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 I.) The Million-Dollar Question
Why Leave Paradise? The Million-Dollar Question
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(typical greeting pictured above ^ when arriving in Hawaii)
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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.
Nick’s Interview
What made you leave Hawaii for the mainland?
I wanted to try something new.
Why do you think so many Hawaii kids leave for college?
There are several reasons. I’d place them into three categories. 1) There are those who want to try something new—there’s a bigger world out there and they want to experience it for themselves. 2) They hate Hawaii (yes, there are people who hate Hawaii) and always say ‘they want to get off this [expletive] rock.’ 3) There is more opportunity to do well efficiently—you can get a nicer house for cheaper, a higher paying job with a lower cost of living, you can save more money. For many Hawaii residents, staying in Hawaii means staying with your parents because it is so hard to buy a house here. There is always a better job offered in the mainland. The only benefit to being here is you get to be home and home just happens to be paradise.
How did you like your mainland experience?
I loved every second of it—the experience, friends. I also learned a lot about myself. It wasn’t just about being away from our parents—although once you leave you are forced to be on your own. I also felt like I was representing a people since I am Hawaiian. People make a lot of assumptions about you in the mainland. You have to find out the best way to answer their questions and through that you achieve a sort of self-discovery.
What made you come back?
I love home. A job would make me consider moving to the mainland, with a high payroll. Everyone has a price. There are considerations to quantify the feeling in my heart. It’s a hard choice between doing what I love and being where I love.
What influenced you to move to the mainland? Any one person or collective influence?
My influence was my own desire. My teachers wanted it, but they wanted me to go to a smaller college because they thought it would be an easier transition. But I went with the opposite and chose a big college (about 30,000 students). I wanted to come back and tell people ‘OK you were right, or OK you were wrong’ either way I wanted to have my own answer.
What would you say to people who constantly question and don’t understand why people leave “paradise”?
It isn’t about leaving paradise! It’s home not a vacation we suddenly decided to stop. I can see why they’d think that but I see Hawaii’s flaws the same way anyone else sees their home’s flaws.
Brittny’s Interview
What made you leave Hawaii?
I wanted an chance to grow up. I left at 19 and I wanted to be more independent. I also knew people (our friends in common moved there as well) and I knew that the area was nice with the mountains (for snowboarding) close by.
Why do you think Hawaii kids leave for college?
Leaving forces you to mature faster. They want to venture out and not stay so isolated.
How do you like your mainland experience?
I like it here; I have a new perspective on life because I left.
What made you stay?
Once life gets going—you get a good job, house, friends etc. It’s hard to leave the new life you built without anyone’s help. You end up having two lives—one at home and one in the mainland. It can get complicated, but I know where home is.
Are you glad you left home?
Yes and no. I am glad I know how to be an adult, pay bills, etc. But I’m also missing out on my little brother and sister growing up and I am extremely close to my mom.
What was a big obstacle you faced?
At first it was culture shock. Every Hawaii transplant goes through this. All I knew was life in Hawaii and it was a shock to experience something so different as the mainland compared to Hawaii. Then later is became money, it’s hard to save money.
What was a major influence on you leaving?
I always wanted to try it out; at times I’d feel claustrophobic. Our friend Shannon also convinced me that it would be worth it to move up here with her.
