I didn't know a soul. I had no internal recommendations. I was contacted three times for an interview. Each time I had to turn the invite down because of family issues (2 deaths, one month apart, and my wife had just started a new position at the University).

It was horrible timing and gut wrenching to have to say "no" three times to the invite, but my wife and family had to come first. I hope that someday I can get my foot back in the door.

FYI, I live on the mainland and have no ties to the islands other than the fact that I REALLY want to live there, I love to spend my time there, and I have a good friend that retired to the big island and has a fabulous house that I have free run of the downstairs mother-in-law quarters.