That's right! I'm going to go to Oahu for Spring Break.... that's this coming Friday.

I need some help though. I need some info on where's the best place to go Snorkelling? Right now, we're looking at Hanauma Bay. Any other suggestions?

Also, we're planning on going to a luau. Any suggestions? Right now, we're look at the Germaines Luau. Do we have to book it in advance? Or can we just sign up upfront?

Thanks in advance guys.

Definately hit up Hanauma Bay you'll love it.

Now for the best Luau, Paridise Cove hands down in my opinion. tickets range from 45-125. Do a search on-line to learn more about them. They are really populor.

If you into the Nature thing (i knida am) check this site out-->http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking.html

If you want other stuff to do, i say do a search here and you will come up w/ countless people who asked the same Q's w/ lots of answers. Hope you have a great time when you get here. :banana:

rent a car for the weekend and bring it to the tracks for solo II ... lol... this sunday is race day :D

Hit da cluuuuuubs! :D

Nah, the clubs here suck compared to their mainland counterparts.

I recommend renting a car and driving around the island to catch all the coastlines. I remember how beautiful everything looked when I did that the first time...

arizona memorial

Both the Wahiawa and Waianae Cornet's are da bomb! Ask for the midnight special from anyone of the "workers" when you get there!

Also Check out the North Shore if the Waves are still bumpin, Just make sure not to get too close to the water or you can kiss you ass g-bye!

man, I wish I'll have the time to go to the track and meet some of ya. I'd like to see the different WRX's out there. If only I can convince my GF to break from her shopping and instead go to the track..... hmmm.

Anyhow, thanks for the info guys.

But I still need to know whether we can simply just sign-up upfront for luaus or do we have to book it in advance?

Thanks again fellas.

Oh and speaking of clubs.... How are the hotties there in Oahu?? I know I'm gonna be with my GF, but she doesn't mind if I look..... hell, she even points them out for me.

Paridise Cove is just walk up to the booth and pay :D

Sweet..... thanks for ya'lls help dudes. If I see any WRX's out there and has an I-Club decal, I'll be sure to say Hello.

If you like Shrimp, I recommend stopping at the Shrimp Truck in Kahuku on the North Shore....their shrimp is the DA BOMB!!!

Originally posted by DrVortex
If you like Shrimp, I recommend stopping at the Shrimp Truck in Kahuku on the North Shore....their shrimp is the DA BOMB!!!


If it's from a Shrimp Truck, then is it cooked? I love shrimp, but I don't think I'll be doing any cooking while I'm there. :D

I'm back in Texas now..... sorry I couldn't post while I was out there, too much stuff to do than post online.... hehehe.

Anyways, I had a blast!!! It's the best vacation ever.

I lost count on how many WRX's I saw while I was there. Saw a bunch of STi's also.

My girlfriend did manage to snap a pic of a WRX on our way to the North Shore. It looked like it was heading home from the track. It was Silver and had #47 written on the driver-side passenger window. I'll post the pic as soon as I can.

I must say this.... for you guys living out there.... You lucky bastards!!!! I envy you guys for having the opportunity to drive a WRX through the mountains and the beaches galore. While driving on hwy 99 going to the North Shore, in a Dodge Intrepid Rental, I often pictured myself in my WRX.... not to mention drove the damn thing as if I was in my WRX! hehehe.

I tell you guys though, I've never felt being so close to my homeland (Philippines) as I did when I went there to Hawaii. Everyone had a good attitude about life. Everyone was pretty laid back. Although, in Waikiki, there were times that I felt I was in Japan.... man they're everywhere! Even the Hotel had escalators backwards, going up was on the left and going down was on the right.... I got confused so many times.

Anyway, I'm seriously thinking about finding a job there. I think I'll blend in well being a Filipino.

Hmmm.... Do any of you work for an Engineering Firm??

Once again guys, thanks for everyone's help while planning that trip. I must say this again..... You Lucky Bastards!!!

Glad you enjoyed your trip. Hawaii is a hard place to move to after living on the mainland though. :(

A have a couple of friends here who are engineers. For the most part Civil is the only real hotbed of activity, and most of those jobs are with contractors to the Fed. government. What type of sliderule are you?

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
Hmmm.... Do any of you work for an Engineering Firm??

I'm an engineer working as a construction manager for a local company. PM if your serious about a job. Right now there are lots of opportunities, mostly civil, structrual, and mechanical.

I have been working for a CIVIL engineering firm since January of 1998. That makes it 6+ years. I am currently handling my own projects with the supervision of a PE. I have experience in design of projects ranging from Sanitary Sewer, Storm Sewer, Land Development, Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitations, San. Swr. Lift Stations, Water Lines, and some other structural projects. Out of all our company's engineering technicians, I have the most background in various design softwares, such as Autocad 14 to 2002, Eaglepoint Civil Series, and recently learned Autodesk Land Development. I can also use Microstation if need be.

I am not, however, a civil engineer. I am an Engineering Technician. I earned an Associates degree in Computer Drafting on December 1997. I am considered a Jr. Project Manager at our firm. I don't just do drafting, but also work with contract documents, specifications, correspondence letters, payment estimates, construction management, inspection, and other duties called to do.

Whew.... enough pep talk. As you can see, I am dead serious.
Don't get me wrong guys... I love my job and the company I work for. I just wish that they would open a branch there. hehehe..

WRXed, what do you suggest for me to do? Thanks in advance.

By the way, here's the photo of the WRX Sti my GF took while there.

If you want to stay on the design side of things, its really good that you have a lot of software background. Being a Jr. engineer (tech) isn't bad with the experience you have. You may have to start off again as a drafter and move your way up. You might want to ask your local ASCE chapter for some Hawaii contacts so you can start off by sending companies your resume.

Also, check the Honolulu Advertiser job website.
http://honoluluadvertiser.gannettonline.com/careerbuilder/index.html

Best of luck!

Originally posted by WRXed
If you want to stay on the design side of things, its really good that you have a lot of software background. Being a Jr. engineer (tech) isn't bad with the experience you have. You may have to start off again as a drafter and move your way up. You might want to ask your local ASCE chapter for some Hawaii contacts so you can start off by sending companies your resume.

Also, check the Honolulu Advertiser job website.
http://honoluluadvertiser.gannettonline.com/careerbuilder/index.html

Best of luck!

Thanks for the info. Unfortunately, the president of our local ASCE chapter is from our company. I'm trying to lay low on this issue. :cool:

Anyhow, I did what you suggested and looked at the honolulu advertiser. I found a company hiring with my experience and knowledge. But.... I'm not sure if they can provide me my financial needs. I've looked at some salary calculators online and with what I'm making now, it looks like I will need to make at least $60k to $62k a year there in Hawaii if I want to have the same type of living. If the cost of living wasn't so high there, I'd be willing to make minimum wage! Although if I do work for minimum wage, I probably won't be able to keep the WRX.... so let's scratch that option.

Hmmm.... I know what you mean by starting over and working my way up. That's one of the reason's why it's so hard for me to quit my job. I'll have to prove myself again.

But like I said, if the company who's willing to hire me can get close to my requested salary, then I wouldn't mind starting from the bottom.

Man.... dillema, dillema.

Also, roughly how much does a decent one bedroom apartment cost around there? One of our cab drivers, while we were there, said that a two bedroom costs around $700 - $800. That is roughly about the same here where I live. I'm paying $550 for a one bedroom. But the one bedrooms here ranges from $300 to $650. I just want a safer place for the WRX. :D

Any more info would be great. Thanks again.

Try this site for pricing some rentals.

http://www.hicentral.com/properties/isle.asp?isle=1&type=rental

When you browse, you'll see that costs rise as you get closer to town. You might want to check out Imprezer's dilemma about moving here.

http://www.i-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51941

Brings up the same point we keep making, need a sticky about "Relocating to Oahu..." since this comes up time after time, also the "What to do on vacation on Oahu..." since the same info gets posted and reposted.

Back on subject I vacationed here so many times and too went away thinking I wanted to live here. After a year even if I had found a good job I would still relocate back to the mainland to Orange County. The rock fever is too much for me. I would rather visit here a couple times a year and then live somewhere where I could drive to different areas and all. Walking on the beach outside my Dads place on the north shore made me realize how much I will miss this place, but just not for us I guess. Maybe later in life, but there are too many places I want to see around the mainland and I gotta be able to actually drive somewhere when I need to get away. Just my .02 cents...

Originally posted by DaveWRX
Back on subject I vacationed here so many times and too went away thinking I wanted to live here. After a year even if I had found a good job I would still relocate back to the mainland to Orange County. The rock fever is too much for me. I would rather visit here a couple times a year and then live somewhere where I could drive to different areas and all. Walking on the beach outside my Dads place on the north shore made me realize how much I will miss this place, but just not for us I guess. Maybe later in life, but there are too many places I want to see around the mainland and I gotta be able to actually drive somewhere when I need to get away. Just my .02 cents...

I completely understand what you mean. There are alot of places I still want to visit here in the mainland. However, I was actually born in the Philippines and came here at a very early age. The only real memories I have of my homeland are the beaches where I spent my summer vacation every year. Being raised in the mainland, I've almost forgotten those memories. Until I visited Hawaii last week, I've never felt more at home. It gave me that feeling that I just belong. While there in Hawaii, I often felt like I was at home once again. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I need to visit there again to really see if it's really for me.

DaveWRX, I've read your previous post before you moved down there. Now that you're there, how is it really? The places that you want to go to here in the mainland, can't you just take a vacation to go to them? What I really want to know is how everyday life is at Hawaii?

Ofcourse, before I even think about moving there... I would need to secure a job and a place to stay first.

I think I'll keep track of Imprezer's posts as he is also planning on moving there. Lucky for him though, he already has a job offer.

Anyway, thanks for the comments guys.... keep 'em comin'.
Whether it be to sway me from moving there, or to convince me to moving there, I'll be happy to hear everyone's opinions. Mahalo!:)

It's a GREAT place to raise a family - if you can afford it.

It's a TERRIBLE place to try and "make it on your own" if you're a working class stiff like me. :(

Originally posted by IS2Scooby
It's a GREAT place to raise a family - if you can afford it.

It's a TERRIBLE place to try and "make it on your own" if you're a working class stiff like me. :(

Thanks for the advice Richard. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do? and how much salary does a single guy need to make and still live comfortably to live out there? ofcrouse still able to make payments on the WRX :D .

Also, I am not married and don't have any kids. I'm almost sure though that if I move there, my GF is sure to follow.

In Hawaii, the "livable wage" is considered to be $43,000.

The job outlook for Hawaii is rosy. The state's Labor Department predicts the addition of 6,820 jobs annually through 2010. The yearly growth broken down by trade is: 1,150 in retail sales; 1,120 in food prep; 930 in wait staff; 710 in cashiers; and 490 in maids. The fastest-growing jobs mostly will be in computer fields. :confused: Software engineers, systems administrators and support specialists who numbered 2,870 about three years ago will increase to 5,150 in 2010.

http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/02/09/story6.html

I'm Filipino too, and lived on the mainland most of my life. Having experienced racism first hand while growing up, it was a nice change to live in a place where the majority of people look like you. It was also pretty cool to see some Filipino influences woven into the local culture.

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
Thanks for the advice Richard. If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do? and how much salary does a single guy need to make and still live comfortably to live out there? ofcrouse still able to make payments on the WRX :D .

Also, I am not married and don't have any kids. I'm almost sure though that if I move there, my GF is sure to follow.

You're welcome. :)

Richie's salary advice is sound $40-45k is pretty good as a single guy to live on your own (rent) and have a new-ish car...

I don't know how they say the job outlook for computers is rosy - ask anybody in the IT field here and their answer will be different. Maybe the job outloo people know something I don't? I am partners in a company that does outsourced IT support, BTW. :-\

Way to shed light on the topic fellas. Thanks.
I'm a Civil Engineering Technician here in Texas. $40k - $45k sounds pretty good to me. I currently make close to $45k here in a small town in Texas outside of Houston.

Hmmm.... I know that in Houston, I can probably find a job which could pay me around $50k - $55k. I wonder if any of the company's there in Hawaii can match that?

I looked at a salary calculator online and it claims that if I make $44k-$45k here where I live, I need to make $62k-$65k there in Hawaii to have the same buying power.

But from what you guys are saying, $40k-$45k is reasonable. Is that considering a decent apt/rent house to live in? and including a $438 WRX note? and all of life's other necessities to survive? :confused:

$40k-$45k, what part of Oahu is that considered to be a sufficient salary for a single 28 year old guy?

Originally posted by palaban
http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/02/09/story6.html

I'm Filipino too, and lived on the mainland most of my life. Having experienced racism first hand while growing up, it was a nice change to live in a place where the majority of people look like you. It was also pretty cool to see some Filipino influences woven into the local culture.

Palaban, thanks for the link... very interesting facts.

I could tell by your name that you're Filipino. You hit the spot with that comment. I completely agree. I live in Texas where it's redneck country. I tell ya.... the movies that you guys see depicting rednecks, I've seen the worst of them. Being an eng. tech., I often travel to rural areas to check on projects. You guys won't be able to imagine what I see here in Texas.

Hmm, $45k for a single guy to live here. I couldnt do it I dont think. I mean I guess $2k a month is liveable, but with how expensive it is here I just think you wouldnt be plugging much money into the bank account each month whereas earning that much here you should earn a lot more in the mainland. I was spoiled tho working in Boise, Idaho for a lot of money and was able to save more than I had ever thought I could.

Coming to Hawaii was due mainly to my dad retiring here from way out in the middle of the ocean and I wanted to see him since he is getting older. I didnt plan at all, just moved. If I had it to do over MAKE SURE you have a job, no other way around that. Been here over a year now and no work for that whole year. I got offers of $30k or so doing what I did on the mainland where I made 3x as much. I just couldnt see working and commuting for that salary. So we looked awhile longer and now of course have decided to move. My wife is a pharmacist and has to intern for a year before getting her full on license since she was licensed and worked in the Philippines for several years, but she was offered $14/hr here to intern and has tons of offers of $37/hr to intern in California. About the same cost of living from what we found, houses were seriously expensive where we decided to move to, but the pay more than makes up for that. I have several offers close to what I made before so it was an easy decision. And we can fly back a couple times a year to see my dad and he is going to fly our way as often as he can as well.

About the mainland sights I dont really like flying that much and I really just miss actually piling into a car and driving for hours/days and getting away. Just my personal opinion.

Is Hawaii a great place to live. Yes. I mean its awesome weather, friendly attitude and basic lifestyle are great. We swim in January, walk around in shorts year-round and complain of the cold when its like 70. :) I mean come on, who wouldnt love that. Its all about balancing quality of life and realizing how nice it is here with "usually" not making what you could elsewhere.

Its really up to you tho. Just ask a lot of questions, we are used to that, and then make up your mind. I would say if you have a job lined up dont be afraid to make the move. If you can live on a rock (good sized rock tho) make the move. You can always fly to the other islands for a break and the mainland is only 5 hours away too. Almost talking myself into staying now. :D

Good luck!

Dave

Very good advice Dave.

I say f**k it! Tomorrow, I'm gonna start revamping my Resume and then send it to as many companies as I can find.

I'll never really know unless I test the market right? So that's my first plan. See what companies out there has to offer. Then I'll decide if I wanna quit my job of 6+ years and start over at a different company.

So...... does anyone have any connections with Civil Engineering firms??? :D


edit:
By the way, I'm not looking to rush this thing. I'd like to stay here maybe till the end of the year.

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
Very good advice Dave.

I say f**k it! Tomorrow, I'm gonna start revamping my Resume and then send it to as many companies as I can find.

I'll never really know unless I test the market right? So that's my first plan. See what companies out there has to offer. Then I'll decide if I wanna quit my job of 6+ years and start over at a different company.

So...... does anyone have any connections with Civil Engineering firms??? :D


edit:
By the way, I'm not looking to rush this thing. I'd like to stay here maybe till the end of the year.

Have something firm before you move here is the ONLY recommendation I can say is mandatory. I have 8 years of Software Engineering and couldnt find anything that was worth it here. Or they wanted clearance and living in a bunch of different countries made it hard to get mine, still waiting after a year.

Good luck tho.

Any of you guys live in an Apartment/RentHouse?? If so,:

1. How much do you pay a month?
2. How many bedrooms?
3. Is it safe?
4. What part of Oahu?

Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
Any of you guys live in an Apartment/RentHouse?? If so,:

1. How much do you pay a month?
2. How many bedrooms?
3. Is it safe?
4. What part of Oahu?

Thanks in advance.

1. $1350
2. 3 bedrooms (house)
3. Yep
4. St Louis Heights, above Kaimuki. Nice view of Waikiki. Old azz house, but worked for us. I would look for an apartment tho, houses are too much work and too much in utilities. Everything else we looked at in the area was closer to $1800. We knew the realtor company who was renting it out.

Hope you dont have pets. Landlords here hate em. You will have a lot of trouble if you have pets. Atleast the quarantine is decent now as long as you plan 3 months ahead and work with a vet before you fly.

Good luck tho. Hope the move works for you if you decide to do it. Make sure that job is for sure before you make the move. We head back to the mainland tomorrow.

Later,
Dave

Originally posted by DaveWRX
We head back to the mainland tomorrow.



If you don't mind me asking..... why are you heading back to the mainland?

Homesick already??:)

Originally posted by JUNNEL20
If you don't mind me asking..... why are you heading back to the mainland?

Homesick already??:)

Jobs suck here, atleast what I was able to find and interview for. Offering me a third of what I made there. Also miss being able to drive more than an hour or two.