I’m 64. Hawaii has been expensive my whole life. I’ve been to every island except Maui and really enjoy the place. I’ve been to every state in the union except a few on the east coast. Considering the climate and beauty (and seafood), the big island is where I would retire if money was no object.
Real estate on the Big Island is absolutely affordable. We have property there and was looking at retiring there until our parents started getting ill and then dieing. Puma area is no more than California where we live now. I’m headed there again in September.