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I have a series of articles about moving to Hawaii so I’m always getting comments from people that are ready to make the jump from the mainland, or even from overseas to Hawaii and want advice on how to best go about moving to the Hawaiian islands. This article will cover some of the essentials about moving to and finding a job so you can work in Hawaii on one of the islands.
Moving to Hawaii requires a reality check on Two Issuesthat none of us escape…
1. Cost of living in Hawaii is probably much more expensive than where you live now.
2. Good paying jobs are not that plentiful. I’m talking about jobs you want, jobs that you can find maybe in any other state in the nation. Jobs from which you can pick and choose.
The first point I’ll cover in other articles – Hawaii cost of living. It’s atrocious. It’s expected. You’re living in easily the most beautiful place in the USA – so, you’ll pay for it. How could you expect otherwise?
The second reality check involves JOBS. Job availability especially.
Someone wrote me recently and said she and her husband were thinking of moving to Maui. They didn’t have jobs yet. I thought – this deserves a whole post.
Willing to wait for the right job to work in Hawaii?
Finding a job on Oahu might be quite difficult if you’re looking for something specific. When Vern Lovic moved back here in 2002 heknewhewanted a job working in the internet marketing area since that was my specialty. Heknew he wanted to make $50K minimum, but hopefully $70K. He was willing to wait a year or so before making it to $70K. The online business world was going very strong at that point and hedidn’t have trouble within two weeks of lining up a great position with a up-and-coming dotcom that was actually a front for a massive spam operation. Legal spam that is… permission-based email.
The jobs available in Hawaii are, of course, mostly based on tourism and retail. I think the second biggest area might be for construction and manual labor. At least that’s how I see it. The available jobs are most often in these two areas. If you can work in either of those two industries you probably won’t have any trouble at all finding a job on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
That’s just Oahu. Oahu has over one million residents and there is some variety in the tourism area. You could even start your own unique tour business – but, that’s another post as well. Oahu is not that difficult to find jobs on – and, you’ll probably be fine if that’s where you want to live.
Now, on to the other islands…
VernLovic spent a year plus on Maui – working as a Marketing Manager for a resort firm there. Maui is heavenly – it was a perfect match for him. Many people visiting Maui think the same thing. Maui is high on the list of those wanting to move to Hawaii – but few of you will have the resources you need in order to make it there. Jobs are not so available. Housing is not so available. Transportation is not all that great.
In Vern Lovic’scase, he started on Oahu and found what hethought might be the perfect job on Maui. It’s much easier to start on Oahu and transition to another island from there. Much easier because you are now “in Hawaii” and can interview for positions on other islands. As you probably know it’s very difficult to secure a position in Hawaii without first already living in Hawaii. A necessary catch-22 for most businesses looking to hire full-time staff. They want to meet you first. Go figure…
If you’re coming straight to one of the smaller (in population) islands – Big Island, Kauai, Maui, or god forbid Lanai or Molokai you’ll want to have your ducks in order. Ducks meaning duckies. Cash savings. You’ll want to have a lot of reserves because the reality of moving to one of the smaller Hawaiian islands without a job is that you’re going to spend a lot of your cash reserves just on basic living expenses until you find a job.
Finding a job on Maui – if I just arrived there – would be quite difficult. I can do a hundred different jobs related to internet marketing – but, it’s quite possible that when I arrived – nobody is hiring.
If you have job skills in an area that doesn’t relate to tourism or construction or something that relates directly to positions needed in Hawaii – in Maui, or one of the other islands besides Oahu – you might have a REALLY tough time of finding a job.
Kauai would be worse than Maui. Molokai and Lanai would be virtually impossible for most people.
Should you move to Hawaii? Find out and take the quiz.
Work in Hawaii, the Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is a very tight-knit community, especially the town of Hilo. There are two populations centers and as of 2023 according to the US Census, the population was 200,629 residents in Hawaii County (Big Island). Cost of living is cheaper than Oahu or Maui, but still – the number of job openings must be pretty weak. In the early 90s my wife and I moved to the Puna area of the Big Island and bought a house and land for $75,000. It was only after we actually moved into the house why we realized it was so cheap – no jobs!
So, to wrap it up I would say this about moving to Hawaii and finding a job…
Moving to Hawaii is a great idea. It might be the best idea you ever had. Moving to Hawaii is difficult and the expenses you’ll face, and the difficulty you may have in landing a job, are things you need to take into prolonged consideration. If it were me I would try desperately to find a couple of companies that are hiring for what I do before I moved. That way at least there’s a chance I could have a job quickly and not use all my savings as I ran all over the islands to find a job.
I’d not recommend moving directly to any other island except Oahu unless you have a serious stash of cash and you don’t mind blowing it.
Resources I would use to find jobs in Hawaii while still on the mainland:
- Craigslist Hawaii– and don’t miss our “3 Ways to Use Craigslist” to help you find jobs in Hawaii.
- Twitter – do a search on “hawaii” or “hawaiian” and try to locate and befriend people living in Hawaii.
- FaceBook – again, search people in Hawaii and join groups that are focused on Hawaii
- Honolulu Advertiser
- Maui News
- Hawaii Job Engine
I just created my best article ever about the subject here –
How to Find a Job in Hawaii (click)
Want to Move to Hawaii?
Learn more about Moving to, Living in, and Working in Hawaii:
- Hawaii home business opportunities?
- Hawaii Home Business Startups
- Move to Hawaii to Teach?
- Moving to Hawaii? Use Twitter.
- Living in Hawaii – Hawaiian Style
- Want to Change Your Life? Move to Hawaii!
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About the Author: Peter Kay
I've lived Hawaii since the mid '80s when I moved here at the age of 21. I arrived sight-unseen in Honolulu with zero contacts and about 6 months worth of savings. I worked from nearly zero and today Hawaii has given me the greatest gifts in the world in all aspects: spiritually, financially, romantically (married since early '90s w/ 2 children), and most important, peace. My goal with this site is to share the magic of this Land of Aloha and help others who are on a similar quest.
50 Comments
Elizabeth Tran04/26/2024 at 1:21 pm - Reply
Aloha! How long can we be without healthcare upon moving to Hawaii, Big Island? I’m figuring out how much time I have to get a job. Mahalo!
Stephanie A05/26/2021 at 4:10 pm - Reply
Hi Peter! Enjoy your youtube channel and site here! I’m a native California resident and I’ve been to Oahu a few times and Maui and I know of multiple friends that have relocated there permanently and are very happy (single and married with kids). I’ve been in the LA area for the last decade looking for a change in pace in lifestyle and recently visited just in April and felt this would be a good change for me multiple reasons without loosing anything that I enjoy as far as quality of life and I’m not really willing to pay 6k monthly to live near a beach in santa monica. (I don’t travel at all much throughout the mainland other than to 3 hour radius).
I have been applying for jobs in the island of oahu (Im single no kids) and work in the finance world (last 16 yrs) and finished my MBA last summer and I’m looking at government and private sector jobs.
My question is how much of a challenge is it to aquire a job while living on the mainland? Do you feel employers are apprehensive hiring someone for a job on the island that isn’t living there yet? I just assumed the flexibility that I have, and I’m not leaving much behind as far as family. I’m just trying to understand how to convey my commitment in this process.
Peter Kay05/26/2021 at 6:19 pm - Reply
Follow my 10 Steps to a Job in Hawaii and you can’t go wrong. I noticed you posted a similar question on that page but didn’t answer my reply/question.
noiqscore12/23/2018 at 10:08 am - Reply
Hawaii’s biggest job opportunity for those who aren’t rich is if you happen to have a skilled trade such as being an electrician , tile installer, ac repair. Tile installers make $40+ an hour. Most are self employed and make 125 an hour. Electricians make over $70- $150. Live line make $300 an hour. I was a tile contractor and tile mural maker (still am makenatilemurals.com) my brother an architect. Girls never make much money in hawaii. Lawyers do well. Psychologists, doctors do great.
Sigrid Terc02/06/2018 at 11:00 am - Reply
Love all of the information. How would I go about connecting with the local communities as you suggested above. I am also looking to move to Hawaii, not only to work, but to enjoy the most important thing, friends, family, spirituality, the Hawaiian way is what most people should strive for. Thank you for any suggestions.
Peter Kay02/06/2018 at 11:14 am - Reply
Comes down to really two options today: either in-person (which means you are here) or online (which means you need to find them).
Jayson Gilland04/25/2018 at 7:27 am - Reply
Yes Peter I am trying to find a job in Hawaii I was born in Honolulu. I am trying to get my family there to enjoy the life I want my to have a good life and I think we would have a better chance there than KY if you have any advice or help with a job I can do alota of things jack of all trades. I was raised on 265 Acer’s so I know how to hard and be on time. Hope you have some input for me
Peter Kay04/25/2018 at 1:11 pm
Make sure you sign up for the newsletter as that’s the vehicle I’m using to launch our job finder program. Also check the editors choice link for how to get a job in Hawaii
Patty09/29/2016 at 11:24 am - Reply
I’m from San Francisco. No Hawaii is NOT EITHER more expensive than what I’m used to.
I wish people wouldn’t start off that way – I”m starting to get really snarky with them and afraid I’ll make the wrong impression when I get there and bite someone’s head off who’s complaining “this is so expensive…” with a Southern accent.
Maryruth Eaves-Herrera02/28/2017 at 3:14 pm - Reply
You are right Patty! In fact if you are living anywhere in CA from Marin county down the coast and within 60 mile of the ocean, chances are you will find the cost of living, at least on the outer islands, to be a little less, or equivalent. For O’ahu (think Honolulu, Waikiki or Pearl Harbor and Trippler) you may not have much sticker price problems on homes or apartments (if u can find one,) BUT if you are a professional you may expect to be paid less for what u are already doing and good at. The issue is that for some reason, we all put up with what we call ‘the luxury tax” for living in parodiase–lower salaries overall and higher commodity costs if they come from the mainland (or any other country because longshoremen and collective bargaining made it so that ALL ships carrying goods to be sold MUST stop at a Mainland Port prior to coming here!). Anyway, unless you buy “made in Hawaii” you pay more. And in Honolulu you pay tourist prices no matter…
Jack07/25/2016 at 7:50 am - Reply
Aloha, I have recently been offered a nice job at UH and am considering moving to Hawaii now. I do have some savings and will leave a job with 6 weeks vacation pay too, so being paid at the same time I move…. Anyhow I am a single mom of a 16 year old and wondered about the difficulty of my move and about finding a reasonable living space for us too. I also wondered about the local schools and how they treat new incoming kids. My son can be shy sometimes but plays soccer and is pretty smart too. I went thru a terrible time and want a new place to start over and since getting offered the job I thought it might be a great place. I visited Hawaii 20 years ago and fell in love with it then so I applied for this position thinking it would never come thru and to my surprise it did. I wondered if you could tell me how much yearly salary you think it would take to survive now in Hawaii. BTW I love the website and all the information on it!
Thank You!!Peter Kay07/25/2016 at 8:12 am - Reply
Cool! Looks like you’ve got a good financial base. Joining soccer teams will of course be a natural. Do a ton of research on the school for your son to attend as they vary widely. Hawaii is the perfect place to “run away to” and start a new life. Do a ton of research to get well-prepared and it seems you’ll be able to make it work. Good luck and keep us posted! If you’re going to be part of UH faculty please let me know as I know that organization extremely well.
Jack07/25/2016 at 8:37 am - Reply
Do I have a choice on what school my son can attend? I thought it went by where you live. I will be on the UH staff and not faculty, though one day maybe! I will be at the UH Manoa if I accept and wondered what you thought a good pay range to survive in that area might be. I am looking around at housing/apartments right now and trying to get an idea of expenses there. Also do you know are there taxes on renting a place and is there a required rental insurance? I have noticed that on several ads and have not seen that before. Is there any section of the Manoa area that I would not want to live in?? I am in touch with the people who offered me the job and am trying to get information there too. Hawaii seems like it would be the perfect place to live in paradise and make a new start if I can afford it. Thanks again
Peter Kay07/25/2016 at 10:23 pm
You might get what’s called a “District Exception” for your son to attend a school that’s outside your district and there’s (of course) a whole process for that. The people who offered you a job would be able to give you very specific information but on a general basis Manoa is one of the best (i.e. expensive) neighborhoods on Oahu so you won’t have much of a problem. Good luck!
Liz07/13/2016 at 6:15 am - Reply
I have worked as a paralegal in NYC for almost 10 years now, mainly working on accident cases. I am wondering if this field even exists in Hawaii, since in this city, people sue for just about anything. My biggest concern is the job aspect of the move. But now in my 30s and with about 7k in savings, I believe it’s about the right time to make a move someplace happy and different. I have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and I’m working on a master’s degree in public administration. Do you think there are jobs out there, or areas in which I can work with my experience and education? I really know nothing about legal jobs in Hawaii.
Peter Kay07/13/2016 at 9:18 am - Reply
Strongest recommendation I can give to you is this: (a) Get connected w/ the local community (you can use online methods) and (b) Get yourself out here for a vacation and check it out, preferably attending an industry-type event/luncheon/etc. Can’t stress enough the need to establish local connections.
Patty09/29/2016 at 11:28 am - Reply
Yes I can tell you that the state and local governments are hiring legal personnel and they’d probably prefer someone who’d worked as a paralegal for that many years over someone with a law degree. Don’t know how long it takes to hear back from a government job there, though (not like Upstate New York which does periodically HIRE people off the eligibility lists…) I’d say try the state and local governments’ websites and apply but I just remembered you said you’re IN New York and you have to have a Hawai’i address and phone number before they’ll even look at it. And preferably be IN it.
karan prajapati05/24/2016 at 5:07 am - Reply
hello, is anyone can tell me how much money is sufficient to tell i get any job in hawaii
rick ballard05/13/2016 at 9:13 am - Reply
I keep seeing your replies that say you need “such and such amount of money” as a reserve for when you move to hawaii. a mother of 4 was told 50,000, while someone wanting a Real Estate career was told to have about 20,000. What are these numbers based on?
The only reason i ask is because I was planning on making the move soon, and found a nice rental for about 1500 a month. How long does it feasibly take to get a job? If you’re just starting out, you should take a part time job or a general labor job to at least help ease up on your savings, and then work towards getting the job you want. I can’t for the life of me see how anyone would need more than 10,000 to start anew.
great article though.
Jerome Zeng05/12/2016 at 6:10 pm - Reply
Thank you so much for the sharing. I’m from China and I’m always interested in everything in Hawaii. I think it’s the most beautiful place in the whole world…So I do hope I could get a job and live there. I know it’s super hard but I still wanna give it a try. Life is so short and I wanna chase what I really like and want. I can speak English and Spanish, and of course Chinese. With these three most widely spoken languages I believe I can build myself a bright future. Good luck to myself:)
Peter Kay05/12/2016 at 6:48 pm - Reply
Yes! Do it! Pursue your dreams and make them come true!
Nate Graham04/28/2016 at 4:06 am - Reply
Hi, I have saved $5800 and plan to move to Honolulu by renting a room or studio (found a few for $600 a month) which will give me a good bit a time to find a fulltime job (Im not picky about what job, as long as bills are paid, “work hard,play harder”). Do you think that is doable? If it bombed out, as a backup plan I even thought of buying a cheap cargo van to live in by renting a covered parking space and a gym membership for showers lol (because I don’t plan on being at home much since if I’m not at work, I’ll be at Beach or hiking!). What do you think? Thanks for all your posts and information!!!
Peter Kay04/28/2016 at 2:20 pm - Reply
Hmm…well I moved here in ’84 and had about that much money and I barely made it. Today things are much more expensive. Then again, I was pretty picky in terms of the job I wanted to take. Just keep a reserve to pay for a flight back and at the very least you will have an amazing life experience. Go for it!
Maryruth Eaves-Herrera02/28/2017 at 3:24 pm - Reply
So, did you make the move yet? I just wanted to point out that there are 5 other islands beside O’ahu to consider. You also said you found a studio in Honolulu for $600- are you sure that is per month? Cause that sounds more like a per week price in anything within a half mile of the ocean…But, the economy it picking up and I see “help wanted” signs thruout Kona and Hilo on the Big Island!
Deneese02/28/2016 at 11:02 am - Reply
Aloha Vern.
Great Article, my husband and I just got back from Oahu and the big island. And oh my, have we fallen in love with the big island. The people there so humble and the quality of air excellent. We are both 30 and no kids, my husband from New York but we currently live in Toronto. So I don’t see much diff in prices of cost of living. If anything it’s more expensive in Toronto and New York. I’m a master hairstylist and he’s a super skilled hands on guy who can and will do anything to make a living. Currently working as a laser machine operator at a steel company. I know it won’t be in issue with immigration moving to Hawaii since my husband is an American citizen. We are brainstorming all kinds of ideas for a business there, eg: hair salon,restaurant with maybe westindian influenced foods, Taxi company, even maybe in the bridal industry. Any opinions? Or advice. This is all in and around Kona town area. Also does it work out cheaper buying new furnitures, scars there or just getting it shipped?
Thank u for your time Vern.Patty09/29/2016 at 11:34 am - Reply
Thank you, New Yorker! I’m not alone in this!! I’m trying to find articles on “moving to Hawai’i FROM A SAN FRANCISCAN OR NEW YORKERS’ point of view”…!!
Now. If you are talking about the Kona that’s on the Big Island, I’ve actually been there. Otherwise, I hope someone can help you without starting the conversation with that dastardly “it’s going to be expensive…” bulls*** I’m getting so tired of hearing myself. Now, it’s partially my fault I’m hearing this every time I open my mouth around here – I’m departing from the Mountain Time Zone and what I call “the land of the lost” so if I was departing FROM San Francisco people would just be telling me “it’ll be the same as here, only farther out into the ocean…”
Tajunna01/23/2016 at 11:51 am - Reply
I wanna move to Hawaii I’m sick of the cold which part is best I got two kids 18 an 10 and my man we wanna start a new life
Joe01/09/2016 at 11:23 pm - Reply
I’m working on getting my real estate license in Hawaii…been doing RE sales for 13 years…a company on Maui is looking for an assistant…I’m confident if hired I would make it as an agent…I was thinking of having 15k to 20k as reserves when moving…what’s your opinion of the about of reserves need…I can also drive for Uber. Do you have an opinion on which island is best to be a Uber driver, oahu or maui? Much love and Mahalo!
Vern Lovic01/10/2016 at 5:07 pm - Reply
Oahu has the traffic Joe – many times more than Maui, but Maui is the nicer place to be by far. lol. I think if you had 15-20K reserve when you arrived, and you had a car, you might just make it. A real estate assistant wouldn’t pay much, but I think you’re right, anybody could be an agent. I sold RE in Florida. It isn’t difficult. A car is essential. Knowing the area is essential. Why not give it a go? Best of luck to you man, hope you check in to let me know how it’s going. Aloha!
Suzie01/09/2016 at 12:21 am - Reply
This article is so helpful! I’m currently in my second year of a hospitality and tourism bachelors degree in Melbourne, Australia. In my 3rd year I have the opportunity to go anywhere worldwide to work in hotels or tourism and Hawaii is my first choice. I know moving from Australia, I have to get a company or business to sponsor me for the 6 months but I’m unsure about how the rest of it will work out. I’m very skilled in the hotel industry with a lot of experience in different components and for someone my age (19), I have more experience than most people in their mid 20s, not sure which part of Hawaii I should look into or anything though! I have always loved the Island lifestyle and was hoping to go to Fiji or Tahiti, but its extremely difficult to get work there as they need to employ local people before expats.
Cinna12/11/2015 at 8:35 am - Reply
Great Article.
I have been offered a job for 5 mos. in Maui. I have some questions, that only someone who lives there (and is willing) can answer: I have an option of shipping my car over, or renting a car. If I had to ship my car over, would I have to register it in Maui, being that I would be there for such a short time? I have also heard that due to the humidity and rain, cars get rusted pretty quickly. Your thoughts on that? Do you know of any reputable, reasonable corporate car rental companies in Maui? Also, I would need to (of course) to find a place to live. Again, because it’s such a short time, I would have to keep my residence on the mainland (along with having to pay rent). Would you know of a company who specializes in short term rentals, or renting a room in someone’s home (inexpensively)? I have also heard of times of the year when there are a lot of toxic chemicals (emanating from the sugar factory, I think) that cause respiratory problems. I would be working in Lahaina. Is this an area that is affected? I realize that these are not your ‘typical’ questions, but…I want to be totally informed before making a decision. Thanks so much! Aloha, CinnaPatty09/29/2016 at 11:42 am - Reply
All I can tell you is that as I looked at the cost of shipping my car out of Boston to anywhere, the shipping companies all want to charge me three or four times’ the car’s blue book value, so I’m not going to do it! Of course, this answer is based on MY place of residence and the costs I’M used to as someone who’s Bi-Coastal (San Francisco, New York/New England). Now, I don’t know if that’s the shipping companies’ general calculation factor: three to four times the value of the car, but I’m just saying that’s what they’re quoting ME.
Vern Lovic07/28/2015 at 3:46 pm - Reply
Hashed it out over a few beers, did ya? hahah! Good luck, hope it all goes really well for you. Please check in later and let me know how it’s going! Send photos! Aloha, Vern
Billy Funk02/14/2014 at 10:23 am - Reply
Hello Vern,
I purchased a home on the big island in 2012. I knew I would have a tough time finding a job because I’ve become too specialized. So for now I visit Hawaii 4 weeks each year and I am slowly getting rid of all my stuff on the mainland. I think the best solution will be to start my own business provided I can convince my wife to support me while I get it going. She is a nurse so I’m hoping when we are ready, she will have better luck at finding a job.Helen Lima03/10/2014 at 1:19 pm - Reply
Hi Billy,
I have the same ambition to move to Maui. I have never found a place more beautiful, EVER.
I was wondering?? If you and your wife were to move to Maui,
what type of business would you be looking into?Looking for something that would be a great business as well as making a decent living.
Are you and your wife pet people? I see that the market for pet food and pet supplies is very limited. hmmmmm……
Are you looking for a partner or ?All I know is that I will live in Maui, one way or the other! :)
Wow, your wife is a nurse?? AWESOME! They have a Kaiser Permanente there.
Anyway, just looking for people who share the same dream…Thanks so much,
Helen
Amos Carine11/01/2013 at 12:33 am - Reply
Hey,
Can you name a few companies that give tours through a park, or other jobs that involve being outside and making reduced pay?
Best regards,
Amos.
Your youtube book overview was useful!Chad08/30/2012 at 10:00 am - Reply
I use to live in the big island for five years when I was young but now I want to still move back there but it will be hard to find a good job there. I don’t have to worry about where i live because I have my dad living there but when I move I don’t know what job will be open? The economy is very tough right now. Is there any chance to find a good job in Hawaii?
Great adviceVern08/06/2013 at 12:14 pm - Reply
I think there is always a chance, but at the moment, it is probably not a great chance. You’ll have a tough time, just plan for that if you decide to go. Jobs are tough all over, and nobody owes you a job because you grew up on the Big Island. If you have any friends or relatives there now, it might be worth getting back in touch with them to see if they know anyone that wants a roommate for a while so you can check it out and see what the situation is. Does it make sense to move right now? That’s the big question. Good luck! Aloha!
Island girl08/05/2012 at 3:32 am - Reply
I am going to start a new chapter in my life and very interested in moving to Hawaii. I would first like to get a job in place before I finally make my move. Is there any suggestions for a single mom of 4.
Vern08/06/2013 at 12:16 pm - Reply
I don’t think…, no, I know, you cannot get a job before you move to the Hawaiian Islands. Almost nobody does it. If you have amazing skills in some area, someone might hire you out of pure desperation to find someone that can do the job. But, if your skills are not in great demand, you’ll never get a job before you arrive. A single mom of 4 had better have $50,000 in savings and a good bailout plan if moving to Hawaii falls through. Please think it through before you decide to move. Aloha!
johnny Davis06/23/2012 at 8:19 am - Reply
thanking about moving to the big islands some one please let us know what the big island is all about i’m in constuction please e-mail me at J_2davis@yahoo.com i have a house lined up .
Patty09/29/2016 at 11:53 am - Reply
My late uncle built his own house on the hills above Hilo. It’s still there. I haven’t seen him since he died, though. And that’s been a lot of years now. In my case, though, that kind of “connection” to the Big Island is more than I can say for MOST of the other places I’ve looked at or gone to to try to find a job. That I ever HAD an uncle there, is already way more than I can say for where I am now, so that’s already a “plus” in my case.
The Big Island is smaller in population, quieter, and more “laid back” than O’ahu. Hilo is about 43,000 in population. I wouldn’t guess as to Kona’s population but it’s smaller than that. The island has 4 active volcanoes on it. At least 2 of them are the two places in Hawai’i which actually get snow in the winter (on top). There is a smaller campus of the University of Hawai’i in Hilo. (It doesn’t have my field, Computational Biophysics).
My uncle was retired (everyone was already really old by the time I was born), so he didn’t need to work there so I have no idea what the job market is like on the Big Island, sorry. I’m thinking people crowd into Honolulu for a reason.
Colin grant06/19/2012 at 11:14 am - Reply
Would like my life in Hawaii and live and jobs
Vern08/06/2013 at 12:16 pm - Reply
Yeah, wouldn’t we all Colin… wouldn’t we all…
prasanna03/02/2010 at 3:41 am - Reply
my email id is prasannakumar_37@yahoo.com
hope to seee posible answers so that i can know it
prasanna03/02/2010 at 3:38 am - Reply
help on topic :
i am from india, my girlfriend from philipines now relocated to hawaii, she is just turned 18. but as she is also not citizen of usa too still, i want to relocate to hawaii so that i cant loose her in life can somebody help me the ways how i can make this a success and live happily with her.
can somebody have answers and help in this subject.
Vern08/06/2013 at 12:17 pm - Reply
I haven’t the slightest idea what it takes for someone from India to move to Hawaii. Sorry!
Candace10/14/2009 at 3:16 am - Reply
We are planning on moving to Oahu, thanks for the info. I was glad to see what you said about construction, thats the kind of job we need:.)
Maria B09/21/2009 at 8:42 am - Reply
Hey! It’s almost like winning the lottery! Thanks for writing such a nice article in response to my post! :-)
Put it this way – we have 2 toddlers. No way, no how, would we move to Hawaii without savings, at least one job lined up (for one of us parents), and a place to rent. We dream about moving to Hawaii and find a large portion of our free time surfing the net looking at everything Hawaii! We are learning a lot and will make a 10 or so day trip there prior to moving. Actually, our plan is to move there and NOT work for a couple months and just enjoy life and get to know the area. We will be moving debt free and I am the queen of weekly specials, roadside produce stands, and craigslist for home furnishings! We know not to blow money on silly things like going out to eat, spending $40 at the movie theatre, paying for parking when there is a free lot a block away, or spending excess on clothes and other meaningless items.
We are from Ohio – lived there our whole lives. In 2007, I had been working from home for about 2 years and the company told me those days of emailing from my living room were over. However, I was offered a position in the office. Which just so happened to be in San Diego, California. I had always dreamed of moving to Cali, so we figured, aw what the heck? I cannot tell you how many people said.. oh the cost of living! the traffic! the hot weather! you name it.. we heard it. And guess what? We are just fine. Even better off than before we moved here! We established ourselves as a family unit and paid off well over $10k in debt. We live in a very nice 2br/2ba condo in a town just north of San Diego. Its great, just not our forever home. We are well aware of the expenses in Hawaii. I am also aware that the grocery stores have sales, just like they do here. And if ground meat is too expensive one week, and chicken is only $1.19 per pound – then the bird it is! I mean do you really think we need burgers again? I think not. What I am trying to say (which might spark another article idea for you!) is that if we are smart as Americans, we can live anywhere we want. We just need to be smart about the way we live and the choices we make. I Googled Maui grocery stores and just like the mainland stores, they post their weekly special flyer on their website. The prices were just about the same as they were here in California. We are used to high prices and nearly 9% sales tax. It’s California – we pay for everything. We call it the ‘weather tax.’ I am assuming its about the same in Hawaii.
Anyways, I am rambling on and not asking any questions. Sorry about that! I am still wondering.. where is a good place to look for homes for rent – particularly in Maui?
Another thing.. when I finish my Master’s it will be in Speech Pathology. All schools need them, and I am hoping that a school or nursing home in Maui is hiring as well. The pay is great. I will try to get hired at a company called EBS Healthcare (who employs my best friend and cousin) as they are a contractor and place SPs in places all over the country 0 including Hawaii.
Hether G07/01/2016 at 9:17 am - Reply
Aloha Maria B! I just read your comments about SD and had to reply. I’ve lived in the LA, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and SD counties (SoCal native) most of my life. I recently went on vacation with my extended family (13 in total) for a little over a week on Oahu. I found the prices on some things to be identical to the prices we pay in SoCal for things (Spam is way cheaper – FYI). I also found that the rent in some areas were identical if not a little cheaper than that in SoCal! The main difference I saw was in the job market. If you can save up some money, and research/find a decent job (and I’m not talking min. wage/part time jobs), it isn’t very much different than living in SoCal as far as costs go. I can say that I’m totally trying to get my husband on-board with moving… my 20 year old and I NEVER wanted to leave! Good luck to you!
