Category: Living in Kamuela (Waimea) Hawaii

General information about living in Waimea and the Big Island generall, especially in the South Kohala and Hamakua Districts

How To Get the Healthcare You Need in Hawaii: 3 Tips to Consider Before You Move

Posted on by Judy
blue and silver stetoscope
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Do you require frequent medical visits, specialists, and accessible treatment options? Before moving to Hawaii it is helpful to know your options and prepare for what’s covered by your insurance, what requires inter-Island travel, and alternative healthcare options.

Medical facilities and insurance coverage can be limited depending on where you live and waiting times vary depending on what care you need. There is a doctor shortage on the Big Island, and in Hawaii generally, and when it comes to specialist care (dermatologist, podiatrist, rheumatologist, neurologist, Mohs surgeon, etc.) it is common to drive long distances, fly to Oahu for care that’s covered by insurance, or to pay cash for services on the Big Island. 

Why Pay “Out-Of-Pocket”?

While cash pay sounds scary, so is paying a high insurance premium that doesn’t cover services you need. With rising insurance premiums, consider progressive ways healthcare clinics provide efficient and quality care with cash pay models. So, where do you start? 

First, know that there are wonderful traveling nurses, doctors, physician assistants, and specialists on the Island that provide excellent care. Some offer partial insurance reimbursement plans, yearly membership benefits, and virtual visits.

Some residents opt-out of traditional insurance and use catastrophic insurance with high deductibles and pay cash for specialized care. If you need traditional insurance coverage, start looking online here to check your options based on income.

Last Things to Consider

Do you require frequent checkups? Dental care, specialized visits, and will you live closer to Waimea, Kona, Waikoloa, or Hilo? Look into clinics nearby and what insurance or plans they take. In Hilo, one of my personal favorites is Mahinakealo Dermatology (because when you live in Hawaii, you need a Dermatology clinic). Marne Carmichael Walsh PA-C provides the most detailed and patient-focused care in the Hilo community. While Mahinakealo Dermatology offers reasonable cash pay options and reimbursements now, the office will take HMSA, HMAA, and UHA at the start of 2021. 

In Kona, Elite Smiles Dental has a discount program for individuals and families with a small yearly fee. In Waimea, Iris Integrative Health has successfully created an affordable subscription healthcare model clinic utilizing western and naturopathic medicine. 

There are three main hospitals in Hawaii: North Hawaii Community Hospital Queens Medical Center in Waimea, the Kona Community Hospital down South, and The Hilo Medical Center on the Eastside of the Island. Urgent care clinics are also commonly used for quick care and family medicine concerns. 

There are many factors involved, so be prepared to make shifts as you consider life on the Big Island. Many local residents are happy with the healthcare quality on Island, but it is best to know your options and avoid the frustration of having insurance that not all offices take because it is “out of network.” So, is there a clinic or doctor you go to on the Big Island? There are many more to mention, so be sure to share in the comments. 

Contact me Here to learn more about available listings and information about life on the Big Island of Hawaii.

The Unfortunate Truth About Living in a Melting Pot: Hawaii and Racism

Posted on by Judy

Updated June 2026. Originally published 2022.

Racism is alive and well in Hawaii. It just looks a little different than it does on the mainland.

Quite a few years ago, a woman I had recently met exclaimed “Judy, they’re prejudiced against us!” She was Caucasian, from the western US. I guess she thought that if she could be magnanimous enough to overlook other people’s skin color, they should do the same for her. She lasted less than a year before moving back to the mainland. Some people come away from experiences like hers convinced that haoles are broadly discriminated against in Hawaii. That’s not really an accurate picture — though there is a kernel of truth buried in it, which I’ll get to.

A Little History

I was born in Hawaii in 1954 and have lived here most of my life. There were Kill a Haole days at the public schools when I was growing up. The local kids would pelt our car with guavas when we drove through Hawaiian Home Lands. There were parts of Oahu where haoles simply were not safe. I was aware of the hostility, but it never really bothered me — I understood where it came from.

The private school I attended admitted only Caucasians and Hawaiians when I was young. My stepfather was the first president of one of the private clubs in Honolulu to successfully argue that admission should not be limited to haoles.

By the time I was in high school, things had changed somewhat. There was a flourishing of Hawaiian language and culture, giving pride to many Hawaiians for the first time in generations. The music produced during that era was fantastic — including a hilarious and affectionate song by Keola and Kapono Beamer called Mr. Sun Cho Lee, which gently pokes fun at every race on the island. It concludes with the lines: “One thing I wen notice bout this place, all us guys we tease da otha race, it’s amazing we can live in da same place.”

Not Any Better Now

Those were gentler times. As more and more people have moved to Hawaii, consuming more resources and trying to impose their values on the locals, resentments have grown. Life used to be easier, and now many locals are hard pressed to make a living. Many work multiple jobs, and as real estate prices rise, they commute hours each day. When they do find time to relax, they are being crowded out of the places they used to love by throngs of tourists.

While most local people are gentle, fun loving, and generous, there are definitely people who hate haoles. I know several people in my town who will never acknowledge me, and I’m fine with that. I understand why some locals, and especially Hawaiians, despise haoles. The history of Hawaii’s annexation — the unlawful overthrow of a legitimate government driven by greed — is not ancient history to the people who bear its consequences every day.

Here is one outsider’s honest account of experiencing racism in Hawaii: The Professional Hobo

On Hiring and “Discrimination”

Some people search for information about racism in Hawaii because they’re confused or frustrated about why it can be hard to get hired here, especially in certain industries. It’s worth addressing directly, because it’s usually not what people assume.

Employers in Hawaii are thinking about workplace culture and fit — who will work well alongside their existing team, in a place where relationships and reputation matter enormously. They’re also thinking about retention. Training someone takes real time and money, and mainland transplants have a well-earned reputation for leaving within a year or two when island life turns out to be harder than they expected. An employer who has been burned by that pattern before will naturally be cautious about doing it again.

None of this means haoles are unwelcome. It means you have to demonstrate, the way anyone would for any job anywhere, that you’re going to stick around and fit in.

A great example of how it’s done well is Drew Davis, the meteorologist who joined Hawaii News Now from Texas. Before he even arrived he spent months practicing the Hawaiian language and learning about the islands. He brings a sincere, self-deprecating sense of humor to his forecasts, takes the safety of his viewers seriously, and clearly does excellent work. He has become popular here in a remarkably short time. That’s not luck — that’s exactly the combination of humility, effort, and respect that opens doors in Hawaii.

What This Means for You

If you are considering moving to Hawaii, go in with your eyes open. Don’t expect a free pass. You will need to prove — over time, through consistent action — that you are honest, humble, hard working, respectful, and generous. If you can do that, most people will eventually extend the aloha these islands are known for. If you can’t, or won’t, you may find yourself isolated in a Caucasian enclave, wondering why you moved here in the first place.

Come with an open heart, genuine curiosity about the culture and history, and real respect for the people who were here long before you. That is the price of admission — and it is absolutely worth paying.

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.

Waimea’s Schools

Posted on by Judy

Waimea’s Schools: What Parents Need to Know

Updated April 2026. Originally published March 2020.

Waimea’s schools are limited — which is not surprising given the town’s population size. Here is an honest overview of what’s available and what to realistically expect.

The Schools

Waimea offers a surprisingly diverse range of school options for a small town:

Note that there is no public high school in Waimea — students in the public system must travel to Honokaa or Konawaena for high school.

Honest Assessment

I know people whose children attended the public schools and went on to become doctors and veterinarians. I know more people whose children attended the private schools and have gone on to professional careers. The education necessary to get into good colleges is available here — but I would not rank Waimea’s schools highly in terms of breadth of educational opportunity.

The private schools send graduates to elite universities, but students may find themselves underprepared for the breadth of coursework they encounter there, where many classmates will have taken AP classes in subjects that simply aren’t offered at smaller schools.

A friend who has taught in Waimea schools for many years offers this useful guidance: children with special needs are generally better served in the public school system. Exceptionally bright or ambitious children will likely need supplemental educational opportunities — tutoring, online courses, or mainland summer programs — to stay engaged and on track, regardless of which school they attend.

The Bigger Picture

Waimea is, as one of my clients recently described it, a “windy, cold, little mountain town.” Many people find it one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Others find it too isolated, too limited, or simply not the right fit. With respect to schools, the word “little” is key — given the pool of potential students to draw from, it should not surprise anyone that resources are limited and even the private schools face constraints in what they can offer.

If schools are a primary consideration in your decision, spend time here first. Talk to parents. Visit the schools. And read my post on What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Big Island for a fuller picture of life in Waimea.

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney with over 30 years of experience. She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.

The Real Pros and Cons of Living on the Big Island

Posted on by Judy

Updated May 2026. Originally published 2019.

People fall in love with the idea of living in Hawaii. The reality is more nuanced — and more interesting. Here is an honest assessment from someone who has lived on the Big Island for most of her life.

The Pros

Water

Long before I became a realtor, I practiced water law in Colorado. I was appalled by how reliant Colorado was on non-tributary aquifers that were being consumed with no plan for what would happen when they ran out. The Big Island’s situation is fundamentally different. Our fresh water aquifers are replenished by plentiful rainfall, filtered naturally through lava before entering the ground. In the wetter parts of the island the aquifers remain full and robust.

That said, water supply is more precarious in the dry, sunny areas that many people move to Hawaii to enjoy. There are limits on how much water can be transferred from wet areas to dry ones, which in turn limits development in those areas. If you’re considering a property in a drier part of the island, understanding the water supply situation is an important part of your due diligence.

Natural Beauty and Climate

We have some of the world’s most beautiful coastlines and beaches, a huge variety of micro-climates, and weather that most mainlanders can only dream about. The Big Island alone contains eleven of the world’s thirteen climate zones — from tropical rainforest to alpine desert. Whatever your preference, there is likely a corner of this island that suits you perfectly.

Food

The local food scene is extraordinary. The Big Island has thriving local food producers — from grass-fed beef to honey, goat cheese, macadamia nuts, coffee, tropical fruits, and some of the most wonderful strawberries and vegetables you will ever taste. If you love fresh, locally grown food, you will be very happy here.

The People

The best thing about the Big Island is the people. We are diverse, and we live on an island. We cannot share this island if we are not respectful of one another — and most people here understand that instinctively. People smile at each other, help each other, and know how to get along with people they may not agree with.

This is not a place for racists, and especially not white nationalists. If you are coming here expecting to find a community of people who look, think, and act like you do, you will be disappointed and unwelcome. If you come with an open heart and genuine respect for others, you will likely find more community and connection here than anywhere you have lived before.

The Cons

Isolation

The Big Island is exactly that — an island. You cannot get in your car and go on a road trip. Your family and friends may not visit as often as you’d like. Travel to and from Hawaii is expensive and time consuming. For people who thrive on spontaneous travel or who have deep roots on the mainland, this isolation can become genuinely wearing over time.

Cost of Living

Everything costs more here, if you can get it at all. Gas is over $6 per gallon. Electricity is equally eye-opening. Hawaii residents pay between 39 and 41 cents per kilowatt-hour — more than twice the national average of about 17 cents. For a typical household using around 500 kilowatt-hours per month, that works out to roughly $200-$215 per month in electric bills. The good news is that rooftop solar pays for itself in 4-6 years at these rates, and Hawaii leads the entire nation in rooftop solar adoption with 43% of single-family homes having panels installed. If you’re building or buying here, solar is worth serious consideration. Groceries, building materials, and everyday goods are significantly more expensive than on the mainland because nearly everything is shipped in. Don’t assume your mainland budget will translate.

Services and Repairs

Getting anything fixed here — an appliance, a car, a roof — is a major undertaking. Replacing broken appliances with anything but the most generic brands and models is time consuming and expensive. The supply chain challenges that the rest of the world discovered during COVID have always been a fact of life here.

Medical Care

Healthcare is a genuine concern. The basics are reasonably well covered, but anything beyond routine care will likely require a trip off island. Primary care physicians are hard to find, specialists are scarce, and the situation has been getting worse rather than better. If you or a family member has complex medical needs, this deserves very careful consideration before you commit to moving here. I discuss this in more detail in my post on What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Big Island.

Schools

The public schools try hard but are under-resourced. The private schools are expensive and, as I discuss in my Waimea Schools post, have their own limitations. This probably isn’t the ideal place for families who want the broadest possible academic opportunities for their children.

Politics

I wish our State and County political leaders were far better at anticipating needs, protecting assets, and ensuring that every resident has a fair opportunity at a good life. They are not. In the meantime, the wonderful, self-reliant people of the Big Island make life work despite their clumsy political representatives — which is itself a testament to the community here.

Is the Big Island Right for You?

If you are reasonably healthy, willing to extend to others the same respect you would like to receive, and love being outdoors, active, and eating great fresh food in a clean and beautiful environment — the Big Island may be exactly right for you.

If you need easy access to specialized medical care, crave urban amenities, or want the widest possible educational options for your children, it may not be the right fit — and it’s better to know that before you move than after.

I’m happy to share more about the realities of life on the Big Island. Just get in touch.

Judy S. Howard, Esq. is a Realtor Broker with COMPASS in Waimea, Hawaii, and a licensed Hawaii attorney . She can be reached at judy@livinginwaimea.com or 808-885-5588.

Bringing your pets

Posted on by Judy
Kate, my kelpie

Bringing your pets with you, whether to live here permanently or on an extended visit, is not simple, but it can be done. I waited about 11 months, spent more money than I ever want to total, and went through quite a bit of work to bring in Kate, who was born in Oklahoma.

I don’t regret a moment of the hassle it required, or the money, but if I hadn’t been set on getting another kelpie, it would have been a foolish thing to do.

Puppies are more challenging to import than adult dogs with a history of rabies vaccinations.

Bringing in an adult pet, up to date on rabies vaccinations, is not too bad. But a puppy has to be 4 months old before it can receive its first shot, and then the shots must be spaced at least a month apart, and the blood for the titer should not be drawn until so many days after the last shot, and on and on it went. (Kate was about 5 weeks old when I bought her.).

I have clients who are flying in with their dog and cat from California in a week. I haven’t discussed the process with them yet, but I gather it has been one of the least challenging aspects of their move, because their pets are adults, and have received rabies shots annually. With a record of rabies shots, few vet visits would be required-perhaps only one to draw blood for the rabies titer, and a second for a certificate of health right before the flight. They also have a shorter trip, which should help. They, like Kate, will fly directly to Kona, where a vet will meet their pets and complete the paperwork necessary for their release to my clients.

Many owners in the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea Resorts bring their small dogs with them when they come to stay.

Quite a few people who own second homes at the Mauna Lani and Mauna Kea resorts bring their small dogs with them every time they come. Not all condominium projects allow pets, but many do, especially single, small-ish dogs. Once you’ve got the system established, it can be pretty easy to bring along your small dog.

Do it yourself, or hire help?

Because I was relying on Kate’s very kind breeder to do the leg work in Oklahoma, I hired a local pet importation coordinator to make sure all the paperwork was completed properly and on time. I don’t think I would do that again, unless I was very, very busy.

There is no doubt in my mind that going through the process of getting your pets certified as rabies-free is far better than consigning them to quarantine once they arrive here, but it does require checking off a number of boxes. Here is a link to the Hawaii Department of Health, Quarantine Branch, setting out the requirements: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm. It sounds like it has become easier for animal owners to comply with the requirements since I brought in Kate, which is a good thing! http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/

If you want to wait until you arrive to adopt a pet, there will be many lovely animals in need of a new home.

If you don’t have a pet yet, and are considering a move to Hawaii, there are lots of dogs and cats in need of good homes here. There are humane society shelters in several locations on the Big Island, and I have adopted some wonderful pets (including a very silly lamb) from the Waimea Shelter. The breeding of the dogs may sometimes be a bit questionable, but hybrid vigor is on display, and it’s fun to try to guess the breeds of one of our local dog’s ancestors. If you get really curious, you can submit a swab for DNA analysis.

I brought in Kate specifically to work sheep, but I have two dogs that I took in just because they needed new homes that actually do a much better job with the sheep than Kate is ever likely to. Breed matters, but frequently mutts can be a delightful surprise!