The Ziemelis Family Story

Our Story

I have been writing consistently on this blog and my “365 Things to Do in Kona” Facebook page since 2010. Why did I start writing here?  Because I was encountering so many extraordinary experiences at the places we were discovering, people we were meeting and fun things to do, I wanted to share my passion and excitement and how my readers could do it, too. I love to share how to spread aloha, along with where you can get an amazing mai tai, find a beautiful sunset, enjoy locally sourced food and get a flavor of the Hawaiian culture. (With a fair amount of how to protect yourself from getting hurt or harming the ocean environment!)

 

But that is not all. I write from a place of gratitude for this island. When we were in Silicon Valley, my husband and I knew raising our children there would not infuse them with our values of Aloha and adventure.  We moved to Kona the first time, in 2005, to live on the island and knew almost immediately that somehow we had been called here.  (We thought we were the only ones when I say that, and now I have met scores of people who have felt the same way!)   Read about our first year here in my new memoir, "1 Year, 2 Kids, 800 Sq ft-The Adventures of A Small Family on the Big Island of Hawaii".

 

What have we found here on Hawaii Island? A sense of belonging and aloha. We also find adventures just about every week! We have explored (and continue to explore) every nook and cranny on this big beautiful island and we love to share what we find and things to avoid and look out for, too. When you follow this blog, you get the real low-down.

(We also launched a YouTube channel at 365Hawaii to share even more fun!)

About me

My background is in public relations, marketing  and event planning.  I always had a dream to live on an island and be in the ocean as much as humanly possible.  My family and I moved here the first time in the summer of 2005 and my kids were 10 months old and 4 years old.

We moved into a one bedroom condo in Keauhou with the idea of just living here for a year, renovating the condo, selling it and going back home to the Silicon Valley with money in our pocket and a grand adventure behind us. Well, we DID renovate the condo, but we fell in love with the island and the aloha spirit and didn't want to end our connection with Hawaii after only one year. We realized we were a part of Hawaii and could not let it go.

We moved back to California and rented out the condo until we orchestrated our move in 2010 to “ride out the recession.”  Well, the recession ended, and we are now firmly embedded in this amazing community!

During my time here, I co-created the Big Island Chocolate Festival in 2011, created TechConKona in 2011, founded Best of Kona Festival in 2019 and teach social media marketing. I also branched into real estate marketing and created a real estate matchmaking service with my husband who has  his RE license now.  As my blog has people asking me what it takes to move here, I also wrote the book, “How to Move to Kona” and created "The Insiders Guide for Buying Real Estate on the Big Island of Hawaii" for people considering purchasing a home.

We have lived in Keauhou, Waikoloa Village, on Alii Drive and under Holualoa. We have discovered just about every restaurant, beach, bar, trail, snorkel spot and 4WD adventures spaces. Many only accessible because my hubby has a tricked out classic Toyota truck that gets us anywhere on this island!

Thank you for reading and being part of the adventure! Send me an email with your comments and questions, I do my best to answer each one!

Must Read Books by 365Kona. com

Leave a Question or Comment About this Topic

  • Janet says:

    Why did you choose to live in Waikoloa Village ?

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Hi Janet! We chose Waikoloa Village because my husband got a job as a resident manager there. We have enjoyed our almost year here and now he got a job as a resident manager in Kona! So we are moving there at the end of July! They both have their pros and cons and I can still drive to both!

  • Danica L says:

    Hi! We have to make a decision pretty quickly about a wonderful job offer out of Hilo. However, this is the culmination of research and planning since January, so a lot of thought has gone into this potential move. WE would be moving our 3 elementary aged kiddos from Colorado. I’m trying to find anybody who has moved their kids from mainland to Hilo and might be able to help me understand what transition was like for their kids. That is our biggest question/concern. This is a long shot, but wondering if you have any contacts I could reach out to? TIA!

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Danica:
      Why don’t you put out this inquiry on the All Things Big Island Facebook page? There are people who are on there that live in Hilo and could be a good resource for you to find some peace of mind. Good luck!

  • Ralph Turre says:

    Looking into possibility of posting ad in your blog for my business. I offer photographic art prints of Hawaii (more specifically marine life) on aluminum, and looking at advertising for the holiday season.

  • Greg Long says:

    Love you’re Kona aloha Friday bike tour YouTube video

  • Mary Mullins says:

    I have some questions about the schools and jobs in education there. Would love if I could connect directly with you.

  • Barbara says:

    My daughter, Tobi, is a nurse at the hospital in Waimea. She has lived on the island over 25 years and lives in Kuikuihaeli. She has land there where the old social hall is located and also has a unique house for sale up the road closer to Waipio Valley. I will be moving over when traveling is safer. Tobi lives in the country, and I am thinking of renting an apt or condo closer to more convenience. I love the Mauna Lani area and wondered how to find out if they have apts or condos to rent on a long term basis until I decide where I really want to be — in the country with Tobi or not.

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Many of the condos in Mauna Lani Resort are vacation rentals. You could try and contact one of the owners directly for a long term lease or call one of the vacation rental companies. I know that LUVA Real Estate manages a few condos in there. You may get a more affordable long term lease up at Waikoloa Village. Good luck and please keep us in mind for a connection to a Realtor if you buy a home!

  • Daryle says:

    Hi Julie
    Can you give us Canadians a heads up on moving and buying real estate in Kona.
    Thanks

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Daryle!
      I will suggest to my real estate pros- both real estate and mortgage – about doing a video specifically to the Canadian market! Thanks for the suggestion- stay tuned on the 365Hawaii Real Estate YouTube channel!

  • Cheryl Jensen says:

    We are here right now on the Island until end of the month and are considering buyer. I am a real estate agent in Idaho myself so I know my way around real estate. My husband and I are ready to make the move to buy and will retire here in 5 years or less. Any areas of suggestions or words od wisdom would be awesome.

  • Sondra Mims says:

    Where on the island was your favorite place to live?

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Sondra!
      Thanks for asking that question! Each place we have lived has had its pros and cons. I think where we are now is my favorite..at elevation in central Kailua Kona. The view, the air temp, the breezes, the proximity to town..it’s taken us 15 years to get here, but it’s awesome.

  • Janet says:

    Why did you choose to live in Waikoloa Village ?

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Hi Janet! We chose Waikoloa Village because my husband got a job as a resident manager there. We have enjoyed our almost year here and now he got a job as a resident manager in Kona! So we are moving there at the end of July! They both have their pros and cons and I can still drive to both!

  • Danica L says:

    Hi! We have to make a decision pretty quickly about a wonderful job offer out of Hilo. However, this is the culmination of research and planning since January, so a lot of thought has gone into this potential move. WE would be moving our 3 elementary aged kiddos from Colorado. I’m trying to find anybody who has moved their kids from mainland to Hilo and might be able to help me understand what transition was like for their kids. That is our biggest question/concern. This is a long shot, but wondering if you have any contacts I could reach out to? TIA!

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Danica:
      Why don’t you put out this inquiry on the All Things Big Island Facebook page? There are people who are on there that live in Hilo and could be a good resource for you to find some peace of mind. Good luck!

  • Ralph Turre says:

    Looking into possibility of posting ad in your blog for my business. I offer photographic art prints of Hawaii (more specifically marine life) on aluminum, and looking at advertising for the holiday season.

  • Greg Long says:

    Love you’re Kona aloha Friday bike tour YouTube video

  • Mary Mullins says:

    I have some questions about the schools and jobs in education there. Would love if I could connect directly with you.

  • Barbara says:

    My daughter, Tobi, is a nurse at the hospital in Waimea. She has lived on the island over 25 years and lives in Kuikuihaeli. She has land there where the old social hall is located and also has a unique house for sale up the road closer to Waipio Valley. I will be moving over when traveling is safer. Tobi lives in the country, and I am thinking of renting an apt or condo closer to more convenience. I love the Mauna Lani area and wondered how to find out if they have apts or condos to rent on a long term basis until I decide where I really want to be — in the country with Tobi or not.

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Many of the condos in Mauna Lani Resort are vacation rentals. You could try and contact one of the owners directly for a long term lease or call one of the vacation rental companies. I know that LUVA Real Estate manages a few condos in there. You may get a more affordable long term lease up at Waikoloa Village. Good luck and please keep us in mind for a connection to a Realtor if you buy a home!

  • Daryle says:

    Hi Julie
    Can you give us Canadians a heads up on moving and buying real estate in Kona.
    Thanks

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Daryle!
      I will suggest to my real estate pros- both real estate and mortgage – about doing a video specifically to the Canadian market! Thanks for the suggestion- stay tuned on the 365Hawaii Real Estate YouTube channel!

  • Cheryl Jensen says:

    We are here right now on the Island until end of the month and are considering buyer. I am a real estate agent in Idaho myself so I know my way around real estate. My husband and I are ready to make the move to buy and will retire here in 5 years or less. Any areas of suggestions or words od wisdom would be awesome.

  • Sondra Mims says:

    Where on the island was your favorite place to live?

    • Julie Ziemelis says:

      Aloha Sondra!
      Thanks for asking that question! Each place we have lived has had its pros and cons. I think where we are now is my favorite..at elevation in central Kailua Kona. The view, the air temp, the breezes, the proximity to town..it’s taken us 15 years to get here, but it’s awesome.