Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #612125 in Books
• Published on: 2005-06-30
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From the Author
EVERYTHING I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFORE MOVING HERE
FIRST, MAHALO FOR THE GREAT RECEPTION OF READERS FOR SO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN HAWAII. I SPENT TWO SOLID YEARS INTERVIEWING AND COLLECTING DATA FOR THE BOOK...COMPELLED, I GUESS, TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT LIFE HERE IS REALLY LIKE...GREAT FOR THOSE OF US WHO SUCCEED BUT IT MAY BE HARDER THAN YOU IMAGINE. MAHALO ALSO TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO SHARED PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE BOOK AND AGENCIES WHO HELPED. HOPE YOU LOVE THE BOOK. FILL OUT A REVIEW AND LET US KNOW. ISN'T AMAZON GREAT!!!

Customer Reviews

Real life information of the Hawaiian islands.
With so many fluff stories about Hawaii its very refreshing to read some reality for a change. People all over the world dream about comming or moving to Hawaii with unrealistic views and ideas of what Hawaii truely is; This book sheds a clearer picture of life and tourism in the islands.

Goes beyond the basic "it's expensive" numbers
As a "military brat" who lived in Hawaii when my father was stationed at Hickam AFB in the early 70s and a former airline employee who has visited Hawaii at every opportunity, I have recently acquired and read several books on this subject. (I've got the bug!) This is BY FAR the best of the bunch. It gives many of the same statistical information as the others but goes beyond the raw numbers with analysis and interviews with a variety of people who have actually DONE IT. Note to military: Excellent section on "Assignment Paradise."

Book is best for those that have never been to Hawaii
This title provides a very basic overview of the positives and negatives of moving to Hawaii. Facts like groceries are more expensive, the job market is tight, and bugs can be a problem are included. (Da!) But where is the information about gas prices that are much, much, higher in Hawaii than on the mainland? Not much new information for those that have been to Hawaii or spend an hour in the public library looking for data. For example, the section on the Big Island provides little valuable information. One would never know that there was a University in Hilo or there is a nearly new award winning hospital in Waimea. The Hamakua Coast is not mentioned. The maps from a rental car agency or travel book are more detailed and informative than those in this book. Much more helpful information about Kona and Hilo would be found in a good travel guide. No mention of the places where vog commonly is blown to, such as Captain Cook and Kailua-Kona. No mention of the often heavy winds from Waikoloa to Hawi. This title is only recommended for those that find themselves moving to Hawaii and have never been there before. And likely a chat with a good Hawaii realtor, or a Chamber of Commerce booklet, or newcomer guide would provide the information found in this book.