Entering a New World: Leaving Hawai’i
Hawai’i vs. The Mainland ~ A comparison of the Hawaiian Islands to the east coast of the U.S. mainlandArchive for May, 2008
The Big Island of Hawai’i
The Big lsland’s real name is the same as the state name: Hawai’i. It is the youngest of all the islands approximated at just over one million years old. The island is continuing to grow with the eruption of the World’s most active volcano, Kilauea (kill-ow-way-ah), located on the island’s southern half. Contrary to popular mainland belief, this is not the main nor the most populated island.
I used to vacation on the Big Island at KMC (Kilauea Military Camp) Mountain Cottages and Resort. Before moving to New Jersey, this was the closest I ever got to any type of winter weather. It got down to about 55 degrees when I’d vacation there. This was nothing like O’ahu, where the temperature ranges from 68 to about 82 degrees.
The seven other islands could easily fit on the Big Island with room to spare. The island is uncrowded with miles of uninhabited regions.
My family owns 9 acres of land on the Big Island and all of the property is basically a fern forest. The most technological break through there were telephone poles—no telephones though.
Many don’t know this, but there is snow on this island. People even snowboard on Mauna Kea (m-ow-nah kay-ah).
There is so much to this island. Anyone can type in “the big island” into a google search, but its nearly impossible to get insider insight from someone who has grown up on the big island.
I interviewed my friend and former co-worker, Regine Bishaw, 22, who was raised on the Big Island. She left right after high school to attend the state’s main university: The University of Hawai’i at Manoa on Oahu.
Regine Bishaw On The Big Island
Regine Bishaw, 22, was born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I interviewed her about her experience growing up on the island. This is her story.
How would you describe life on the Big Island?
Life on the Big Island is super chill. People who come to O’ahu, which for me is a fast pace place, think that it is laid back (which it is) compared to other cities in the Mainland, but if you go to the Big Island you will see a big difference. There’s not much to do on the Big Island, but it is an amazing place to visit and I loved growing up there, but there was a time, which was right after high school, that I felt I had to move on and experience more.
A little about my younger years…I grew up on a macadamia nut farm so my sister, brother and I had to find our own ways to keep busy. Read the rest of this entry »
Ostentatious O’ahu
I grew up in Hawai’i on the island of O’ahu. Let me clear up that the > ‘ < in the spelling of Hawai’i and O’ahu (or any other Hawaiian word) is not a typo. The Hawaiian race has its own language, alphabet and culture. The > ‘ < in the word Hawai’i is called an ‘okina and it works almost in reverse of an apostrophe—but looks just like it—actually extending the word by adding a slight but noticeable pause wherever it is placed in the word.
O’ahu is the main island out of the eight inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Famous tourist hot spots like Waikiki, Honolulu and Pearl Harbor are on my island. I actually worked in Waikiki for two years and I can tell you this—Waikiki is nothing like the rest of the islands or any other city and town in all of the state of Hawai’i.
O’ahu is very commercialized in comparison to the outer islands. Read the rest of this entry »
The Paradise Isles
The Hawaiian islands consist of 8 main islands. Hawai’i or “The Big Island,” O’ahu, Maui, Kaua’i, Moloka’i, Lana’i, Ni’ihau (Only those of a majority of Hawaiian descent are allowed here) and Koho’olawe.
The Big Island – This is the island where volcanoes erupt. There are no other active volcanoes on any other of the 8 main islands. Like it’s name, this is the biggest island and it’s continuing to grow.
O’ahu – The main island. Also considered “busy” to outer islanders. Although the most populated, it is only the third largest island.
Maui – The second largest island and home to Haleakalã crater, the world’s largest dormant volcano.
Kaua’i – The fourth Largest island and the oldest. Many Hollywood films are shot here because of its untouched natural beauty.
Moloka’i – The fifth largest island, some consider has the richest Hawaiian culture. Once was a leper colony where infected people were sent and treated by Father Damien.
Lana’i – A very secluded island with only two hotels on location! This small island has some of the best diving in the world
Ni’ihau – Privately owned by the Robinson family, this island is off-limits to the public. You need special permission to set foot on the island and it is rarely granted. Only about 200 people live here and they speak Hawaiian and are either full or a majority Hawaiian.
Koho’olawe – Formerly used as target practice for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, is now being cleaned of the left over shells. The public is not allowed here without permission.
Hawaii vs. the Mainland
I originally started this blog as a class assignment. I focused on advice I felt I could share with readers on how to survive your last semester of college and life immediately after graduation.
Now this blog is mine and I have changed the focus entirely.
I will cover a variety of topics. I started to with my final post in my old blog of why Hawai’i residents thought students often left for college. I got some interesting feedback, you can read it here.
So I am going in the direction of comparing life in Hawai’i to the mainland (I live in New Jersey). Besides the obvious culture-shock I experienced I will cover what I have left behind in Hawai’i— Read the rest of this entry »
All Pau (finished)! This Is My Story
(pictured above: my hometown in Hawaii, Kailua)
So I am officially done with Rowan University and will receive my Bachelor’s very shortly! I was completely done with finals and classes this past Monday and presented this blog to my class. People were very interested in why I chose Rowan and what my future plans are.
It lead me to believe that I should be blogging about that. We were asked to do something original and that would seem pretty original and there is a reader base for it.
Back home in Hawaii, it is pretty common knowledge that after high school you go away to the mainland for college. I don’t know why there is this stigma that you must leave for school. I know the University of Hawaii would rather retain their Hawaii residents and have them attend school in Hawaii, but the majority of young adults choose to leave.
I stayed in Hawaii for two years after high school due to the request (and demand) of my father. He knew better than to let me leave after the rebellious antics I pulled during my high school years. Read the rest of this entry »
Why Leave Paradise? The Million-Dollar Question
From this >
(typical greeting pictured above ^ when arriving in Hawaii)
to this>
I recently interviewed a couple friends of mine and my brother about their reasoning on why people leave Hawaii for college or any reason to pursue life on, what Hawaii natives call “the mainland.”
First I would like to add my input on why young adults feel the need to leave this paradise vacation for anyone who isn’t from Hawaii.
Moving to New Jersey entirely on my own without knowing anyone was a daunting chance I took and it felt overwhelming at times. But the common question was, “why did you move here… to New Jersey.” Granted, I did not know what I was getting myself into, nor do many people consider New Jersey a nice place (other than New Jersians), but I just wanted OUT! Hawaii is my home, will always be my home and I am more than grateful to be from there, but it can get to you the way any home can. Hawaii was also all I knew before leaving.
Before moving to New Jersey, I am 100 percent positive I was taking the islands for granted. It wasn’t until I took home out of the picture, that I realized how lucky I was to call Hawaii home.
My friends and brother had similar answers to each other, but they come from different circumstances with different perspectives.
I agreed with them on their answers and found myself nodding through the phone and interjecting my own feelings during our conversations.
Anyway, they explained their take on this million-dollar question much clearer than I ever could; here are their stories.
Tyler Williams, 22, Hawaii resident for 10 years. He wasn’t born in Hawaii, but is definitely considered a local because he spent his developing years there, hardly ever leaving Hawaii. Right after high school, Williams moved to Santa Barbra, California to attend Santa Barbara City College for two years and obtain his associates degree. After the two years Williams made his way back home. Read his interesting interview here
My brother, Nicholas Ernst, 24, has been a Hawaii resident for 17 years. One of his (our) many ethnicities is Hawaiian, and we’ve had relatives in Hawaii for centuries. Our family is deeply rooted and we were raised fully aware of our native heritage. Ernst went to Colorado for his junior and senior years of college at the University of Colorado in Boulder after attending the University of Hawaii for two years. Read his compelling conversation here
Brittny Broome, 22 has been a Hawaii resident for 19 years. She left Hawaii to attend Mt. Hood County College in Oregon. She has taken breaks in between semesters, always held a full time job and pays her bills entirely on her own. She is currently pursuing her nursing degree in Oregon. Read her absorbing answers here
Tyler’s Interview
What made you leave Hawaii for the mainland?
I wanted to check out the world, see and do things. I wanted to know what people were talking about when they’d go off to the mainland for college. I had this intrinsic desire to explore beyond Hawaii.
Why do you think so many Hawaii kids leave for college?
Two outstanding factors: 1) The Bubble Factor. People from Hawaii have little to do with other parts of the world so one can feel very isolated. 2) The Cheers Factor. This is good and bad. You know the song, “…where everybody knows your name…” that’s how it is in Hawaii. Everyone knows you, your life and things sometimes you don’t want them to know. In Hawaii, people treat everyone like family. You call any older person “Uncle or Aunty” in Hawaii—Renee you know that.
Are you glad you left Hawaii?
Sure I am. There was an opportunity to see more of our country and I took it.
How did you like your mainland experience?
Loved it. It was different and I had some great times up there. Met some good people I will remain friends with for the rest of my life.
What made you come back?
The ocean (Williams is an avid surfer), the people, the love. Its home and the most beautiful place in the entire world.
