Hawaii vs USVI

I lived on Maui from 76-89 and there are very huge differences,employment, culture , climate ect....what do you want to know?

Flounder -

What would you say was the #1 biggest difference? I would assume that they are both equally expensive, although are produce and other supplies easier to come by in Hawaii? I realize that there, as in the USVI, it probably makes a difference which island you live on. How do rentals compare to the USVI and are there any substantive differences in rules and regulations for small businesses? Also, does anyone know of a web site, similar to this one, for Hawaii?

This is just my opinion, but, to me, the number one biggest difference is the 'feel'. When I go to Hawaii, I feel as if I am going to the United States. Being in the VI is not like being in the United States, as we are our own kind of place. Being in Hawaii is like being in Ohio, but with beautiful scenery and warm weather. Don't get me wrong, I think Hawaii is nice...but the VI is 'home' to me...faults and all...and we have MANY of those! Haha! 😉

Actualy i have a specific question regarding political difference. Can VI residence be drafted if the draft were to be reinstated? I know that besides the tropical island part they are completely different places. I also must say that the governmental increases in intrusive behavior worries me. I love most everything I've read about the VI but hurricanes worry me. I know hurricanes are possible in HI but they are very rare. What are major differences that stood out to you? I will be seeking a job in real estate and hope to make investments in rental property of my own. I am not sure which islands would have better opportunities for me in that regards. Property is cheaper in the VI if i am not mistaken. Of course both places have many outrageously priced places. Thankyou everyone for their help.
Seth

yes, VI residents can serve in the military (or could be drafted if it were re-instated) and pay taxes, but can not vote.

i know it doesnt really matter but seems to me if i cant vote for the president i shouldnt be forced to serve in the event of a draft. Then again thats just my opinion. Which isnt worth much against national policy.

sand: If it needs to make sense to you, the VI probably isn't a good match.

As far as a draft is concerned, don't get me going too much.

Our National Guardsmen here on ALL islands do not have a vote in US Presidential elections, as do neither USVI residents period. Our National Guard units entered that force in order to gain an education and a skill to serve them in the general working place. They more than repaid their dues by rallying around to clean up after hurricanes both here and stateside and down island, always there to assist.

Now they're regularly shipped off to both Afghanistan and Iraq and return changed men with real problems and no real support from the government which refuses them a vote in Presidential elections but which keeps tapping them for service in war zones.

For example, my 51 year old neighbor recently returned from an 18 month trip to Afghanistan. As soon as he set foot on his home territory he was advised that the next shipment of Virgin Islanders- including himself - would be going to Iraq some time soon.

The media has tried to interview these National Guardsmen but it's drilled into them from the getgo that they can't talk.

This is the reality and I will shut up right now.

It doesnt "need to make sense" thats why I said it "doesn't matter" what I think. I could discuss politics for hours tho. STT Res. I think we would get along just fine. If the draft didnt have juristiction there it would just be another bonus. Dont get me long I love this country.. its freedoms... I just dont agree with the direction I am afraid we are going. Well enough of that. I wish I could do a PMV today.
Thanks all

Hawaii is just like the VI but without the black people and frenchies.

The Vi is just like Hawaii but without Polynesians and the Japenese.

--just a joke, but I thought it would make for a great T-Shirt.

Girls are by far prettier in Hawaii than St. Thomas........with the exception of a few HOT Frenchies

The 3 times I visited Hawaii, and the 4 times I have been to USVI, I have (IMHO) noticed that the people were much friendler in the USVI. The people in Hawaii seemed nice but-visit leave your money and then leave (IMHO).
The people in the USVI are much more courtious drivers, something I have to get used to. In fact when we come back home, it find myself being more courtious. I have to fight to overcome that. LOL
Also in talking to several people in Hawaii, it takes two to three jobs to GET BY in Hawaii. Even people with what I would cosider good jobs here in the states struggle to get by due to the higher cost of living and the high cost of houses.

Hi Flounder,

You said:

"I lived on Maui from 76-89 and there are very huge differences,employment, culture , climate ect....what do you want to know?"

I too would be quite interested in hearing (reading) some of your observations of the differences between living in the VI and Hawaii, as it sounds like you have a great deal of experience with both places.

Don-

This, again, is just my opinion, but I think we have many, many very pretty ladies here. They may not be to particular taste, but, then again, you're probably not a West Indian, huh? West Indians believe that their women are gorgeous...as they should. Were I a girl, I would take a bit of offense at your comment...but, I'm not, so no harm, no foul.

Come to St. John, where we have many beautiful women! From the perspective of a St. Johnian who has visited Hawaii, Hawaii is more sophisticated but also a little jaded. It's kind of like comparing a gorgeous middle-aged woman (or man) with a gorgeous teenager. The VI, in the midst of cultural change, are full of splash and naivete. The cultural revolution is over in Hawaii and everything / everybody has become Americanized and middle-aged. Life is just a little more raw and exciting in the VI. IMHO.

bert

Just watching House Hunters on HGTV. The average price of a condo on Maui is ONE MILLION DOLLARS. Quite a difference!!

And the average price of a condo on St. John is 1.2 Mil. Yes, it's a little higher here.

peace.... bert

Yes but ST John is much higher than ST Thomas and MUCH MUCH higher than St Croix.

Maui also has about 110k more year round residents residing on it then St. John so it is hard to compare the two housing markets as far as average home price goes.
I have business associates who live in Hawaii. Like the USVI some love it and some hate it. Hawaii has more of the modern conveniences if you go for that kind of thing. The main complaint I hear from friends in Hawaii is the isolation. Here in the USVI we have the option of going Down Island or up and down the US Eastern Seaboard in a matter of hours. I have only visited Hawaii but have had the option of relocating there with business. The thing that kept me from moving there was the distance to the US East Coast and family.

Hi sand86.

Hawaii has a population of 1.2 million +/-. The USVI has a population of 100,000 +/-. Population drives the basic availability of goods and services as well as the variety of what is available so Hawaii has every chain store and restaurant imaginable and in the USVI we've learned to appreciate K-Mart and accept that they often run out of what we need and there's no place else to go and get what we're looking for.

Hawaii operates like a state so paying taxes, getting a driver's license, attending school, operating a corporation etc. is the same in Hawaii as in each of the other forty-nine states. The USVI does not operate like a state; our bureaucracy is far more bloated and far less efficient. This bureaucracy makes life difficult for citizens and corporations alike. It is because of these difficulties that many folks and business opt not to come to the USVI so we have to credit our miserably mismanaged government for helping to preserve the character of the USVI and ensuring that our islands will never seem like any of the states.

As far as housing goes, because Hawaii is so much larger, there is more land without views on which enormous apartment and condo complexes and subdivisions with small tract houses are built. This housing is much more "affordable" housing than anything in the USVI.

As more of our produce is imported from Central and South America, large agribusiness companies like Dole and C&H Sugar have decided to cease farming pineapples, sugar cane and other produce in Hawaii and residential and commercial developers already have plans for much of that land.

Hawaii is your best bet if you want to live with all of the creature comforts of home and have tropical weather. If you prefer a more remote, rustic, quiet place then you might enjoy the USVI.

you have a good point - it was exactly that government bloat that made us finally call it quits. We were losing so much valuable 'us' time dealing with the petty annoyances of VI life that we decided to move back to the smoother sailing of the Pac NW.
The efficiency and courtesy and desire to accomplish the task at hand in the most efficient and effective way has almost made me weep for joy in the last 2 months.
It is so debilitating dealing with the VI mismanagement.
We are now accomplishing so much so smoothly that it seems like a bad dream.
I would only add to the comment that the other 'spoiler' for us was the erosion of the 'Cruzan' culture by the loud, surly hip hop - nihilist and angry infiltration of this once peaceful island. That and the litter.
But it does all come back to the leadership and how it functions..in the case of the VI...badly.