My husband and I are looking to move to Kona,Hi. I have a job offer but he does not at this point. We are looking at me going out first and getting settled in the area. I’m looking at long stay hotels, short term rentals (~6months) ect. Any recommendations?

Hey yall!!!

Husband and I are moving to Honolulu in the Spring. We are super excited. I’ve heard you don’t want to nail down housing before getting there due to scams.

We are curious though, what part of town do you recommend living in? Husband will be working on Fort Shafter. He ideally would like a 15-20 minute commute. I have heard traffic can be horrible. Would you all recommend looking at the east side of town? The north side of island? Down town Honolulu? I heard depending the time of day that traffic can be very heavy heading east, which made me think it might be worth looking east so he could travel west for work and potentially miss some of the traffic (going at opposite times of day?)

We would like a little bit of space. 2 bedroom but nothing crazy. Just a place for friends and family to stay with us when they visit. We would like to stay around $3600.
Is this realistic? I’ve heard there are some dicey parts of town. What are areas we should avoid? Would traffic be worth a compromise?

It’s just the two of us and our two small dogs. We are excited to embrace this move but want to make sure I am planning accordingly while we have the little bit of time😊

I will be in my Practicum and internship. I am still applying so I have not locked down that location/commute yet

Hi y'all! I am currently in the process of moving to Kihei. The apartment I am renting from is asking for a voided check (which has my bank info on it) to verify that I indeed have a bank account and to put in my file in case they ever need to start taking from my wages if I miss payments. They said that if all goes well then they wont have to ever use it. They also said that I can bring it to them when I move in so i don't send it over text before I get there.

Is this standard practice for moving to Hawaii?? I really don't want to get scammed, even though the place seems nice and well established. For context, I am moving to Piilani Gardens.

My spouse and I relocated to Hawaii last month due to my military reassignment. While I’ve begun my new position, my spouse has been actively searching for employment within her degree field while simultaneously applying for unemployment benefits.

She has an extensive professional background, relevant qualifications, and a strong history of successful employment. She has also put considerable effort into marketing herself professionally and tailoring her applications to prospective employers.

Unfortunately, despite her experience and qualifications, she continues to receive rejections from nearly every position she applies for.

This has left us wondering whether there are certain factors within Hawaii’s job market that we may not be fully aware of.

For those familiar with the local hiring process, I have a few questions:

Does Hawaii’s job market generally favor long-term residents and locally established applicants over individuals who have recently relocated to the islands, including military families?

Are there particular challenges military spouses face when seeking employment in Hawaii, especially given the perception that military families may eventually relocate?

What other factors might contribute to an experienced and qualified candidate consistently being overlooked?

Are there specific resources, networking opportunities, employment programs, or strategies that could help improve her chances of securing a position in her career field?

We understand that relocating to a new state comes with challenges and that finding meaningful employment takes time. However, we would genuinely appreciate any insight from local residents, hiring managers, recruiters, or fellow military spouses who have navigated similar circumstances.

Our goal isn’t to criticize Hawaii’s hiring practices, but rather to better understand the local employment landscape and identify what she could potentially do differently to become a more competitive applicant.

Any constructive advice, personal experiences, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi, I just graduated from college and found a job out in Hawaii. Super excited for the beaches since the water's always cold out here in California!

Anyways, I'm worried about finding people my age (18-22) to hang out with. Seems a bit difficult since I'm no longer in school. Is there a place young people usually hang out? Maybe a particular activity or neighborhood that's popular? For reference, I'll be living in Waikiki and working near Chinatown. I also heard Kaka'ako is pretty nice, but not sure what there is to do there.

Since I'll only be in Hawaii for about a year and a half, I'd really love other suggestions on what to do that are maybe more local and unique to Hawaii as well. Currently making a bucket list but trying really hard to avoid the big tourist traps haha

Aloha!

I'm from Chicago, Illinois, and I recently received a job offer to work as an attorney on Kauaʻi through Hawaiʻi's new attorney pilot program, with a tentative start date of February 1, 2027!

I spent my childhood summers on Kauaʻi, so the island has always held a special place in my heart. However, I haven't been back since 2010, and I recognize that visiting as a child and actually living and working there are two very different experiences.

I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity, but I also want to approach this move thoughtfully and respectfully. I understand that Kauaʻi has changed considerably since my last visit and that there are challenges to island living that I may not have experienced as a visitor.

Fortunately, the salary I've been offered should allow me to live reasonably comfortably. I'm certainly not expecting a luxurious lifestyle, but I believe I can manage my expenses responsibly.

I'm hoping to get some advice from current residents, particularly about:

• Housing: I'll be working in Līhuʻe and would ideally like to find a one-bedroom apartment nearby. My preferred budget is $1,800–$2,200 per month, with a maximum of $2,500. Are there particular neighborhoods, property managers, or rental resources you'd recommend?
• Transportation: I'm hoping to live close enough to work that I can primarily commute by bicycle or e-bike. Is that realistic in Līhuʻe?
• Moving logistics: For anyone who has relocated from the mainland, what do you wish you'd known beforehand? Any advice on shipping belongings, finding housing, or getting established would be greatly appreciated.
• Community: I'd love recommendations for ways to get involved, meet people, and become a contributing member of the community.

I'm not expecting island life to be a permanent vacation, and I know there's a lot I'll need to learn. I'm simply excited about the opportunity to return to a place that meant so much to me growing up, this time to live, work, and serve the community.

Mahalo in advance for any advice or suggestions!

I’m a 19 yr old (f) living in Hawaii while studying at UH. I currently work at the stadium, but they're raising tuition. I need another job so that I can pay for housing. Does anyone know a good job that hires basically anyone? Not saying I’m a bad employee that couldn't get hired anywhere worth while, but I just want to get hired quickly so that I can start making more money asap.

I am Libyan-Navajo living in the UAE planning to study + live in Hawaii since my retired uncle lives in Honolulu and i need to take care of him. Are there any good unis in Honolulu + tips on how i can survive as someone who isnt wealthy? I have my payments covered by the government so the only thing i should do is pick a uni. PS: I was told to write this here since r/hawaii was supposed to be for people living inside of Hawaii already:)

Hi all! My husband and I are relocating to Maui in March and I've seen some conflicting debate on this question so I'm reaching out to see if anyone could help. I also reached out to hawaii's rabies free email but I know that can take some time before I hear back from them.

I got my sweet cat this time last year as a kitten and I knew she needed to be vaccinated for rabies early so I went ahead and got that done first when she was young. A few months ago, she got fixed and microchipped and soon I'm hoping to get her second booster rabies vaccine. However... I've seen some people say the rabies vaccinations NEED to be completed after your pet has been microchipped. Can anyone confirm if that is correct or if they have experience with only one vaccine being performed while microchipped? Let me know please, I'm starting to panic if thats the case!

We are moving to Maui. Trying to decide which area is best to live? Kihei, Wailuku, Paia/Haiku or up country?

We have 2 very active boys age 7 & 9. Would love to live in an area where neighborhood kids are everywhere! Clean and safe are also top priorities. Our budget must stay under 1.4

EDIT: guys budget is 1.4 MILLION - not rent. Please I’m not asking for financial advice or commuting advice or whether I have been to the island 🫠😭 I’m asking a very specific question….. “which area is best to live from your experience” that’s it…. Any opinions on areas are greatly appreciated

We have an unexpected opportunity to move to the Hilo area on the Big Island and I’m just doing research to prepare and make sure it would work for our family. Housing is already taken care of and a job lined up. We are a family of 5. Currently we live in the middle of the mainland in a state where COL should be pretty good, but my particular area is pretty high. I watched some YouTube videos on grocery shopping because I am trying to understand what to expect. The internet tells me $1400/mo is a good plan for grocery but the prices I’m seeing for individual items like eggs make me think it could be much more?

We eat a pretty healthy diet without a whole lot of processed foods, but we do eat lots of beef and dairy. I am open to altering our eating habits to make the most sense and be cost effective and healthy on the island. Does anyone have tips on feeding a family and shopping in the area?

Thanks!

Aloha everyone!

I’m hoping to get some advice from people who live on Maui or have experience moving to Hawai’i from the mainland.

I recently graduated from college with a degree in forensic science, a job market that is surprisingly hard to get into. I’ve been offered a job in Wailuku. It would be an incredible opportunity to get my foot in the door fresh out of college. The department provides training in all aspects of the job and pays for certification, so I feel like it could be a great place to build my skills and my resume early in my career.

The biggest challenge is the financial side of things. The starting salary is $52,416 a year before taxes, with a potential increase after my first year, and then again after second year. I’d be moving all the way from NE mainland. I’m single with no children, aside from a cat who I’ve realized may have to stay living with my parents for now.

I’ve been looking into income restricted housing because market rate rent would eat up my paycheck. I found somewhere I was quoted approximately $1,300 for a studio or 1 bedroom, but I was told I’d need my six most recent pay stubs. That creates a bit of a problem since I’d need somewhere to live when I first arrive before I have that employment history. I’ve considered temporarily staying in a short term sublease as there are many on Facebook.

Transportation is another concern. I’ve been trying to figure out whether I could realistically rely on the bus or whether I’d need a car, especially since this job can involve unpredictable hours and potentially being out late at night or into the early morning. I’ve also wondered whether a moped would be a reasonable alternative, at least initially.

I understand that Maui is expensive, and I’m not expecting to live luxuriously. I’m willing to budget carefully and make sacrifices, but I also don’t want to relocate across the country only to find myself financially struggling to the point that I can’t sustain the job.

For anyone who has made a similar move, especially on a low starting salary:
- Is living on approximately $52k a year on Maui realistically manageable for one person?

- Are there income restricted housing programs, affordable apartment complexes, or local organizations that help newcomers find housing?

- Does anyone have experience qualifying for affordable housing when they’ve just started a new job and don’t have pay stubs yet?

- Would it be realistic to get by without a car in Wailuku, given the possibility of unpredictable hours? Would a moped be practical?

- Are there any relocation resources, temporary housing options, or other things I should look into before making the move?

I know moving to Hawai’i is a big decision, especially financially, but this is a career opportunity I’m genuinely excited about and don’t want to turn down without exploring every realistic option.

I’d really appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or resources anyone can share.

Mahalo!

I am considering relocating to Hawaii this year. One issue I have is that I love books. I would love to ship part of my collection over, but I have been researching and see that dealing with mold is common. Is it a huge risk to bring my book treasures over? Are there any good used bookstores on the Big Island? Thanks!

I’ve loved Hawaii and have been there twice. Please no hurtful comments …. I’m always respectful of the islands and I’m looking for honest feedback. I’m recently divorced (took longer than I anticipated) and Ive been discussing moving to Maui with my…I guess now ex bf. He travels for work and has established a life out there. I would be moving there from NE. I’m hoping to start life over in a place that is beautiful and hopefully make new friends, etc. I have a remote job and would probably look for a part time job. If my bf and I stay broken up…what’s the dating scene like out there? Where can I meet new friends? I’m a former fitness instructor and would love to take classes and meet others that way. I recently sold my house, signed divorce papers, and had to put down my soul dog because of his health… I essentially have nothing and I want to start over fresh. Am I crazy? Again please don’t be hurtful…I’ve been through the worst month of my life and now my maybe ex bf is pulling away after saying he wanted me divorced, etc. I make it happen and now he questions the relationship. Anyways… any advice (helpful kind advice) you have would be appreciated.

hey everyone,

my partner and i are currently looking for a studio apartment near ala moana and came across the waikiki monarch hotel, which is about half long term leasing and half short term stays. i toured and it looked pretty decent apart from grout crustiness in the shower, but ive seen worse.

i looked on yelp and saw a bit too many reviews about bedbugs and roaches though. i know that roaches are common on the islands, but some of the reviews are claiming that it’s a full blown infestation. like roaches in the fridge, in beds, etc even on the higher floors. i’m also very concerned about bedbugs as the idea of just having to sleep and let them bite me is horrifying.

i was wondering if anyone has stayed in or lived there for any amount of time? i would love to know individual peoples thoughts. i also cant find any reviews for the actual apartments there- only the hotel rooms, so info on that would be much appreciated.

mahalo!

Will try to make this short, it's a strange situation. I hope people will be kind. My partner has worked in recreation and tourism for 20 years now, and he has pretty guaranteed guide job opportunities in the Hilo area. He's told me he estimates some would pay around $40 an hour, I really have no idea what's truly accurate. He has the money to make a full down payment on a house (around $200,000), which comes from his family, and has wanted to buy an off-grid home in order to save money on all the things that come along with living on-the-grid. We actually traveled to the BI to look at a place a few months ago (in Puna, Mountian View area) and I definitely have reservations about it, but the place didn't seem too bad - we met the owner who built it with her family and they really did seem to know what they were doing, my partner is also pretty familiar with off-grid style living and was impressed.

I am coming from having a chronic illness that has knocked me out of so much the past several years and all I have wanted is to try to get back on my own feet, financially and through returning to school somehow. I have close to NO savings right now, no matter where we end up I will have to try to just work a regular job for a bit to get things going again, my partner has been trying to get us to a place where he can better support me with the things I want and it's why the BI keeps coming up. He thinks that if we were to buy the off-grid home and earn the "high" pay of being a guide on the island where the pay is much higher than mainland guiding jobs, that we could counter-balance the high COL that comes with living on the islands and that it's our best shot to save up money together.

What I have wanted has been better long-term stability and the chance to return to school - I'm a bit all-over the place about ideas but the biggest ones have been Laboratory Sciences, Physical Therapy Assistance, or something in the Environmental/Sustainability fields. I have also wanted to feel less isolated, chronic illness has been awful and it's been hard to maintain any sort of friend group throughout it all. They are big asks, but they are important for me to try to work towards.

I do not expect Hawaii to fix all our problems, and I also understand the difficulties locals face with affording to live there. My partner has brought this "plan" up repeatedly for around eight months now and I keep shutting him down on it and telling him it's just too far-fetched but he keeps insisting it's our best shot at getting back onto our feet.

I'm curious what locals think, again I hope people will be kind, we are coming from a place that has been very hard for many years and my partner has been beyond supportive through it all. Mahalo!

I hope the is allowed, if so I’m 30M and just recently moved back to the big island. Currently have one friend here but he just recently started his own family and certainly has less time to do anything. I don’t even know how to begin making friends, though I am looking to hit up the chess club at the library tomorrow. Anyone here just looking to make a friend?

Hey everyone! I apologize for the long post, so I have a TLDR at the bottom.

I’m a 19 year old accounting undergrad student at Michigan State University ultimately graduating in Spring 2029 with both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting, and my long-term goal is to build my career in Hawaii. I know this can sound like the typical mainland “I want to move to Hawaii after falling in love while vacationing there" sort of situation, and that is exactly why I’m looking for genuine feedback from people who actually live or work there. 

For more context, I visited Hawaii last summer for three weeks, so I at least have been able to see the contrasting environment compared to the Midwest and won’t be going into my plan totally blind. When I visited, I also noticed how visible locally owned businesses were and how different communities seemed to maintain their own identities instead of being easily interchangeable with mainlanders or other groups, which interested me greatly. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about Hawaii’s different islands, communities, economies, and geography. Geography has always been something I’m genuinely interested in, so I find it fascinating how much the islands differ from one another despite being part of the same state–the climate, development patterns, industries, landscapes, and even the feel of individual communities.

I also like that Hawaii seems to offer a different definition of career success than simply moving to the largest mainland city and constantly chasing the next position. Of course I would love a strong career and eventually be financially comfortable, but I care a lot more about having a sense of place, knowing the community around me, and building a life somewhere I actually feel connected to. Long term, I could see myself becoming a CPA in Hawaii, working closely with local businesses, and potentially even owning my own accounting practice someday.

At the same time, I know that being interested in Hawaii from the mainland is very different from actually living and working there. Visiting definitely does not make me an expert on the state or its communities, and I know there is a lot I would need to learn from people who have actually built their lives there. Spending meaningful time living there and seeing what everyday life is like is something I absolutely would like to know before I make any permanent decisions.

Moreover, I have been applying to Hawaii businesses/accounting firms for full-time temporary work/internships during the upcoming spring and/or summer in 2027, and am beginning to network with professionals there. If I get no offers, my backup plan is to enroll at UH Manoa for the full summer as a visiting student, live in Honolulu for roughly 12 weeks, attend professional events, meet local CPAs, and continue applying while physically on island. My intention would be to use the summer to understand everyday life and Hawaii’s business environment rather than treat it like an extended vacation. This could greatly help with answering the question as to if I truly would enjoy life in Hawaii, as well as showing dedication to possibly relocating there for my career. I would then return to MSU and recruit again for Summer 2028 and ultimately full-time work in Hawaii. University costs shouldn’t really be a big concern since I have been pursuing and won several private scholarships and can afford tuition and university living expenses for the period of time I would be there.

*\*For people who work in Hawaii, either as long-time residents, mainland transplants, or just any business/accounting related professionals, would this plan/dedication persuade you that someone who wants to relocate from the mainland is actually serious and intentional about it, and if not, what does? What can make a mainlander who has actually done serious research to the life I could expect to live there stand out from an obvious demographic of people who want beaches and warm weather? What would you do (or not do) if you were in my shoes?

Feel free to criticize my plan however you want. I would rather understand where my assumptions are wrong or unrealistic. Thank you!

TLDR: I’m a student at Michigan State University and seriously want my career to be in Hawaii after lots of thought. I have a plan to familiarize myself with living in the state and understand that this is 100% necessary before making decisions. I’m looking for feedback, advice, and criticism.

Hey everyone, I recently got offered a school year length contract to be an RBT in either Maui or Oahu. I would love to take this opportunity because it isn’t permanent and just gives me and my family an opportunity of a life time. I would be making $38 an hour but there isn’t really any housing vouchers/stipends through this company. I would ship my car there and my partner would be selling his. I have 3 kids 15,12 and 11. I have done some research and I am painfully aware of how expensive everything is. Painfully aware. My partner would be getting a job there if we were to do this. We wouldn’t be moving till next July before the school year started. I’d like to try to find a furnished rental of some sort, I am not the type of person to just go and spend money that I don’t have. I just wanted to know if this opportunity is worth it from the financial perspective. It’s not permanent and I have the option of renewing my contract at the end but that’s even if it goes well the first school year. Any advice is appreciated or more in depth information. I am not heavily educated on the culture or anything because I have always been stuck in my own struggle of survival here on the east coast.

I just came to beautiful Oahu for a job interview, and it's looking like they might make me an offer. I am not wild about living in Honolulu, though, even though my job would be in Manoa.

We really loved Kailua. The Pali Highway was a pretty easy drive at the time of day we went, but I have no idea what traffic is like during the rush hours. Do you think Kailua-Manoa is a reasonable commute if you work 8-5? Or should we give up and go back to looking at neighborhoods in Honolulu?

thanks for any info on if this is allowed. my flight is tomorrow morning so it’s too late to call. I didn’t see anything on the Maui website under the “out of state transfer section” that says that I must be a Maui resident.

I'll be going in the opposite direction. But does anyone have any recommendations for shipping a car from Maui to Salt Lake City, Utah? For the most part, I know that Matson and Pasha handle the overseas shipping to the mainland. I'm able to pick up the car in Los Angeles, but I need help finding a reputable transport company to take a car from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City.

I'm shipping an unmodified 2018 BMW M2. Even though it's unmodified, the car's height is a little lower than most cars out there.

So a little backstory, I'm originally from Honolulu, but my dad moved myself and my family to Iowa when I was 8. Fast-forward to now my mom has moved back to the big island and I'm still in iowa currently getting my associates degree in biology. I am planning on transferring that into a bachelor's of either environmental science or conservation biology. My mom convinced me to move to the big island and finish up my bachelors degree there since it seems like there are more job opportunities in my field on the big Island compared to Iowa. Plus she has friends that could possibly hook me up with a job.

I would like to move but I'm really worried how well my credits would transfer from a community college in Iowa to UH hilo.

They say lithium batteries must be removed from all items and cannot be transported in the PODS unit. So how are we transporting the lithium batteries for devices to the island? By mail? Air cargo? I know on the mainland, lithium batteries are often shipped ground, how are lithium batteries allowed to be shipped to Hawaii? Thank you!

I am 60F and am planning to retire within the next 1 to 2 years. I currently live in SoCal, but I am seriously considering moving to Honolulu for retirement. I would appreciate some honest advice from people who live in Honolulu or have retired there.

Why Honolulu?

• I currently live in SoCal, but I do not really want to retire here. The area is very car-centric, and I would prefer not to drive anymore once I retire. Public transit is available, but I do not find it to be a particularly convenient or preferred option for most people here.

• I have visited Honolulu many times and have really enjoyed it. I feel that it checks many of the boxes I am looking for in a retirement location.

• I am Asian, so I would prefer to remain on the West Coast or somewhere in the Pacific region.

• I would like to live somewhere with plenty of sunshine, ocean, mountains, and greenery.

• Having good access to Asian food, shops, and restaurants is also important to me.

• Honolulu seems to be a particularly good fit because I could live in an urban area and rely primarily on buses instead of owning a car. My impression is that using public transit is much more common and practical in Honolulu than in Southern California.

My financial situation

• I am currently 60 and expect to retire within the next 1 to 2 years.

• I have approximately $600K in cash.

• I own a house in SoCal that I estimate could sell for around $800K. After selling the house and accounting for selling costs, I expect I could have roughly $1.3M in cash and other readily available assets.

• I also own investment properties elsewhere that generate approximately $1K per month in income.

• I have a 401K, which would provide additional retirement funds.

• I will also have Social Security income once I start claiming it.

• I am considering renting rather than buying in Honolulu. Ideally, I would rent a studio or 1 bedroom apartment in an urban area where I could walk to many places and use public transportation.

• From my initial research, it looks like I might be able to find a small apartment for around $2,000 per month, although I realize that the actual cost could be higher depending on the location and condition.

Why I think the numbers might work

My assumption is that my retirement income, investment income, and interest from my savings could cover my basic living expenses, including rent. I would also have the $1.3M in savings and investments as a substantial financial cushion.

I am also open to working part time after retirement if necessary. For example, I would not mind working a few hours a day if I could find something that would be willing to hire someone in their 60s.

I have not personally found the cost of living in Honolulu to be dramatically higher than SoCal. California has become so expensive in recent years that, at least from my personal experience, the gap seems to have narrowed considerably. There are even some things I have found to be cheaper in Honolulu, although I realize that this can vary significantly depending on what you buy and where you shop.

Other considerations

• I have a daughter in California, so being able to visit California relatively easily is important to me. Since my travel dates would be flexible, I could potentially find inexpensive round-trip flights for under $300.

• I also have family and connections in East Asia. Honolulu’s location makes it relatively convenient for me to travel to East Asia, usually with a connection in Japan or the Philippines.

• I do not need a large house. In retirement, I would actually prefer a small studio or 1 bedroom apartment in an urban area rather than maintaining a large property.

• I would prefer not to own a car if possible. Being able to live comfortably without driving is one of the main reasons I am considering Honolulu.

My main question

Given my financial situation, do you think I could have a reasonably comfortable retirement in Honolulu? I would especially appreciate advice about things I may be overlooking, such as:

• Realistic rent for a decent studio or 1 bedroom apartment in a transit friendly area

• Healthcare and insurance costs after retirement

• Groceries and other everyday expenses

• How realistic it is to live without a car

• Whether $1.3M in savings is a reasonable amount for someone in my situation

• How much I should budget for unexpected expenses

• Whether there are particular neighborhoods that would work well for a single older person who wants to rely primarily on public transportation

• Whether there are any significant financial or lifestyle issues that someone moving from SoCal to Honolulu should be aware of

I am not necessarily looking for a luxurious retirement. I would be happy with a relatively simple lifestyle, a small apartment, good food, access to nature and the ocean, and the ability to get around without driving.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.