Making the decision to move to Hawaii was one of the best decisions my husband and I ever made.  I had previously lived on Maui and now we live on Oahu.  We’ve been here in Hawaii more than 18 years now, not including my time living on Maui.  My own past took me to San Francisco, Portland, San Diego, and Phoenix. My husband is from Boston and he has traveled the world with the Marines Corp.  Both of us have lived in and seen some pretty great cities and towns, all over, but Oahu, Hawaii still ranks as our favorite place to live.

What’s not to like?  The weather is perfect; the beaches are beautiful. Just about everywhere you look there is a view or a rainbow.  Well, there’s actually a little more to it than that. 

TOP 5 REASONS WHY WE LOVE LIVING IN HAWAII

The Weather. 

An average of 75-85 F. degrees daytime temperature.  And even rainy days are beautiful

The Scenery.

Because the islands are relatively small, most real estate is mostly either close to the beach close to spectacular mountain ranges, or on a hillside with views of the ocean. Even if you don’t live in one of these very beautiful locations, the beauty of nature is always a very short drive.

The People.

The first two items speak for themselves, but the people of Hawaii require some more detail.  Hawaiian people are not necessarily of Hawaiian ethnicity. Hawaii is a huge melting pot of people from everywhere:  Hawaiian, Pacific-Islander, Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Filipino, Caucasian, European, Korean, you name it!  The diversity is great and so is the level of tolerance and acceptance, especially on Oahu with its major metropolitan area of Honolulu.  Honolulu is known as one of the best places to live if you are gay.  If you, too, are a open-minded person, who loves an international culture and an interesting mix of people, you will love Hawaii.

You’ve heard of the Aloha spirit?  Well, its true, particularly when you get out of the big city (Honolulu).  People in Hawaii are also very generous.  Philanthropy is big here and not just with the wealthy.  Most people who can afford to give, even a little, do.  Family and children are also important, culturally, here. It has been said, “It is all about the Keiki.”  Even extravagant restaurants in Honolulu welcome children.  Hawaii has a very family-centric culture and also a great respect for elders.  Multi-generational living is common here, and family ties seem stronger than in most other places I’ve lived.

The Opportunity for Good Health.

The average longevity of people in Hawaii is higher than in any other state.  So is the “Happiness Factor.”  There are many opportunities for sporting and recreational activities here, and because of the great weather, more days in the year to participate in them.  Hawaii has been ranked as one of the most “fit” states in the US. 

The air quality in Hawaii has been ranked in the top three of any state in the U.S. Having fresh fruit trees in your yard, such as banana, avocado, papaya and mango is common.   There are lots of farmers’ markets and an abundance of fresh seafood.  The stress level here is generally lower, even in Honolulu.  There is every opportunity to cultivate good health in Hawaii. 

The Cultural Activities.

 There is a lot to do in Hawaii, particularly on Oahu. We have museums, art galleries and theatre productions. Prior to COVID, we had a festival for almost every day of the year somewhere on Oahu. Recently, activities have started picking back up again. And there are restaurants serving all kinds of food from almost anywhere you can think of. “Local” food, and especially, Asian food is delicious and plentiful island-wide.

There are public and private universities in Hawaii, which draw students from around the world, and hold sporting events.  There are also local club sporting events, including even polo!  There is a lot of history here too. Many cultures and nationalities contribute to the Hawaiian culture we experience here.  With all the activities on Oahu, I have never been bored, nor have I experienced island fever.

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The downside to living on Oahu is the cost of living, but the people here find a way to make it work. Oahu Real estate in particular is expensive, but if you come from a place like San Francisco, New York, or Los Angeles, it might not seem as bad.  There is a price to paradise, but most people here feel it is worth it.  Hawaii is truly a wonderful place to live or, at least see, during your lifetime.

~Aloha