Is Hawaii A Great Place to Live?

Posted on February 28, 2015 by pizzatherapy

Hawaii is a wonderful place to live. But New York, Montana, Vermont and New Mexico are also wonderful places to live. Each place you live has it’s own unique sense of place.

But there is nothing quite like Hawaii with amazing beaches and amazing weather…

Hawaii Sunset, Kaka’ako Park from HawaiiSecret.com/blog

You need to decide what your values are and why you want to live in Hawaii.

1) Hawaii is a very expensive place to live. Gas, food, real estate and rents are some of the most expensive in the nation. And prices are going up all the time. If you want to live here be prepared to spend most of your income on the necessities.

And if you live on Oahu, be prepared to spend lots of time on traffic going from one place to another. Some of the outer Islands also may have traffic issues.

2) Jobs are hard to find. The best plan would be to have a job lined up before you move to Hawaii.

Unless you are independently wealthy, you will need an income. Depending on your profession and what you bring to the table, jobs can be very difficult to find in Hawaii.

There are jobs here, however, thinking because you had a good job on the mainland does not mean you will find an equivalent job in Hawaii

3) Be prepared for culture shock. Hawaii is a wonderful blend of many different cultures. You will find Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and even Portuguese cultures represented.

The islands are a true melting pot of various cultural stews. If you are open to new and different cultures and embrace all of the differences, you will do well. If you are Caucasian, be prepared to hear the term “Haole”, often. Do not take offense.

4) You will get out of Hawaii what you put in.

If you are open minded and willing to embrace new cultures and experiences, you will do well in Hawaii. For me, I choose to live no where else. It is beautiful with incredible beaches and amazing mountains. Being able to wear shorts 12 months out of the year has its own special charm!

All of the Islands are different and have their own unique features. I love it here and would choose to live no where else. Is Hawaii a good place to live? For me it is. You will have to make up your own mind. I have lived in a number of places but my choice is clear: Hawaii is my home.

There is only one airline I recommend if you are traveling to Hawaii. Discover Your World with Hawaiian Airlines, International Flights Daily

There are many great resources to help you in your journey. If you are thinking of moving to Hawaii,check out Moving To Hawaii: A Step-by-step Guide — By Michele Meyer

Here is another: Frommer’s Hawaii 2015 (Color Complete Guide)

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Kava at Eat the Street in Honolulu

Posted on March 31, 2012 by pizzatherapy

Eat the Street is one of the premier dining experiences in Honolulu. This is a gathering of dozens of food trucks and portable food vendors that takes place once a month.

The food is in a word amazing. There are all kinds of different tastes from Inferno’s Wood Fired Pizza to ribs, lox, bagels, korean-mexican fusion food, and even deep fried twinkies. The food is all over the map. The various explosive flavors are memorable and enticing. If you go once, you will want to return again and again.

In addition to all of your food groups, you will also discover hidden secrets, available to those who seek them out.

One of the Secrets was a full on Kava Bar right in the middle of all of the food vendors.

According to Wikipedia:

Kava or kava-kava (Piper methysticum) (Piper: Latin for ‘pepper’, methysticum: (Latinized) Greek for ‘intoxicating’) is a crop of the western Pacific.

The name kava(-kava) is from Tongan and Marquesan;^[1] other names for kava include ?awa (Hawai?i), ava (Samoa), yaqona (Fiji), and sakau (Pohnpei).

The roots of the plant are used to produce a drink with sedative and anesthetic properties. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures ofPolynesia, including Hawaii, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia. Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity.

Kava is one of the oldest methods to relax in Hawaii. The unique properties allow it to be to used to take care of ones body and alleviate stress. The most important features of kava is the ability to relax while at the same time helping to enhance thought functioning.

One of the best places to experience Kava is through: KavaBoy. You can visit visit their website, and learn about Kava, right here.

In an effort to discover more, I spoke with Sarah, of KavaBoy.

Here is what she said:

You can learn more about Kava in Kava: Medicine Hunting in Paradise: The Pursuit of a Natural Alternative to Anti-Anxiety Drugs and Sleeping Pills

Respectfully submitted,

Albert Grande, Clerk and Bottle Washer
Rare e-books, videos, how to’s, at
The Pizza Therapy Store

Pato’s Harley in Hawaii by Hawaii Business Videos Dot Com

Posted on December 20, 2011 by pizzatherapy

Pato loves his Harley.

He loves riding it. The bike is a classic and has never failed him.

In the following interview Pato showcases his bike. It is mostly original but he has added a few new elements.

He also talks about the dangers of riding your bike in Hawaii. While the sport is totally enjoyable, you need to keep an eye out for others.

Some drivers in Hawaii just don’t pay attention. While you are on your bike you need to be careful out there!

Pato loves his Harley. It’s old, it’s big and it’s dependable. He has added some special features but for the most part it is stock.

If you would like a video created for your business contact us at: Hawaii Business Videos

Pato and his Harley

St. Christopher "Ride with Me" Motorcycle Medal–Keychain

Ms. Hawaii 2011: Lauren Kealohilani Cheape

Posted on December 14, 2011 by pizzatherapy

Lauren Cheape is a wonderful addition to the legacy of Ms. Hawaii. She is personable and talented. Bright and precious. Winner of Miss Hawaii!

Lauren Kealohilani Cheape – Miss East Oahu

Talent: A jump rope routine to the song " Great Balls of Fire" by Jerry Lee Lewis

Hometown: Mililani, Oahu

Major: Film Production and Minored in Business and Japanese

Platform: C.A.R.E. Collegiate Athletes Reaching Everyong; a program that was started that uses student athletes to encourage youth to stay in school, stay active, and live healthy lives

Waikiki Convention Center For: Miss Hawaii 2011

We happened to meet Lauren one day at Long’s. Lauren was very approachable. Kamalei was totally blown away. She got to meet a wonderful person who is a great role model for the youth of Hawaii.

Keep up the great work that you do Lauren!

If you are visiting Hawaii check out: Frommer’s Hawaii Day by Day

Surfing the Giants at Jaws: 68 Foot Monster

Posted on June 17, 2011 by pizzatherapy

Jaws located on Maui, is one of the most dangerous surfing locations in the world. This kind of surfng is not for everyone. Professional surfers know they are taking their life in their hands when they attempt to surf these giants.

The waves are so massive that the only way to catch them is by being towed by a jet ski or by being brought out to the surf spot by a helicopter.

Tow-In surfer Dan Moore talks about Oahu’s legendary North Shore and how he surfed a monster 68-foot wave at Peahi (Jaws) on Maui.

He explains Jaws was "like a monster chasing me down. The power and the energy there is nothing like it…"

Dan also states" it’s a humbling experience.You almost feel as if you’ve cheated death a bit. The modern surfers of today owe a big debt to the surfers of the past."

If you are ready to start surfing, you may want to start out with one of these surfbosrds:

You can also read about the The History of Surfing (See all Surfing Books)

A reviewer said: "This is it, the definitive story of surfing, surfers and beach culture.
It’s a big thick textbook like collection of information, photos, stories and anecdotes.
Warshaw has set the bar so high with this work, I doubt anyone will ever have the balls to approach the subject again…."

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Kokua for Japan: Hawaii Reaches Out

Posted on April 10, 2011 by pizzatherapy

Press Release:

“Kokua For Japan,” a Hawaii-based radio, television and Internet fund raising event for the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan will be held on Sunday, April 10, 2011 from noon to 5 p.m. The event, staged by Clear Channel Radio Hawaii and Oceanic Time Warner Cable, will take place at the Great Lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross for disaster relief. A complete list of participating entertainers will be released soon.

“Supporting our friends and neighbors in Japan during this time of great need is the right thing to do,” said Chuck Cotton, Vice President and General Manager for Clear Channel Radio Hawaii. “Some of Hawaii’s top entertainers will be coming together for an afternoon of songs, laughter and inspiration.”

“The people of Japan continue to be in our thoughts and prayers, and we’re so pleased to be involved in an event such as this that will bring together the people of Hawaii to raise much-needed funds for the earthquake and tsunami victims,” said Oceanic’s Bob Barlow. “We’re also continuing to show our support by offering free phone calls to Japan for our digital phone customers through April 15, 2011, as well as live round-the-clock news coverage from Japan.”

On-air personalities from Clear Channel Radio and local broadcast and cable TV stations will host the program. Oceanic Time Warner Cable is providing television production. Additional support is being provided by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Tickets will go on sale beginning March 23 at 11 a.m. via Honolulu Box Office. Visit HonoluluBoxOffice.com for on-line purchasing or call 808-550-8457 for charge-by-phone. Cost for the tickets will be $15. Television stations scheduled to air the event include KFVE, KGMB, KHNL, KHON, KITV4, CW and OC 16.

Clear Channel Radio Hawaii, OC 16 and KITV 4 will stream the event live on the web. In addition, radio stations KSSK 92.3 FM, KSSK AM 590, Island 985 and KHVH AM will broadcast the event.

For information, visit www.kokuaforjapan.com or contact the following Clear Channel Hawaii radio stations:  KSSK FM at 296-9292
 KSSK AM at 296-5959
 KHVH 830 AM at 521-8383
 Island 985 FM at 296-9850

This concert is sold out, but you can watch it live.

You can find ways to watch it, here:

Kokua for Japan

Jake Shimabukuro in “Just Go With It”

Posted on February 12, 2011 by pizzatherapy

I just got the word that our favorite ukelele player, Jake Shimabukuro will be featured in Adam Sandler’s new film, Just Go For It.

I couldn’t be prouder. I’ve met Jake a couple of times and he is always a gentleman, always gracious, and always an amazing musician. He really shines when he plays: Live

There really is no one quite like Jake.

His newslettter reports:

Jake’s original song, "Angel," along with his arrangement of the popular Police song, "Every Breath You Take," will be featured in the new Adam Sandler film, "Just Go With It," premiering in theaters TODAY, February 11th. Jake will also be making a cameo appearance in the film!

The film co-stars Jennifer Anniston.

Here is a great interview with Jake:

The thing that I love the most about Jake is that he is truly a humble person. He really is a super-star and yet he is totally approachable. On stage he commands a presence. He is a charasmatic performer. He makes his ukelele sing.

He is so down to earth. He is a wondeful person. And he is one of Hawaii’s Best Kept Secrets.

There is nothing quite like seeing Jake Live

You can discover his incredible music, right here:

Respectfully submitted by:
Albert Grande The Pizza Promoter and
Owner of The Pizza Therapy Digital Store

Jack Johnson, A True Hawaiian Treasure

Posted on November 16, 2009 by pizzatherapy

Listen.

Even, if you don’t like Jack Johnson, you gotta love the guy.

First, his music is infectious. He has a wonderful sound. His music grows on you.

Start listening to one of his tunes and you can’t seem to get it out of your head.

He freely shares his music. And that is a great concept.

As a matter of fact, he allows people to tape his concerts. He likes the idea of spreading his music virally. This is the same attitude as the Grateful Dead. So in a way he is carrying on that tradition.

He oozes the aloha spirit. He cares about Hawaii and the people of Hawaii. He promotes Hawaii every chance that he gets. He freely shares the stage with other performers. He is extremely generous.

He also cares very much about the environment. He has done many benefit concerts to help create environmental awareness. Many, many.

Here is something you may not know about him: he donates all the money he makes on tour to charity. Every penny is donated.

On top of everything else, he is very humble. He isn’t real comfortable with being famous.

As I said, you gotta love this guy.

Here is a taste of his music:

Thanks, Jack!

You are a true Hawaiian treasure. I look forward to saying thanks to you in person. And I’m sure I will.

Mahalo nui loa,
albert grande

Jake Shimabukuro Rocks Honolulu

Posted on June 12, 2009 by pizzatherapy

Jake's Fans: Albert and Kamalei Grande

I love Jake Shimabukuro. not only is he an incredible musician, but he is also a wonderful person.

He is an incredible virtuoso on the ukelele. He makes the ukelele sing. He makes the ukelele dance.

He is a joy to watch. He is also very accessible. He takes out to be with his fans. He freeley gives autographs. He signs lots of ukleles.

Here is a recent video of Jake I shot in Honolulu:

You can find some incredible Jake Shimabukoro music right here:

Rock on Jake, rock, on…

Albert Grande
Small Business Hawaii Internet Consultant

P.S. Here is another tidbit by Jake:

Wally “Famous Amos” Reveals his Cookie Secrets

Posted on November 16, 2008 by pizzatherapy

I recently attended PodCamp Hawaii. It was a fantastic experience.

As I was waiting for one of the sessions to start, I noticed Wally “Famous Amos”sitting right in back of me. Wally lives in Hawaii. I asked if I could do an interview, and he said, of course.

Wally Amos is an icon in the business world for his Famous Amos cookies. He also gives back to the community in many different ways. For example he has a Read-Aloud show for children on the local PBS station. He also donates a portion of his earnings to various charities.

He truly understands “when you give back….you get back.” He practices the Law of Reciprocity.

I asked him about his latest project. I also wanted to press him about the secret of his success as well as his cookie secrets.

Famous Amos was very forthcoming:

Wally Amos, is one of the secrets of Hawaii.

You can order Wally’s books right here:

Hawaii Secret Dot Com Blog

Learn the Inside Tips and Tricks About Hawaii

Category Archives: Hawaii People