Moving to Hawaii: 10 Things to Know

If you’re considering relocating to Hawaii, there are a few critical things to consider. This island state operates on its own time zone, known as Hawaiian Standard Time. It is two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, which is five hours behind Eastern Standard Time. Because Hawaii does not observe daylight savings time, the amount of time you are behind the continental 48 varies throughout the year.

Hawaii has just four counties, despite the fact that it has eight important islands with population centers. Each island is symbolized by a hue and a flower, while each city is represented by a mayor and a council in charge. Additionally, it is one of the few states where the state owns all subsurface minerals, despite the state’s limited resources. There are several people interested in embracing the Hawaii way of life, whether they envision waking up to the sound of waves breaking in the background or having access to a slower-paced existence.

However, how much do you actually know about Hawaii? There are several factors you should consider before considering a move to Hawaii, to ensure that you make the right option for the right reasons. Let’s take a look at what it’s actually like to live in Hawaii and what you should know before making the move.

There is a cost associated with living in paradise.

Paradise comes at a price – a price that is so great that it might function as a deterrent for many people. Honolulu is the seventh most expensive city in the United States and the eighth most expensive city in North America, according to Expatistan. Honolulu is also the world’s twenty-first most expensive city.

Hawaii has a substantially higher cost of living than the majority of other states. The average wage in Honolulu, the island’s capital, is $66,000, according to Payscale, but the state has one of the highest income tax rates in the US, with the top tier at 11%. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average income in the United States is $51,688 ($994 weekly) as of the third quarter of 2020. According to another Indeed.com research conducted in January 2021, the average annual income in Hawaii ranges between roughly $33,965 for Customer Service Representative to $96,620 for Travel Nurse.

The housing market is highly competitive and costly.

Hawaii’s skyrocketing median house prices, reached around $835,000 for single family homes in 2019 and $400,000 for Honolulu condominiums for sale. Despite the lack of affordability, Oahu’s housing scarcity is severe, and as a result, residential developers have flocked to the island in an attempt to profit on the demand. For the last 6-7 years, developers have been erecting New Honolulu Condos in neighborhoods such as Kakaako and Ala Moana.

Developers are also heavily invested in the West Oahu communities of Hoopili and Koa Ridge, which will add roughly 15,000 new houses to the island over the next 15 years. Rumors of a Makaiwa Hills development in Makakilo may add another several hundred as well.

You can find a modest home for around $700,000 in Ewa, Kapolei, Royal Kunia, or Makakilo. Alternatively, on the North Shore, you may acquire a large yard, possibly even an acre, for approximately $1.5 million. It’s country up there, quite rural and tranquil. There will almost certainly (hopefully) always be a lot of farms and a few homes on the North Shore.

The islands are a magnificent mixing pot of cultures

You will discover that the state is a melting pot of cultures today, encouraging a broad range of music, food, and entertainment. When you choose to live here, you also have the opportunity to contribute to the diverse culture.

Hawaii has developed a reputation as a gastronomic destination.

Oahu, dubbed The Gathering Place, is nothing short of a gastronomic paradise, and Honolulu has emerged as one of the country’s major culinary hotspots in recent years. Stroll through gourmet ‘hoods like as Kakaako, Kaimuki, and Chinatown to uncover a smorgasbord of trendy eateries and mom-and-pop cafes serving up local delicacies such as plate lunch and loco moco (white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg and brown gravy). From downtown Honolulu to Waikiki, reserve a seat at one of the historic fine-dining establishments that helped establish Hawaiian cuisine, such as Roy’s and Chef Mavro.

Read our top ten Honolulu restaurant recommendations.

The ocean is stunning, but it can also be hazardous!

Conditions underneath the ocean’s stunning blue top may be unexpected and even deadly. Ocean safety experts advocate contacting lifeguards before to entering the ocean; they will gladly inform you of potential risks such as rip currents, hidden rocks, and shorebreaks. Then you may feel the Pacific’s magnificence in the same way we do – with reverence and wonder at its immense force.

Hawaii is in the middle a vast ocean

Reminder: Hawaii is geographically and culturally isolated from the rest of the globe.

Although the Atlantic Ocean has islands that are highly remote, they are little populated. Hawaii is unique in the Pacific Ocean in terms of large population centers. When you live there, you will be around 2,400 miles from California, more than 3,800 miles from Japan, 4,900 miles from China, and over 5,300 miles from the Philippines. It’s much longer if you consider Australia.

Hawaii has a low crime rate.

Armed robberies and homicides are uncommon in the state. Neighborhoods also have active neighborhood watch programs, and bigger communities benefit from some sort of police enforcement presence. When you commit a severe offense in Hawaii, you only have a few options. After all, you’re on a group of islands in the middle of the ocean. This makes it more difficult to vanish, which serves as a powerful incentive to abstain from such actions in the first place. 

The traffic is no laughing matter

Before you assume that living in Hawaii is a montage of fun and outdoor activities, keep in mind that the daily pitfalls of city life apply equally to the islands as to the rest of the world. Hawaii’s traffic is particularly awful—so horrible, in fact, that it precludes many visitors from enjoying extended visits. Your travel from your home to your child’s high school and then to your place of employment may be chaotic.

If a lengthy commute is not something you enjoy, this is something to consider. Many Hawaiians want to live within walking or bicycling distance of their place of employment, although this is not always possible due to high living costs. When you hunker down to prepare the area in which you will operate, this is a critical factor to consider.

Pet relocation may be a time-consuming procedure.

Another consideration for safety is the steps Hawaii takes against relocated pets. Dogs, in particular, may spend an unknown period of time in pet quarantine before being released to you. The island does this to ensure the safety of its residents, as animals might bring new diseases with them. The procedure of acquiring a health certificate for your animal may be lengthy, so if you desire a dog but do not currently own one, you may want to wait until you move to your new home before adopting your new buddy.

Redefine your “business casual” attire

On the islands, casual attire is prevalent. Due to the tropical environment and aloha culture, the majority of males wear aloha shirts to work, while women wear dresses. Even in metropolitan Honolulu, it’s uncommon to see someone dressed in a suit and tie or wearing heels. Additionally, in Hawaii, “flip flops” are referred to as “slippers” or “slippahs,” and they should always be removed before entering a residence.

Nature and wildlife deserve our respect.

Make no attempt to disturb the creatures. While you may be delighted to witness sea turtles, humpback whales, or other endangered marine species, resist the urge to approach. These animals are protected by law, which means that not only is human interaction detrimental to them, but you may also face a large punishment.

Hawaii is a paradise with several benefits, but it’s critical to understand all of the facts regarding actual life in Hawaii before making the move. Now that you understand and are considering relocating to Hawaii with an informed mind, you may discover that any disadvantages are greatly surpassed by the allure of Hawaii.