Over the last couple of months, we’ve been doing as much research as we can on each of the islands of Hawai’i. There’s O’ahu, Maui, Hawaii (The Big Island), and Kaua’i. You can’t drive from one island to the next like you can in the Florida Keys. So we have to research which island we’d like to live on the most because it won’t be cheap to move to one and then just up and move to another one.
For our move, we’ve been looking into everything we can so we are prepared for the move. We have to decide which island we want to live on and which part of the island. We need to figure out if we want to move everything with us or leave it all behind. Start completely fresh. What do we do about our vehicles? What about our cat? Then there is the subject of school for the boys. I’ll be going into details about all of this over the next few months, but for now, we’ve at least narrowed down the island we want to live on.
The Big Island is Our Choice: The Island of Hawai’i
Each of the islands has their greatness, and this wasn’t a very easy decision to make. There are four main islands we decided to choose from: Kaua’i, O’ahu, Maui, and the Island of Hawai’i (The Big Island). Each island has different income standards, housing prices, and even differences in the amount of tourists that visit.
O’ahu
We pretty much knew immediately that we did not want to live on O’ahu because it’s one of the biggest tourist places of Hawai’i and it has about two-thirds of Hawaii’s total population. We didn’t want to be surrounded by people and always feeling crowded. It seems to be a beautiful island and has a lot to offer, but it was at the bottom of our list.

By Cristo Vlahos (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Kaua’i
I wanted to move to Kaua’i after watching the show Hawai’i Life, but it is one of the most expensive of the four main islands to live on. There are some beautiful beaches, hiking, surfing, and so much more you can do on Kaua’i. Just look at this image and tell me what there isn’t to love there?

By Remember (photo was taken by Remember) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Maui
Then there was the island of Maui! It was my top choice before watching Hawaii Life, and I’d still prefer to live there (or even Kaua’i), but due to the cost of housing, we decided against it. It is just beautiful there, or at least it looks like it is. I’ve never been so I’m looking through the pictures I see of the island.

By Michael Oswald, Mikeo (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons
The Big Island of Hawai’i
Although the Island of Hawai’i is the largest of the islands, it doesn’t have as many people living on it as O’ahu because much of the island is a massive active volcano! Yes, we chose to live on an island with an active volcano. What more could you ask for in an island? You have beaches, volcanos, rain forests, mountains, and so much more. In fact, the beaches on the Big Island have red sand, green sand, and even black sand!

By AlaskaDave (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
I’m glad you didn’t pick Oahu. I’ve been to the Big Island, Kauai, and Oahu for vacation. Of the three I liked Kauai best but that was for vacationing.
I’m looking forward to arriving on the Big Island and being able to spend time on all the islands.
I would choose all or any of them, lol. Hawaii looks like an ideal place to live. I have visited before with parents, but not since I was a little girl.
I’ve never been and cannot wait to get there. We’re counting down the days!
I’ve been watching Hawaii Life also. I was planning to go for my 40th but not sure that’s happening. Either way I’m going for two weeks soon. I think I would pick Kauai.
Hawaii Life is so addicting, we’ve watched all the episodes, well other than the ones that the people are looking to spend a million dollars on a place to live. We’re waiting for new episodes to come out.
You’ll make it there and hopefully have a blast!
Your page made me happy with all of the beautiful pictures of Hawaii!
They are pretty to look at, can’t wait to get there and see it in real life!
I can’t even image making this choice. They all sound amazing. I can’t wait to hear how different your life is after the big move from Mi.
I love Hilo, I am an Ohio resident, but I had the exciting experience to attend the University Of Hawaii Hilo campus many years ago. I’m back in
Ohio now with my family.
I remember the orchids growing on the roadsides in Hawaii, the tropical flowers on campus, the little geckos, the erupting Volcano, and the snow on the top of the mountain, cattle on the Parker Ranch, scenic waterfalls and the wonderful people of Hilo.
Best wishes, …..can’t wait to hear about your adventures and impressions.
Sounds like you had a great experience while there, hopefully we’ll have the same great experience.
My husband & I vacationed there about 8 yrs ago. We thought it was a beautiful place! I think you chose well.
[…] that we know that we’ll be living on the Big Island of Hawaii, the next step is deciding if we bring everything with us or start a fresh new life and […]
[…] vary depending on the island you move to; we’re on the island of Hawai’i, also called the Big Island. It is the cheaper of the island to live on, but keep in mind we also have an active volcano that […]