Kauai residents like living on the island because of its sense of community and adventure. “Everyone knows each other, and everyone says ‘hi’ the second they leave the house,” said Naomi Laplante, who lives in Kapaa. Jaz Jaramiloo-Gaspar, of Hanamaulu,
Kauai residents like living on the island because of its sense of community and adventure.
“Everyone knows each other, and everyone says ‘hi’ the second they leave the house,” said Naomi Laplante, who lives in Kapaa.
Jaz Jaramiloo-Gaspar, of Hanamaulu, agreed: “Everyone’s family, I’m related to maybe half the people on the island, it’s crazy.”
Zada Simao, of Kalaheo, also recognizes the friendly atmosphere.
“Everyone is so friendly here, it’s like a big family,” she said.
All of which helps explain why Hawaii was named No. 1 in a list that ranked all 50 states based on the residents’ sense of well-being.
The Well-Being Index, which was conducted by Gallup Healthways, focused on five different topics:
w Purpose: Do residents like what they do everyday?
w Social: Do they have loving relationships?
w Community: Do they like where they live?
w Financial: Are they able to manage their economic life?
w Physical: What is their health and energy level?
The findings were based on 177,281 phone interviews across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Overall, Hawaii ranked 64.8 percent in 2015, followed closely by Alaska, which came in at 64.1 percent. The two states have been vying for first place since 2008. Hawaii was ranked No. 1 five times in a row, but lost it to Alaska in 2014.
Megan Ann Souza of Kalaheo said Hawaii and wellness go hand-in-hand.
“Hawaii is a natural for wellness because there are so many activities people can do,” she said. “I like boogey-boarding and stand up paddling; I make time to do these things.”
According to the findings, Hawaii was ranked No. 1 in physical, Delaware was ranked No. 1 in purpose; South Carolina was ranked No. 1 in social; Montana was ranked No. 1 in community; and Alaska was ranked No. 1 in financial.
Alaska is intriguing, Jaramiloo-Gaspar said.
“I’d live in Alaska to see the snow,” she said. “It seems laid-back there.”
She said she’d also live on Oahu or Colorado.
“Oahu has a bigger city, and I have family in Colorado,” she said.
While other cities are tempting, Jaramiloo-Gaspar said she wouldn’t live anywhere but Kauai.
“I’ve never really left the island,” she said. “We’re surrounded by water, how lucky is that.”
Laplante said she likes the island atmosphere.
“It’s peaceful here,” she said.
Living in Hawaii also gives the people a chance to connect with its history, said Hokulani Reyes, of Kailua-Kona.
“Being a Hawaiian, I feel lucky and fortunate to be culturally connected with the language and history,” the Big Island native said.
Ashley Conner, who lives in Kalaheo, said life on Kauai is an adventure.
“I enjoy the outdoor life,” she said.
Conner, who enjoys hiking, said she isn’t picky when it comes to trails.
“Mud, sand, it doesn’t matter,” she said.
Hawaii’s environment lends itself to that adventure, said Sarah Manue of Kapaa.
“Hawaii is definitely a place for well-being because we have a lot of different climates and environments, which means we can go hiking in the mountains, or swimming at the beach,” she said. “This is a privilege a lot of states don’t have. Doing all these things that you like to do makes your aura happy. If you’re not happy being here, you gotta go someplace where you can be happy.”
