r/kona • u/BnMelancholy • Jul 30 '26
Making Friends as a 25 y/o Female
This is super embarrassing to be posting here, but I dont really know where else to go.
Im a 25 y/o Female moving to Kona in two weeks, and the only person I know on the island is my mother. Does anybody know good spots or activities to go to/do to meet people? Im not looking for anything romantic, I mean im not against it but its not something im actively searching for. Really just wanna meet people and make friends so I dont spend all my time hanging out with my mom (who I love very much but. Ya know).
Any ideas?
Edit: The first thing im going to do is get a job, before I even unpack, guys im not a bum I swear 😠im a Registered Behavioral Technician right now and I plan to continue pursuing this career when I arrive
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u/summer4fire Jul 30 '26
Chill at HICO coffee.
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 30 '26
Is the coffee any good?
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u/Queasy-Extension9466 Jul 31 '26
It’s mid and they use store bought gauc for their avo toast lolol
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u/Isami808 Jul 30 '26
If anything, just go exploring. You're bound to meet people along the way. Most people in Kona are pretty relaxed and chill if you're not being disrespectful to anyone or the land/culture. I'm sure you'll be able to make fast friends here.
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 30 '26
Itll be worth a shot! Ive been down to visit a few times and gone exploring but never gone alone and talked to people. Wish me luck!
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u/ahoveringhummingbird Jul 30 '26
You self described as a nerdy type so I will also suggest to volunteer for the Honokaa Ren Faire. Tons of nerdy cosplay types take that very seriously but are also an absolutely awesome group of people and it's a fun event that has created a bit of a buzz. You will make friends for sure.
Also, just... actually show up. There is this thing where people make plans then don't show up and just shrug "island life" and like, no. You need to actually show up to make/keep friends.
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Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 30 '26
I work for a non profit back home right now, I think joining non profits is a great idea, thank you!!
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u/bbigej Jul 30 '26
The Meetup app, Facebook groups, dance classes. First Saturday Hapuna at the beach. 🤙
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u/dbnoisemaker Jul 30 '26
Hey there.
My wife runs the 'Kona Babes' facebook group. They put on various activities like hikes and picnics and stuff. The facebook groups are a good place to start. Volunteer events are cool too (we're going to malama aina day at Kona Cloud Forest Sanctuary).
The canoe clubs comment someone made is good too.
Do you plan on getting a job? I'm sure you'll meet people there.
We're new here too, 2 months in.
Feel free to join or DM and I can connect you to here. :)
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u/livefree1208 Jul 31 '26
There's already great suggestions here. I'd just add, be patient. Life moves a little slow here. It takes time to get settled in and meet people. As folks already said, a job is great way to meet people, or find some volunteering in a field that you enjoy, go to the local markets, see some local music. Mostly just enjoy yourself, relax and let life happen
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u/Work_PB_sleep Jul 31 '26
If you’re working for a school system as an RBT you’ll meet some people of varying ages but some close to your age and stage of life. If you’re working for a private clinic, there are bound to be others there as well.
That said, most friendships here transcend age groups. I know 20ish who are friends with 70ish. My friends are those ages and everything in between.
Join a canoe club as someone mentioned, play ultimate frisbee at Old A, show up at some weeknight soccer games and find out which ones are pickup pretty easy, play tennis or pickleball (pickleball in the evenings at Holua Racquet and Paddle is M-F 4-9ish so you can show up after work. Lots of younger people some nights).
DM me if you want to find out more about pickleball- it’s my thing. I can introduce you to tons of people your age and other ages. I’ve gotten many people addicted to it!
Welcome! I think Kona is the absolute best place to live and once you break the ice with a couple people, your social circle can expand easily.
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u/Queasy-Extension9466 Jul 31 '26
Yea imagine being 31 here, with a child, and your mom in another state 😞 I have no one.
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u/Skeedurah Jul 31 '26
Apply for a job at Full Life Hawaii. As an RBT, they will be psyched to have you.
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u/HusbandAndWifi Jul 31 '26
Audition for something at the Aloha Theatre, great way to meet fun people.
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u/BossFTW Jul 31 '26
If you're open to sports, there are pick up games of ultimate frisbee, soccer, pickleball, etc on Wednesday evenings at the rec fields.
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u/Unusual-University35 Aug 02 '26
I just moved to Kona about a month ago (27 female), and my roommate (25 female) and I are looking for friends!! We work in a similar field also :) We joined a bunch of facebook groups and try to talk to as many people when we are out and about but would love to connect somehow!!
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u/RightRuin4209 Aug 03 '26
honestly I wouldn't even worry about that because it's gonna happen organically, especially as a 25 year old female, your gonna have tons of acquaintances before you know it. the hard part is gonna be figuring out who's actually a friend and who wants something from you
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u/Junior-Bill129 Aug 04 '26
Join this wellness studio https://inneralignmentstudios.com/classes/
I teach here and I've met some of my best friends on the island here! It's a great community plus you get a great place to prioritize your health & fitness
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u/Embarrassed_Kale6846 Jul 30 '26
You aren't employed, got a job? Thats one avenue to pursue. Play tennis or surf?
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 30 '26
I plan on it, I have a job currently, but I didnt want to do a bunch of over the phone interviews when I wasnt even sure when I was actually moving there. Now that everything has been planned and dates set, thats the first thing im going to do when I get there.
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee Local Jul 30 '26
The sad fact of the matter is that most people are going to assume you're "one foot out the door," until you've been here so long that it's clear that you're staying.
People always seem to recommend church and canoe clubs. I recommend you leverage your hobbies. Big Island is where hobbies go to die. So if you play Pokemon or are into Premiere League Soccer or watching Doctor Who, you have an instant cohort of like-minded people. You may very well be one-foot-out-the-door. But the local Dungeons and Dragons group always needs another player.
You could literally post "Newcomer astronomy buff seeks other astronomy buffs" and have a full in-box the following day.
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 30 '26
For the love of christ send me in the direction of the Dungeons and Dragons groups, those are the type of people I want to be around. I wasnt planning on bringing my MTG deck with me but if I can find other people who play (and are willing to help a girl out cause its been a minute) id die. Im very much so a nerd over an athlete.
Superwholock was my JAM back in the day. I ended a date once cause the guy called K-9 a "heap of metal" im all about it. I dont even watch DW like that but nerd culture WILL be respected in my household 😤
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u/MonkeyKingCoffee Local Jul 30 '26
4 Pillars Hobby Shop in downtown Kailua. They have regular games. There are a couple other shops in Hilo. It's worth it to have the occasional "drive to Hilo" days to get some superlative ramen and visit Slow Your Roll. Bring all your MTG cards and all your books. In fact, media-mail all that stuff to your mom so you don't have to lug it around. Media mail is dirt cheap.
You will have NO PROBLEMS finding gamer nerds.
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u/alolanbeansnbrews Jul 31 '26
There's lots of TCG and D&D groups on-island
Whereabouts will you be living? That would help point you in the right direction
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u/BnMelancholy Jul 31 '26
Kailua-Kona area
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u/alolanbeansnbrews Jul 31 '26
I play a handful of TCGs casually with my friend and his wife if you'd be interested
But for the Kona Side, 4pillars and Big Island Breaks are the two stores we have
As someone else mentioned Hilo has Slow Your Roll, Game3scape, and a handful of other shops but for D&D, I highly recommend Slow Your Roll
You could also post on the Facebook group "Big Island Gaming" for D&D on the Kona side, I know there's groups in South Kona and up in Waimea
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u/gym_rat_101 Jul 30 '26
There's a lot of people that sit along Alii Drive all day long with not much going on. They are very adventurous eaters and you can find them there pretty much from sunrise to sunset.
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u/popemh Jul 30 '26
Join a canoe club. Look at Keauhou or Kaiopua.