Especially if you're out in the rural areas (which consumes most of the islands).

It's normal for gas to be around $5.

A simple Vitamin Water can be over $3.

But, *you can* build your own home, find a way to supply yourself with water and electricity, and literally live off the grid without paying taxes. There is an area just south of Kona on the Big Island where I witnessed this first hand.

With that being said, there is a strong (and somewhat intimidating) rural element that needs to be taken into account when you get out of the larger cities. Rural, native Hawaiian's generally don't enjoy being in the presence of non-native Hawaiian's. There's also an annoying hippy presence in the zone where people are living off the grid.

But Oahu is pretty dope because Honolulu is about 45 minutes away from any point on the island, and Honolulu is cool when you get out of Waikiki. Chinatown in particular has a healthy scene going on with good restaurants (not all Chinese), lounges, and music.