Relocation O’ahu
E komo mai – Welcome newcomers to the Island of O’ahuAward Winning “Stories of Hawaii”
The Stories of Hawaii, a series of web videos such as Stein Metzger’s 24 Hours in Waikiki, shown here, are the creation of the talented folks at The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
View all of the “stories of Hawaii” at HVCB’s stories website.
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Moving Mid School Year
Is moving to a new location in the near future for you and your family? While many parents try to hold off moving until the end of a school year, sometimes a mid-year move is unavoidable. To help your child survive switching schools, keep in mind the following suggestions:
1. Collect school records.
Transcripts including report cards and standardized tests results will help administrators at your new school access your child’s academic abilities. When you register your child at his new school, have copies of his transcript with you, but remember that typically school officers can only accept officially sealed copies. If not sealed, the transcripts may not be included as part of his permanent school record.
2. Share vital academic information.
Remember, test scores aren’t always the best indicators of your child’s skills, and they don’t always translate between school districts in different states. Additional information that can assist administrators at the new school includes examples of your child’s latest classroom work; letters from previous teachers discussing your child’s strengths and weaknesses; and a list of textbooks your child was using before transferring.
Personal information is helpful as well as lists of your child’s extracurricular activities, interests and hobbies, medical records and evidence of immunization.
3. Calm Your Child’s Nerves.
Often a child who is faced with changing schools mid year will feel as though they have little control over their environment. There are several things you can do to help your child feel more comfortable about the move.
For instance, take your child to visit the new school before the first day. Ask the school to provide your child with a special partner for the first day or two of school. Encourage your child to join groups or clubs, and arrange times for your child to meet new friends outside of school.
Most importantly, keep a positive attitude. Children often pick-up on their parents’ state-of-mind and act accordingly. Sharing excitement, not anxiety, will help your child transition to his new school.
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The Hawaii Museums Association
Hawaii museums provide an amazingly wide range of artistic, cultural and historic offerings and whether you are a newcomer to the Islands (malahini) or an old-timer (kama’aina), membership in the Hawaii Museums Association will allow you to take advantage of free regular admission at participating museums such as the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, Bailey House Museum at the Maui Historical Society, The Contemporary Museum, Bishop Museum, Cultural Learning Center at Ka‘ala, Greenwell Store Museum (only) at the Kona Historical Society, Grove Farm Museum, ‘Iolani Palace, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu Zoo, Kaua‘i Museum, Lahaina Restoration Foundation Museums, Lyman House Memorial Museum, Mission Houses Museum and the Waikiki Aquarium. Read the rest of this entry »
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HiOOS!
The Hawaii Ocean Observing System (HiOOS) is an amazingly comprehensive site providing a single location for everything you’d ever want to know about the Hawaii ocean. HiOOS is a component of the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System, one of 11 regional observing programs in the US. To see for yourself, visit the HiOOS site.
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Helping Hawaii military families achieve the American Dream they are defending.
Did you know that the Military Housing Assistance Fund assists Hawaii Active Duty Military & members of the Hawaii National Guard and Reserves with the closing costs on the purchase of a home? It’s a true gift that never needs to be repaid. Eligible service men and women who are seeking to achieve the American Dream they are defending should call 720-932-8049 to get started today. MHAF has helped hundreds of military home buyers. Read the rest of this entry »
Higher Education for Hawaii’s Relocating Military
Consistently named among the top colleges and universities for military service members, Hawaii Pacific University hosts a number military campus programs and schedules classes at Hickam AFB, MCBH Kaneohe Bay, MCBH Camp Smith, Schofield Barracks, Pearl Harbor NS, Tripler AMC and a virtual off-island student campus.
PBN | HNL City Guide
Your collection of Honolulu favorite bookmarked sites will not be complete without the Pacific Business News City Guide for Honolulu. While targeted to business travelers, items like top restaurants, city attractions and a section called “cocktails” contain valuable information for newcomer or kama’aina alike. Check it out.
Hawai’ian Language
There are 12 letters in the Hawai’ian alphabet; 7 consonants (H, K, L, M, P, and W) and 5 vowels (A, E, I, O, U). For more information about the Hawai’ian language: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_language. Read the rest of this entry »
Animal Quarantine
One of the many benefits of your new home in paradise is that Hawai’i is rabies-free. If you are just starting to plan a move to the 50th State and pets are part of your plan, you will definitely need to take a moment to review the rules and regulations associated with animal quarantine. Generally, pets are quarantined for 120 days, but efforts taken prior to your relocation could make your pet eligible for the “5 Days or Less” alternative.
Certain animals are prohibited from living on O’ahu altogether including alligators, bulbuls, coconut crabs, electric catfishes, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, hermit crabs, land snails. lion fishes, lories. monk parakeets, piranhas, snakes. snapping turtles and toucans.
Current information: www.hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info.
Contact the Animal Quarantine Station @ 808.483.7151, rabiesfree@hawaii.gov.
