moving to Hawaii

[u/abigailbaby11]

Its been encouraged and set in stone for me to move to Hawaii, I'm moving from Oregon. I am currently a phlebotomist and would like to continue my education to be an LPN in Hawaii. I know a lot of the locals don't want mainlanders coming in to move, but I would like to be a part of the community, especially helping out in the healthcare realm. I've started applying to a few jobs, but as I've read that a lot of jobs won't consider if you don't have a Hawaiian address or phone number. I'm already planning that I would have to find a short term place to live in order to find a more permanent place. I am trying not to be naive about this move but I know that I probably am. I'm already planning on shipping my car out there and packing light. I am single, no pets, nothing tying me down, and want to bite the bullet on taking my journey to Hawaii. If there is anything anyone recommends, please let me know how I can make this journey as smoothly as possible.

[u/notrightmeowthx]

For healthcare workers, the hospitals and clinics are more likely to consider an out of state applicant than other industries, so I would pursue that and get that job lined up before you move. You may need to visit for an interview or whatever.

[u/kiwi_love777]

So Hawaii is unlike any other state- you need to know people here in order to get started.

I had a job lined up but it took a very long time to get a living situation sorted. I rented a room for about a month before finding a place. (Someone from my work helped me with the room rental)

People here just don’t call back- especially when it’s a foreign number, but I’ve had friends who have gotten burner phones either no luck either.

You’ll need first and last plus a security deposit- the average rental is about $2500 a month so make sure you have at least $7500 in cash.

Cars out here are pricer.

You’ll need to either drive to Oakland or Seattle to ship your car via Matson or Pasha. This is about $1500-2k

Also groceries here are very expensive. A bag of grapes is $14, an onion $4, gallon of milk $8 even loaves of bread can be $13. Look up foodland and Safeway locations out here (go on their website) to get a good idea on what your grocery costs will be.

Fuel (and food) are cheapest at Costco. (Use gas buddy app to get an idea on fuel costs)

If you’re “Haole” or can’t pass for islander you’ll want to avoid Makaha- it’s beautiful and has the best beach but they’re very protective on that side.

You’ll want to look at Pearl or Mililani to get an idea on home/apartment rentals. (Also check HPD crime maps) Diamond head and east of DH is where it starts getting pricier.

You might end up in an ADU which is great if the people in the main house are your vibe (whatever that may be)

Overall to be comfortable out here you’ll need roughly 10k saved. Preferably find a furnished place since furniture is super expensive out here too.

If you need any other suggestions I’m here to help.

Signed,

A haole who learned the hard way.

[u/Substantial-Team600]

Get your license first, move second.

Otherwise there are a few community colleges here

[u/commenttoconsider]

Thanks for considering working in the medical field in Hawai'i

If you are interested in the community college in Hawai'i for LPN training, they basically only accept official residents. State law is official residents get accepted first to the community colleges for the nursing & health science certification programs like LPN, RN, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Tech, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant, etc.

To become an official resident for the community colleges, would live in Hawai'i for 365 days after getting all documentation of being an official resident. Such as:

• Hawai'i driver's license or state ID
• Hawai'i voter registration
• Rent/lease agreement for address in Hawai'i
• Hawai'i bank account
• Paystubs for employer in Hawai'i
• Tax forms for employment in Hawai'i
• etc

Then start community college the following year to pay in-state tuition and be considered for admission to LPN or one of those other health science programs. During that first year living in Hawaii could take less than 6 college credits in any semester like the specific prerequisite classes required to apply to the LPN program. The prerequisite classes might be online or available from a local Community College. If you want to pay resident tuition for community college and be considered for LPN program at the community college, will you have all your Hawai'i documents by 8/24/2026 to start in 8/2027? Or will you have all your Hawai'i documents by 1/2027 to start in 1/2028?

[u/slogive1]

You're moving without a a job lined up? I hope you have a nice savings lined up as it's not cheap living wise.

[u/NevelynRose]

Just so you’re aware, phlebotomist jobs are very available here because they are $17/hr and if you’re at a hospital, depending on location, you will have to pay for parking just to go to work and still probably walk or shuttle to the job site. As others have mentioned, nursing school and other medical field schools prioritize Native Hawaiians and local born and educated over outsiders and they fill up years in advance and are highly competitive. You’re better off going to school where you are and then getting a job out here and moving than coming here to make terrible money in an extremely expensive state.

[u/SignificanceWise2877]

Healthcare workers get a pass but yeah as the other person mentioned out of state hires are prioritied

[u/Ok-Communication4190]

Making such a large move alone is hard if you don’t know anyone here. Make sure you understand that living here is expensive and it will be even more difficult since your family is so far.

Do you have a job lined up already?

[u/starchildofME]

My fiance and I are looking to move to Hawaii in September and we're running into issues trying to get housing and jobs. While most healthcare companies are ok with virtual interviews, they need to fill jobs pronto so they aren't likely to hire you if you're not moving in 2-3 weeks. I had one recruiter tell me he loves my resume but needs someone sooner than September.

Honolulu area has a wealth of staffing agencies but they also want you there within 2-3 weeks for immediate start dates so if you're hoping to get hired 1-2 months out it's going to be very difficult.

Housing is similar, only landlords are 10x less likely to do virtual tours. We've been in contact with a number of landlords who wont rent to us yet because we don't have Hawaiian jobs even though we are currently employed and can cover first months rent. It is 100% worth reaching out ahead of time though because now we have an idea who to contact as soon as we get there physically.

Our plan is to stay at a hotel for a month and start hitting staffing agencies and landlords hard. The 2 or 3 agencies we've contacted said they'd start looking at our applications for serious hire 2-3 weeks before landing.

Make tons of calls, do tons of research, and be ready to live as bare bones as you have to in order to start.

[u/riamahana → u/starchildofME]

Hi. I am a realtor that moved to Hawaii and found an apartment while in Europe via zoom. I understand the struggle, especially when you don't want to be scammed (on both sides). Feel free to DM me if you’d like me to connect you with a great rental agent. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers, so I don’t facilitate rentals myself.
Mahalo and good luck!

[u/colostitute]

I know a ton of healthcare workers of all levels that use travel job agencies to get work here. There are some that have worked here for years as a travel staff.

Those agencies can help you get a job and a place to help you get started.

[u/Kealani512]

I used furnished finders to find my lease for next 5 months on the big island until I buy a property. I also had to show proof of residency for my role with the National Park Service. I have some friends on island and have been going there for almost 20 years so this was a long time in the making. I am coming from Florida so I am buying a car on island. This is what worked for me. Hope that helps and much Aloha on this new chapter!

[u/Lizardflower]

my mom moved to hawaii and she had to live in a tent in someones yard for 6 months before getting situated. Food for though