Moving to Hawaii requires a lot more organization than moving to the continental United States. The archipelago has many peculiarities (geographical, economic, logistic) that can complicate the adaptation. To make sure you make a transfer as stress-free as possible, it is highly recommended that you seek employment and a place to live before you leave.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Choosing an Island
Step 1. Consider Oahu
The island of Oahu is the most populated of the Hawaiian archipelago. Here you will find Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. You will have more job opportunities and many proposals regarding entertainment.
- Generally speaking, wages on Oahu are higher than on most other islands.
- Honolulu resembles most of the larger American cities, so if you are already familiar with this lifestyle and culture, it will be easier for you to adapt.
- Many of the jobs on Oahu are in the tourism or construction industry.
Step 2. Consider Maui
Geographically, it is slightly larger than Oahu, but much less populated. It is therefore ideal for those who prefer a more peaceful and relaxed lifestyle.
- Maui offers fewer business opportunities. This is largely due to the fact that fewer people live there.
- Most of the work is in the tourism or agriculture sector.
- Although less chaotic than Oahu, Maui still has a wide range of entertainment on offer.
Step 3. Consider the big island of Hawaii
As you may have guessed from the name, it is the largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is characterized by a lifestyle similar to that of Maui and, in some areas, of Oahu.
- Most of the jobs are in the tourism sector, but many are also offered in the agricultural field.
- Entertainment and tourism are concentrated on the west coast, Kona Coast.
Step 4. Consider Kauai, Molokai, or Lanai
These islands are the least popular among immigrants. It is still possible to find a job in the tourism sector, but the opportunities are less than on the larger islands.
- Employment can also be found on these islands in state or federal government offices.
- These islands are more secluded, the problem is that it is difficult to live there due to the limited job offers.
Part 2 of 4: Finding a Place to Live
Step 1. Learn about the types of homes available in Hawaii
Most housing is similar to those on the American continent, but the price per square meter tends to be much higher. Consequently, you may want to consider an apartment rather than a single-family house.
- Single-family homes are the most expensive homes and generally the structure consists of three or four bedrooms. It is difficult to find a house with one or two bedrooms.
- Consider the buildings of the housing cooperatives. In this case, it is not possible to buy a real apartment, but a share in the company that manages it. It is difficult to obtain bank financing for this investment, but it can be a viable solution for those with enough savings to afford it.
- Condominiums are the most common type of home for those moving to Hawaii. There are apartments of different sizes and structures. In addition to the mortgage or rent, most of these buildings have maintenance costs, which average $ 400 per month.
- It is possible to rent any type of home, but remember that prices may vary depending on the season and proximity to tourist attractions.
Step 2. Decide whether to rent or buy
The US housing market has seen a drop in costs in recent years, but Honolulu is considered one of those few places where it is considered cheaper to rent than to buy a home. Either way, you can still decide to buy a home in another area of Hawaii.
- Houses are more affordable on less populated islands, only it's harder to find work here.
- Rental contracts can be monthly or yearly.
Step 3. Decide between buying and renting with ownership rights
In Hawaii, a large portion of the land belongs to a few major land trusts and has been so since the days when the archipelago was a monarchy. Consequently, in some areas you can opt for renting with ownership rights.
- If you're on a tight budget, it can be difficult to find land for sale.
- Most rental contracts with property rights last 55 years, with fixed payments for 30 years which must then be adjusted according to market trends.
- Funding is available for both a rental with ownership rights and a purchase.
Step 4. Look for a house close to where you work
If you've already found a job, it's important to look for a house nearby. Traffic can be quite congested on the Hawaiian archipelago and it is difficult to commute between islands.
- Traffic can be so unbearable that many executives prefer to fly to work rather than take the car.
- Traffic is much worse in tourist areas and they offer many jobs in this area. If you have a job in tourism or a related one, you may want to live near the workplace.
Step 5. Get in touch with a real estate agent
Generally, it is easier to find the right home to buy or rent by contacting an agent who specializes in the Hawaiian real estate market. You must first find an experienced professional: at that point, you can start evaluating the different alternatives.
- Real estate agents will know which properties fall into your price range and will help you find one in the area you want to live in.
- Buying a home without the help of a real estate agent can be extremely difficult.
Step 6. Use real estate agency websites to find homes for rent or for sale
Even though you have contacted a real estate agent, you can search the internet for places that you like. Most major US real estate sites also deal with the Hawaiian Islands and can offer you many alternatives for buying or renting.
- Websites like Trulia and Zillow allow you to search for properties by skimming them based on variables such as price, number of bedrooms and land size.
- Websites such as Hawaii Real Estate and Hawaii Life offer similar specialized services in the Hawaiian Islands.
Step 7. Prepare yourself for the classic difficulties faced by immigrants
People who move to Hawaii usually have to deal with certain headaches. Here are some of them:
- If you move with pets (especially large dogs), it is more difficult to find a rental home.
- Most Hawaiian banks hold checks received from the continental part of the United States for 10 days, so it's a good idea to open an account on the island and collect your income via direct deposit. Of course, this will only be a problem if you have an account in the US and need to receive some money.
- If you have the car, you will need to ship it. Additionally, you will need to have a Hawaiian driver's license and register the car with the Hawaii Motor Vehicle Authority within 10 days of vehicle arrival.
Part 3 of 4: Finding a Job in Hawaii
Step 1. Consider your alternatives
It is possible to get a lucrative job in many industries in Hawaii, but you need to determine what kind of employment you are willing to do and understand any legal restrictions you may face.
- Jobs in medicine, law and government are among the highest paid.
- Jobs in the food and transport sectors are among the lowest paid.
- When moving from Italy, you will need to obtain a work residence permit.
Step 2. Choose a professional sector
If you already have a well-established career, you may want to look for work in the same field. However, if this is not possible, you will have to choose a different profession.
- Tourism is the most profitable sector in Hawaii and offers many opportunities for immigrants.
- Agriculture also offers many employment opportunities on most of the islands.
- Other profitable professional fields include those in nursing, education, and the hospitality industry.
Step 3. Start preparing well in advance
Before moving to Hawaii, start looking for work by connecting with people who already live in the archipelago. If you don't have any contacts, start laying the groundwork using professional social networking platforms.
- If you have friends or old co-workers residing in Hawaii, contact them to let them know your intentions and to ask if they are aware of any vacancies.
- Use LinkedIn to find employees from companies that interest you and reach out to them. Many will be willing to help you out.
- Use LinkedIn and other social networking platforms to locate companies you'd like to work for.
Step 4. Contact a recruiting or temporary agency
Centers of this type create a bridge between companies and those looking for a job, so they are very useful for anyone who needs a job. Some US agencies are exclusively specialized in finding work in Hawaii.
- Agencies like Altres only offer vacant vacancies in Hawaii and even post unobtainable job ads on other professional bulletin boards.
- The agency will look for jobs that match your skills.
- Accepting a contract or a temporary position offered by an agency is useful for expanding your network of acquaintances and finding a job for a certain period of time.
Step 5. Check out the websites with job postings
There are several that help job seekers find vacancies around the world, including Hawaii. You can use them to browse ads and apply for jobs that match your qualifications.
- Monster and Indeed offer vacant job listings in Hawaii, but you can also find them on many other professional job vacancies aggregators.
- Be wary of ads on sites like Craigslist that ask for personal information without protecting your privacy.
- If your particular situation allows you to work for the US government, you may find job postings in this industry on the website www.usajobs.gov.
Step 6. Contact employers directly
If you have a specific professional sector in mind or have found a company that interests you a lot, try to contact them and ask if there are any vacancies available.
- Some companies may have vacancies that have not yet been posted on bidding sites.
- You can find someone willing to help you get the job you want.
- Ask if it is possible to schedule an information interview so that you can meet with a company employee to discuss the industry without referring to any specific employment. It is a great opportunity to expand your network of acquaintances.
Part 4 of 4: Preparing for Hawaiian Culture
Step 1. Prepare for a higher cost of living, especially if you currently live in the continental United States
In Hawaii, most products cost more due to shipping costs. Utilities are also higher.
- Services such as electricity can amount to double or triple the average cost in the continental part of the United States.
- Basic food items such as milk are significantly more expensive.
- Property values are extremely high, so housing costs per square foot are higher than in most continental areas of the United States.
Step 2. Understand the risks involved in living on an island
You are probably not used to some aspects of this lifestyle, but you need to adjust once you have moved. While it is generally a safe place to live, the risk of dealing with emergency situations is higher than in other locations.
- For anyone living in Hawaii or on an island in general, hurricanes and tsunamis are a dangerous reality.
- Dangerous aquatic life forms can be found on the coasts of Hawaii. Shark attacks are not very common, but not unlikely either.
Step 3. Prepare your pets
Hawaiian authorities place particular emphasis on anti-rabies measures, so they take the risks of introducing foreign animals very seriously. Once on the island you will need to prepare to leave your pets in quarantine for a certain amount of time.
- Depending on the age, breed and species of your pet, the quarantine will last between 5 and 120 days, to ensure that it is not affected by rabies or other communicable diseases.
- Before leaving, you should give him all the necessary vaccines.
Step 4. Respect Hawaiian culture
Hawaii is a very welcoming place and the reasons to live there are innumerable, but the problems are not lacking. Due to the colonial history, the natives have suffered greatly from economic and political oppression, sometimes violent. Traces of anger still remain among the natives and people who move to Hawaii.
- The word haole means "foreigner" and is often used to describe people who move to or visit the island from anywhere else in the world. It is not always used with a derogatory meaning, but it can happen. You should become familiar with the term and what it stands for.
- Respect Hawaiian culture and remember that you are moving to a place with a rich cultural tradition.
- If you travel alone or in the evening, stay away from less safe areas. As with almost everywhere, there are parts that are more dangerous than others.
- Attend community events and befriend your neighbors to be considered a respectful haole.
