There are so many things to do and see on this amazing island, most of which are even better when explored with an adventure pal. Finding new, genuine friendships in a new place so far from home can be daunting and sometimes difficult. I was already using Bumble for dating, and figured I might as well try the friend-finder (Bumble BFF) while I was at it. I'm so glad I gave it a go. It's a great way to meet up for a hike, have a girls night in town (Honolulu/Waikiki), or have a wine night in. 

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     My friendships fell into place so well, I feel so lucky to have met such great people so quickly. Sometimes it's hard to meet people organically, especially while working a full time job, and the neighborhood we live in is pretty secluded up on a small mountain so walking to the bar isn't really an option. I have friends who live/have lived on the north shore and it seems to be a little easier to make friends once you find a job up there. I think the best way to make friends is to put yourself out there, literally. Get outside. Go to a beach cleanup, a fundraiser, a community event. There are other newcomers out there as well, and plenty of friendly people looking to meet other like-minded individuals. Be genuine, and be open to new cultures, foods, hobbies and experiences!

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     The "con" I hear most often is the turnover rate of people moving off-island. Often times, people establish a great friendship with someone, only to lose that connection when the other person moves back to the mainland, or other country. Obviously we live in a very technologically advanced era, where Facetiming can bridge that physical gap, but to some people, constantly losing friends creates somewhat of a burnout affect and they choose to limit their acquaintances to people they know are here for good. Dating is very similar in this aspect. Many stick to finding someone with a similar living situation goal as their own. If you plan on being an islander for years to come, settling down with someone planning to move back to the mainland might not be the easiest situation. Overlooking this aspect, Oahu is an incredible melting pot of people from all over the world and all walks of life. Tourism is the lifeblood of downtown, so if you are looking to meet someone from the otherwise of the world, look no further than the beaches of Waikiki. 

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    I love hearing everyone's island story: "what brought you to Hawaii?" Many are similar to myself. They may have experienced the islands on a vacation, day dreamed what a move like that would entail, then took the ultimate leap of faith and packed their bags for this tiny volcanic gem in the middle of the South Pacific. Many are military, like my brother and roommate, who are stationed here for 2-3 years. Many are locals, some have been here their entire lives, some moved to the mainland for a few months or years for school or to live with family. Some have never been to their neighbor islands. Everyone is unique with an interesting story, and I love meeting new faces as often as I can!