Many people who have moved to Hawaii from the mainland find living on the island far different from living on the mainland. While some of the locals will be welcoming most won’t be. The majority of your neighbors and co-workers will be standoffish and a few will be downright rude.
The attitudes you encounter may take you aback and make you feel alienated which can make living in a new area both uncomfortable and frightening. In order to truly make Hawaii your home you are going to need to put forth some effort to earn the acceptance of the people around you and form friendships.
Keep in mind that Hawaii is not just the home of Hawaiians, but many other cultures as well especially a lot of Asian cultures. Taking the time to learn something about each of these cultures and not lumping them altogether will go a long way in earning your neighbors and coworkers approval. Remain friendly even when you think that people are being standoffish.
You also don’t want to talk about how great the place you used to live was and compare your home in Hawaii to that place. While people are interested in learning more about you, limit those conversations to work and family rather than making comparisons that might alienate people you are trying to get along with.
Moving to Hawaii is not that much different from moving to any area you are unfamiliar with. Treat those you encounter with respect, take the time to learn something about them, their family, and their cultural beliefs and they will be happy to meet you more than half way. Your attitude is going to set the stage for how well you get along in Hawaii and what friendships you are going to make.
Become a part of your community and you will soon find that you can make friends and share experiences.
Keep in mind however, that due to the cost of living in Hawaii you may not be able to enjoy many of the things you did in your old home. With high rent and low incomes eating out may be less of an option than ever before. Other types of entertainment may also be limited or out of the question as well. Sometimes this lack of entertainment can make you feel even more alienated so making new friends is important as it keeps you more active and involved.
Donate your time and your efforts and do everything you can to make a niche for yourself in your new community and before you know it Hawaii will truly become your home.
