Fitting in After Moving to Hawaii

It’s safe to say that Hawaii is not only one of the most beautiful states in America - it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. Each day, thousands of people around the world consider Hawaii real estate when determining where their next move should take them. For some people, the biggest fear about moving to Hawaii is about how they will fit in with the locals once they get there. The fact is, fitting in after moving to Hawaii doesn’t have to be hard, and is no different than what it would be like to try to fit in after moving anywhere else.

Here are a few tips to help you assimilate into your new situation if you’ve just purchased (or will be purchasing) Hawaii real estate.

1.) Get a Job

This of course speaks for itself, but getting a full or part-time job in a setting where you will be interacting and working with a diverse group of people is one of the best ways to make friends after moving to a new place. Since most workplaces are made up of people from all walks of life, the possibility of you making a strong connection with someone is quite high, and even if you don’t quite get along with someone, they may have interesting friends that you could meet. Find a job that interests you, so as to meet people who have similar backgrounds and interests as you.

2.) Join an Organization

There are plenty of volunteer organizations and groups in Hawaii, just like anywhere else. One of the best ways to meet people with similar interests is to get involved with a club or organization that appeals to you. For instance, avid musicians looking to make other friends who play, listen to or just enjoy music might find that the best way to do so is to volunteer at a local music venue. Likewise, those who like to run might want to join an exercise group. Not only will you be around people with similar interests, but most people join groups like the ones mentioned with the intention of making friends, which will work in your favor.

3.) Be Open-Minded

You aren’t going to fit into the area that surrounds you if you aren’t open-minded about it. Hawaii is a very unique place, and many people find it to be somewhat of a culture shock when they move there from another part of the world. Be sure that you are as open-minded as possible about the culture, people and everything else between. After all, no one wants to hang out with someone who doesn’t accept the culture of where they live!

4.) Stay Active

It’s tempting after one moves somewhere to spend a lot of time at home because of how uncomfortable it can feel to try to assimilate into a new geographical area. The fact is, no one makes friends by sitting inside. By staying active, you’ll have a much easier time fitting in. Staying active can mean many things to many people, but what really matters is that you get yourself out of the house and around others.

5.) Give it Time

No matter where you move, chances are you aren’t going to feel as if you fit in the day after you get off the plane. Fitting in takes time, and it also takes energy/effort on your part. Make sure that you go into the situation knowing that you might feel a little bit “outside” and uncomfortable for a little while, as this will make the overall “fitting in” process go far more smoothly for you.

6.) Get Involved in the Arts

There are many areas of Hawaii where the arts, music and entertainment scene rivals anywhere else in the world. If you are interested in the arts, getting involved in the local scene as much as possible will help you not only to make friends but to fit into the community as a respected individual. For instance, artists should strive to share their work, and art lovers should attend gatherings/art walks as often as possible. By getting involved, Hawaii will feel less like a place you just moved to and more like the home you’re going to build it into.

For more information on Hawaii - Read these :

Education in Hawaii (University of Hawaii Systems)

Hawaii Travel Information and Travel Guide (Lonely Planet)

Hawaii Department of Transportation (Airports)

Top Hawaii News (Alltop)

5 Major Ways We Are Hurting the Environment And How To Reduce Our Impact

Knowledge is power. That is why I have created this list of ways that we as individuals are ruining the environment and what we can do to reduce our impact.

1. We use too much energy

All homes run on energy. We need energy for our fridges, our TV’s, our heat and AC and our water heaters. Our homes consume more energy then we might think they do. All of this energy consumption, whether it is actively being used or not, hurts the environment and it hurts our wallets. Luckily, there are lots of things that can be done to reduce our energy consumption and therefore our impact on saving the environment.

• Clean & replace air filters in your air conditioning unit on a regular basis.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater.
• Turn off or shut off your water heater when you go away for vacations or extended trips.
• Turn off lights in rooms that are not being used to save money, energy, the environment and increase the lifespan of your bulb.
• Do not constantly open the oven/fridge door or leave them open as this can reduce/increase the temperature by up to 25 degrees each time.
• Unplug seldom used appliances.
• Wash clothes in cold water versus hot water to reduce energy usage required to heat up the water.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Ensure your home is well insulated and sealed.
• Use cold water vs. hot or warm water whenever possible.
• Connect outdoor lights, pumps, etc on a timer.
• Install solar panels on your home to heat your pool or house for a fraction of the cost.

2. Our homes are full of toxins

Most individuals are painfully unaware of the number of toxins that are in our homes. These toxins are emitted from appliances, cleaning products and older paints. We can reduce the level of toxins in our homes through a few simple steps and this will not only help the environment but also our health.

• Purchase items without mercury whenever possible.
• Dispose of items with mercury at appropriate facilities.
• Increase your knowledge of alternative cleaning products that do not contain harsh chemicals.
• Become familiar with labeling practices of household cleaners and always review before use or purchase.
• Test your paint for lead if you live in an older home.
• Use the least amount of toxic products if you cannot find an alternative.

3. We throw out too much garbage

Without evening realizing it, most households fill up 2+ cans of trash that goes straight to landfills. This is increasingly effective the environment in negative factors due to the need for more landfills and the non-degradability of many products that consumers purchase. You can however reduce your trash by paying attention to what you buy and what you throw out.

• Donate instead of garbage products whenever possible.
• Buy items in bulk from loose bins vs. individual packages.
• 33% of what we throw away is packaging so be consumer-savvy and try to buy products with less packaging or recyclable packaging.
• Ensure that the proper items are being recycled instead of thrown away.
• Buy re-usable products.
• Keep your products in good condition to avoid having to buy replacement products.
• Use cloth bags and napkins instead of plastic or paper
• Buy rechargeable batteries.
• Set up your own compost for vegetable and food products.
• Buy used products whenever possible.

4. We use too much paper at work

Not only do we harm the environment at home, but we also harm the environment through our offices and work locations. Luckily for us, there are lots of ways we can reduce our carbon footprint through our work.

• Start an inner-office recycling program.
• Print on both sides of paper.
• Use email and phone versus mail and printed documents whenever possible.
• Reuse folders, envelopes and other office supplies wherever possible.
• Use recycled paper.
• Use scrap paper and the backs of paper for notes and reminders.
• Use a re-usable or ceramic coffee cup.

5. We don’t watch our water usage

This is one of the most major environmental concerns faced by individuals, countries and the global community. Our water usage is over-whelming compared to what a household actually requires on a daily basis. There are however many ways we can reduce our water usage and the electric requirements in our every day life.

• Fix water leaks in a timely manner.
• Install economic and efficient devices on showers, toilets and faucets.
• Do not leave the water running when you wash dishes or brush your teeth.
• Install low-flow shower heads.
• Only use your laundry machine and dishwasher when you have a full-load.
• Take short showers and always take a shower vs. a bath.