Thanks, I needed that reminder Dan.
We make the 165 mile round trip from Hilo to Kona every couple months. No freeways. Recently the gas pumps were expanded from 16 to 28, on this an Island population around 200k.
As a general rule the price of gas in the state, yes Hawaii is a state, is 25% less than California.
Hilo gas today is $5.49.
My sister paid $6.99 in So Ca today.
Consider the Hawaii Islands are further from any continent on earth, with one refinery.
Another point of interest is the best selection of fish on Hawaii Island is Costco's flash frozen 3 to 4 lb bagged filets, individuality sealed. Unfortunately our remote location among a small population, assures us the mega tons of fish caught in the beautiful Pacific are shipped, flown overnight, to the mainland. From the West to the East Coast, following the money.
The only fresh fish in abundance on Hawaii Island is Ahi.Tuna. A fair amount is sold off the tailgates of pickup trucks by the fisherman who caught it hours ago.
A different story on Oahu and Maui however, as they are tourist destinations, with world class restaurants, and renown chefs who demand fresh and various kinds of fish.
Being born and raised, lived in So.
Californian for over 65 yrs., the food I miss most is Mexican.
There is wonderful grass fed beef grown on the slopes of Mauna Kea at the Parker Ranch, North of Hilo.It is found in markets throughout the Hawaii Is.
From what I understand competitively price with mainland rising beef prices.
Quinn, keep baiting us.
Aloha
When I turned 80 I promised my doctor I'd give my 6ft. ladder away.
Kept the step ladder, he's uaware of.
It was my wife who broke her wrist tumbling off the bed swating an insect.
By the way, I know two handymen.
There's a usual 2 to 3 week wait, at $80/hr., 3 hrs minimum. Ck or cash only.
I spent a year in Vietnam in 1967.
I dont believe Ive had a more insightful year in my life.
There's hardly a day go by when I'm not reminded of those days, those poor war torn people.
The year changed me no doubt, mostly for the better after some aging.
I recommend everyone spend at least weeks in third world country.
if the relationship is working, what's the sadness?
My wife and I have slept in separate bedrooms for 18 years, originally due to her cancer.
Once healed there was no going back. We discovered first and foremost better sleep and all the aspects that go with, sleep.
We're both snorers, my wife occassionally suffers from nightmares. Both go to bed at different times.
Then there's the bathroom visits.
Not everyone thought such a move was appropriate, for all sorts of reasons, I guess that made sence to them.
PS
we both show up in the kitchen around 7am everyday.
The depression of a divorce might have done me in without what was left of my family, Whisper, the Australian Shepard.
Tri- colored, one blue, the other silver, eyes.
I have little doubt that dogs are man's best friends.
Dr. Lefty,
Enjoyed your article, I wish you and your wife well on your new venture.
As a couple who rented a detatched unit on our properties, I'll add my 2 cents worth.
Vacation rentals, like AirBnB is a whole different story than a month to month tenant.
Think twice about hosting different people on your property several times a month, as opposed to a tenant signed on for several months, a contract outlining details.Hopefully over the course of that agreement a friendship is established.
I would think a college town would offer a fair number of tenants, being students or professors.
Nothing wrong with AirBnB hosting. We enjoyed it for 10 years in Hawaii. Where guests show up happy, with money, no boss, in our properties case no kids. Views to die for with the best air in the world.
But a different animal than long term renting
Requiring more book keeping, computer skills via AirBnB , meeting guests, comunication skills and of course cleaning. Above all cleaning. Of course all of which can be subbed out, at a cost.
I'll leave you with, vacation guests have a different schdule than folks with jobs, living on your property.
Aloha ..
Can anyone out do that!
A raise every year for 50 years?
Being self employed for 46 years, no way in H im giving myself a raise every year.
Quinn, I certainly dont always agree with you, but your contributions make me think, which is why I subscribe to HD.
Carry on.
Comments
Thanks, I needed that reminder Dan. We make the 165 mile round trip from Hilo to Kona every couple months. No freeways. Recently the gas pumps were expanded from 16 to 28, on this an Island population around 200k. As a general rule the price of gas in the state, yes Hawaii is a state, is 25% less than California. Hilo gas today is $5.49. My sister paid $6.99 in So Ca today. Consider the Hawaii Islands are further from any continent on earth, with one refinery. Another point of interest is the best selection of fish on Hawaii Island is Costco's flash frozen 3 to 4 lb bagged filets, individuality sealed. Unfortunately our remote location among a small population, assures us the mega tons of fish caught in the beautiful Pacific are shipped, flown overnight, to the mainland. From the West to the East Coast, following the money. The only fresh fish in abundance on Hawaii Island is Ahi.Tuna. A fair amount is sold off the tailgates of pickup trucks by the fisherman who caught it hours ago. A different story on Oahu and Maui however, as they are tourist destinations, with world class restaurants, and renown chefs who demand fresh and various kinds of fish. Being born and raised, lived in So. Californian for over 65 yrs., the food I miss most is Mexican. There is wonderful grass fed beef grown on the slopes of Mauna Kea at the Parker Ranch, North of Hilo.It is found in markets throughout the Hawaii Is. From what I understand competitively price with mainland rising beef prices. Quinn, keep baiting us. Aloha
Post: Frittering away Frugality
Link to comment from July 10, 2026
When I turned 80 I promised my doctor I'd give my 6ft. ladder away. Kept the step ladder, he's uaware of. It was my wife who broke her wrist tumbling off the bed swating an insect. By the way, I know two handymen. There's a usual 2 to 3 week wait, at $80/hr., 3 hrs minimum. Ck or cash only.
Post: Reluctantly Saving Money
Link to comment from July 9, 2026
I spent a year in Vietnam in 1967. I dont believe Ive had a more insightful year in my life. There's hardly a day go by when I'm not reminded of those days, those poor war torn people. The year changed me no doubt, mostly for the better after some aging. I recommend everyone spend at least weeks in third world country.
Post: What Bangladesh Taught Me About Enough
Link to comment from April 18, 2026
if the relationship is working, what's the sadness? My wife and I have slept in separate bedrooms for 18 years, originally due to her cancer. Once healed there was no going back. We discovered first and foremost better sleep and all the aspects that go with, sleep. We're both snorers, my wife occassionally suffers from nightmares. Both go to bed at different times. Then there's the bathroom visits. Not everyone thought such a move was appropriate, for all sorts of reasons, I guess that made sence to them. PS we both show up in the kitchen around 7am everyday.
Post: One Good Call?
Link to comment from April 15, 2026
The depression of a divorce might have done me in without what was left of my family, Whisper, the Australian Shepard. Tri- colored, one blue, the other silver, eyes. I have little doubt that dogs are man's best friends.
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 13, 2026
Famotidine. An over the counter or Amazon tiny tab. Very inexpensive. Worked for me for years. My doc approves. Pleasant dreams.
Post: Penny Wise, Pound Foolish
Link to comment from April 13, 2026
Dr. Lefty, Enjoyed your article, I wish you and your wife well on your new venture. As a couple who rented a detatched unit on our properties, I'll add my 2 cents worth. Vacation rentals, like AirBnB is a whole different story than a month to month tenant. Think twice about hosting different people on your property several times a month, as opposed to a tenant signed on for several months, a contract outlining details.Hopefully over the course of that agreement a friendship is established. I would think a college town would offer a fair number of tenants, being students or professors. Nothing wrong with AirBnB hosting. We enjoyed it for 10 years in Hawaii. Where guests show up happy, with money, no boss, in our properties case no kids. Views to die for with the best air in the world. But a different animal than long term renting Requiring more book keeping, computer skills via AirBnB , meeting guests, comunication skills and of course cleaning. Above all cleaning. Of course all of which can be subbed out, at a cost. I'll leave you with, vacation guests have a different schdule than folks with jobs, living on your property. Aloha ..
Post: A Big Little Move (by Dana/DrLefty)
Link to comment from March 30, 2026
Can anyone out do that! A raise every year for 50 years? Being self employed for 46 years, no way in H im giving myself a raise every year. Quinn, I certainly dont always agree with you, but your contributions make me think, which is why I subscribe to HD. Carry on.
Post: I’d like to take all the credit, but ……
Link to comment from February 24, 2026
I hear you Mike. Ocean air, cruising the seas, off the beaten path. If only we could avoid the airports before launching.
Post: How the Other Half Live: The Reality Check
Link to comment from January 13, 2026
Before moving to Hawaii Is. 12 yrs ago , I lived to Orange Co. Ca, there were 4 Costcos within 20 minutes of home.
Post: Grocery Shopping for the Mildly Obsessed
Link to comment from January 6, 2026