Calling Hawaii Home?

On our last day here in Maui, we contemplate just what it is exactly about Hawaii that draws us in so closely each and every time that we come to visit.  I mean, obviously the islands have an allure that most people adore, and I, personally, have not ever heard anyone complain about their stay, other than it being expensive.  For my husband and I though, there is a Visceral reaction to this place that we cannot deny–for both of us.  And, it happens from the moment we step off of the plane.  It just feels like home and that’s all there is to it.

The interesting thing is that when we visit with locals or read the newspaper, we always find and/or hear about people like us who have come to vacation and end up staying because it speaks to them also in a way that is hard to describe.  In a post last week, I wrote a prime example about a lady (one of the condo management’s employees) who left behind her grown kids and grandkids to restart life here after a not-so-great year on the mainland.  Picking up and leaving your known entities (usually job, family and security) from anywhere to give it a go in a completely foreign environment is always a courageous move for anyone.  Yet, it seems as though a LOT of people living in Hawaii have done exactly that.  Sure, there are those who were born and raised here, but a great many people who call the South Pacific Isles home seem to have uprooted themselves from afar to live their lives amongst a culture built largely on the traditional beliefs and ways of the Polynesian people.

Aside from the people and beauty of the natural environment, there is certainly an island feel that cannot be denied whether you are lying on the beach, driving along the highway, or shopping at one of the stores.  There is generally speaking a different mentality than you would find back home (Canada) and we find it much less hectic and way more relaxing, even as we observe those around us–both visitors and locals alike.  The question is, do we feel the way we do in part because we are on vacation and free to do as we please, without jobs to go to, chores to do or daily life to impede upon our enjoyment?  Probably somewhat, but I guess we wouldn’t ever really know the answer to that unless we actually made a move to live here.  If others that we have met are any indication, I’ve yet to hear of anyone being dissatisfied and moving back ‘home’ after uprooting themselves, especially those folks having moved from cold, snowy climates such as ours.  Of course, some people are in their retirement years and this is where they have chosen to live out their days, so everyday life looks a little different for them to start with, but what about everyone else?  It seems to us that they are pretty darn happy with their decision to call the Hawaiian islands home, retired or not:-).

As Canadians looking to move here, we would have the added complication of trying to get green cards and we’ve heard that it is quite the process, but like anything, it can be done if you put your mind to it.  Over time, we have certainly thought more and more about what life would be like and thus far, we are thinking that calling Hawaii home would be pretty cool, even if only for a few months out of the year as snowbirds.  If nothing else, there is certainly the dream of it some day, hopefully sooner rather than later, and we happen to think that there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of dreaming, especially in a place as dreamy as this.  And, just as with our condo lady who used a coral heart on her beach walk as ‘the sign’ that she was meant to restart her life in Maui, we will use the Gemini tour boat that crosses our path daily as a good sign, since it just so happens that we are both Geminis:-).

Ask.  Believe.  Ye Shall Receive.

 

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