“Reality Is Pretty Brutal”: Hawaiian Locals Once Detailed the Dark Side of Surfing’s Paradise

The world calls Hawaii the “Paradise of the Pacific” or the “Mecca of Surfing”. Every year, the big waves attract a sea of people to the place, seeking shelter in paradise. However, according to the locals, Hawaii is anything but that. After listening to what the locals have to say about Aloha Island, one might rethink their plans of moving to the place.

Hawaii is the birthplace of the popular water sport, surfing. A few years ago, a handful of locals shed light on the dark side of living on the surfing-pro island. But looking past the waves and the beaches, Hawaii is riddled with poverty and drug abuse.

The dark side of Surfing’s paradise: Hawaii

In 2011, the Orange County Register had a word with some of the locals in Hawaii. The stories the locals shared were enough to destroy the unrealistic picture that has been created for the outsiders. From high rents and no jobs to a lack of proper education, sustaining themselves on the island is becoming harder for the locals with each passing day.

Three locals namely, Kala Alexander, Flynn Novak, and Kalani Chapman relayed the hardships the Hawaiians face on a daily basis. Alexander said, “I don’t know if the rest of the world is aware of the fight of the Hawaiians and how hard it is to make a living here. You know, Hawaiians are trying to just get a house and a place to live at, let alone even thinking about a college education for their kids. They’re just trying to keep a roof over their head.”

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“I think here in Hawaii it’s hard because it’s so desirable. So beautiful. The value of the place has gone so high. A lot of local people have to sell their lands to pay the property taxes.” Citing an example of the tax system in California, he explained how the property taxes in Hawaii are unfair and heavy on the locals.

The Illusion of the Island

Chapman believes that the beauty of the place bewitches the outsiders. However, they are unaware that moving to “paradise” won’t get them the life they imagined. Moreover, he shared that the unavailability of jobs and expensive living condition pushes people into the depths of poverty. “It’s not easy to live here…To buy a house here is just ridiculous. That’s just an example. The reality is pretty brutal. I’ll probably never be able to own a house here”, he added.

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Novak gave his own example to talk about how difficult it is to make money in that place. He shared that if not for the money that he won from a contest, he wouldn’t even have money to eat. But how many people can make money from these competitions? And for how long can they depend on that?