Those of us who live in Hawai’i enjoy the slower pace of life, a relaxed atmosphere when standing in line, providing opportunities to talk story with other people and practicing Aloha and PATIENCE so we show respect to others around us.

In our accompanying video, we talk about why learning patience as a new resident OR a visitor is important and necessary if you wish to have a great experience on the island.

As I discussed in the video, I had written a post after one of the members in my Kona Newbies group had no idea where her shipping container carrying her entire life was in the middle of the Pacific Ocean because the shipping company was overwhelmed. (which happens when everyone decides to move to Hawaii during a pandemic!) Other members of the group encouraged her to take a chill pill and realize people do the best they can under circumstances that are totally different than they are on the mainland. Here is the post:

Patience is needed to live here as it pertains to some “not so fast” service on the island. The wisdom from those of us who have been here for awhile is true. Believe me. I had my own incident when I first moved here and the buyers agent didn’t put in the contract to notify the tenant to leave so we could move in. We thought it was the sellers agents fault and tried to go after her. I was stomping mad that we had to live in a hot box of a rental condo as a consolation experience while we waited a month to move into our new condo in Keauhou.

During that month (and this was before online forums, so I had to fret alone) I was raging on my keyboard about incompetence, lack of help to resolve my issue, and how I was going to get legal help, etc. You know what I heard? Relax. Enjoy the island, breathe, take two steps back and contemplate, “How bad is this really?” As a Californian, and it has only gotten worse over there, we have this “Snap Snap” thing going on and oh, the “Someone is going to pay for this, so help me GOD!” attitude.

THAT DOES NOT WORK IN HAWAII. In fact, and take my word for this..if you want to actually have a “energetic shun” going on to peace and community, you will carry that attitude forward. There is something in Hawaii that does not encourage dramatic lapses of patience, decency, courtesy and aloha.

“Ahonui,” means patience in Hawaiian and is expressed with perseverance. These are traits of character that express the charm, warmth and sincerity of Hawaii’s people. It was the working philosophy of Native Hawaiians and was presented as a gift to the people of Hawaii.

If you believe it or not, if you use the attitude that everyone is doing the best they can in the amount of time they can to do it, and as a local friend of mine says, “Bring a book” while waiting, you will find that a lap around the hibiscus garden is better than standing with steam coming out of your ears at the county or on the phone berating a worker to find out why you aren’t getting what you need sooner. (and seriously, when I was in Maui and they were cancelling my flight back to Kona, which would have meant stranding my two kids alone for the night) I took a long walk around the air field and looked at the flowers and sky while they were trying to sort it out.

I found out while I was on the leg from Hana to the main airport that the head lady went out of her way to get me on the next flight that left ten minutes after I landed to get me back to Kona. If I had gone ballistic on her, I can tell you, I would have been scrambling to find a hotel room in Maui that night. Some of my local friends are saying they are seeing more acts of impatience on the roads right now and in standing in line. It starts here folks, with new residents. You will find a more peaceful existence than you found on the mainland when everyone accepts the code of patience.

If you are considering purchasing a home in Hawaii, we offer our “365 Ohana” service which is a complimentary service that includes books/guides, weekly emails, access to professionals across the Hawaiian Islands that can help you purchase a home or get a mortgage. We also offer entry into private Facebook groups for building community and invitations to special events. Join at 365 Ohana.