When I first arrived at Honolulu International Airport in the mid 1980’s, I was 18 years old and I hadn’t a clue what I was in for. The Air Force had sent me to the Hawaiian Islands, and to me it seemed like a cruel joke. I didn’t WANT to be in Hawaii. I didn’t know anything about Hawaii. There was no internet I could consult to see what living there might be like. The only thing I had to go on was my weak recall of the Brady Bunch episode where they all went to Oahu and had tarantulas in their beds. Now that I think of it, tarantulas weren’t even native to Hawaii! I’ve never seen one. Hmm.
Anyway, so the plane erupted to cheers and claps from passengers onboard as we touched down. I was in a mild state of shock. When the door of the plane opened – I felt a mix of dread and excitement, but far more dread.
The BEST THING ABOUT LIVING IN HAWAII?
The feeling. The feeling I got when walked down the endlessly long metal tube leading to the airport reception area… the feeling when I saw dozens of people handing out leis and smiling. The feeling I got as I sensed I wasn’t really on Oahu to work for the Air Force, I was there to work on myself. I was there to enjoy nature at its utmost beauty.
Hawaii is stunningly beautiful and there is nothing like it visually, but more importantly, there is nothing like the feeling you’ll get as you come to the realization of what it is to live or even just visit the Hawaiian Islands.
Paradise on Earth? Absolutely.
What is the Worst Thing About Living in Hawaii? (click to see this other video)
Aloha, I stayed on Maui for three months. The first 3 weeks I stayed with a good friend and then on a perma-culture farm called Mystic Gardens and five days on the Big I to swim with the dolphins and many other adventures. I am thinking about moving to the Big I where my Aunt wants me to help her on her farm. I was wondering how the school systems are on the Big I. I heard that the public schools on Maui are not good by asking around while I was there. I even ask a teacher there. I have a 12 year old daughter who is going into the 7th grade. She is getting great grades in honor classes here in Northern California. I have cousin’s on the Big Island yet, many of them are teachers there, but I have not yet met them to ask them about the schools. So, my question is how are the schools on the Big Island? Please let me know, Mahalo
Wish I could help. I have no experience with schools on the Big Island of Hawaii. Maybe a reader can help?
PollyBarb I can tell you about it coming from a parents view but I believe your teacher cousins would say the same things plus give you an idea of the best school district to live in and still work at auntie’s farm. I will say though, that as far as the east side schools go your daughter is way better off in N Cali.