Oahu

We decided to move to Oahu as it is where the BF’s mom lives, and the economy here is better for finding work. We are lucky to have a place to live while finding our own home somewhere, as apartment hunting can take time.


Oahu, while not the biggest of the 8 islands, has easily the largest population. The state capital of Honolulu is located here, along with Pearl Harbor and about 1 million people. That’s a lot of people for a rock in the middle of the pacific ocean! We moved to the other side of the Ko’olaus (mountains that run east-west through the middle of the island) from Honolulu to a town called Kailua, which, lucky for me, is known as a haole town! A town full of my people! Kailua is on what is called the windward side of the island, and no, it is not near the North Shore. It’s about a 35 minute drive from the center of Waikiki, and this distance keeps it relatively quiet and uncrowded. I say relatively as I have recently discovered something fun: Traffic!!! That’s right, just what I left my little Culver City bungalow to get away from. There is traffic going out of Kailua in the morning, traffic coming into Kailua in the evening, traffic on the freeway going through Honolulu and Waikiki at, get this, all hours of the day! Fabulous, wonderful traffic. On a tropical island. In the middle of the ocean. Hawaii is just trying to help me not to feel too homesick.

Haole

If you are not too familiar with Hawaii, or never set foot outside Waikiki, you may be wondering about the title of this blog. Haole, pronounced “Hau-li” is a Hawaiian’s derogatory term for “white person”. The word haole was first associated with the children of Caucasian immigrants in the early 19th century. Haole at that time just referred to anything foreign. As the first few generations of Haoles rose to play key roles in the government, there was an economic and political power shift to them that has lasted into today. This is what has caused the term haole to be used in contempt. Why did I title my blog this? For a number of reasons, really.

First, I have never met another haole, myself included, who really minded being called Haole. It’s like someone pointing out that I’m wearing a black shirt. Him “you have a black shirt on!” me: “yes I do!” Him: “hey there, you haole girl” me: “why yes I am, thank you for noticing!” It just doesn’t feel that offensive.

Second, I feel like a haole! I really don’t know my way around, I don’t know the exact history of Hawaii, other than whites suppressing the natives back in the day, but hey, where have whites not done that? I don’t know the best surf spots or what all the local food is or how to pronounce “Kaiakahinalii” I just got here. I’m learning. I’m a haole.

Third, it seemed fitting because there is racism here against whites which I’m sure I will experience, and it’s my way to acknowledge it and move on.

Moving to Hawaii

About a year ago when we were living in Los Angeles, my boyfriend and I decided we were over the traffic, and crowds, and people not having enough time to be polite, and the traffic, and decided to move to Hawaii. The sunshine, the beaches, warm water, friendly people sharing their culture, beautiful year round weather, it was all calling my name. It wasn’t a totally random choice as the BF lived here as a kid for about 9 years, so we had a support system already in place. But for me, a white California girl with extended family on the east coast, it was a very big change from what I was used to. It took us a while to make the move once we had decided, but now we are here, and relatively settled.

These are my experiences and discoveries. The tales of finding my place in Hawaii, of discovering the things here that are far from Paradise, and of learning all of the beauty Hawaii has to offer.