Customer Reviews

A Guide for Hawaii Newcomers (V001)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

-I am very happy that the author was able to get herself and her two teenage boys out of the Chicago ghetto and to Hawaii. Unfortunatly her book is limited to just her own little experience and is very incomplete for most people. For example she moved their personal belongings as 14 bags of luggage on the airplane. I should think that most people would want very specific info on shipping a household, costs and dangers. All she provides is the 800 # for Matson shipping. There is almost no information about neighbourhoods,schools,property taxes,detailed housing costs,insurance, etc. Also I was suprised to find little info on life and household mantianence in the tropics. The author also is willing to sell you trips to Wal-Mart ($100) or a ride from the airport to your home ($100). Rather than waste your time on this thin little booklet you would be better off getting the local telephone directory. The author is well intended, but needs to include more information.

Ms. Brown's warm and caring approach let's you know not all Kama'aina resent your Malihini arrival, however, she also gives you a big dose of reality about living in Hawaii. Even my Hawaiian friends found the book funny ("She's right about THAT!") and informative. If you're thinking about moving to Hawaii, you should know what you're getting into before you sell one piece of furniture, and Ms. Brown's book is a must-buy for any future Malihini. Don't leave the mainland without it.

I was feeling a liitle nervous about trying to remember all the important things about moving to HI. This book provided me with a check list and ALL of the information I could have needed, AND MORE. It provides you with helpful hints, phone #'s of important resources and Joyce has even E-Mailed me personally with helpful hints and has offered to assist me in making the transition smooth!! I recomend it to anyone planning to move or even vacation in Hawaii!

This is an excellent book for anyone thinking about moving to Hawaii. Her honest aproach in befriending the newcomer to Hawaii is refreshing and motivating. Moving to Hawaii was a difficult choice for me and my family. But, at least now I have a good grasp of what awaits our arrival.

TO be totally honest, and this comes from one experienced Local Hawaiian gal who has seen too many Houlies move to the Islands un prepaired and go through culture shock in their own country (I guess it would be the same for me If I moved to North Dakota in the winter),call the GTE Hawaiian Tel phone co and buy a copy of the phone directory.l It has white and yellow pages, but more than that it has maps and directories and schedules, info. about cars, licences, pets, local traditions and holidays, you name it I dont think they forgot to put it in. THIs book is better even than a live local in your carry on bag, 'cause sistah we fo' get da tings you need fo' know too ! I left Hawaii as a teen ager for college then moved back almost 10 years later and even with my relatives and friends living there, all those dummies forgot to tell me things to do and not do, like dont bring large or heavy furniture, TV's, your beloved vaccuum, unless you can't live with out it. THe cost even from the west coast it not worth it. In fact I tell people now to bring just your clothes, pets, kids, personal effects like photos, knick knacks, 'cause you can get everything you had on the mainland here and it is cheaper in the long run to buy new than to ship old over. Even for the starving student types, we have great swap meets, garage sales and second hand stores to get kitchen items, TV's and clothes ! Save your money to spend when you get here on yourself. DOnt give it all to the moving companies ! Da book is good fo' da good kine laughs, but I don't see how some people found the info.they needed in it. Lucky them. Not a bad book, but more talk story than talk information. Aloha, a houi hoe, Loea

A little book, that is easy to read and that contains all kinds of information and therefore serves the reader as a great source of information wether you like to move to the islands or just want to visit. A lot of fun to read, written from a person with a big heart and a lot of ALOHA.

This book is horrible. After having moved from the mainland to Hawaii and living there for 22 years, I find this book appalling. I do however, congratulate this woman for getting someone to publish this garbage and actually make money from it.