Is Hawaii Behind the Times? Common Misconceptions About the 50th State and Real Estate

Hi, Sally -- it is always great to learn about the local nuances of a particular market.  My wife and I had the opportunity to tour some of the Hawaiian Islands and I didn't want to go back to the Mainland!  It was especially intereting to learn about the advantages of an Open House in your market.  All the best to you!

I am reading your post while I am sitting on the 4^th floor balcony of a timeshare on Kaanapali Beach looking out over the blue Pacific. Darn! What am I doing here? See you later...I am on my way to the beach.

Sally, I do miss certain things about living in Hawaii...but honestly, the reason I left there was because I caught island fever! :)

Sally - There are a lot of misconceptions about real estate and other things in Hawaii. But your line below will ruin the dreams of some. Have A Great Day

"We run around topless wearing just grass skirts,

live in grass shacks and sip on Mai Tai's all day."

Hawaii is BEATUFIFUL. I am jealous of all of you who live and work there. What a wonderful place it must be to raise a family!

Celeste,

So what are the bad things abount living in Oahu?

Sally- LOL, Let them think that!!!! Just fine with locals:) Hawaii is NOT behind the times although time does seem to go just a bit slower, thank heavens for that!!! Open houses work in Hawaii and that has nothing to do with behind the times or not. I believe it is not just about the local and the ease of getting around but also the social-ness of people who live in Hawaii. There is NO Place on earth where the people and cultures are more friendly than on Hawaii. I have been to most of the world and home and Ohana is still Hawaii. 

I've always wanted to live in Hawaii.  I love looking at your pictures, it reminds me of my trip there 10 years ago.

You should let me come and visit you for two weeks. Maybe I would want to come and live there too...wink wink. :)

It does go to show that all areas are not created equal.  What works in one area doesn't in another and vice versa.

Sally, Oahu is a beautiful island and not so small. . I put 500 miles on a rental jeep . .beach and restaurant hopping. . going around and around. I would move there in a second if there was a chance that I can duplicate my work there.

Sally, I loved my vacation in Hawaii and would love to go there again. Next time I will go to Open houses.

I don't even think it's fair to make comparisons between Hawaii and the mainland --- Hawaii is altogether different.  Anyone who has had the opportunity to spend a bit of time there, go off the beaten path (or stay on it), starts to become aware of the history and culture that go along with the beautiful scenery and weather.

Many years ago, I caught the Ironman Triathlon on Wide World of Sports.  The images stayed in my mind for many years until one day I found myself in a time and place where I was able to take up swimming, biking and running and work to achieve my personal goal of qualifying for the Hawaii Ironman.  I have since raced there twice and each time gave us an opportunity to get to know the Big Island better.  Sometimes I wake up now and hear the sounds of a Hawaiian tropical garden or sense daybreak on the other side of the volcano.  It's truly an amazing place and again, it's not better or worse than the mainland, just entirely different.

As we say in the sport of triathlon, "You can learn a lot about life on the Big Island."  Very true.  I made a short video of my last experience and you can find it HERE.

Sally, I love how nicely you put gether "great factual information" with a twist of humor.

     We run around topless wearing just grass skirts,

     live in grass shacks and sip on Mai Tai's all day.

Enjoyable read on all levels. Hope you are well.

Paradise, indeed.

I loved Hawaii.  For the precious moments I was there, it felt like not only a wonderful vacation spot ... but like a place I could live one day.  The tourists may come to annoy me, but I'd be willing to pay that price;)

Hi Sally, very well written article about leasehold land in Hawai'i.  I didn't realize that there was much leasehold land like that in Hawai'i, but I guess it makes sense in some cases, with as much beach front properties, government land, etc....there are some lakes around here that have the same thing, the city owns the land around the lake, but you are purchasing the house and you have like a 99 year lease on the land, would have to be an ideal situation for me personally to purchase a leasehold piece of land..