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Thinking about making the move to Molokai

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  • #31
    Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

    besides molokai locals' tendency to be insular, i can't see any good come out of encouraging someone to relocate their family to move halfway around the world to someplace they've only read about or talked with others about yet never once actually visited and don't already have personal ties to. it's one thing to do if you're single and are wealthy enough to change your mind if you've found your new home is nothing like you'd expected. i can see that as being adventurous. it's a much bigger risk to do it when you have kids and spouse and you're not obligated (say by your job or family need), especially in these economic times. i wouldn't venture to do it.
    superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

    "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

    nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

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    • #32
      Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

      Originally posted by susie View Post
      I just am disappointed, as I bet anyone would be, that most of what I am getting is negative.
      You're absolutely right; again, I'm not saying anything to scare you off your plan, but rather to help you get a realistic perspective toward what you want to do. Personally, I think you should hang on to that dream and pursue it - but with a very complete picture of what you are getting into. If you are ready to deal with the challenges, you have a better chance at success, but if you don't accept what's ahead of you, you are guaranteed to fail. Personally, I'd love to see you make your dream come true. From Iowa - to Moloka`i; I wanna read that success story someday!
      Originally posted by susie View Post
      And regarding "Pidgin to da Max". I would never attempt to speak pidgin, I bought the book because it seemed interesting and it does come in handy to help me understand what folks are saying.
      Oh, good. I just wanted to be sure to pre-empt that idea, in case you had it; I'm glad you didn't. And it's a hilarious read, too!

      Comment


      • #33
        Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

        i apologize for the small digression of this post.

        LEO: eric and i are ourselves about to go someplace we've never been--albeit just for a few days' visit--seattle. sent you a pm earlier this week. would you be able to answer it this weekend? mahalos!
        Last edited by cynsaligia; July 10, 2009, 01:49 PM.
        superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

        "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

        nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

        Comment


        • #34
          Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

          Originally posted by cynsaligia View Post
          i apologize for the small digression. leo, eric and i are ourselves about to go someplace we've never been--albeit just for a few days' visit--seattle. sent you a pm earlier this week. would you be able to answer it this weekend? mahalos!
          Sorry, yes - will try to do so this weekend. Between a surprise leak in our hot water heater on July 4, plus the Alpha Female being ill all week, I've been unable to help you out; will do so ASAP!

          Back to your scheduled discussion, folks. Nothing to see here - move along - move along...

          Comment


          • #35
            Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

            Does anyone watch "Top Chef"? The reason I ask is one of the cheftestants (Mia Gaines-Alt)
            ended up moving in 2007 to Moloka'i from Modesto, CA having never been
            there. She got the job as the chef at the Hotel Molokai I never heard if she
            is still there or not. She's on Facebook apparently maybe you could try to
            become her "friend" on that site and she could tell you what it was like
            for her. But again, she went with a job lined up.

            Comment


            • #36
              Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

              Of all the islands you could pick to move to, I think Molokai would be the toughest one to get established and make friends on. Have you considered Hilo side of the Big Island, or North Shore area on Oahu?
              ~ This is the strangest life I've ever known ~

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              • #37
                Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                Susie-
                I'm a bit further along in the process you're considering so maybe I can offer a different perspective.

                I visited Hawaii (Maui) for the first time 9 months ago for a friend's wedding and feel in love with the idea of living there. I'm also originally from the Midwest (raised in Missouri, grew up in the outdoors of the ozarks and lived in small farm town). So I was drawn to the outdoors of Hawaii.

                After returning to the mainland, I networked and found a job opportunity within my specialty in Honolulu. On the return trip for the job interview, I really took the time explore the islands with the eyes of a non-tourist. I looked at the price of everything, meals when eating out, McDonalds (Which you should never eat anyway), grocery store items, the cost of produce, milk, frozen pizza (I love a good frozen pizza, but I think I'd rather learn to bake bread than pay that price). Also, the time difference (I wont be able to call my family on a whim because of the time difference). I also had to realize that Oahu is very different than Maui, the island I first feel in love with. All the islands are very different as has been said.

                The Manager recruiting me also provided a lot of advice. Although she really wanted me to take the job, she wanted me to be sure that I was willing to make the sacrifices of living on the islands. Most people would be surprised how hard it is to decide to go to Hawaii until you have the actual opportunity to do so. And it's a hard decision, one I continue to struggle with as I prepare to leave for Oahu in two weeks.

                So, long story short, heed the advice here. GO VISIT! Either one of two things will happen. Either you'll realize your dream can be a reality and become more passionate about doing it, or you may learn that your dream is just that. I say go for it and find out. Best of luck.
                -Eric

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                • #38
                  Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                  The way I see it, the postings on this thread have been relatively gentle compared to what is likely to happen when a newcomer happens to pull into a parking stall that someone else has already eyeballed as their own, or if a newcomer happens to smile too friendly at the wrong person's wife at the store, or if the security guard at the airport says to "keep moving" and the newcomer decides to pull over anyway .....

                  HTers are being pretty nice, but real life in Hawaii is not all "Aloha", and if you can't hack HT you aren't gona be able to hack life here. IMHO.

                  So, give up on your plan? No, but maybe listen more without taking offense, and you'll perhaps have a much easier time with your adventure. I think most everyone here really does want the best for you.
                  Now run along and play, but don’t get into trouble.

                  Comment


                  • #39
                    Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                    Susie, I'm born and raised in Hawaii and have visited Molokai plenty of times and even have friends on both sides of the island. BUT I would never live there because even for this 49-year Kamaaina, I just don't fit in. If this local guy has reservations about living there, so will you once you've understood what Molokai is all about.

                    Molokai is one of the last outposts for Hawaiiana. The life there is rural plantation for those multi-generational families that have managed to maintain that style of life and culture despite being dragged into the 21st century. Their lives are already being encrouched upon by western values as more people discover this island and move in on the East side. Those homesteaders on the West are feeling the pinch already and are trying to hang on to their way of life as the demographics change.

                    I don't want to live there for two reasons: 1) I'm an outsider and 2) I respect their way of life. I go visit and admire it but I know when it's time to leave.

                    The advice I'm giving you is sound and an attempt to sway you from this idea that living on Molokai will be an accepting one from the locals there. They will tolerate you but will be passive-aggressive at the same time. That's not healthy for you or your family.

                    Come to the Big Island if you want rural. We got plenty of that here.
                    Life is what you make of it...so please read the instructions carefully.

                    Comment


                    • #40
                      Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                      Originally posted by cynsaligia View Post
                      it's one thing to do if you're single and are wealthy enough to change your mind if you've found your new home is nothing like you'd expected. i can see that as being adventurous.
                      You mean like this other guy who never quite acculturated to Molokai while annoying the heck out of the locals?

                      http://archives.starbulletin.com/200...ess/engle.html
                      http://oceanhomemag.com/mcafee-puts-...e-up-for-sale/
                      http://www.molokai-hawaii-realestate...p?listingID=47
                      Youth may be wasted on the young, but retirement is wasted on the old.
                      Live like you're dying, invest like you're immortal.
                      We grow old if we stop playing, but it's never too late to have a happy childhood.
                      Forget about who you were-- discover who you are.

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                      • #41
                        Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                        Originally posted by Nords View Post
                        You mean like this other guy who never quite acculturated to Molokai while annoying the heck out of the locals?

                        http://archives.starbulletin.com/200...ess/engle.html
                        http://oceanhomemag.com/mcafee-puts-...e-up-for-sale/
                        http://www.molokai-hawaii-realestate...p?listingID=47
                        i'm sorry. i should have said "rich" instead of "wealthy." (chris rock's take on rich v. wealthy here.) i was imagining someone who makes half a mil a year or so. i most certainly wasn't thinking of a software mogul.

                        It wasn’t until after I left the company that I realized I had more money than anyone can spend.

                        ...

                        McAfee’s success also afforded him the luxury of owning about a dozen estates (he isn’t sure of the exact number) spread out across North America, Fiji, and Belize, and now he’s cashing it all in. In fact, his 280-acre Colorado mountain estate that was estimated at over $20 million was auctioned off for a mere $5.78 million. “I’m embarrassed that I built that house in Colorado,” says McAfee. “It sold to a gentleman who shouldn’t have bought it. The maintenance on that place is over $1 million a year.”
                        but i guess even having ungodly amounts of money doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to buy a clue.

                        The founder of California-based software company McAfee Inc. says he is "befuddled" by the reaction of what he believes to be a vocal minority on Molokai to his plan to sell more than 1,000 acres on the Friendly Isle.
                        superbia (pride), avaritia (greed), luxuria (lust), invidia (envy), gula (gluttony), ira (wrath) & acedia (sloth)--the seven deadly sins.

                        "when you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people i deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly..."--meditations, marcus aurelius (make sure you read the rest of the passage, ya lazy wankers!)

                        nothing humiliates like the truth.--me, in conversation w/mixedplatebroker re 3rd party, 2009-11-11, 1213

                        Comment


                        • #42
                          Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                          Hi, Susie-

                          I never lived on Molokai. Never even went to visit. But I can tell you what it was like moving to Oahu last year when my husband got transferred out of the blue.

                          I'd been to Oahu once before for two weeks and had liked it, but when I found out we were moving, I was upset. For all the reasons people listed, plus others. But I didn't have a choice, so I found myself on a plane. When I first got there, it was the end of October and I hated it. I couldn't find my way around, I couldn't pronounce street names to ask anybody where to go. There weren't MY favorite stores. The traffic SUCKED, I kept getting lost, I didn't know anybody. We lived in an area that was mostly locals and no one was too friendly, like when I went to the store. Yeah, the beach was pretty and I was living all my friends' dreams, but I was miserable. It was humid and my hair looked crappy and there was no AC. I missed my dogs.

                          But....after a few weeks I got used to the humidity. I met Turtle Girl and made an awesome friend. I started learning my way around. I made friends with some people in my neighborhood (we lived on an ex-military base, so they were used to people coming and going). I bought a rice-cooker and a boogie board. TG and I started exploring all over and having a blast. I finally settled in and was happy- one of the happiest times in my life. Then my husband's project ended nine months early and we had to move back to Texas and I was completely miserable because I realized that I was in love with Hawaii and wanted to stay, but it just wasn't possible. So now I'm back in nasty, hot Texas with no awesome Turtle Girl, no beach, and missing Hawaii every single day like crazy. But there's no way my husband and I could afford to live there on our own (his company paid for our expenses out there). Sometimes, before I go to bed at night, I ask God to let me wake up in Oahu and I promise I won't ask any questions, but it never happens. But I keep hoping. And saving quarters.

                          Anyway, the point of this is that I thought I would totally hate Hawaii and I did, but then I finally settled in and loved it. I agree you should visit first. We got stuck in a part of the island that we didn't want to live in, but that's what happens when you move blindly. Take an extended vacay, but say you're moving so people get used to you. Check out Big Island, Maui, Molokai, Kauai. If you move to the Big Island or Kauai and get acclamated, maybe then you could move to Molokai and it wouldn't be as much of a culture shock. Doing things in stages is sometimes easier. Just be prepared for expensive! I knew that, had it drilled into my head, and was still shocked, especially coming from a cheap state.

                          And know that Hawaii is more like a foreign country than part of the United States. At least it was to me.

                          Good luck with whatever you decide!
                          Last edited by surlygirly; July 12, 2009, 12:45 AM.

                          Can't think of anything creative this time

                          Comment


                          • #43
                            Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                            Hi Susie,

                            Reading through this thread, I have a thought for you: consider Kaʻū, which is the south end of the Big Island. You can get all that great rural, provincial lifestyle that will fill your soul, and you will find two key elements not readily available on Molokaʻi: a community of other expatriats with whom to find camaraderie and support and the ability to drive to either Hilo or Kona for medical services and shopping, etc (each just 90 min away). There you can find good sized pieces of property and a quiet lifestyle.

                            pax

                            Comment


                            • #44
                              Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                              Susie,
                              Everyone here is giving you great advice, no one is trying to be negative or tell you not to follow your heart. The fact that you are considering Molokai makes it seem like you are not getting the big picture and that is why people are trying to educate you, not dissuade you from coming.

                              The nearest analogy would be comparing Molokai to a reservation on the mainland. Would you choose to move into Iroquois tribal land? Or right at the edge of their reservation? Would you buy a house in a newly "developed" area, widely know to be Native American sacred land, knowing that the only reason it was sold was because the people were faced with the choice to either move from their ancestral home or sell of pieces off to pay for the rising property taxes caused by nearby development? Molokai is almost like that.
                              I want to make it clear that this is a gross oversimplification, but I think it is a good analogy.

                              As far as Hawaiians hating you... not likely, not if you understand Aloha. But people there have learned to be a little stand-offish to wait and see if you really "get" it and will you make it past the "honeymoon" phase and really love Hawaii for what it really is and chose to stay. Read the posts, everyone who stays over there has seen so many people move there with the wrong idea and leave disappointed.
                              With this forum you have instant 'ohana (family) who are giving great honest advice. Without a forum like this the only way to get this kind of info would be to already have family or friends over there.

                              Well thats my two cents, I hope it helps someone.
                              sigpic You don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.

                              Comment


                              • #45
                                Re: Thinking about making the move to Molokai

                                Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
                                Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it.
                                Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure.

                                Helen Keller


                                jus' sayin'...
                                Life is either an adventure... or you're not doing it right!!!

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