Living in Honolulu: In the eyes of a filipina
By Gladys Erhardt on Oct 29, 2009 in Featured, Hawaii, Honolulu, Living
Howdy everyone
!
It took me ages to write back again in my lil online journal but hey I’m back and I plan on being present most of the time. The last time I rant here was the first few days we arrived in Hawaii (Honolulu to be specific).
My husband Carlo is in the AF and he’s assigned here for his next duty assignment so we moved here (the entire family). I wouldn’t say we had a smooth sailing adjustment and I wouldn’t say we had a hard time either, I would say, we’re in the middle of both.
That was merely because, we’re so used on a slow paced environment ( we live in a county back in the mainland) and living in a big city is very different. The transition was challenging but eventually we did ok and so here I am starting my rants again
.
We basically stayed in a hotel for almost a month and was lucky to find a rental house within 2 weeks time of house hunting so we transferred 4 days after the rent was negotiated (we were able to cut $100 less from the actual rent
).
Hawaii is really very pretty, it always reminds me of the Philippines (the country where I came from), the beautiful ocean, pristine white sand, luscious greenery, everyday-rainbow (my own term because Hawaii has rainbow almost everyday), glittering sun, hot temperature, Asian food and so much more.
Not to mention that Hawaii (Honolulu) is (I think) dominated by Asian people.
There are a lot of filipino’s in Honolulu, you can see them wherever you go. One thing that caught my attention is one time when we went to a public library, they have this lil corner designated for Fil book, mags and other materials that’s written in Tagalog and Ilokano. Quite amazing huh? 
I haven’t encountered one back in the mainland. I am also told that most of the settlers in HNL (Honolulu) are mostly Ilokano, though I’m not sure if it’s true (maybe it is or maybe not).
So, how am I doing lately?
Well, I’m pretty good. I found a job last month and was employed for 3 weeks as a temp worker in a medical office. I am currently waiting for my next assignment and is back on being a plain housewife and an entrepreneur.
I am back on ebay, back on blogging and back in my online world. There are a lot of things that I want to share with you and I will be posting more articles from now. I will be sharing Hawaii with you
..and that’s a promise

Hello and welcome to my blog! Let me introduce myself first, I am Gladys Muana Erhardt. Born and raised in the Philippines and is now living in the US with a wonderful husband.
Hi Ms. G. - Trips to Kalihi, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Wailua and Wahiawa will give you a “Phil Flair.” Visit the Filipino Community Center and its weekly Farmers Market for a little “back home” feeling.
Yes, a lot of Ilocanos but other regions are well represented in Hawaii!
Paul | Oct 30, 2009 | Reply
Hey Paul, I live in Waipahu
and true to your words, most of my neighbors ‘r pinoys. Is the Fil Community Center located here in Waipahu too? We were driving one time (looking for an open public library) and we passed by a building that says Fil Community Center. We’ll check it out again one of this days.
TRUE about the Ilocanos…as you can see I am from Mindanao
and a certified Dabawenya (cebuana/bisaya)
Gladys | Oct 31, 2009 | Reply
Great photos, it looks beautiful there. My Filipina wife and I moved from Illinois to her home island of Guimaras,known for their sweet mangoes and beautiful beaches, also. Looks like you are having a great life there.
Dave DeWall | Nov 4, 2009 | Reply