Hawai'i - A history lesson...

Here is my first installment of weekly updates starting 18 February...

I met with a wonderful recruiter yesterday. She was so sweet and very complimentary surrounding my background. She took time to find out what I did at Starbucks (where I worked while in Seattle. Corporate headquarters for 10 years), what I want to do and where my passion lies. While 'nothing' is a match as of yet, she will keep me posted and I'm crossing my fingers and toes something will come sooner than later...she did mention six months ago I would have been snatched up in a heart beat but companies are downsizing, doing more with less and not hiring which is no surprise... Speaking of the recruiter, I also received a bit of a history lesson from her, Hawaii is a 'foreign land'....sounds a bit weird but it is. While meeting with the recruiter I also asked her why salaries here are so low, (lower than average) given the cost of living is so high!

She is from Hawaii but left to live on the mainland for a while so she is a wealth of knowledge in both Hawaii and mainland practices. Most people in Hawaii live with their families. It is not uncommon for kids to get married and live with their parents, auntie or cousins...unlike on the mainland where most kids are out at 18 (or sooner), here in Hawaii families live together until the parents die and the cycle continues. They don't do 'nursing homes' or daycare as its the families responsibility so companies can afford to be cheaper in salaries. It's such a dichotomy as food is so expensive here as is housing but yet salaries are almost 1/3 of mainland standards. It's been such an interesting learning process. Many of JA's friends do live with their parents or inlaws and all their children....I thought it odd but now find it quite endearing. A place where I used to once vacation and know for it's beautiful beaches and sunny weather has now become so much more to me.

My recruiter also told me that many local businesses fear hiring 'haoles' for they take the time, money and energy to train them and they up and leave shortly back to the mainland for they have island fever or a better opportunity. That Christie (my recruiter) explained will be my toughest challenge...to convince these businesses I am sincere in my convictions here and have made Hawai'i my home...While they love the experience haoles bring they fear being taken advantage of and that I can completely understand as since even my short time here I've seen people come and go constantly!

I'm also reading the book Moloka'i. It's about the leper colony that started here in the 1800's and how people, kids, etc, were banished to Moloka'i for quarantine. Heartbreaking book! It also has provided me with a historical background surrounding Hawai'i and the turmoil that has plagued this island for years re: haoles (white visitors / white people who came here and took the land). I have been called a haole on numerous occasions but not in derogatory way from JA's friends, in jest...true translation means 'visitor'. I have been given the occasional stink eye from some local serious surfers when me the beginner has interruptted their wave but pay no mind, smile and move on....I mean don't we all meet 'bitter, mean or unhappy people' anyway, its not relegated to Hawai'i...

Hawaiians are fiercely loyal people and it's so amazing to experience the connection, respect and adoration they have for one another. This book is fascinating for as I drive around Honolulu and try to gather my bearings I see street signs, volcano's and parks that have so much more meaning to me now. Many of the younger generation harbor no ill will to haoles but you can still find the occasional resentful Hawaiian who is holding on to past demons from a time where visitors to this island came and snatched up land, made condos, tore down landmarks and did so without even a thought for those around them, who made this island what it is.... Aloha Spirit - it's what Hawai'i is known for....it's kindness, generosity and caring for one another...it's also about taking it slow....and I mean slow.

Even in the 'corporate' world here they do things MUCH SLOWER. My recruiter told me 'it seems you thrive in a fast paced, multi-tasked environment' (which is not abnormal on the mainland or globally) but in Hawai'i it's much different....they drive slower, they arrive 'whenever.' See you at 11-ish is very common. As someone who is extremely punctual this has been a good lesson for me in stopping to just let time happen like they do....they don't see it as rude to be late (for it's not late when you don't really set a time) nor egotistical, they just accept it. There are many reasons for it....most roads are ONE LANE so traffic is horrendous and getting to and fro can be a challenge and tricky when trying to time something especially when you throw in all the tourists driving around here.... I have experienced the Aloha Spirit in many ways so far...just yesterday as I was contemplating how many hours I'd need for parking as I had already got a parking once, a man came up to me and said, 'hey do you want my ticket? It doesn't expire until 12.' It was only 945 am....Parking is so expensive here, $8.00 for every hour so I immediately said, 'yes please, thank you'....and was just filled with sunshine to see people so generous and 'paying it forward like that.'

Makes me realize good things do still happen and good people do exist despite all the 'golden parachutes, corporate wrong-doing's and layoffs....' We are also very fortunate to have kind neighbors. Once neighbor Maddie has taken an exceptional liking to is Dave...he lives three houses down and has two dogs; Scout who is 5 and Blue who is 8 months...both white labs and so cute. Maddie loves, loves, loves playing with them and running all over the golf course with them. Dave works from home so on occasions when JA and I aren't here he swings over and takes Maddie back to his house. We still worry about Mads a bit as the weather is hotter than usual for her and if we're gone for long periods of time for work or traveling, etc....it's nice to know she is in great hands and she loves him! I hope all is well with you and yours...i miss you all to pieces and think of you often....keep in touch! Come visit. Warmest Aloha,