Hi Seamonkey and Sunshine-

Hugs to you both! As with asking about the playa, ask ten different people about the Big Island community and you may hear ten different descriptions, given we all see through our own perceptual filters and proximal experiences. Here are two good places to start getting a general feel for the ups and downs of life on the Big Island. Punaweb's archives are keyword seachable for topics of interest.

www.punaweb.org/

sensiblesimplicity.lefora.com/

One similarity, imho, between the Black Rock Desert playa and the Big island is that one starts off well in both contexts by coming prepared to meet all of your own basic needs for awhile, as well being able as to gift to others as desired, and being well-informed of the parameters present in the situation you are entering.

Aloha!