Bruno Mars grew up in Waikiki of Honolulu, the same place I'm living
Helmets optional on motorcycles! Like it should be.
Try the local pineapple wine
Bank of America and Wells Fargo do not exist in Hawaii
Really catering to the tourists here for a few days. The bike rentals are only valid for the day, 3-days, or week.
You can pretty much enjoy any hotel amenity, even pools with a security desk, I was able to walk right in. For example, Sheraton Waikiki has pool tables, shuffle boards and other games that a public to play. Llikai Hotel has the pool door always open.
The Hawaiian people are proud, and I felt a somewhat anti-American undertone
This is the first month I've lived in a US city since 2017. I spent much time researching which city to choose as I wanted to ensure I had a good month. The other options were Austin, Houston, many places in Florida, New York, Nashville, Phoenix or Scottsdale, Virginia Beach, San Diego, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New Jersey. Many of these cities were eliminated because they were either too hot in August (LV, Arizona, Austin), too rainy (Florida and New York City), not walkable (Virginia Beach, Houston) or too familiar (SD and LA). Ultimately, I chose Honolulu because the weather seemed great in August and year-round, it's walkable, has the beach, cute girls, and maybe an interesting tourist vibe.
While Honolulu is somewhat walkable, it's not at the same time. Yes, Waikiki, is walkable, but it's also created tourism and super busy. That's not ideal. Outside of Waikiki, a car is really helpful. I used electric scooters and Uber when I didn't want to walk 15-30 minutes. While it didn't rain and the weather was pretty good, it was a little too hot and a little too humid. I couldn't be inside my apartment for more than 30 minutes without having to turn on the A/C. While it does have the beach, the tourist vibe took away from it. I like a busy beach (Rio de Janiero) but not when it's created tourism. There are cute girls and I was hopeful to date an American girl after my 8-year stint away. Many at the gym, many walking around. All the cute girls disappeared from online dating as soon as I arrived, and of the dozen or more girls I approached randomly throughout my day, all denied my advance. The downside with the tourist vibe, which I initially thought might be cool, is that it should be easy to meet a bunch of new people, not really. They are all leaving tomorrow or the next day. They are all there with family or friends and have commitments. Not all, but many/most in my limited experience. Here's what I need for a perfect living situation and how Honolulu compares.
awesome gym scene (kinda; I joined 24 Hour Fitness and UFC Gym)
awesome coffee shops (no; only Starbucks and at least a 15 minute walk)
awesome grocery store (yes, but 30 minutes walking distance)
super walkable (surprisingly no because if the only walkable area is for tourists, that's who's being catered to and it's lacking neat, local shops like cafe's, barber shops, organic food stores, etc.)
good dating culture (unfortunately, no)
mild climate (mostly, yes)
quality Airbnbs (no; I spent $4,500 on an Airbnb and that was cheap because it didn't charge tax, otherwise I was looking at $5,500 for a month. That price in most other places in the world, including many parts of Europe I'd get a very quality apartment)
Overall, Honolulu didn't meet my minimum threshold and I will not be returning. I'm pretty sure I'd love Los Angeles and San Diego. I wish I had gone to Nashville. And nearly certain I'd love Florida.
Comparison to my time in third-world countries
Good
Cars stop for you when you cross the road
Everything is more orderly
You can wear a nice watch, necklace, talk on your phone, or work on your laptop in public with no worry of getting it stolen
The fish is identified as being farmed or wild-caught and the location at the supermarkets
All food items are identified by bar code with my calorie counting app (MyFitness Pal)
The most diverse country on the planet and there is no second place. After being here for 48-hours I've met a Malaysian, numerous Filipinos, a Tongan, American. There are many Japanese, Koreans, and Black people.
Cars go out of their way to move out of the way for an ambulance
Cars go out of their way to stop for pedestrians
Largest selection of "things" to buy - if you want something, you'll find it in America when you won't sometimes outside the USA
Not constantly asked for change or a lower bill when paying in cash at stores, taxis, etc.
Neutral
Cost. Not necessarily a bad thing, TBD.
Nowhere on the planet is it more normal/accepted to walk into a store (grocery, salon, even Rolex) and not speak the same language as the worker. Why? America is the most diverse country on the planet by a factor of 10.
You gotta bring your shopping cart back after paying while in the supermarket
More strict parking laws, especially for scooters/motorcycles. I saw a cop hassle (nicely) people enjoying the beach who parked their scooters where they were not allowed to be
Bad
Lines for everything and always from Starbucks to a random breakfast spot to a barber shop
Pharmacies...for everything you need a doctor's appointment. I get my blood tested once a year by walking into a lab, telling them what I want, and getting it done the next day. Here I wanted a Methylation test, but not before I see a doctor first who will order one. I wanted to buy Finasteride, a common hairloss medication, but not before getting a perscription.
Some things cost much more, yet the service is equal or less than outside the USA (rideshare/taxi, haircuts, even those electric scooters here were terrible while expensive)
I lived in northern-Waikiki, ever-so-slightly less touristy but also less walkable. Either of the three identified areas are walkable and recommended.
Known For: shaka 'hang loose' sign, pearl harbor, ukulele, Hula, Luau, surfing, Bruno Mars
I choose the items below as they’re generally available everywhere. Thus, easy for comparison. The prices reflect the cheapest option given my standard. In any estination you can find slightly cheaper prices if you wanted to sacrifice convenience (ie going to local market or out-of-town grocery store).
