Hawaii

Hi! My close friend and I are planning to move to Hawaii this year and would like a little help on which islands/cities are best. We are both accomplished 24 years caucasian females. She has vacationed to Maui and I am vacationing to Waikiki this spring. We both have researched as much as we possibly can about the different islands/cities but would like some opinions from people who have lived on the islands. We both have came to the conclusion that Oahu offers the most jobs. What is the second best island for jobs? We would like to be in a safe living area and would like a little guidance on such island/cities. I personally would like to know the differences on living on Oahu and the Big Island (Kona area)? I realize Kona would not have as many job opporntunties but what are the other differences? We both fully understand that the islands are a melting pot and caucasian is a minority, we both accept that. We both feel everyone should check their differences at the door and live peacefully, life is too short for this not to happen! Regardless, we know this is a tall order but we hope to get a few questions answered. Thank you for your time! Mahalo!!

It is very true. Oahu offers more jobs, but be careful. it is REALLY hard to find a job here.

Personal Examples:
My friend worked for a clothing store
They only kept her for a few months.
The poor girl applied EVERYWHERE finally found a job. and then she gets laid off.
My ex-boyfriend has loads of experience in food.
he can’t get a job at a restaurant! or as a bus boy! it is so sad.
I recently wanted to apply at pretzel maker, but they "ran out of applications"
I applied at every McDonald’s on the island and still no call back.

Be prepared to apply at every single place on the island.
i know many people who are moving to the the mainland becuase they cannot afford to live here.

and trust me.. your money will go fast here! everything is way more expensive, taxes are higher, gas is higher, food is higher, houses are damn expensive. the only way you will get a sweet crib is if your big time rich.

a single bedroom, not a apartment, is usually renting for $1,000 a month..
depending on the area
you are better off buying a home than renting. unless you have room mates or something.

kona jobs are even worse than oahu’s.
older people go to the big island to retire becuase they like how its calm and more peaceful there

Ewa beach has some decent houses, Kapolei is decent area, Hawaii Kai, Diamond Head, Kahala, are nice, but expensive,
Waipahu and Waianae are not the best places to live. (lots of scraps, indecent fighting, just very harsh areas)
goodluck :]

I would like to go whale watching one day. Maybe see the narwhal. I heard narwhals can sometime be found in the st lawrence river in Quebec. Is the summer a good time to see them?
Or is it better to go to the artic? Please inform me on narwhal watching.

The best time to go is May and June, when the ice is breaking and the first narwhal start coming into.

been together for 6 years married for 5 months, we’re trying to plan a vacation. Not a hawaiian vacations or anything we live in seattle and don’t want to have to fly if we don’t have to, i hate flying but if its a good idea i will still take it thanks!

When we were first married me and my wife would just get in the car and go. No planned destination we just drove. We had some of the best times doing this. We were never in a rush to get somewhere so we would stop in little towns and explore, shop and meet new people. We would stay in small local owned motels or find a nice bed and breakfast place for the night.

Does anyone one know any good B&B’s in Hawaii? The Big Island?
Trying to plan a vacation and would prefer to stay at a Bed and Breakfast instead of a hotel. Any advice or helpful websites? Thanks!

B&Bs are nice… way better than a hotel. But what about a vacation rental home? I know a great site with tons of options on the Big Island. Owner Direct Vacation Rentals. They currently have about 150 vacation rentals on the Big Island, and you’re sure to find what you’re looking for, and spend less than a hotel. Go here: http://www.ownerdirect.com/lodging/usa/hawaii/bigisland.htm and have a look around. I know lots of people that have had a great experience with them! Have fun on your trip!

I have a 4, 6, and 6 year old and I want to go on one of those cruises that goes and visits different islands in hawaii but has places to drop off the kids while my wife and I do adult things. Can anyone help me?

Check online website www.ncl.com
I work with NCL-Norwegian Cruise Line almost half of my life…and been with Hawaiian cruises for 5 years…NCL have US flagship fleet called NCLA-means NCLAmerica that does solely hawaiian islands cruises-it’s FIRST in cruise history where an international flagship caters exclusively american summer vacation capital of the world.., and we have programs like Kids Corner that handles merely kids activities where our kids crew takes care of…It’s a family cruise ship.., you name it and we have it all…visit our website to answer almost anything about cruising that you have in mind…
Happy Cruising!

I will most likely be staying on the big island in March 2010, which hotel is affordable and nice? Thanks in advance!

(Hello again).

It depends on what your definition of "affordable" is. The mega-resorts in the Kohala area in the northwest area, north from Kailua-Kona are almost all isolated 5-star luxury resorts in the middle of lava fields. As the other answerer said, the Hilton Waikoloa is fun, having little boat canals that can take you from point to point within the resort. It is one of the least expensive in the Kohala area, compared to the Four Seasons Hualalai, the Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea, etc.

If you are going to the Big Island to tour, these are a bit far from the sites and also are expensive. My recommendation is to stay in Kailua-Kona or slightly south in the suburb of Keauhou. There is also a micro-climate in this area that makes it lush and tropical…further north in Kohala is dry and barren; I still don’t understand why they put luxury mega-resorts up there!!

I think the best buy right now is the 4-star Keauhou Beach Resort. It is in a pretty setting near some archeological sites, has a small (rare!) beach next to it. Service is great and I think it is glamorous for the price.

http://www.keauhoubeachresort-hawaii.com/?src=TIG-KBR-PPC-April012009-Google-KeauhouBrand-Breakfast

If you want to spend a bit more, I’ve also stayed at the 4-star Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort which used to be the 5-star Kona Surf. This is really glamorous (if slightly dated looking like 1960-style Acapulco resorts), sitting on a solid black lava outcropping on the south edge of Keauhou Bay. Service is only average, but at night this is where the manta rays come to shore, attracted by the plankton which is attracted to the lights the resort shines on the water. Warning: You have to pay for parking your car here, and other "added optional fees" so beware.

http://www.sheratonkeauhou.com/

If you want to be near the small town of Kailua-Kona in a fun location, the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel FINALLY reopened, and thank God prices are only a bit higher. Lots of locals like staying here because it was clean and a great buy. This is a great little town you will enjoy.

http://www.konabeachhotel.com/

If you will be hiking in the rain forest around Hilo and visiting the volcano (and I know you will based on your other question!) you may want to spend one or two nights on the other (eastern) side of the island so you don’t have to drive back-and-forth 3-4 hours each way, each day. There really are no good hotels on this side, but my brother just stayed in Hilo at the Castle Hilo Hotel for $100/night, thought it was average..and this is the best hotel in Hilo. If you check tripadvisor, they will say that the tiny Dolphin Bay Hotel has better ratings now (and is cheaper) and frankly that is where I am going to book the next time.

http://www.dolphinbayhotel.com/

We are going for 7 days with our 2 year old (she will be 2 1/2 then) wanted to know of anything other then the zoo, amusement parks and the beach to do with her. i know shes young and theres less things for her to do. but an idea would be a great. we are already swimming with the dolphins at sea life.

and

whats the best moderate priced luau to go to?

Agree with Trailblazer above. Your hotel can also give you some recommendations and sometimes may have a discounted rate/shuttles to sites/luaus, etc.

Please put them in the order of your preference. Discuss your result.

hey Law Man! i wasn’t going to answer as i only know ‘Lightning to the Nations’… but your q was looking lonely so i thought i’d keep it warm until someone more knowledgeable comes along

1. ‘The Prince’… i’ve loved this song since i first heard the Metallica cover all those years ago… great fun to play on the guitar!

2. ‘Am I Evil’… metal classic… nuff said!

3. ‘Helpless’… see 1.

4. ‘Lightning to the Nations’

5. ‘It’s Electric’

I have fins for snorkeling, I was wondering if I could use it for body boarding effectively.

I’m a body boarder and a free diver. Snorkeling fins are longer and more flimsy that could push more water with ease. Body boarding fins are Stiffer and shorter and are meant for quick burst of power and can stabilize yourself on a wave.

Aloha All – I shot video of a Green Sea Turtle rescue project at around 6PM on Tuesday, July 21, 2009. Two nests that had hatched naturally a week before were excavated for research and rescue purposes. The nests were on Maui Coastal Land Trust property at the Waihe’e Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge. State of Hawaii Dept. of Land & Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources Marine Biologist Skippy Hau was in charge of the project and was assisted by Cheryl King of the Hawaiian Wildlife Fund. 15 baby Green Sea Turtles were rescued and about 150 to 200 empty shell casings were collected.
I shot over an hour of miniDV tape and edited out this 9 minute 50 second clip for YouTube airing.

Duration : 0:9:50

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