I was born and raised in Hawaii. Here are his six good and six bad things about living here.


Ashley Probst beach selfie (left), beach poke bowl (right)

I have lived on Maui most of my life.Ashley Probst

  • I was born and raised in Hawaii and have found that living here full time has its pros and cons.

  • full of islands beauty of nature And while it’s an adventure, the cost of living is incredibly high.

  • I feel blessed to live here, but traffic jams and overtourism are also frustrating issues.

I was born and raised in Hawaii. Living here all year round is great, but there are some drawbacks.

Ashley Probst selfie at Hawaiian Fields

I grew up in Hawaii and currently live on Maui.Ashley Probst

After growing up in Hawaii and moving to the mainland for college, the first question most people asked me was, “Why did you leave Maui?”

My blunt answer is that it has always been my goal to get off the “rock”, the nickname my friends and I used to call the island.

Now that I am back as an adult, I have a new perspective.feel Happiness to call Hawaii homebut we also have a better understanding of why it’s not always the picturesque paradise people imagine.

Here are 6 good and 6 bad things about living in Hawaii.

You can almost always find sunshine on the island, even if it’s raining on one side.

Ashley Probst selfie in front of the rainbow

Hawaii enjoys a mild climate year-round.Ashley Probst

the inhabitants of hawaii enjoy the tropical climate Open almost all year round.

Even on rainy days, you can almost always drive to another part of the island and find a sunny spot. can also do.

The natural beauty of the island is unlike anything I have seen anywhere else.

Sunset over Lahaina, Hawaii

My hometown of Lahaina is full of natural wonders.Ashley Probst

if you are looking for chill out on the beachhike breathtaking trails, swim at the base of waterfalls, watch the sunset, smell tropical flowers – plumeria is my favorite – Hawaii offers endless opportunities to connect with Mother Earth. We will provide

Having easy access to all these natural attractions is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream.

Rich in tropical fruits and fresh fish, Hawaii is a foodie’s paradise.

Poke bowl in front of the beach in Hawaii

Poke bowls are a delicious Hawaiian dish made with fresh fish.Ashley Probst

Hawaii’s grocery stores and farmers markets are usually stocked with fresh tropical fruit. Restaurants here showcase some of the best Asian and Pacific Island cuisine in the world. Other seafood.

When local comfort foodSpam musubi, poke bowls, loco moco, chicken cutlet plates, and more.

The island has adventurous activities that appeal to all types of people.

Waihee Ridge Trail Hike in Hawaii, green mountains with clouds above

View from hiking the Waihee Ridge Trail.Ashley Probst

Hawaii has a variety of beaches and hiking trails for people of all levels, making it easy to organize an experience at your desired pace.

Residents also enjoy tourist attractions such as whale watching tours, parasailing experiences, and zipline tours.

As a local, it’s a bonus if you know the people who work for the companies that organize these activities.

Every island has a strong sense of community and plenty of networking opportunities.

Hawaiian Art Fair sign with a tent in the background

Community events such as art fairs and monthly block parties bring locals and visitors together.Ashley Probst

I grew up on Maui, so I was woven into the island’s tight-knit community from an early age.

Even if people don’t know me personally, they may know my family. I often feel an immediate connection with other people who were born and raised here.

With so many people visiting the island, you never know who you’ll meet. There are always opportunities to make new connections and expand your network.

In general, island life feels slow and relaxed.

A sign that says 'Slow down, this is not the mainland' in the mailbox.in hawaii

The sign has a local proverb that reminds people to stick to the laid-back island vibe.Ashley Probst

The island lifestyle feels slower and more relaxed, as opposed to the often chaotic energy of city life.

People are usually in no hurry to act and seem relatively laid back, making for a peaceful and resilient environment on the island.Therefore, Hawaii The best places in the world for staycations.

On the other hand, the cost of living here is incredibly high as much of the goods are imported.

milk cartons at store in hawaii

Individual cartons of these milks cost over $8 each.Ashley Probst

Prices tend to be higher in popular tourist destinations, and certainly so in Hawaii, where much is imported from the mainland United States.

As a resident, I’m used to paying much more for mundane things like milk, gas, and housing than many visitors who are used to paying less at home.

For example, a gallon of milk costs over $8. studio rental Available for $3,000/month.

Island traffic can completely derail your plans for the day.

Cliff section of Honoapiilani Highway in Hawaii

The cliff-side portion of the Honoapiilani Highway is called Pali.Ashley Probst

Honolulu traffic traffic in los angelesdespite the rather large population of the latter city.

There are many parts of the island that are only accessible by one road, like the Honoapiilani Highway, also known as Hawaii Route 30, which connects West Maui to the rest of the island.

If the road is closed due to an accident or wildfire, you may be stranded overnight on the other side of the island.

Overtourism has ruined places and experiences for everyone.

People on the black sand beach of Waianapanapa State Park.Maui, Hawaii

Crowded black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park on Maui.Ashley Probst

beach used to be a secret Currently, it is overflowing with tourists, Many restaurants have unbearably long queuesmaking it difficult for locals to visit their favorite spots.

Besides, rude visitors make residents even more disrespectful.Not all tourists cheat, but those who do harmful domino effect in the community.

The island can feel small and dating can be difficult.

flower double rainbow

It’s not uncommon to run into your ex-boyfriend on the island.Ashley Probst

Dating is difficult anywhere, especially on remote islands A place where you always meet the same people. It doesn’t help that most of the additions to the dating pool are temporary looking for casual flirtation only.

Even if you are lucky enough to find a potential match, it comes with risks. It might even lead to someone you date.

It’s rewarding to see sacred land stolen from the Hawaiian people commercialized.

Maruruolere Park in Lanai, Hawaii

Maru Ulu Olele Park was once the sacred home of Hawaiian royalty.Ashley Probst

Although my lineage is not native to this land, these islands are my home and the commercialization of Hawaiian culture is heartbreaking.

For example, in my hometown of Lahaina, was the epicenter of the Kingdom of Hawaii. It is now a major tourist destination filled with shops and restaurants to accommodate tourists.

The loneliness that comes with island life can be overwhelming.

Sunset over Lahaina, Hawaii

Living in Hawaii can feel so far away from the rest of the world.Ashley Probst

Being cut off from the rest of the world may sound liberating at first, but it can quickly change into freedom. island fevera phenomenon associated with psychological stress that comes from feeling trapped.

When people find themselves on an island in the middle of the ocean, people start yearning for the ocean. freedom for long road tripsthe changing seasons, and other luxuries that come with living in the neighboring United States.

No place is perfect, including Hawaii, but I am very lucky to live on these islands.

Kapalua rainbow over water

A rainbow over the waters of Kapalua, Hawaii.Ashley Probst

Returning to Hawaii as an adult has deepened my appreciation for my hometown, island landscape, and community.

It’s not perfect, but I feel very lucky to live here, especially since it’s so expensive and overly touristy.

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