Hawaiian Rollercoaster: Military Paradise… Or Not? – Military Memory Book
Aloha? Not so much.
I’ll admit it – the idea of being stationed in Hawaii sounded like a dream. Crystal blue waters, swaying palm trees, and mai tais on the beach… right? Well, anyone who’s lived there knows – especially those of us in the military – that postcard image is far from the whole story.
I was excited about my assignment, but Hawaii and I never quite clicked. From the jump, it felt like a clash of cultures. Everything was harder – more crowded, more expensive, more time-consuming. The challenges of island life tarnished the tropical fantasy pretty quickly.
The island and I had a mutual disrespect for each other from the beginning. We were crowded and disgruntled roommates from distant cultures, who never learned to understand each other.
Hayden: Brave, Hawaii
Want to know the less glamorous side of Hawaiian life? Pre-order the biography here.
In it, I’ll get into:
- The struggle to fit in: Why making friends and finding community felt harder in Hawaii than Japan.
- City Life vs. Island Life: The pros and cons of a decision that had major impact on my experience
- Beyond the Beach: What everyday life in Hawaii looks like for a military member
Have you lived in Hawaii? Did you have a similar experience or a completely different one?
Share your thoughts in the comments.
