Family is the exact reason why we are still here… grandma is 98, parents are in their 70’s and I know the feeling of just wanting to be around them. Thanks so much for the honest video! So raw and real!
Important heart felt words. My wife and I love Maui and would love to move there. But for us, like you, stay here in California because of our family. Three adult children and five grandchildren live here, so we are satisfied with visiting Maui once a year. Much of what you share is not exclusive to Hawaii, it is exclusive to your heart and your family. Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy your vids. Aloha
Keola and Kapono Beaver sums it up more for me. "Honolulu City Lights" I am a Puerto Rican local boy, born and raised in Honolulu who's family first first came here in 1897. I was raised up with my brothers and sisters of Portugese, Filipino, Japanese, Hawaiian, Chinese, Korean, please excuse me for not mentioning anyone else, Samoans came a little later. I went to Florida in 1986. After living there for 5 years this Black dude came up to me after hearing me speak and asked me, you from Hawaii? I wont get to the nuts and bolts of it but since I was there, people would come up to me speaking Spanish and I would tell them that I'm from Hawaii. I never once desired to travel to Puerto Rico which was not that far away from Florida. I came straight back to my home Honolulu and have been here ever since. I don't give a hoot about what anyone thinks' I'm a poi eating Puerto Rican who will die in Honolulu. f
I too also stay because of family , friends and the connections and memories you make from growing up here. I come from generation after generation of proud hard working Hawaiians and most of us as well as I live in Makaha and have never left. The west side is probably one of the poorest parts of Oahu but the people here work hard for their living and find a way to make do. I think unless you already have family up in the mainland or a job waiting for you there than its going to be very hard starting from scratch with little to no resources. I will try as hard as I can to make it big here in Hawaii and if I can id like to help other people make it here too so they don't feel like they have to leave too. Great video. Aloha.
Mahalo for sharing. Good point that it would be tough to start from nothing on the mainland. Still, once you get settled, it would be cheaper than here.
Wow wow, you just expressed the exact idea stuck in my heart for years. After achieving so many things in the United States, "parents & family" are the only reasons why I want to go back to that South Asian island which I was born.
Thanks for sharing. I too was born and raised in Hawaii with extended family there, but now here in California. When growing up I always fantasized of getting off the island to somewhere better. Now I go back every year and fantasize settling down or retiring back in Hawaii, always looking at properties to buy. But after watching all your videos has opened my eyes to see its not all rainbows and beautiful beaches. Hawaiis higher cost of living, less fresh food, job opportunities, education choices, places to travel, restaurants etc. has kept it real for me and realize where I currently am is already great too and every place has its advantages and disadvantages. Love watching the videos, I'm vicariously living back in Hawaii through you. Mahalo!
@@HelloFromHawaii Yes Hawaii is great!!! We always look forward to going back every year spending time with family. I went through same phase as you where my parents are suddenly older (slower with physical problems) and do want to spend time and take care of them. But Hawaii is home to them and they refuse to live in California. The biggest reason I would say that's keeping us from moving back is the kids education.
Hawaii is all about family and who you know. Its small size and naturally defined borders makes it easy to stay close with them. Unlike the mainland, you can hop in a car and go anywhere, have opportunities to buy land elsewhere. Here in Hawaii, people understand that if can can.. if no can, no can. That's why a lot of locals stay or come back. It'll always be home.
Been living on Oahu 17 years and counting. Absolutely love it! The cost of living, food and travel are terrible. Yet, when I compare Hawaii to anyplace else, they always fall short in some aspect. Lucky we live Hawaii!❤️🌈😊 🤙🏽
It would be perfect if their were no democrats who ruined Hawaii making life difficult with high cost of living and homeless and criminals running around with no fear of being punished by the ridiculous laws in Hawaii causing misery here
My Dad & Mom are always going to be young & spriteful to me. I understand ageing and etc.; as long my dad still can make me laugh & stand by me I'm fine. Just like my Grandpa will always be that 1 person who will not only ride me but will always be silently proud of me 🥰
I appreciate this video.. so heartfelt. 💛 I too am going through the same feelings and emotions with my parents. They mean the world to me and I would love to spend as much time with them as I can. Thank you for this ☺️🌈🙏🏼
I’m so glad you’re not pushed to the edge! Aloha. Going back to spend time with your parents is what Hawaii is all about. This is your most touching videos. Mahalo. Your family life is way better than the big house big yard and basement. Those things are just things. I miss being included with all the lovely people that opened their lives to me. Driving by the beaches, always smelling food. Good lovely memories.
@@HelloFromHawaii Your time with grandparents and parents are on borrowed time once they reach a certain age so make the most of it. My wife lost two uncles within one week a month ago.
Yep. I always envisioned my parents as being 40 something until I looked one day, and they were 70 something. What a powerful kick in the nuts I tell you. We always look forward to get togethers with them, aunts, uncles, etc… , but I must say, I am not getting any younger, my wife and I wish to move to Hawaii once we finish helping our two wonderful sons thru college (nope we are not rich….by any means)….(you are talking to mechanic and social worker) we just need to leave Pittsburgh because we just are tired of being in this mostly cold, dark, stinky, crime ridden place. (Yep, it’s affordable) We want to start a small farm/room rental for people on a budget. Of course we will have to rethink our lively hoods once over there, but we are trying our best to pay the bank loan out on our Hilo house. I am just hoping that the property values in Our Pittsburgh hood hold up so when our kids are good and ready to move out, we can sell and get something….🌈😃🤙
I really love hawaii. Yes, the cost living is out there. But I think it's pretty manageable when it's done right. Family will definitely make you grounded and feel home no matter where you are.
Hawaii is hard but the mainland is harder and more expensive. And family is all-important. The US hardly has a safety net and that's going to only get worse. But if you have family, at least you have someone who will let you live in their garage or in a storage shed in the backyard etc., instead of becoming homeless which is what people do on the mainland. And the weather in Hawaii is not actively trying to kill you. I'm in San Jose, California, not home to extreme weather, but we still have many homeless people freeze to death in the winter and our summers will have some 110+ days and that can kill also.
I think it's there are trade offs to the mainland and Hawaii. Financially, the mainland is more accessible because it's connected and easier to move to cheaper places. But I know there are certain parts that are still expensive.
Me too. I came from Thailand 7 years ago... but I have left my Mom for 13 years. Last year I went home to see her... she looks old and not healthy🥲... I think why I have been gone for so long... I don't want to move back to Thailand but I think Mom don't have much time lift to be with me. And I still don't know what to do.
I get it ... . even though I live on the mainland, family is everything. We all started returning home as the folks got older, and now I am an "elder" so our kids are starting to come back. Is easier at holidays and cheaper too ... so we travel together during the holidays. Think things are changing with hard times, our grand kids are having to move away and I don't see them coming home. Thanks for taking is around the islands and sharing your tjougjts ...
My father grew up in Kaka’ako. My mom grew up in Waipahu. My brothers grew up in Kailua. Me, the youngest of 5 sibs and came way later after the first 4……grew up in Arizona. ARIZONA!!! I found myself struggling with “belonging”. I didn’t belong in AZ and felt out of place in HI. My Ohana in Hawaii and my immediate family, don’t realize how out of place I am. Yet, even though I didn’t grow up in Hawaii, deep in my heart, I know it’s my home. I visited so I can get to know my relatives, but it’s not the same as growing up with them. I don’t have the memories or the connections like everyone else does. But what I DO have is, for lack of a better description, a more spiritual connection. A deep connection to the environment. The land, the ocean (weirdly-I’m not a water person), the wind, the volcanoes. Lol, looks like I just named off the elements. Anyway, my cousins have told me, Hawaii is where I belong. I’ve come close to moving. But it would mean leaving MY family in AZ. None of them wanted to move back because of the cost of living. Since I couldn’t leave my parents and they didn’t want to go. I stayed in AZ. I guess I’ll never know for sure, if I truly belong in Hawaii. I’m creeping up in my 60’s at this point, so why bother any more. I hear how my cousins are doing. My aunts, uncles and parents are gone now. The generations before us were ultra special times of Hawaii. So I understand exactly what you’re saying when it comes to parents, family, extended family. There’s something to be said about growing up without the family gatherings. I had no idea what I missed! My cousins expressed tearfully, how they missed my family when we left and not being at the BBQ’s. Oh BTW, I can see how growing up with Hawaiian friends is WAY different than mainland friends. I won’t explain it here, but your keiki is plenty lucky! To be able to grow up there and be close to family. I’ll just leave it at that. Mahalo for this video. Yes, it’s very relatable.
Mahalo for the comment. It's different growing up here. Maybe I'll talk about that in a future video. I see that difference in my cousins who grew up on the mainland versus the cousins who grew up here.
Family & friends matters the most, and there is just no substitute for it. As you have stated in the video that there are lots of states out there where you can buy really cheap property and cost of living would also very cheap, but you won’t have your family and loved ones close by. We all have to sacrifice few things in life and I think when it comes to a family, which cares about you, then it’s worth it. The time you are spending with you parents is just priceless & you will cherish it for the rest of your life.
I totally understand your viewpoint. I am an only child and my parents live about 10 miles away. As my parents have aged, they need a little more assistance so my husband and I are able to help.
Family. The Dad&Mom *Don't* *miss* *them* Stick to them at their sides. To be at their side. Now you're *among* *them* too, *the shoes both fit* This episode I cried
Yeah. The only reason i moved back for 8 years was family. I will prob never move back. Its a different place than when I was growing up. Plus, I was never a "Local" person. Never related to the Hawaii lifestyle (Big trucks, pitbulls, surfing, Hawaiian music, etc). Moved to Japan. Way more my style.
You’re lucky you bought your place when you did. If not the financial pressure would be a lot higher. As you get even older the pressure increases especially if your parents need medical care. A lot of people do not have long term care insurance. Yes hawaii is expensive but costs are rising everywhere and will continue to do so because of fiat money printing.
Over the past 2-3 years, I noticed property values in Oahu has risen considerably, almost as much as some parts of California. Not going to get cheaper in Hawaii so enjoy the living, pay da price for paradise. Maybe someday I will move back after retiring.
Other than West Coast, AZ and CO, there are more options. Consider moving to DMV (DC and its vicinity). Plenty of job opportunity, distinct four seasons, tornado seldom goes that far, sizable Asian population, lots of Asian restaurant and supermarket.
I don't really feel like I have a 'home' in terms of a place. I was born and my family is from Utah but in a way, they kinda distanced themselves from us since we moved to Texas. Like, since we're not there physically they feel as though we aren't fully family. In Texas we have no family here and we still haven't managed to make big worthwhile connections to anyone so when I go back to Utah is the only experience I have with being around people with my own blood and beliefs. EDIT: Forgot to explain why we're here is because Texas was the only place my stepdad could get a Job of his qualification level. Utah was too below his pay level and basically would've had to start completely over if we stayed there. After I get a career and life, I still am bewildered by where i'll live. I love Utah and the land there, but I do like the humidity and diverse culture of Texas. So i'm really not sure what my future holds. I know this has nothing to do with Hawaii but I thought i'd still share it because it involves living where family is and choosing where to go.
Mahalo for sharing. It's hard when a place doesn't feel like home. I felt like that in CO and OR. Enjoyed living there, but I didn't have family there.
After seeing the video of you telling the story about visiting the Realtor. Realizing u need to stay put in the one bedroom condo, it just made me sad because housing prices will never go down in Hawaii and the longer u wait the int rates will prob go up. Your son will need his own room soon, my brother went thru what your going thru 25 years ago. He ended up living in his inlaws, to this day. His two kids with degrees cant afford anything. They are not the smartest when it comes to money but Hawaii has just made their financial future grim. Just think twice about moving to the mainland, no mortgage payment and taking a two week vaca every year to visit family. It will make those visits so much sweeter. Aloha and good luck
If only my uncle had your mind set and was chill down to earth. He finally left to the mainland leaving his parents behind because his family (wife and two daughters) is more important. Fair enough. He has a right to that. It's just unfortunate because I looked up to him.
Filial piety is very powerful, and also very destructive. Sometimes, you have to accept things for what they are and face facts. If you just can’t afford it, going broke for the sake of family is not a smart move. If you can afford to be near your people, do it. Be there for them, but you gotta be smart about it.
U remind me of my parents this time. I really connected to your emotions and situation. I moved to Hawaii from Korea for my kids, but my parents must be lonely. They love big family get-togethers. We are really close like peer to peer relationship u mentioned.. For some reason, Since when...my kids become my top priority in my life. Just like I am my parents' top priority. It's a big question.
What type of work were your parents involved with? And compliments to them- the best gift parents can give their children is raising then to be independent.
I believe when the younger generation reach your age, their reason will be parent related like yours for continuing to stay here. How wonderful if only we could drive back and forth to the next state. Your decision is gonna cost you a hundred thousand dollars minimum. Obviously the other option is to get the parent to leave hawaii, but they would disown you on the spot for such a lolo idea after spending their entire lives here. Such is the aloha.
I was born on Oahu and raised in Kalihi. Graduated High Sch in 86’ and went to college in CA to play football. 35 years later I’m still here. Been in a career for 22 years, married, own my own home and recently became “empty nesters” I’ll be retiring in 3 years at 56 years of age with a pension and lifetime medical. Could I have done it back in HI? Highly doubt it. I still fly home once a year to visit my relatives. Bottom line, you do you. Leaving HI years ago was the best decision I have ever made in my life. It was truly worth it.
Totally get what you are saying. I left Hawaii 21 years ago & I’m only now getting to the point I’m able to move back cause I had to make $$$ on the mainland. But during that time I lost my Dad and Aunty. Thankfully, my family has roots going back before the monarchy was overthrown so many are still there. My older kids from my previous marriage were raised on the mainland & it makes me sad they don’t have that sense of their heritage that I was lucky enough to take for granted. I’m 40 now and tell my husband I want to go back so our kids can have a connection back to the land like I did growing up, even if it’s hard or different. I was so happy to grow up in Hawaii and I can’t wait to give my younger kids that chance.
Mahalo for your authenticity! I've been watching your videos for a few months and every video reminds me of the reality of the place we live. I'm born and raised on O'ahu, but have family throughout the state and mainland and it's always a little sad to see them leave and others take their place. For some, moving is what they want and more power to them. For most though moving away comes out of necessity because of financial hardship. For me as a young adult and a Native Hawaiian at times it feels like I'm fighting to live here just to hold space, so that my family and other Hawaiians have a home to come back too. Mahalo again for your perspective and sharing your experience of Hawaii. God bless you and your family!
I give you credit. I finally left Hawaii in 2019 after 42 years. I live in Portland, Oregon. Haven’t regretted it for one second, even with most of my family (kids & grandkids) still there on the Big Island. Two of my sons (born & raised) have also left, one for Washington & the other for Arizona, & another is fully fed up & wanting to leave. I don’t plan on ever returning, even to visit.
Arizona? How's that working out for them? I've lived here in AZ for over 10 yrs...and dreaming of moving out somewhere else such as Oregon, Hawaii, Bay Area, or such...Love the food, culture, and nature in west coast.
I used to visit Hawaii before covid.Not anymore,too much stress just to get there and be around very stressed locals.I am in love with NYC.IT has it all!Miami is not worse and not that expensive.
We just spent two amazing years in Hawaii, but we quickly grew tired of putting our landlord's kids thru college ($3,000 monthly rent) so we moved to NE Florida and bought a one story 3,500 sq ft mansion w/12 ft ceilings, on lush .75 acre lot w/tropical garden, fully screened in pool/spa w/total privacy from neighbors in a gated golf cart community on the 5th hole w/nice view. We got everything on our wish list and then some for less than $535K. Hawaii is wonderful, but if we bought there, we'd be house poor and living like peasants.
Rome was one of the greatest civilizations in history. Yet it came to its downfall simply by the breakdown of the family unit. In so called modern society it is customary for the children to move out and start families of their own but that wasn’t always the case. This breakdown of the family unit is prevalent today consequently so is poverty. I have seen the increase of homeless in America. Not simply people suffering from addiction or the unfortunate. Were talking doctors, lawyers, the upper and middle class. People with jobs. If you want to prosper never part from family. Iron sharpens iron, so we sharpen each others intellect. Our family has the know how to get across the circumstance and unforeseen occurrence we know as life. With the pandemic in mind recognize everything you know could change at the drop of a hat. Relying on each other, “FAMILY” can mean everything in difficult times.
Mahalo for the comment. Definitely agree that family is so important. Not sure it's breaking down in Hawaii, but it's definitely been stressed during the past year.
Super insightful content lately. Keep it up!!! The conversations are like puzzle pieces in the bigger mystery of what makes Hawaii so special and how Hawaii can stay so special despite the perpetual resource scarcity problems.
I'm retired here in San Francisco,I walk two hours a day in different parts of the city,this years I saw a hundred houses for sell,all these houses sold fast,on my block people from new York, Texas, wife got a friend from Hawaii moved here in July, people coming and going, people fleeing to California too thanks!
dude I have the same relationship with my brother. Also, my parents say the same thing that we should take care of each other when they are gone. Love my friends and all but its true that they change. Family wont.
You can get a loaf of bread for 99 cents here in Canada. I think that's 80 cents converted in the US mainland. But you can buy more premium bread for $5 a loaf here.
What does the Hawaiian Government doing to ease the cost of living for residents? Are there any new laws that can help stop the increase of housing, groceries and such? I see a lot of videos and many complain about the cost of living but all kind of blame the fact that its an island, and all those tourists coming and buying houses and such, but never say anything about the government helping to ease the cost of living... There are many many ways to ease the cost of living... example: if someone wants to buy a house they have to be a resident for at least 2 years, that will pretty much end all those people who buy vacation homes and jacked up the prices... Transportation/Gas prices / electricity: Have all the houses in all the islands install solar panels with government paying for it than give 0 tax for any electric car Food cost: I saw somewhere that there are building farms in levels , example; You can take a big space, put a building there with 4 levels and grow something else in each level, this will add 4 times the amount of food the islands can produce... There are virtually a million things that can be done to ease the cost of living the question is what the Government is doing about it and if they dont why are they still in charge...
Great question. I think the government is trying, but it's hard. I'm not sure you can have resident requirements for a lot of the housing (maybe certain affordable restrictions) and it's hard to stop domestic buyers from buying here. It would be nice if there wasn't a general excise tax on food and medicine, but that also cuts tax revenue.
the gov't has been influential in getting builders to designate a percentage of units as affordable housing units in each new building project. The problem is the affordable unit could be sold at market prices instead at affordable rates continuing the program in perpetuity when the owner moves out and upgrades to a better unit. Instead, in order to increase affordable housing, apts, the gov't have to build brand new units starting from scratch. The owner bought the unit at affordable prices, and he should be bound to sell it at affordable rates so the next person in his shoes would be able to purchase the unit same as he did.
I was looking last night and there are some apartments that have income restrictions, which is a great thing. In thinking about moving back to O’ahu from the mainland, I started looking at my finances and the job market. I have a very niche profession so opportunities are very limited. I would have to get lucky to get a job in my field because of the nature of the job market. I still keep looking and planning, but may not eventually make the move.
I relate very strongly to what you are saying about why you stay in Hawaii. Even though I don't have natural family in Hawaii, I have friends who are close enough that they are just as much my family as the people I'm related to by birth. In some ways I am even closer with some of my Hawaii friends. It has been 21 years since I moved back to the mainland. In part, because of the cost of living in Hawaii, and, in part, because my parents were getting older. They are both gone now, and I'm glad I had the years I did with them. I lived with them when I returned, and did a lot of things for them that they could no longer do themselves, so I fully understand when you talk about your parents getting older and having time to do things with them. Ultimately, I will return to Hawaii, even though the cost of living is so high. I will likely struggle because of it, too. But, whenever anyone asks me what I miss most about Hawaii, the answer is always the same. It's not the beaches or the weather, although those are great reasons to stay in Hawaii... IT IS THE PEOPLE!!! I've met people many times, who I've just met, and they treated me as if we'd known each other our whole lives. How can I not want to live in Hawaii after that? The bonus for me is that I only came to Hawaii when I was 18 years old. I came for college at the UH. But, I learned about and came to adopt the local culture as my own, and I feel more at home in the Islands than I do here in RI, where I do have family connections and historical ties to the place. Don't get me wrong. I will always have a connection to RI. However, Hawaii is where my heart feels most at home. And that's even truer than ever, now that my parents are no longer alive. I know I will have no regrets coming back home to the Islands to stay. 🤙🌺🌈💖
