Some Challenges Faced by Teens Living in Hawaii

Not every child will face all of these challenges. Here are some possible reasons your child may be angry.

1. You’re not supposed to say it’s hard because you live in paradise
2. It’s a rock in the middle of the ocean and one of the most isolated places on the planet…plus you hate the beach and it’s too expensive to do anything else
3. If you’re on the Big Island (or any other outer island), you always have FOMO because all the concerts and shows happen on Oahu and if you’re on Oahu… traffic sucks
4. Life as a teenager can be hard no matter where you are, what color you are, and how much money you have
5. Your parents just don’t understand you and just think you’re an angry teenager. They don’t get there’s a lot of other things happening below the surface that you just don’t tell them about
6. Cost of living: you are wondering how you’ll be able to afford to move out of your parents’ house in this Hawaii housing market where you have to be a bajillionaire to buy land but you don’t want to move to the mainland
7. You’re angry that your parents made you move to this island and you can’t believe you had to leave your friends
8. You feel like you’re living in the wrong body
9. One or both of your parents are absent
10. Violence, abuse, trauma

*So what? If you’re an angry teenager in Hawaii, remember that there are people who are ready and willing to help you. You just need to reach out to them. The hardest part is just making that first move to ask for help. Find your support system in your friends, family, teachers, administration, security guards, custodians, school counselors, cousins, aunties, uncles, tutu, papa, brother, sister, pastor, coach, doctor, anyone who is a trusted adult in your life. It makes a difference to have at least one person you can call if you feel like you no can handle anymore. No make all tough and reach out for help if you need it.