Fun Facts

Things to Consider When Moving to Honolulu

Honolulu CPAConsidering a move to Honolulu, Hawaii? Who wouldn’t want to live on the beautiful islands of Hawaii? With its warm tropical climate, oceanic surroundings, and diverse natural scenery, it’s pretty hard not to enjoy yourself in Hawaii. On top of finding a place to live and figuring out which beach will be your favorite, there are some things to know before moving to Hawaii.

  • Embrace Aloha – “Aloha” as a greeting can mean hello or goodbye, but did you know it is also a way of life? To Hawaii residents, “aloha” represents the peaceful, loving nature of Hawaiian culture.
  • Takes Some Time Getting Used to Island Living – Mainland cities have the convenience of being able to hop in a car and travel to other states. Being surrounded by water suddenly can take some getting used to. Some people experience Island Fever, feeling claustrophobic from the closeness of each shoreline. Just prepare yourself for this phenomenon and remember that it will pass.
  • Prepare to Spend More Cash – Living in such a beautiful place comes at a cost. Homes and apartments in Hawaii are more expensive, and the price you pay will likely be for something smaller than what you could get in mainland cities. Even prices on little things like gas and eggs are higher than you would expect.

A move to Honolulu is possible with the right financial planning. For accounting services, you will need to find a Honolulu CPA to help you keep track of your finances. Michael J, Yuda, CPA, LLC has over 40 years of experience as a Honolulu CPA and would be happy to help you with financial planning and preparation. Visit Yuda.com today to receive the accounting and tax services you require.

Unique Facts About Hawaii

Coconuts, lei and sandalsAs a CPA in Hawaii, the team here at Michael J. Yuda, CPC, LLC, wants to extend our knowledge and love for this beautiful state to each of you! Whether you are looking to visit The Rainbow State, or just looking to learn more, here are some quick facts about Hawaii that set us apart from the other 49 states!

  • From east to west, Hawaii is the widest state in the United States.
  • Hawaii is the only state to grow vanilla beans.
  • The state capital, Honolulu, is the 11th largest metropolitan area in the country.
  • Honolulu is also the second most expensive city in the United States. (The first being Anchorage, Alaska.)
  • Hawaii is home to the world’s largest volcano, Mauna Loa.
  • Hawaii has the highest life expectancy in the United States. For males, the life expectancy is 75, and for females it is 80 years.
  • Hawaii is a worldwide leader in harvesting macadamia nuts and orchids.
  • Park rangers at Hawaii National Park receive packages every year from tourists who took volcanic rocks from Kilauea. The tourists send them back claiming the rocks were bad luck from Pele, the goddess of fire, lightening, dance, volcanoes, and violence.

These are just a few of the unique reasons why we love the state we get to call home! Most of all, they are what makes everyday a great day to be a CPA in Hawaii!

The Hawaiian Lei Tradition!

iStock_000000976187SmallBeing a CPA in Hawaii, we are well acquainted with the history and custom of the lei. But seeing how many of you aren’t lucky enough to call one of our islands home, we thought we’d share some history and etiquette with you! It will come in handy on your next visit!

History of the Hawaiian Lei
The lei custom was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by early Polynesian voyagers, who took a journey from Tahiti. With these early settlers, the lei tradition in Hawaii was born. The original leis were constructed of flowers, leaves, shells, seeds, nuts, feathers, and even bone and teeth of various animals. In Hawaiian tradition, these garlands were worn to beautify themselves. Among other sacred uses, it was used to signify a peace agreement between opposing chiefs.

An Island Hello!
Today, the lei is the symbol of Hawaii for the millions of visitors worldwide. During the “Boat Days” of the early 1900s, travelers were greeted at the pier at Aloha Tower to welcome malihini (visitors) to the islands and kama’aina (locals) back home.

Lei Etiquette
There are very few “rules” when it comes to wearing a Hawaiian lei. Anyone can wear one, anytime – no special occasion is necessary.

Unspoken Rules
While there aren’t any “formal rules”, there are a couple of “unspoken rules” that should be respected. * A lei should be a welcomed celebration, therefore, always accept a lei, never refuse.
*The proper way to wear a lei is gently draped over the shoulders, hanging down both in front and in back.
*It is considered rude to remove a lei from your neck in the presence of the person who gave it to you, so if you must, be discreet.

What Do You Know About Hawaii?

hawaii cpaDid you know Hawaii is home to over 19 state forests, 52 state parks, and features some of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world? What other facts do you know about Hawaii? Did you know the state motto of Hawaii is “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness” (Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono)? Being a CPA in Hawaii allows us to learn more and more about this beautiful state, and at Michael  J. Yuda, CPC, LLC., we like to share these wonderful facts with you. Below are some more fun facts about Hawaii:

  • The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to over 7,000 marine species, most of which are found nowhere else in the world.
  • The island of Kauai is home to the wettest spot on Earth. With an average yearly rainfall on Mt. Waialeale of 397 inches.
  • Hawaii has the highest life expectancy for residents than anywhere else in the U.S.
  • The ocean temperature in Hawaii varies from 72 degrees in the winter to a bathtub-esque 82 degrees in the summer.
  • Hawaii is known as the “Aloha State” and also the “Paradise of the Pacific”.
  • Famous Hawaiians include Bette Midler, Don Stroud, Don Ho, Jack Johnson, and Barack Obama.

More Hawaii Fun Facts

Hawaii is a fascinating state with an interesting history, and wide array of colorful people and culture. Being a CPA in Hawaii is a joy every day, and learning the rich history of this beautiful island is an absolute pleasure. Every now and then, we like to have a little fun over at Yuda.com! The following are a few interesting facts about Hawaii:

Fun facts about hawaii

  • The Hawaiian Islands were originally settled by Polynesian immigrants, but was unknown to the Europeans until James Cook landed here in 1778.
  • Hawaii officially became known as the “Aloha State” in 1959.
  • Hawaii is home to the only royal residence in the United States, the Iolani Palace.
  • Hawaii is home to the largest number of endangered species in the USA.
  • The Kilauea Volcano, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one of the largest and most active volcanos on Earth.
  • The Big Island is home to one of the world’s biggest telescopes, and has more observatories in one location than anywhere else in the world.
  • Hawaii is the only state that grows and harvests coffee!
  • Hawaii is the only U.S. state whose land area is increasing (from volcanic eruptions.)

A Few Hawaiian Expressions

CPA in Hawaii

Being a CPA in Hawaii is a wonderful thing! The Hawaiian Islands are truly paradise and rich with culture and beauty! Whether hoping to visit Hawaii or learn something new to impress your friends, the following are some common Hawaiian phrases and expressions:

  • Mahalo: Mahalo is a common expression for thanks and gratitude!
  • Aloha: The most common and well known expression for both hello and goodbye. Alo means to share in the present moment and Oha translates to joy, making Aloha really mean “joyfully sharing life”.
  • E Komo Mai: Welcome! Consider this phrase the Hawaiian equivalent of Mi casa su casa!
  • Pomaika’i:  The Hawaiian way to say good luck!
  • A Hui Hou Kakou: The Hawaiian way to say until we meet again.
  • Pahea Oe: How are you?
  • Mahalo A Nui Loa: Hawaiian for thank you very much.
  • Wikiwiki: The Hawaiian way to say make it snappy or be quick!
  • Aloha Ay Ua ‘Oe: Hawaiian for I love you.
  • Makai: This word is the Hawaiian word for ocean.
  • Ma Li Hini: The Hawaiian word for visitor!

The language of Hawaii is often as colorful as the scenery and people! Learning a few phrases can be a fun experience and may even help you if you plan to visit the islands.

Aloha!

More Amazing Facts About Hawaii

CPA in Hawaii Fun Facts! 

Being a CPA in Hawaii has its advantages! Being able to enjoy the beautiful Hawaiian Islands on a daily basis is a dream come true. It seems that some people know very little about Hawaii besides what they see on TV, but Hawaii is a state that is rich with history and wonderment. Here are some more amazing facts about Hawaii:

  • Honulu is the nations 11th largest metropolitan area.
  • Hawaii is home to the world’s tallest mountain. When measured from its base at the ocean floor, Mauna Kea is the world’s tallest mountain.
  • There are 5 navigable rivers in Hawaii: Waialua, Waimea, Hanape’pe, Lumahai and Hanalei.
  • The Island of Maui is home to the world’s largest dormant volcano, Haleakala Crater.
  • The world’s most active volcano, the Kilauea volcano, is the most active volcano in the world.
  • Hawaii is the world’s leading producing of macadamia nuts.
  • From east to west, Hawaii is the widest state.
  • Honolulu is around 1,500 miles long.
  • Hawaii is the 42nd most populous state.
  • Hawaii is the only state in the entire United States that has continuously growing borders. The regular eruption of Mt. Kilauea is the contributing force behind the states growing borders.

Aloha!

Top Three Personal Finance Apps

In today’s technological world, almost everyone is a smart phone user! We know Angry Birds is fun and all, but did you know apps exist that can actually help get your finances in order? If you’re trying to keep track of your finances by saving receipts and using a notepad and paper, it’s time to consider going digital! Below are some of the best personal finance apps you should download onto your smart phone!

Top Three Personal Finance Apps

  • Mint: Mint is the powerhouse of personal finance applications. This app, designed by Intuit is 100% free and allows you to enter checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards and investment accounts and provides a useful and comprehensive picture of your financial health. It’s like having a CPA in your pocket, but not quite as good!
  • Personal Capital: Similar to Mint, this app allows you to manage your bank, credit and investment accounts all in one place. Personal Capital is great for those who just want a snapshot of their finances without a lot of bells and whistles.
  • Debt Minder: If you’re burdened by large loan repayments, keep track of them with Debt Minder. This app is available on the iPhone for $0.99, and allows you to keep track of balances and accrued interest. Using color coded graphics and charts, Debt Minder provides an excellent snapshot of where your money is going.

With a plethora of personal finance apps available, keeping track of your financial health has never been more convenient. However, if your financial troubles are more extreme and you’re looking for a CPA in Hawaii, contact Michael J. Yuda CPA, LLC!

Aloha!

Some Amazing Facts about Hawaii

Fun Facts About Hawaii!Being a Honolulu CPA firm, Michael J.Yuda CPA, LLC gets to enjoy the beauty of Hawaii on a daily basis. If you’ve never been to Hawaii, you more than likely envision it as it’s portrayed in movies and television shows. It really is just as magical as you’ve imagined. When we’re not busy doing tax return preparation in Hawaii, we’re enjoying the beautiful sun and beaches of the most magical place on Earth. Here are some amazing facts about Hawaii!

  • Hawaii is so unique that it actually has its own time zone, Hawaiian Standard Time. Hawaiian Standard Time is two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, and five hours behind Eastern Standard Time.
  • Almost one-third of the world’s pineapples come from Hawaii.
  • Hawaii has eight main islands: Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the Big Island of Hawaii.
  • Hawaii has two official languages.
  • Hawaii is America’s youngest state, entering the nation on August 21, 1959.
  • Hawaii is the only state in the United States that grows coffee.
  • There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet.
  • The islands of Hawaii were formed from erupted under-sea volcanoes.
  • Lolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.

Aloha!