Kona Relocation

Aloha Kakou and Happy May Day!

As a native of these beautiful islands it never ceases to amaze me how many people just love the Hawaiian Islands and desire to call Hawaii home. How can I blame them? I do know what longing means having lived away from Hawaii in Denver and San Diego from 1996-2003. Having spent sometime away from the islands was a great experience for me, but Hawaii is definately home plus I had to figure how to get back here too! The longing inside for the tropics, the warm breezes, the smell of a plumeria, feel good island music, the sand in my toes, dreaming of the ocean and the smell, and feeling the warmth of the sun on my face. When I returned I knew I would never leave again (at least not to move away again). I am blessed to have a profession that allows me to share my love and admiration for these islands. Imagine Statehood in 1959. The now worldclass and famed Kona Coast didnt exist, the new state was a new frontier and opportunity for many from around the world to call home. The Big Island has more than ever continued to show its popularity in population growth although its greatest climb during the decades has been over the last 15-20 years.

Like so many of us I have cherished memories of my childhood here in Kona…remembering the one and only trafic light in Kailua-Kona, swinging on the vines at the Banyan Tree out infront of Taneguchi’s the original KTA down by the pier while Mom and Dad shopped, Pay and Save no Ross, no Lanihau Center, no Borders, Sizzler Steakhouse no Starbucks, No Walmart, No K-Mart, No Kona Inn Shopping Mall, No Coconut Grove Marketplace, the ice cream parlor in the back of Kona Marketplace, getting comic books at Oshima’s in Kainaliu, finding old railroad nails in our front yard.

Our road in Sunset subdivision use to be an old railway tract. No cruise liner ships in Kailua Bay, swimming and playing all day at the pier while my Dad worked at the Kona Billfish Tourney with long time friend Peter Fithian, snorkeling at Kamakahonu where Kamehameha onced lived in Kailua-Kona Village. Working hard at the old Shellery store in the King Kamehameha Hotel Mall during the summers in high school and Liberty House was right across the way, no Ironman back then, landing at Old Airport, the mexican restaurant on Kuikini Hwy by Sunset, counting the cattle as we drove down the original old and windy road to Keauhou off Hwy 11 when the beautiful Keauhou Estates didnt exist yet, and there was no Keauhou Shoping Center, the old Kona Surf and the salt water pool with the volcano slide, swimming at Magic Sands Beach at La’aloa when Magic Sands was still a hotel, getting in the car having to hear my Dad say, “time for a ride to Mauna Kea and Hapuna Beach kids”, and thinking, “oh wow what a LONG car ride this is going to be” nothing nothing existed from Kailua-Kona to Mauna Kea Hotel except Mauna Kea Hotel. Infact, include no Waikoloa Village! Over the course of summers in the late 60’s and early 70’s my folks loved discovering new beaches along the Kona Coast. Now the worldclass resorts of Kukio, Hualalai, Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, and Mauna Kea are here. Wow has the Kona Coast grown! I love this place!

If your ready to make the move to Kona there are lots and lots of fun activities and memories to be made here. The Aloha Spirit truely lives and to anyone reading who is the seasoned visitor or malihini a.k.a newcomber I suggest to take some time and learn about the culture and history. Embrace Hawaii’s history and the lands with respect and to those who have walked before us so we all may continue to enjoy what Hawaii is all about. Perpetuate the aina. There is never a day that passes something about the beauty here doesnt get my attention! Today for example while previewing homes in Koloko Mauka silver ohia’s tree’s were pointed out to me. More commonly we see the red ohia our island flower…