Major John Chamness of the Salvation Army emails a business story from Hawaii about that MoneyRates.com study claiming Idaho is a better place to retire than the islands. John has a good idea of what both states are like year round. In June 2012, he transferred to his new post as a divisional commander of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands after guiding the construction and first years of the Coeur d’Alene Kroc Center. He appreciates both places, which rank high in the poll – Idaho at No. 1, Hawaii at No. 3. MoneyRates.com considered four factors: life expectancies at age 65; violent and property crime rates; economic factors such as cost of living, taxes and unemployment; and senior population. But John wasn’t swayed by the MoneyRates ranking. In his email, he said: “This came through my email today about Idaho and Iowa being better places to retire than Hawaii. I then looked out the window of my office to view the palm trees and the beautiful Hawaiian sun and 87 degrees! Lucky we live Hawaii!” And that’s how the other half lives/DFO, SR Sunday Huckleberries. More here.

Question: Do you plan to retire here?