Retirement 6 reasons to move to the Big Island of Hawaii

01 22 2009

1-Plenty of fun stuff to do!
Beaches galore, aerial tours, ground tours many places around the island, golf courses, tennis, community pool, racketball, ukulele and hula lessons, lei making classes, quilt groups, boating, fishing, senior centers, bookclubs, and gardening. Something for everyone even if you just want to relax and read a good book.

2-More bettah weather than anywhere in the world!
Warm weather is very kind to some ailments assosciated with getting older. Temperatures range in the mid-70’s to mid 80’s on most parts of the island during the day. Nights do vary on the elevation you live. This last week we have been experiencing chilly temperatures (for Hawaii). I live at a very comfortable elevation of 700 feet in Kailua-Kona. The temperature felt as if it was in the low 60’s upper 50’s. Definately cold enough to pull some blankets out of the closet that we havent seen for awhile!

3-Low property taxes!
Hawaii senior homeowners enjoy exemptions on the State of Hawaii’s already low property taxes. Click here for more info

4-Longer Life Span!
If you feel like you want to be more active Hawaii’s indoor/outdoor living is exceptional for active people like yourself. Many homes and condo’s located in or out of developments in the Kailua Kona area and along the Kohala Coast offer ammenities that will appeal to the lifestyle you are looking for. If golf is your game the Kona Coast is for you!

5-Tax Exemptions!
Hawaii is one of only two states that exempts all pension and social security income from state income taxes.

6-Friends to be made!
Its no surprise that Hawaii retiree’s are among some of the worlds most akamai (smart) and successful. These talents and gifts can be shared with others in many clubs and socials about year around. Embrace the culture and it will embrace you back. Get involved in the community and share those talents in for example in writing, woodworking, painting, music, dance, performing arts, and language.

The Big Island has so much to offer anyone who is considering a move to Hawaii from anywhere in the world or just from one of our neighboring islands. I relocated from my hometown Oahu 5 years ago and love the lifestyle Kona offers. Basically grew up here in Kona and on Oahu. I sure do miss Oahu, but the island commuter hops are a breeze and extremely affordable. Kona is an amazing place to live!

A hui Ho….

True Generosity and Hospitality-Ho’okipa

June 14, 2008

As onlookers smiled and keiki’s stretched their arms for lots of candy the beauty and the meaning of this parade is so well received by all. The participants convey a deep rooted respect for the aina and culture. They share true aloha to all in the community in fond rememberance of their ancestry and those who were here before us.

This parade commemorates ke Ali’i nui ‘O Kamehameha, the unifier of the Hawaiian islands.

From the Kamehameha parade organizers:

This years Po’o Mana’o: “I ulu no ka lala i ke kumu”. The branches grow because of the trunk. Our Kupuna, past and present, are the foundation (the trunk) of the Ohana. Without our Ancestors, we (the branches) would not exist. They have imparted centuries of life giving knowledge that has nourished our mental and physical growth as a people and enabled us to “Holomua” (move forward) despite the challenges that we face in our day to day lives. Homage to our elders that have passed on and those that are still with us. Mahalo a nui ia lakou no na ‘ike maika’i loa.

Yes there were plenty of smiles and folks having good fun watching along Alii Drive. The floral pagentry, the horses and the handsome and beautiful pau riders. The Kamehameha Order, the Daughters of Hawaii and the Cousins sharing true aloha…powerful. A great sense of community is what it is all about. What a special time for all to come together from the keiki to the kupuna’s very special time and fun for all.

All this Aloha and creating a culture of true generosity and hospitality or Ho’okipa is truely a deep seeded value…

Remember before we meet Ho’okipa look to…

‘Ekahi (one)
Aloha - unconditional love
Our ALO - our demeanor and presence shared with those we are with
Our HA - the very breath of our life, and our spirit

‘Elua (two)
Ho’ohana - passionate work with the intent to bring meaning

‘Ekolu (three)
‘Imi ola - seek to be the best you can be

‘Eha (four)
Ho’omau - perseverance and persistence to make that which is good to last

‘Elima (five)
Kulia i ka nu‘u - the value of achievement. The literal translation for Kulia i ka nu‘u is “strive to reach the summit.”

These values truely prepare the way for true generosity and hospitality.

Mahalo Nui to all the parade organizers and everyone involved for such a tremendous community event here in Kona…

Until next time…A Hui Hou

Independance Day Parade Friday July 4th 5:30pm

Aloha Kakou

I have the good fortune to live right off Alii Drive here in the ever growing and ever popular town of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The beautiful coastal drive along Alii Drive takes you along 4 miles of some of the most beautiful historic locations around the Kona area. Begin in the Kailua-Kona Village area around Hulihee Palace you are on your way by scooter, car, foot or bicycle to the resort area of Keauhou Kona. The four mile stretch ends at the old Kona Surf hotel and Keauhou Bay. I live about halfway down from the Village and love the central location. It allows me the luxury to be close to shopping, work, and family (not necessaily in that order). Since I work both in Kona and up the Kohala Coast Resorts the drive doesn’t bother me in the least. Why should it I live in paradise?

When you live and work in Hawaii you might think why would I complain about anything especially the weather? I’m not going to complain about the drive why include the weather. Okay this morning I honestly sighed when I saw a drizzly sky. Poor me. Yes we do get spoiled in paradise its true. Here is a snipet of my morning routine…I grab my newspaper, walk out into my livingroom, and I look out to the sea of plumeria tree’s and bougenvilia that canvas the incrediable pacific ocean. So yes this morning it was a little drizzly, but I’ve learned a little light rain in paradise is no big deal. right? Gosh I’ve been here in Hawaii my entire life. I think I’ve gotten so use to it thst when its just not gorgeous everyday the world is coming to an end. Yes spoiled. Then I drive out to work at the Mauna Lani Resorts where the skies were as blue as blue could see. The varying colors of the blue in the ocean was memorizing today. You got that right I’ll take this 20 mile drive through lava field after lava field in paradise to work anyday rain or no rain. There is something so calming in the spirit of our islands, and as I listen to some feel good island music eh Hawaii is so No Ka Oi.

Now if your not familiar with our Kohala Coast CLICK for a quided tour of all the Big Islands famous resort communities. Be introduced to what makes each so unique and so special. Step Inside and Discover.

Easily explore the neighborhoods within each resort, search listings for homes, condo’s and property for sale…getting to know the Kohala Coast has never been so fast so easy & so fun!

Until the Next Kona Relocation…A Hui Ho

Memories of Growing Up in Hawaii May 1, 2008

Aloha Kakou and Happy May Day!

As a native of these beautiful islands it never ceases to amaze me how many people just love the Hawaiian Islands and desire to call Hawaii home. How can I blame them? I do know what longing means having lived away from Hawaii in Denver and San Diego from 1996-2003. Having spent sometime away from the islands was a great experience for me, but Hawaii is definately home plus I had to figure how to get back here too! The longing inside for the tropics, the warm breezes, the smell of a plumeria, feel good island music, the sand in my toes, dreaming of the ocean and the smell, and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. When I returned I knew I would never leave again (at least not to move away again). I am blessed to have a profession that allows me to share my love and admiration for these islands. Imagine Statehood in 1959. The now worldclass and famed Kona Coast didnt exist, the new state was a new frontier and opportunity for many from around the world to call home. The Big Island has more than ever continued to show its popularity in population growth although its greatest climb during the decades has been over the last 15-20 years.

Like so many of us I have cherished memories of my childhood here in Kona…remembering the one and only trafic light in Kailua-Kona, swinging on the vines at the Banyan Tree out infront of Taneguchi’s the original KTA down by the pier while Mom and Dad shopped, Pay and Save no Ross, no Lanihau Center, no Borders, Sizzler Steakhouse no Starbucks, No Walmart, No K-Mart, No Kona Inn Shopping Mall, No Coconut Grove Marketplace, the ice cream parlor in the back of Kona Marketplace, getting comic books at Oshima’s in Kainaliu, finding old railroad nails in our front yard.

Our road in Sunset subdivision use to be an old railway tract. No cruise liner ships in Kailua Bay, swimming and playing all day at the pier while my Dad worked at the Kona Billfish Tourney with long time friend Peter Fithian, snorkeling at Kamakahonu where Kamehameha onced lived in Kailua-Kona Village. Working hard at the old Shellery store in the King Kamehameha Hotel Mall during the summers in high school and Liberty House was right across the way, no Ironman back then, landing at Old Airport, the mexican restaurant on Kuikini Hwy by Sunset, counting the cattle as we drove down the original old and windy road to Keauhou off Hwy 11 when the beautiful Keauhou Estates didnt exist yet, and there was no Keauhou Shoping Center, the old Kona Surf and the salt water pool with the volcano slide, swimming at Magic Sands Beach at La’aloa when Magic Sands was still a hotel, getting in the car having to hear my Dad say, “time for a ride to Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach kids”, and thinking, “oh wow what a LONG car ride this is going to be” nothing nothing existed from Kailua-Kona to Mauna Kea Hotel except Mauna Kea Hotel. Infact, include no Waikoloa Village! Over the course of summers in the late 60’s and early 70’s my folks loved discovering new beaches along the Kona Coast. Now the worldclass resorts of Kukio, Hualalai, Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea are here. Wow has the Kona Coast grown! I love this place!

If your ready to make the move to Kona there are lots and lots of fun activities and memories to be made here. The Aloha Spirit truely lives and to anyone reading who is the seasoned visitor or malihini a.k.a newcomber I suggest to take some time and learn about the culture and history. Embrace Hawaii’s history and the lands with respect and to those who have walked before us so we all may continue to enjoy what Hawaii is all about. Perpetuate the aina. There is never a day that passes something about the beauty here doesnt get my attention! Today for example while previewing homes in Koloko Mauka silver ohia’s tree’s were pointed out to me. More commonly we see the red ohia our island flower…