place takes preparation and planning to move to, but flying to Hawaii is very different from jumping the next Greyhound out of state. Once you jump that ocean, you might be stuck.

If you've prepared yourself (i.e. learned Hawaii's history, some of its specific quirks and sensitivities, etc.), and more importantly, if you have a plan - a job lined up, a place to stay, seven or eight grand in the bank just in case - then go for it. You'll find that Hawaii is, in many ways, the wonderful, diverse, open, accepting and welcoming place that you think it is. You'll certainly find your share of unpleasant jerks in the islands, but heck, at least you're in Hawaii.

As far as the reception folks get here on HawaiiThreads.com, consider the circumstances I noted above, and also consider how much easier people find it to be unpleasant jerks on line than in person, and adjust your filters accordingly. This site does have a great "Ignore User" feature, after all.

[arturo_h]

I understand the concerns, but like MadAzza said, over-population is present in any urban area. I’ve just never heard it being complained about so much. A person may move from one area to another, but they are still ON the planet. Life MadAzza said, we all must live somewhere. Once you look at the world from a bigger perspective, rather than from a city or a state, it’s easier to see. Just by traveling around the world, I’ve noticed it to be more prevalent. But I think perspective is the key here. It seems like people who have a smaller perspective on things, they tend to believe that they’re alone in the world, and are the only ones to have problems. We are all humans and need to get along wherever we live. I’ve lived in other foreign countries (even across big oceans), and never found this type of problem, that’s why I’m surprised when moving within the United States. You can’t see it as “people keep coming” as Glen said, because people are leaving too. I live in central California where the cost-of-living is probably the highest in the state. I’ve had people I know move to Hawaii from central California and barely notice a difference. Housing’s the same, gas is the same, food is the same, etc. Inflation is something one must get used to living in the United States.

[kimo55]

>"I understand the concerns, but like MadAzza said, over-population is present in any urban area. I’ve just never heard it being complained about so much. "


ya ain't heard nuthin yet. Lissen in, in about 5 years.

...it's posts like this that breed 'sarcastic' and hostile responses;
madazza, i venture to say, maybe was being slightly sarcastic. and not in any way, offering excuses to move to a finite, very limited landmass. Which is experiencing shortages of too many things; garbage landfills, water, peace and quiet, room to move at a decent pace on da hiways and byways... etc..
(hey; gotta live somehwere")
"OK! hey; that is good enuff for me! Here I come"




>"A person may move from one area to another, but they are still ON the planet. "

ok. What!?

[Glen Miyashiro]

Once you look at the world from a bigger perspective, rather than from a city or a state, it’s easier to see. Just by traveling around the world, I’ve noticed it to be more prevalent. But I think perspective is the key here. It seems like people who have a smaller perspective on things, they tend to believe that they’re alone in the world, and are the only ones to have problems. We are all humans and need to get along wherever we live. I’ve lived in other foreign countries (even across big oceans), and never found this type of problem, that’s why I’m surprised when moving within the United States.Have you lived on a small island before? Or is all your experience with living on a large continent? Believe me, a million people on an island of 600 square miles, most of which are too mountainous to live on, is not the same as a million people in the San Joaquin Valley.

[kimo55]

Believe me, a million people on an island of 600 square miles, most of which are too mountainous to live on, is not the same as a million people in the San Joaquin Valley.


and as seen in today's paper, and most anytime in the news, these home developers are continually tearing away hillsides and mountains to pack in even more prefab junk overpiced houses. Why!? hey; gotta supply the demand!

[LikaNui]

I understand the concerns, but like MadAzza said, over-population is present in any urban area. I’ve just never heard it being complained about so much. A person may move from one area to another, but they are still ON the planet.
You're comparing apples and oranges. Hawaii is a tiny island state that is 2,500 miles from the nearest landmass! As someone else said, you can't just hop a Greyhound bus and leave.
Sorry, but one simply can't compare the situation here with anything else in North America or any other continent.

[Miulang]

Yes, Hawai'i is a melting pot, but within that pot you got yer beans, you got yer beef, you got yer corn...when it simmers, sometimes the stew isn't very tasty. The pessimistic comments you hear on this site are mostly from people who have to live with the 1 hour commute each way to drive less than 20 miles to work, who suffer under the burden of high taxes and low wages, and a slow erosion of a lifestyle they grew up with. Imagine yourself in this picture: you're on a crowded subway car (or bus). Every single seat and aisle is filled with commuters. You're trying to wedge yourself into the last 6 inches of airspace left on that bus. How are you and the people who are squished like sardines going to feel?

I "escaped" when I was 18 so I could have a better life with more opportunities up here on the mainland, which I have done, but it pains my heart immensely to see what's going on in the islands today, much of it being brought on by an influx of people who are overtaxing a very fragile infrastructure and ecosystem in every possible way.

If you're willing to move other there and become part of the solution and not another one of its problems, then e komo mai. If you just want to move there because in your mind it's "paradise", please make sure you have enough of an emergency slush fund in case you have to buy a one-way ticket out of there.

Miulang

[arturo_h]

I apologize. I can see comparing islands to non-islands isn’t correct. I have lived in Guam, which seemed comparable to Hawaii, but not as populous. Kimo-I meant that people moving from one area to another is basically redistribution when viewed from a greater perspective. Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different? I’m not saying destroying beautiful land in Hawaii is right, but I don’t see it as something to blame on people who move to Hawaii. Babies are still born everyday, and the population of the world, not just Hawaii, is growing. Again, perspective. The Earth is a finite place, but to single out Hawaii doesn’t seem right. LikaNui-I don’t think living on an island is the matter at hand. Sure, some people have a problem with it, and should be smart enough NOT to move to an island, but for those who can, so be it. Miulang-If someone doesn’t feel comfortable living in an “urban” lifestyle, then they should move somewhere rural. It is under one’s control to decide to move somewhere they think will make them happy. Some people enjoy urban lifestyle, like me. Moving somewhere because its “paradise” doesn’t seem like a smart move, and that is not what I will be doing. But I agree, for those who move to Hawaii ONLY because it’s paradise, have another thing coming. Miulang-How does it “pain you” to see what’s going on in Hawaii, although it’s happening everywhere?
Arturo

[kimo55]

>" Kimo-I meant that people moving from one area to another is basically redistribution when viewed from a greater perspective. "


solly cholly.
i am still in the dark.

>"Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different? "


hooooboy! them's fightin' words, cholo.

[Miulang]

Miulang-How does it “pain you” to see what’s going on in Hawaii, although it’s happening everywhere?
Arturo
It is extremely sad for me and most expatriates who can only afford to visit their families maybe once or twice a year because we can see it happening in the communities where we DO live. We know what it's like to be faced with the kinds of urban and growth issues that Hawai'i has really started experiencing over the last 20 years or so. We know progress can't be halted, but we also know that Hawai'i is NOT the continental US where there is still room to grow.

Hawai'i is a very fragile ecosystem. It is home to thousands of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. For every acre of land that was farmed or every forest that is felled for development, so much less is left for the people who live there.

Those of us who have dreams of returning to our birthplace shudder to think of what it will be like in 5 or 10 years. Every day, much of what we left behind is falling to the developer's frothing mouths. I worry most about the ability of the residents of Hawai'i to survive a catastrophe if they were cut off from getting food shipped in. When all the farmland in Hawai'i disappears, so will the people. If you read a little about the ancient people of Hawai'i, you will come to understand that they knew they were part of the land and that it was their job to protect it, to nurture it, because in doing so, it would keep them healthy and fed.

You cannot grow food on a blacktopped parking lot. There are no interstates between the West Coast and Hawai'i. It costs a lot of money to fly perishable food to the islands (and the people pay for it). The only other way to get food to Hawai'i is by boat. If there is a shipping strike (and they have been known to happen), the only recourse is to fly food in. People in Hawai'i have a hard enough time earning enough to support their families as it is. If you double the cost of their food, how many will starve? That's why I worry about the influx of so many new people.

But if you're willing to move to Hawai'i and work to help make Hawai'i a better place to live, then I'm sure you'd be welcomed with open arms. Just be respectful and wait awhile before making any waves, though. It takes awhile for the locals to warm up to newcomers (malihini) who move there rather than to just visit and leave their money and go home.


Miulang

P.S. Arturo, since you sound like you're more of a macro thinking kinda guy, think of Hawai'i this way...there aren't many places in the world that because of its geographic isolation, thousands of threatened species are being driven to extinction FROM THE WORLD because of thoughtless development and the introduction of alien species. Then try to say that Hawai'i is just like every place else.

[AbsolutChaos]

I understand the concerns, but like MadAzza said, over-population is present in any urban area. I’ve just never heard it being complained about so much.

The difference between moving to urban areas on the Mainland and moving to HI--it's an ISLAND. There are no suburbs to alleviate the overpopulation burden here, unlike the Mainland. Here one can only build new bldgs/roads by tearing down exising roads/bldgs or by getting rid of the pristine areas that are protected and which make HI such a popular destination in the first place. Most people who "fall in love" with HI are in love with an ideal, and many dreamers move here only to find that they can't find a job and they can't afford the rent. They learn that the reality of living in HI (prevalence of drugs like ice, homes costing millions, constantly clogged highways) is quite different from the picture of HI presented to tourists and shown on TV.

It's quite a difficult situation. I think many residents of HI WANT to be welcoming, but they find it quite daunting and challenging to do so when faced with the result of such a population influx (aka rising prices, lack of housing, disappearance of land, a change from the slow pace of island life to one influenced by the "everybody is always in a hurry" Mainland way of life).

It's a sad and scary situation to which there doesn't seem to be an answer...
:confused:

[Glen Miyashiro]

It's a sad and scary situation to which there doesn't seem to be an answer...
:confused:I'm pretty much resigned to it myself. I can see no way of reducing the island's population short of political upheaval, economic ruin, or massive fatalities from war or plague.

Life in Hawai'i will be different in the future. When my kids are old, they will reminisce fondly about the days of their childhood when you could still see open fields where they used to grow sugar and pineapple, and when the Honolulu skyline was not yet a continuous wall of buildings from Pearl Harbor to Diamond Head.

:(

[Miulang]

"...If someone doesn’t feel comfortable living in an “urban” lifestyle, then they should move somewhere rural. It is under one’s control to decide to move somewhere they think will make them happy...."
Arturo, I wish it was that easy. It's not, when you live on an island and can't move anywhere else on that island because there are no affordable places to live. And it's definitely not easy for a family of 4 to pull up stakes and leave their ohana (family) behind to move to the mainland, although many locals have made the sad decision to move up here. In Hawai'i, unlike most places in the US, extended family still does mean a lot. That's why up here, I have a surrogate ohana comprised of other expats and we have a gathering in the Seattle area and a larger, national one in Las Vegas every year.

Miulang

[arturo_h]

Thanks for all the input. I wonder what CAN be done about this. Is there a solution? Are most people living in Hawaii unhappy? It doesn’t sound like a good way to live. Kimo-Hah, I didn’t mean to use any “fighting-words.” Just trying to get a handle on things. I was curious if people in Hawaii feel over-population or urbanism is a bad thing in Hawaii or a bad thing in a general sense. Miulang-I can understand where you’re coming from. It seems ridiculous to have to pay “tourist” rates to fly to your hometown. Again I wonder if anything can be done. Restrictions, laws, etc? It seems like the population must “cap-off” sometime. Miulang-I agree with you there. Most people on the mainland from the age of 18 try to get as far away from their family, and of course culture is not an issue. Family and culture are both very important to Mexicans on the other hand, and I’m glad we can still distinguish ourselves from the others on the mainland. I hope Hawaiians can say the same.

Out of curiosity:
Isn’t there a big fight for sovereignty in Hawaii. And if so, how do the Hawaiians see a future without the US government in this day and age? Is it much different to a sovereign nation that had never been taken over by the US? How would they deal with issues like economy, infrastructure, crime, etc? Would life in Hawaii be better/worse than it is now? Thanks again for your comments.
Arturo

[Glen Miyashiro]

Out of curiosity:
Isn’t there a big fight for sovereignty in Hawaii. And if so, how do the Hawaiians see a future without the US government in this day and age? Is it much different to a sovereign nation that had never been taken over by the US? How would they deal with issues like economy, infrastructure, crime, etc? Would life in Hawaii be better/worse than it is now? Thanks again for your comments.
ArturoOh boy. Got a couple of years to listen? :p

[LikaNui]

Oh boy. Got a couple of years to listen? :p
Indeed.
Arturo can do a Google search on "Hawaii+sovereignty" and get 379 major links to read.
And that would just be a start.
:p

[arturo_h]

Hah, thanks guys. I got the impression that a lot of the Hawaiian-sovereignty supporters have different views on important matters. Is this a good idea when one is trying to start a new nation? I’d imagine starting a new nation requires patience, agreement and time. I guess I’ll say good luck. I’m still interested in what you guys think. But don’t spend your lives doing it. :)
Arturo

[Miulang]

Hah, thanks guys. I got the impression that a lot of the Hawaiian-sovereignty supporters have different views on important matters. Is this a good idea when one is trying to start a new nation? I’d imagine starting a new nation requires patience, agreement and time. I guess I’ll say good luck. I’m still interested in what you guys think. But don’t spend your lives doing it. :)
Arturo
And that is precisely why there won't be Hawaiian sovereignty anytime soon. Until and unless the kanaka maoli (native Hawaiian people) can agree on what is important and all work toward the same kuleana, they will forever be splintered and forever be wards of the American government.

Miulang

[lavagal]

Hello all! ... I’ve visited Hawaii a couple times, and have always loved it. I already have a job lined up and maybe will have a place to stay temporarily before I can find a permanent residence. Arturo


So Arturo, what kind of work would you be doing here? I think part of the problem in Hawaii is people not finding jobs sufficient to keep up with the cost of living, which I'm sure you've surmised, is a tough coconut to crack.

[arturo_h]

I work for IBM and was able to get a transfer to the IBM branch in Honolulu. Generally its technical support stuff, but I have other duties also.
Arturo

[Miulang]

I work for IBM and was able to get a transfer to the IBM branch in Honolulu. Generally its technical support stuff, but I have other duties also.
Arturo
Are you going to be in the consulting group? I've seen lots of jobs for their consulting group. Might even go apply for one of those project manager jobs myself.

Miulang

[lavagal]

I work for IBM and was able to get a transfer to the IBM branch in Honolulu. Generally its technical support stuff, but I have other duties also.
Arturo

Well, gee-zoo! I doubt you'll have to commute from the tarps across the street at Ala Moana Beach Park with a job like that lined up! You'll find it to be a bit challenging economically, but I'm relieved to learn you're moving here with what sounds like will be a good job. Best wishes to you. Let us know how it all turns out.

[arturo_h]

Will do. I'm looking forward to it. Thanks again for all your input and comments.
Arturo

[btwnc2c]

>" Kimo-I meant that people moving from one area to another is basically redistribution when viewed from a greater perspective. "


solly cholly.
i am still in the dark.

>"Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different? "


hooooboy! them's fightin' words, cholo.

OK, that's it. Why don't you shut your computer down and go get a life. If you don't have anything constructive or intelligent to say, get off. That last comment of yours just goes to show what a jerk you are. People like you give the Islands a bad rep. You owe him an apology for that slur. You're right, though - you are in the dark. Other people at least had something to contribute. You....pphhhttt. NADA!

[admin]

When you come across a pointless, off-topic or inappropriately personal post, it's best not to stoop to their level and hurl more insults.

As mentioned before, you can use the "Ignore User" feature the system provides to improve your reading experience. You can also score a post using the "Reputation (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/faq.php?faq=vb_board_usage#faq_reputation)" link (the little scale icon) to help me track inappropriate or pointless messages and to help other members determine how much credibility to give another user's contributions.

[btwnc2c]

When you come across a pointless, off-topic or inappropriately personal post, it's best not to stoop to their level and hurl more insults.

.

:rolleyes: Ha! I just KNEW that I was going to get called on that post but decided to get my licks in anyway. Bugged me too much to ignore.

But mahalo, for the other advice. I was not aware of that feature and I will certainly utilize it!!

[kimo55]

QUOTE=btwnc2c

>"Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different? "


"hooooboy! them's fightin' words, cholo."


>" That last comment of yours just goes to show what a jerk you are. People like you give the Islands a bad rep."

yea, the whole world is worried and concerned about people in Hawaii who voice their concern about its overpopulation and overdevelopment.

>" You owe him an apology for that slur. "

everything is a slur to those who live in the facist P.C. dark ages....

This person proclaimed it is no worse to overdevelop Hawaii than it is any other part of the world; The implication is; it is no better than any or land, So it should be done. Bringing this mentality( that grows like a cancerous disease and festers support with likeminded people) to Hawaii is one of the many things that is destroying our aina, culture, general way of life. And you say Ii owe an apology.
I tellya... some people's children... tisk, tisk, tisk.

[pzarquon]

everything is a slur to those who live in the facist P.C. dark ages....Translation: Nothing is off limits... except things Kimo considers sacred. .. Say anything you want, unless it upsets Kimo's sensitivities. You're no different from anyone else... except Kimo, who's special.

Oh yeah, the topic. From the original post:Is this truly felt by the majority of “locals?”There are people who are resentful of newcomers. There are people who are welcoming of newcomers. If you value Hawaii's diversity, and you should, you have to understand that not everyone is a big, smiling welcome mat, and not everyone is Kimo. Adjust your filters accordingly.

[kimo55]

Translation: Nothing is off limits... except things Kimo considers sacred. .. Say anything you want, unless it upsets Kimo's sensitivities. You're no different from anyone else... except Kimo, who's special.


my point was, arturo did not consider what i directed toward him, as a slur, another instigator jumps in and says
Hey you owe him an apology.
what was a slur? who is offended? no one but a third party troublemmaker.


further, i think Arturo saw my comment as what it was intended to be; a jocular pseudo "put em up; like t'row blow brah!?"
kinda thing. I have many Mexican friends here and on the mainland and we all banter and toss around the monikers;
Yo whusup ese? Homey whuddup, cholo.

and it may be reinforced in a corny fashion by my dining at a favorite Mexican restaurant in haleiwa called "Cholo's".

[sinjin]

Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different?

Arturo,

Hawaii is different. IMO the most special piece of land in the world and very finite. Development may be inevitable but how it is developed is the question. So far, not so good. Mainland money will always hold sway as long as Hawaii is part of the U.S. and any future envisioned by Hawaiians will be given little weight.

[arturo_h]

I haven’t checked this thread in a couple of days, and it seems like it’s gotten quite popular. Kimo-I wasn’t offended in anyway by your comments. For one thing, my comments were purely speculation. After all of your comments I was able to get a better understanding on your perspective. I’ve also been reading other sources to better my understanding, including one article about Moloka’i, called, “Not as friendly; Molokai:”
http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=6393
This article was a big eye-opener for me. It’s ridiculous that this type of attitude from new-comers exists on the “friendly-island.” As for everyone else in thread, thanks for sticking up for me, but it would take a lot to offend me. Also, there is now way Kimo could have offended me about this subject since he knows a lot more about it than I. Also he probably has experienced a lot of what Moloka’i is experiencing now which gives him a right to feel the way he does. Thanks again for everyone’s concern and comments.
Arturo

[pinakboy]

but can u cook tamales and real mexican food??!! :rolleyes:

if so... den welcome to Hawaii!! wen is da potluck party??!! we go party and grind!! :D Sit down break bread and kaukau is all i say. nuff wit da politics and bust out da grindz! hehehe :D

Aloha Arturo! :)

[kimo55]

but can u cook tamales and real mexican food??!! :rolleyes:

ho, steh hungry now.
usta make choke chile rellanos at mama's mexican kitchen back in the 70's. Tamales, Mexican rice....
prep all day for the nite time rush. I was in pig heaven. all i can eat.


Not too many good places left.
azteca is good, kaimuki.
La Paloma kapiolani was a fave back in the day...

[pinakboy]

ho, steh hungry now.
usta make choke chile rellanos at mama's mexican kitchen back in the 70's. Tamales, Mexican rice....
prep all day for the nite time rush. I was in pig heaven. all i can eat.


Not too many good places left.
azteca is good, kaimuki.
La Paloma kapiolani was a fave back in the day...

dang kimo... :rolleyes: dat wudve been heaven... if i came ova on ur shift back den... pau no moa nuttin on da line for da niteshift fo serve! lol :D

dang chile rellanos, tamales, mexican rice..... :rolleyes: <sigh>

[kimo55]

here's a list o "Mexican food" restaurants.
no foget da one international market place!

http://tinyurl.com/94s6j

[runjinrun]

I work for IBM and was able to get a transfer to the IBM branch in Honolulu. Generally its technical support stuff, but I have other duties also.
Arturo

Holy cow. I just transfered here to do infrastructure consulting. PM me....you might sit a couple of cubicles down.

[Miulang]

Holy cow. I just transfered here to do infrastructure consulting. PM me....you might sit a couple of cubicles down.
"...It's a small world after all, it's a small, small world!" :D

[SouthKona]

[QUOTE=kimo55]ho, steh hungry now.
usta make choke chile rellanos at mama's mexican kitchen back in the 70's. Tamales, Mexican rice....
prep all day for the nite time rush. I was in pig heaven. all i can eat.

eh kimo, i knew i recognized you from somewhere ... BYOB Mama's! my uncle would take the whole family and friends out once every summer, our choice, and Mama's usually won. :D

[hawaii32]

Arturo-
I am from San Diego and live here now and I can tell you most of the things you hear on this forum are not correct. This is the very place that almost scared me away from moving to Hawaii. All the negitive things you hear about here are jokes if you are from LA. Crime? Traffic? Drugs? Yeah I am sure they are here but I sure have not had any problems. Some of these posts make it seem like Hawaii is a war zone. It could not be further from the truth. To people that were born and raised in Hawaii...yeah maybe it is bad. It is nothing like what I used to deal with in Southern CA. The people here are ALL warm and friendly. I have yet to deal with even one person that is unpleasant.
The cost of living is actually less here than in Southern CA and that is why I think so many people are coming over. I purchased a home here that would have been 50% more in San Diego. My life is better and I am actually doing better with my business now that I am here and happy. Do not listen to the negitive people. Most people that have negitive things to say are the type that never do anything with their lives and want to stop you from living your dreams.
Just remember if you come here that you are sure you want this life. It is a island and many people do make the mistake of coming here and it is not what they thought. Coming here debt free would also help.
I personally would rather have a island full of people that dreamed and worked hard to get here rather than a bunch of people that sit around and bitch and do nothing to change things but try to scare people off.

[Miulang]

Arturo-
I am from San Diego and live here now and I can tell you most of the things you hear on this forum are not correct. This is the very place that almost scared me away from moving to Hawaii. All the negitive things you hear about here are jokes if you are from LA. Crime? Traffic? Drugs? Yeah I am sure they are here but I sure have not had any problems. Some of these posts make it seem like Hawaii is a war zone. It could not be further from the truth. To people that were born and raised in Hawaii...yeah maybe it is bad. It is nothing like what I used to deal with in Southern CA. The people here are ALL warm and friendly. I have yet to deal with even one person that is unpleasant.
The cost of living is actually less here than in Southern CA and that is why I think so many people are coming over. I purchased a home here that would have been 50% more in San Diego. My life is better and I am actually doing better with my business now that I am here and happy. Do not listen to the negitive people. Most people that have negitive things to say are the type that never do anything with their lives and want to stop you from living your dreams.
Just remember if you come here that you are sure you want this life. It is a island and many people do make the mistake of coming here and it is not what they thought. I came here to grow tropical plants so it is the perfect place for me. Coming here debt free would also help. I personally would rather have a island full of people that dreamed and worked hard to get here rather than a bunch of people that sit around and bitch and do nothing to change things but try to scare people off.
Hmmm...my guess, Hawaii32, is that you live someplace out in the country and away from the crowds in the cities. Yes, there are places in Hawai'i where all the negative things you've read here aren't experienced, yet...what the locals on this board are trying to tell people moving to Hawai'i is to make sure they do their homework before they get here and be prepared to see some of the same kinds of problems they thought they were leaving behind. Hawai'i (and Honolulu) is not like LA because it is a finite space and there is no more land to spread out on, except on the Big Island. Many of the local people have spent all their lives here...it's all they know. And the "modernization" that they see occurring as their farmlands disappear and their slower pace of life is disturbed by the rapid influx of newcomers who are taxing every single infrastructure item---from the highways to the water system to the school system...everything---concerns them. If you lived somewhere all your life by choice and all of a sudden there were more newcomers than original residents, wouldn't you get a little concerned, too? Especially when the influx of new people caused your taxes and cost of living to increase dramatically? You are telling about your experience...the locals are telling you theirs. Neither side is absolutely right or wrong, so weigh every opinion and come with an open mind.

Miulang

[hawaii32]

Miulang-
Thank you for that thoughtfull post. I guess in a way I am just so proud of where I live now I just hate hearing all the posts about how bad it is here.
I have been growing orchids since I was a teenager so it has been my goal to move here my whole life. Plants are everything to me and there was just no better place for tropicals than here in Hawaii. So to me the land is very important...it is what made me come. I guess I just don't want people to get the same idea I was getting about life in Hawaii as I felt when I was planning this move. I have lived in Miami, LA, San Fran and San Diego and this by far is the best "lifestyle" for me. I love the easy way of the locals and if you are from LA you can sense the kindness and ease of people here right away. People smile and wave here! I want nothing more than the best for this wonderful place and I am working on a few things myself to help in what little ways I can. Once the rates go back up it will slow down again. I do feel it will cap off sometime as with all places.
I live in Mililani by the way!

[newroots]

hey mexican. its great that your happy.

the ''lifestyle'' that you love so much. is not just a lifestyle , its who we are. [i cant speak for hawai'i .. but i can speak for MiKrOnEsiA] its been disregarded for like a long time. da lifestyle was born outta like poverty and stuff. the land that was givin to us by god , is worth more than any material world powers introduced. i think the whole ''island'' trend thing was born out of the fear of terrorism in the city.

its great that your happy. but try to be empathetic. just imagine if like the natives in mexico were outnumbered and your land was being ''taken over''. wouldnt your ancestral pride kick in

[arturo_h]

Newroots: I don’t think Hawaii32 is Mexican (but correct me if I’m wrong, Hawaii32). I (Arturo) am Mexican and the original author of the thread and Hawaii32 was just commenting on that thread. Either way, he does have a name and not just “Mexican” and find it rather insulting to acknowledge someone by their race. Our (Mexicans) land IS being taken over by the North American Free-Trade Agreement (NAFTA). We are being pushed out by not being able to compete with bigger and wealthier American companies. So don’t think it’s just happening in Hawaii, because it’s happening everywhere you go. CAFTA (Central American Free-Trade Agreement) is currently being approved and will affect even more countries in Central America. Modernization, urbanism, etc. is everywhere, and is what the world is all about now. It’s like a freight train that everyone was willing to fuel in the past, but now impossible to stop. The growing world population doesn’t help either, but how can that be controlled? But I do agree with you; we do need to hold onto our “ancestral pride,” but be more open-minded about the whole situation and understand that there are other people experiencing the same as native Hawaiians. We need to support each other to make this WORLD a better place.
Arturo

[newroots]

agreed.

but one thing that da whole worldz not facing is GeNoCiDe. in mehiko the mehikaaanz are still the bestest. and since your government is independent , its more easy to preserve your peeps.

[arturo_h]

That's true.
Arturo

[Miulang]

You know, you can extrapolate the kanaka maoli sovereignty movement in Hawai'i to the Native American and Hispanic people in California, too. If the State of California reverted back to its "original owners", the Native Americans and the Hispanic people would be sitting on a goldmine! :) Maybe that's why the Federal gov't is so freaked out by the Hawaiian sovereignty movement...they're afraid other indigenous people will get the same idea... :eek:

Miulang

[Pedro]

I apologize. I can see comparing islands to non-islands isn’t correct. I have lived in Guam, which seemed comparable to Hawaii, but not as populous. Kimo-I meant that people moving from one area to another is basically redistribution when viewed from a greater perspective. Development is evident around the world. Why should Hawaii be any different? I’m not saying destroying beautiful land in Hawaii is right, but I don’t see it as something to blame on people who move to Hawaii. Babies are still born everyday, and the population of the world, not just Hawaii, is growing. Again, perspective. The Earth is a finite place, but to single out Hawaii doesn’t seem right. LikaNui-I don’t think living on an island is the matter at hand. Sure, some people have a problem with it, and should be smart enough NOT to move to an island, but for those who can, so be it. Miulang-If someone doesn’t feel comfortable living in an “urban” lifestyle, then they should move somewhere rural. It is under one’s control to decide to move somewhere they think will make them happy. Some people enjoy urban lifestyle, like me. Moving somewhere because its “paradise” doesn’t seem like a smart move, and that is not what I will be doing. But I agree, for those who move to Hawaii ONLY because it’s paradise, have another thing coming. Miulang-How does it “pain you” to see what’s going on in Hawaii, although it’s happening everywhere?
Arturo


O.K. One thing U keep on mentioning perspective everytime. Why?
2nd; you compare hawaii to Guam and other places as if Hawaii is somehow interconnected because of land and resource, and population. Why? Hawaii is my home not these other places, and it saddens me that it will not be affordable to live on anymore, and all the resources of the island will be gone, well most of it, in the next ten years. Your an outsider looking at a closed door asking all kinds of questions, in which no one has the answer to give you yet you keep pounding on the door as if it will open. And since it won't open you have all these interesting conclusions and theories. If you want the real answer quit talking and move here and I am sure you'll find some answers that will suit your interest, if not oh well..

[AbsolutChaos]

To people that were born and raised in Hawaii...yeah maybe it is bad. It is nothing like what I used to deal with in Southern CA. The people here are ALL warm and friendly. I have yet to deal with even one person that is unpleasant.

I personally would rather have a island full of people that dreamed and worked hard to get here rather than a bunch of people that sit around and bitch and do nothing to change things but try to scare people off.

When I offered my opinion, I meant it also as a warning of advice, not a "don't even consider coming here" sort of post. Like Miulang said, you really need to do your homework here if you want to survive, the same as moving anywhere else. Due to this being an island and part of the of the US, etc, once again, there are unique situations here that don't exist anywhere else.

I was born and raised on the Mainland until I moved here three years ago. I've met my fair share of people who moved to HI with nothing more than dreams and no sense of reality that you need a lot of MONEY and a back-up plan to survive out here. They expected a job to be handed to them. They expected people here to welcome them with open arms and give them a place to stay. They expected to live here comfortably and still find time to surf/whatever on a minimum wage salary. Those are the ones who went home disillusioned and bitter, especially when they finally woke up to the fact that the image presented by the HI Tourism bureau doesn't necessarily reflect life here when you are a resident.

There ARE definitely some tensions that will always exist when you have people from various backgrounds living in the same area. And I AM familiar with being a minority, though it wasn't in LA. As an Asian Indian in the South, I had my share of slurs/ignorant comments. In fact, when I went to visit some friends who still lived in the small town I grew up in, I learned that the KKK is a prevalent force there now. (Shiver. You see their graffiti up all over the walls.) You don't have to be living in a city like LA to experience racism, that's for sure! It exists in the outlying areas of a place also.

[poi cocktail :)]

hola arturo, que te paso amigo? :D

this is but a small sampling of hawaii's population. and I'm going to add my 2 cents too! I live in a modest (IMO) subdivision, for example most of the homes sell for under the median so it's no kahala. but it's a palace and sanctuary for me. the majority of homeowners here are not transplants but local people, with young families. and now we are a part of each other's families. they are making it work as people do all over the country. many are the original owners so they bought brand new and watched their houses go up. they are flight attendant, a doctor, brewing company employee, insurance adjuster, music producer, hospitality worker (that guy has the nicest suv here LOL), etc. the island life is not as destitute as some would lead you to believe.

I have met some wealthy young locals too. the local contractor tradespeople I've come across are rolling in it. one guy shows up in a new hummer. another is building his own mini-mansion down the block, the last open lot left. plans for a pool good for him I say he doing well for himself. the heavy equipment guy "scraping the hillside" just threw down for a new $100k grader and doing side jobs on the weekend with it all the time. the damn architects so busy they don't give a crap about the small jobs. I don't want to hear how poor everybody stay here it ain't the absolute truth. there is a whole nother underground economy too.

SF is way more compressed than Oahu at only 49 square miles and the same cries of welcome, spend your money and go home are heard, especially with the dot bomb infusion and then fallout. sure you can take a bus out of town easy enough but it's not impossible to get off this rock neither. last I checked we have banks, credit unions, atms, of course the ships and airlines and maybe even a western union. I saw my City change too over the years but it's still a beautiful place to live though for the most part actually more beautiful now that the people are more varied. and everybody is still free to roam about the country. good luck with your upcoming move~! it may work out it may not. nothing ventured, nothing gained.

ps. another friend of mine moved from SF to Waianae, for the 2nd and hopefully last time. it is where they want to live out their days and few places in the world can match the beauty of the west side especially at sunset. they have had no problems with nobody. the neighbors enjoy bringing each other dinner / cookouts etc. it is their home and community as it is where I am. we take care of each other as family. I think that is what this is all about.

te veo!

[arturo_h]

¡Gracias mucho!

Thanks for your reply. I know there are so many different perspectives on living in Hawai’i, and it makes it interesting. I knew it couldn’t be all bad but still welcomed the comments. All of you deserve to feel the way you do and I commend you all on cherishing your culture so much. I only hope that I won’t become one of the many idiots who come there showing no respect for your land and only want to satisfy their greed and selfishness. I will strive to only be a guest in your land and do my part to show respect.

¡Espero que te vea también!