Approximately six million people visit Hawaii each year. A certain percentage will be relaxing on their hotel lanai, sipping a mai-tai, and will suddenly declare, "This is the life, I'm moving to Hawaii!"
Relax. Before you've sold the house, furniture, and car and said farewell to your relatives, take time to research and study Hawaii and its varied cultures. Subscribe to the local newspapers: Honolulu Advertiser (morning) or the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (evening) or the Maui News or another community newspaper for several months before you decide to move.
Here are some facts to consider, if you are thinking of moving to Hawaii:
Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States of America on August 21, 1959. It is an island state lying in the Pacific Ocean 2,400 miles west of California (about five hours by commercial jet). The July 1, 1992 resident population estimates by geographic areas are:
City and County of Honolulu 863,117 Hawaii County 180,384 Maui County 107,997 Kauai County 54,228
Hawaii the "Aloha State" is world renowned as a vacation destination and resort area. It is also a wonderful state in which to live and work.
The capitol city, Honolulu, is situated on the Island of Oahu and is the hub of activity for government, commerce and industry in the islands. It is a bustling, clean, modern American community.
Waikiki, the initial destination for most of Hawaii's visitors is located nine miles from Honolulu International Airport. Camp Smith, site of the combined military commands of the Pacific and Far East, and all of the major military installations, including Pearl Harbor, are also located on the island of Oahu.
One of Hawaii's chief assets is its mild and temperate climate, relatively free of uncomfortable extremes. Tropical storms are rare. The highest official temperature ever recorded in Honolulu was 94 degrees, the lowest temperature was 52 degrees. Annual average is about 77 degrees, though lower temperatures are found at high elevations. September is usually the hottest month. Lightweight clothing is worn year-round. The average annual rainfall for Honolulu, is 23.47 inches, with November through March the wettest months.
Any travel agent or office of the following domestic carriers can supply information on travel to Hawaii. American, America West, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest, TWA and United.
There are three scheduled air carriers and several air taxis providing service to the Neighbor Islands.
Shipping your automobile to Hawaii is fairly easy. To inquire about the cost you may contact: Matson Navigation Company, P.O. Box 899, Honolulu, Hawaii 96808 or Sea-Land Service, Pier 51, Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819.
For those who do not own a vehicle, our bus system offers more than 60 routes and 4,000 bus stops. The fees are $1.00 for adults and $.50 for students. For inquiries on bus schedules and passes please contact: TheBus, 811 Middle Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819.
No passport or inoculation is required for travel between Hawaii and other parts of the United States. U.S. immigration, public health and customs regulations do apply to persons entering the U.S. from foreign areas at Honolulu. (808) 541-1379.
The islands are free of rabies and to maintain this condition, the State Department of Agriculture requires that all cats and dogs entering Hawaii (except those from Australia, New Zealand and Guam) be quarantined at the state-operated quarantine station in Honolulu for a period of 30 days.
The fees are $620 for dogs and $584 for cats.
Arrangements for your pet must be made prior to arrival in Hawaii. Inquiries should be directed to the Animal Quarantine Station, Department of Agriculture, State of Hawaii, 99-770 Moanalua Road, Aiea, Hawaii 96701. (808) 483-7151.
Your current veterinarian must prepare a preshipment health certificate, and you must make appropriate arrangements for shipment, particularly if you will not be accompanying the pet.
Finding a job may be difficult in Hawaii, so the best advice is to either have enough money to live on while your getting started or delay your move to Hawaii until you have a job.
Oahu is classified as a tight labor market area. This situation exists because of the lack of diversified industries and the relative immobility of the work force. Therefore, employment service officials advise that chances of getting a job in Honolulu in many occupations are slim, and by mail they are next to impossible. Private employers hesitate to employ personnel who are not readily available for an interview. Students or other young people seeking "summer jobs" are cautioned that most seasonal jobs are filled by local residents.
There is a residential requirement for state government employment but none for federal. Civil service employment is normally confined to those already established in the islands.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii cautions anyone coming to the islands in search of employment to have sufficient funds for return transportation in the event they are unsuccessful in locating suitable work.
Further information is obtainable from the following agencies:
Attorneys Clerk, Supreme Court, Judiciary Building,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Teachers Office of Personnel Services,
Department of Education
State of Hawaii, P.O. Box 2360,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96804
Youth under 18 Child Labor Office, 888 Mililani Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
Federal Employment Office of Personnel Management
U.S. Government, P.O. Box 50028,
Honolulu, Hawaii 96850
State licenses are required for certain professional and vocational occupations. These include: abstract makers; acupuncturists; architects; barbers; cemetery, mortuary and pre-need funeral authorities and salespersons; CPA's, chiropractors; collectors; contractors; cosmeticians; dental hygienists; dentists; detectives and guards; electricians; elevator mechanics; employment agents; engineers; escorts; hearing aid dealers and fitters; insurance brokers/sales agents; landscape architects; land surveyors; masseurs; motor nurses, nursing home administrators; opticians; optometrists; osteopaths; pest control operators; pharmacists; physical therapists; physicians; plumbers; psychologists; real estate brokers and salespersons; rental agencies; speech pathologists and audiologists; veterinarians; travel agents; and sales representatives.
Specific information concerning the qualifications and other requirements for obtaining licenses may be obtained from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State of Hawaii, PO Box 3469, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801.
The August 1994 survey of pay rates in Hawaii by the Hawaii Employers Council reveals the following monthly full wage range and median wage for all industry:
Full Range Median Word Processor $1,239-3,825 $2,068 Clerk 1,083-3,153 1,672 Secretary 1,290-4,567 2,181 Staff Nurse 2,184-5,348 4,297 Medical Technologist 2,600-4,310 3,607 Bookkeeper, Full Charge 1,580-3,725 2,408 Laborer, Heavy (per hour) $ 6.00-17.84 $9.35
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii recommends that anyone interested in establishing a business in Hawaii first personally investigate local conditions before making a final decision or entering into definite financial obligations.
All Federal taxes are applicable in Hawaii. The state personal income tax follows the national pattern generally. Personal net income tax rates graduate from 2% on the first $1,000 to 10% on incomes in excess of $20,500.
The state levies a 4% general excise tax on retail goods and services and there are taxes on gasoline, liquor, tobacco, insurance premiums, public utilities, financial corporations, corporate income and estate taxes.
Detailed information concerning taxes may be obtained from the Hawaii State Tax Office, Taxpayer Service Branch, P.O. Box 259, Honolulu, Hawaii 96809.
Hawaii's cost of living, while generally following trends similar to the U.S. leading indexes, is higher. In the first-half of 1996, the cost of living calculated for consumption items is approximately 25 percent more in Honolulu then the U.S. urban average. There are no heating fuel costs or seasonal clothing requirements, but other factors including the extra cost in transporting goods, increases the cost of many items. Food, housing and cars are among these. The general cost of living here in Hawaii is roughly 35-40% higher than most U.S. cities.
Utility rates (gas, water, electricity and telephone) are also slightly higher here in Hawaii.
For those planning to establish new homes in Hawaii, housing authorities warn that newcomers should be prepared to pay higher rentals than long-term tenants. In the better residential areas of Honolulu, furnished studio apartments rent from $700 a month and up, while a one-bedroom furnished apartment will command $800 or more. The purchase price for an unfurnished three bedroom home starts at $260,000 and goes up. The median price for a single family home on Oahu for 1995 was $349,000. There are no trailer courts or sites for mobile homes.
According to the Honolulu Board of Realtors, 65% of the housing on the main island of Oahu is now being supplied by condominiums with a median price $182,000 for 1995.
Because of higher land values and more outdoor living, the average family moving to Hawaii lives in a smaller house or apartment than they are accustomed to. Major appliances are customarily furnished.
Active military personnel and U.S. Citizen DOD employees wishing to locate accommodations on Oahu are advised to contact the Community Home Finding Relocation and Referral Services Office, Building 4, Catlin Park, Hawaii 96818.
The Hawaii Visitors Bureau, PO Box 8527, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, publishes the Hawaii Hotel Guide, which lists their member hotels and describes their accommodations.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND DRIVERS LICENSE
All American manufactured cars and most foreign-made automobiles and repair parts are available.
Persons 18 years of age with a valid driver's license from other states or a province of Canada may drive in Hawaii until their license expires or is otherwise declared invalid.
There is a test to check the competency of drivers of vehicles heavier than the normal automobile such as trucks, buses, etc., even if the driver possesses a valid out-of-state license.
For specific details on driver licensing, write to the Honolulu Police Department, 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
To operate an automobile with current out-of-state license plates, owners must present a Certificate of Motor Vehicle Registration which shows the registered owner's name for the current year, a shipping receipt, a Certificate of Safety Inspection and Hawaii proof of no-fault insurance to the Director of Finance, City and County of Honolulu, 801 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813, for a permit within 10 days after date of entry of the automobile.
The State Department of Education operates public schools from kindergarten through high school, including technical and special training facilities. As a special service, a number of community schools for adults and special schools designed for the care of mentally and physically challenged children are also conducted.
Private and parochial schools and colleges are also available. In addition, there are a number of business institutes and vocational schools offering specialized training.
Inquires about Hawaii public and private schools should be directed to the Department of Education, State of Hawaii, P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu, Hawaii 96804. (808) 586-3232.
The University of Hawaii, an accredited land grant college is the largest institution of higher learning in Hawaii. The best source for information about the courses of study and academic requirements is the Office of Admissions and Records, University of Hawaii, 2444 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822. The University also operates a state-wide system of community colleges.
A number of private colleges are also available.
The legal age to marry in Hawaii is 18 for both males and females. Those 20 and under must present proof of age in the form of a certified copy of a birth certificate or baptismal certificate. The fee for the license is $25 (cash only). Minors (15 - 17) may be married but there are certain requirements. Inquiries regarding these requirements and other marriage regulations should be directed to the Research & Statistics Office, State Department of Health, P.O. Box 3378, Honolulu, Hawaii 96801.
For information on divorce regulations refer to Chapter 580 as amended of the Hawaii Revised Statutes which can be found in your community law library.
Practically all religions are represented in Hawaii. Write for information concerning religious activities in Hawaii to: The Hawaii Council of Churches, 1300 Kailua Rd., Suite B1, Kailua, Hawaii 96734.
The two leading daily newspapers are The Honolulu Advertiser (morning) and The Honolulu Star Bulletin (evening). Write either paper c/o P.O. Box 3350, Honolulu, Hawaii 96734.
Single copy (airmailed to U.S. & Canada): Weekday $3.10 Sunday $7.40 For subscription rates phone (808) 538-6397.
ASK-2000 (dial 275-2000) is a free statewide information and referral service designed to help you, your family, and your friends. Call toll free from any island; trained specialist will answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are completely confidential and referrals can be made to more than 3000 public and non-profit community service agencies that provide health, emergency services (family violence, suicide, accidental poisoning, sexual assault, emergency food) mental health services, education services, such as adult literacy and job training. Family services, recreation, legal services, and consumer concerns.
The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii 1132 Bishop St., Ste 200 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Hawaii Visitors Bureau 2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Ste 801 Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 Hawaii Visitors Bureau Room 52, Central Plaza 3440 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010 Hawaii Visitors Bureau 180 N. Michigan Avenue, Ste 1031 Chicago, Illinois 60601 Hawaii Visitors Bureau Empire State Building 350 Fifth Avenue, Ste 808 New York, New York 10118 Hawaii Visitors Bureau 3975 University Drive, Ste 335 Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Most school and public libraries contain encyclopedias and other reference books with general information about Hawaii.
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Last Revised: October 15, 1998