[maryruth]

I read your post BiBikerRN on the other thread about the big island. It got me interested. I've been there once before many years ago (15yrs) and I stayed in Hilo for a month. I did not like Hilo because back then it had some big time racisim against me there (just cause I was white and from the mainland). I loved the landscape though. Far as I could tell the big island was just as pretty as Oahu (I still have yet to see Maui to compare).

So, I guess I'd like to know has Hilo changed any? Back then they were very clanish. I know it must of grown since 15yrs ago but by how much....back then there was one small mall and a movie theater. How different is it now?

What do you love/dislike about the big island? How is the community....are there any good churches there? Is there anything else fun to do besides a water sport on the big island?

Which side of the island is the best and worst to live? I noticed that the housing is cheaper on the big island but it is more expensive in the areas of the north and west side. Why is that?

What is the job market there like for normal jobs? Is everything centered around tourism like the other islands? Where is the worst and berst places for a nurse to work there?

Does the school system there have a bad rep like the other islands (ie, poor teachers and rasicism)? Would it be miserable for a child from a mainland to go to school/make friends there? How expensive is the private schools?

How is the big island different compared to the other islands? (besides being bigger and less populated than oahu)?

Any info would be cool. Thanks!

[hawnlpn]

Yes, Hilo has changed quite a bit in the last 15 years. I've lived here 18 years, having moved up from Kaneohe, Oahu.

We've still got just one big mall (Prince Kuhio Mall) and big changes there too. No longer do we have Liberty House but rather Macy's and JC Penney's closed. We also got a WalMart, HomeDepot, Ross's, OfficeMax and a couple food courts. We've expanded to two cinema complexes each with several theaters (Prince Kuhio and Kress Bldg.). However, we are still considered a small retirement, community. Kona is much more commercialized.

I suppose the best thing about the Big Island is the "aloha" the people have here. They're friendly and talkative. There is many, many churches here and of all the denominations. A very popular Christian church is New Hope and a popular catholic church is St. Joseph's.

As for fun, yes, there's lots to do. We have the beaches of course, hot ponds, sports, canoe races, carnivals/fairs, Merrie Monarch Festival, hiking and camping, nightclubs (about 10 in town now), restraunts (off all types) and different areas of the Big Island have different things such as Waimea is considered Paniolo Country (Cowboys). Kona is considered sunny and tourist attracted.

Housing has gone nuts here! We have Donald Trump and Oprah to thank for that as they went on national tv and announced to to world that the big island has land for cheap. We that started a major price hike in sales and rentals which started about two years ago and hasn't let up yet. Rents range from $800 to $2000 now. Housing is more expensive in Kona cause it's sunnier and more touristie.

Jobs in the nursing field are pretty good and so's the pay. Best organization is North Hawaii Community Hospital in Waimea and the worst would probably be Hilo Medical Center.

The school system is pretty good. Teachers are good. Mainland kids have an okay time if they aren't "cocky". Private schools vary in tuition and differences such as Malamalama School (Montessori School), Charter Schools, Public Schools, Private Schools, Christian Schools, etc. Lots of choices.

The biggest difference in the outer island is that the people on the outer islands are still friendly with lots and lots of aloha. Oahu is just like any other big city (like LA or NY) and so are the people although not quite as bad. The other points you know like more space and stuff.

Hope this helps and has helped you catch up. Go the the website our our local newspaper: Hawaii Tribune Herald and it'll probably tell you more.

Aloha!

[maryruth]

Wow thanks for the reply and you actually answered my questions! Thank you for the newspaper website too. Waimea is actually a place I was interested in because what I've seen it looks nice. I like the country look and not to into the jungle. So, I am happy to hear that there is a hospital there. I'll have to look it up! I take it there is probably a little one over by Kona too? I heard it from somewhere that there is a movie theater in Waimea or another town close to it and groceary story. Long as I'm twenty miles from those things I am a happy camper. I noticed alot of the homes on the big island have the tanks for collecting water. Is that a good deal or should I stick with getting a place with city water?

Thanks for the tip on which hospital is better. I am not to worried if I will find a nurseing job there just worried if I will be expected. I am also worried that my husband will not find a job there. He is in the retail job market. He is going to school right now trying to get a computer science degree. If I do move there in a few years my girls will only be in 1st to 2nd grade and not in that "cocky" stage yet but the school thing is what concerns me the most. I can deal with crappy comments and know what to expect from rascist but they are just so innocent.

I understand how you feel about other people moving into your islands/state because I felt the same way when califorina and people from back east moved to colorado and bought up all the best land in the mountains and drove everything up for the people who've lived there for generations. They made it almost impossible for my family to live there and now they struggle to get by in an condo. I can understand the resistentment esp the more beautiful the place the more you want to keep it close to you and closed off to others. Seems anywhere worth living is turning into a huge city (all of califorina and now where I live Arizona).

When I move to Hawaii it wont be for a cheap thrill of living somewhere that is "paradise". I want it to be apart of my family and I want to make roots there. No cookie cuter home, something I will hand down through the generations along with the land and tell stories of the old days. Nobody does that anymore....nobody keeps family erlums, homes, and family history.

I want to go to the big island this January or March. Any tips of where to go sight seeing and maybe do a little searching for job/home?