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Dru Morgan
Aloha all,
I was born in 1968, and lived on Oahu from about 1971 to 1981 till my mom moved us to the mainland. I travelled extensively since then, and am currently in Los Angeles. Married and three kids later, I find myself wanting to get out of this big city.
We visited Kona with my current company, and I added an extra week for my personal time to spend on Oahu. I can't get it out of my head now. I want to move back. I want my kids to grow up in a community like I had, riding their bike to the beach before school and eating malasadas, saimin and poke all day.
My wife, an actual "valley girl" has given in and said if I can make it happen, she'll head to the islands.
Yes, she is a redhead, and I have it recessive, too. Even though, for a haole, I tan up pretty good, my wife and three kids turn a nice shade of pink in the sun.
Far from the teasing I took as a kid for being a haole, the times I have been back as an adult I was welcomed by everyone. And, after being in a city like Los Angeles, everyone is way more friendly in the islands. The weather, the activities, the community, the food, all of it. I want to give my family that experience just like I was offered as a kid.
I went to Wilson Elementary, and to Star of the Sea (it's coed before high school) up to 7th grade. I lived in Kahala Towers and Waialae Gardens, so that is my center of reference. My mom worked in a hotel selling time sharing in Waikiki (yes, it was the 70's) so anywhere near Diamond Head is where I'm looking.
My POV is definitely colored by the era. I picture Hawaii as Checkers and Pogo, Farrells (Mr. Checkers ate a whole zoo at my birthday once), ukulele lessons, "Disco sucks/Rock Rules" graffiti, skateboard with metal wheels, Leonard's malasadas, boogie boarding at Sandy's and Makapuu, riding bikes in the canals (yes, even with the legend of the kids getting washed out to sea in a flash flood), Willie Willie Mongoose, Lani Moo at Meadow Gold, NBC was the HIC, parking at the Kahala Beach park, and walking over to in front of the Kahala Hilton to swim out to the anchored raft, I could go on for a while...
I am self employed as an investment advisor. Basically, I help people put together a plan to take advantage of their 401(k) and IRA and everything else to make sure that one day work is an option. There is nobody I can't help if they are willing to spend less than they earn, save and invest the difference and do it consistently for a long time. I have a very nice practice in Los Angeles, but would need to transition my clientelle to the islands if I were to make a permanent move. I work very closely with my clients to make sure they meet their goals, so when I move, I plan to spend most of my time with my new clients in Hawaii.
I have tentative plans to try to do this in Apr, 2008, two years from now. So, until then, I am looking to build relationships with people that can help me find a place to live, and integrate into the economy. So far, I have been getting some great referrals to local business owners, and I am in touch with a few people I met on this recent trip. If I'm going to do it, I can't do it halfway, so that is why I'm giving myself the two year goal.
If you travel to Los Angeles, or know other people who do, let's introduce ourselves. I am quite the tourguide here.
Well, I'm glad to meet you all, and like what I see so far. I look forward to vicariously experiencing the islands till I can get there again.
-Dru Morgan
I was born in 1968, and lived on Oahu from about 1971 to 1981 till my mom moved us to the mainland. I travelled extensively since then, and am currently in Los Angeles. Married and three kids later, I find myself wanting to get out of this big city.
We visited Kona with my current company, and I added an extra week for my personal time to spend on Oahu. I can't get it out of my head now. I want to move back. I want my kids to grow up in a community like I had, riding their bike to the beach before school and eating malasadas, saimin and poke all day.
My wife, an actual "valley girl" has given in and said if I can make it happen, she'll head to the islands.
Yes, she is a redhead, and I have it recessive, too. Even though, for a haole, I tan up pretty good, my wife and three kids turn a nice shade of pink in the sun.
Far from the teasing I took as a kid for being a haole, the times I have been back as an adult I was welcomed by everyone. And, after being in a city like Los Angeles, everyone is way more friendly in the islands. The weather, the activities, the community, the food, all of it. I want to give my family that experience just like I was offered as a kid.
I went to Wilson Elementary, and to Star of the Sea (it's coed before high school) up to 7th grade. I lived in Kahala Towers and Waialae Gardens, so that is my center of reference. My mom worked in a hotel selling time sharing in Waikiki (yes, it was the 70's) so anywhere near Diamond Head is where I'm looking.
My POV is definitely colored by the era. I picture Hawaii as Checkers and Pogo, Farrells (Mr. Checkers ate a whole zoo at my birthday once), ukulele lessons, "Disco sucks/Rock Rules" graffiti, skateboard with metal wheels, Leonard's malasadas, boogie boarding at Sandy's and Makapuu, riding bikes in the canals (yes, even with the legend of the kids getting washed out to sea in a flash flood), Willie Willie Mongoose, Lani Moo at Meadow Gold, NBC was the HIC, parking at the Kahala Beach park, and walking over to in front of the Kahala Hilton to swim out to the anchored raft, I could go on for a while...
I am self employed as an investment advisor. Basically, I help people put together a plan to take advantage of their 401(k) and IRA and everything else to make sure that one day work is an option. There is nobody I can't help if they are willing to spend less than they earn, save and invest the difference and do it consistently for a long time. I have a very nice practice in Los Angeles, but would need to transition my clientelle to the islands if I were to make a permanent move. I work very closely with my clients to make sure they meet their goals, so when I move, I plan to spend most of my time with my new clients in Hawaii.
I have tentative plans to try to do this in Apr, 2008, two years from now. So, until then, I am looking to build relationships with people that can help me find a place to live, and integrate into the economy. So far, I have been getting some great referrals to local business owners, and I am in touch with a few people I met on this recent trip. If I'm going to do it, I can't do it halfway, so that is why I'm giving myself the two year goal.
If you travel to Los Angeles, or know other people who do, let's introduce ourselves. I am quite the tourguide here.
Well, I'm glad to meet you all, and like what I see so far. I look forward to vicariously experiencing the islands till I can get there again.
-Dru Morgan
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