Hawaii: The Best Place to Raise Kids Naturally?

When planning where I wanted to raise my family based on our natural lifestyle, I did a lot of research and eventually settled on the East side of the Big Island of Hawaii. There are several reasons why I chose this place over any other in the world and as time goes by, I feel even more strongly that this is the best place that I could have chosen for raising my children naturally.

The Hilo and Puna areas of the Big Island of Hawaii are heavily populated with friendly hippies and others who practice more natural lifestyles. Because of the popularity of natural living here, each of our tiny towns is equipped with at least one natural food store and there are also a number of shops that sell natural toys and organic baby clothing. Supplies are always at hand and there are always plenty of other parents to meet up with or to share advice.

The East side of the Big Island has the cleanest air in the world. In fact, an air quality station has been set up in our area which tests the air by which all other air in the world is compared. There are few cars and no traffic, so we have almost no air pollution at all. Our fresh air blows in from right over the Pacific. We do get occasional vog, but it is rare and we still manage to have the cleanest air anywhere.

The climate makes it possible to live in a way that is very environmentally friendly. The temperate weather makes air conditioning and heating unnecessary in many places. You can line dry your laundry outside year-round. Outdoor activities abound, so kids don't have to spend as much time indoors during hot and cold seasons. This can help cut down on electricity use.

Living on an island means that almost everything is nearby. This can help save on gas. It also makes walking and bicycling many places possible. Gas prices are higher than in other areas, but we do not drive as far or as often.

Many activities on the Big Island are free, so there is always something fun and educational for kids to do. Our zoo is free as is the marine science center downtown. We have numerous beaches and tide pools as well as free public swimming pools. There are often free concerts and other events as well.

The Big Island is an excellent place for learning about different climate zones and ecosystems. We have almost every type right here. We have the ocean, beaches, forests, volcanoes, mountains, valleys, deserts, tropical rainforests, grasslands, and even snow - all within a four hour drive! Where else can kids go snow skiing and boogie boarding all in the same day?

Hawaii is an excellent place for families who want their kids to be able to play outside safely. We have almost no violent crime here. There are very few places left where children can still play freely outside. Neighbors watch over each other and everyone keeps an eye out for kids.

Our island is also a great place to find professionals who cater to natural lifestyles. There is a Waldorf school, several practicing midwives, and homeopathic doctors, as well as childcare providers who use a more natural approach than conventional daycares.

If you are looking for a great place to raise your kids naturally, try the East side of Hawaii's Big Island. Be sure to do your research before making the move, however. There are many things here that differ from the mainland.