Things I have learned about Hawaii:

-        Getting your car registered is challenging. They don’t take credit cards for payment so bring your checkbook. You have to have your insurance card with you, if your car is paid off you have to have the title with you. You have to have proof of a completed safety check. Once you have your registration, you have to go back to the safety check place so they can put your stickers on.

Take a whole day off to do this. It takes that long!

-       You can’t buy a decent house for less than $700,000, expect at least a million.Yes, that’s what I said, at least a million, and if it’s anywhere close to the ocean that might get you a small home that needs work. Expect closer to 1.5 million near the ocean. Unless you are in Kahala, then it’s more like 3-5 million.

-       Drivers are polite here, especially if you have to make a left turn. Everyone takes care of others on the road. Make sure you behave in kind.

-       The farmers market is a great place to buy fresh produce. If you buy it in the store, expect it will only last a few days.

-       Mangos drop off trees all around you. Yum.

-       It rains here more than one expects. Sometimes hard, sometimes a sprinkle. It’s always warm so the rain feels good and if you get wet, you will dry in seconds.

-       You don’t need a sweater to go to the beach. For months I took a jacket to the beach expecting that someday a cool breeze would pick up and I would get cold. I’ve stopped taking it, it doesn’t get cold.

-       The sand feels different at different beaches.

-       My feet only like flip flops (slippers they are called here)

-       Costco is the best place to buy food and alcohol.

-       Morning walks on the beach feel different than evening walks. Morning is the best time to collect beach glass, the sun shines across it and makes it shine.

-       Your net pay is less than you expect. They tax, tax, tax you.

-       The bus is a great way to get around. You can buy a bus pass at Foodland for $60 for the month. But they don’t take credit cards! You have to pay cash.

-       Longs drugs is really a fast pharmacy.

The weather is perfect.

Stand up paddling is easier than I thought it would be.

People spear fish instead of using a fishing pole. Not fair to the fish. 

Why doesn't anyone know how to build a nice looking house? There are a few, but not many. 

I miss my family.