Job Market on Oahu (apartments, credit, Home Depot)

[John719]

Hi board, really going to take the plunge come July. First wifey then hubby(me). Bringing living expenses for a year but will work within 30--60 day's of arriving. Are their $10 -- $12 an hour jobs available? I really dont care what type of work but from what I've been budgeting for our needs, two jobs working 20 hours and 40 hours per week paying $10 -- $12 an hour is what I'll need for the start, at least for the first year or so. Then hopefully before start up funds run out and new money runs out I (we) would of found more gainful employment. Or moved up in our $10 -- $12 an hour jobs to a more living wage.

Are their these type of jobs available given the current state of the economy?

What type's of jobs would pay $10 -- $12 per hour?

Our skills vary but from what I've researched you basically need to take what you can get and go from their. Willing to work hard and move up as a team member for any employer. 38 years old and have worked all my life, some college (18 credits/1.5 years worth), no degree. Never been laid off, fired or quit, always been employed since age 16. Have only held four different jobs; Sears(hardware sale's), US Navy, Construction laborer, then estimator/salesman and now owner of a small epoxy flooring subcontracting business in CA.

Wife is 100% Japanese born and raised in Japan, graduated from a University in Tokyo with an International Business degree, so I think her options will be greater than mine.

One hell of a hard worker and very dedicated team member. Always show up on time, no hangover or calling in sick and dont complain. Just get the job done and keep your mouth shut is what I've always been taught.

Given the above, what are my/our realistic job oppurtunities?

[hotzcatz]

The tourism numbers have dropped again since they have just gathered up and correlated the February numbers. It was a bigger drop than they expected so it doesn't look like the economy will be booming soon. On our island, Moku Nui (Big Island) the drop was an additional 13% lower than last February's dismal showing but it wasn't as bad on Oahu.

At $10 - $12 an hour, that's a basic clerical job, low level sales, tour bus driver, low end of that scale are service jobs. There aren't that many "living wage" type jobs if one wants a mainland style life.

[Sweetbeet]

I hear Home Depot has good benefits and is a nice place to work (here on Kauai anyway). Don't know what they pay, or if they're hiring, but every now and then I see new people working in there.

[kixette]

and isn't home depot one of the top 100 places to work in one of those business magazines?
good luck finding work and moving to hawaii, OP, you are living my dream. I have a great job in texas and live on the beach and make a GREAT living. but sometimes i feel like i'd rather work two 10 dollar an hour jobs and live somewhere that i'd be happy than have all the things the "joneses" have that i don't value. GOOD LUCK!

[hilobound]

If Oahu is like the big island then good luck i have pro skills and business degree and have not found work in over three months. i know people who have been out of work for a year and they are local. Not the best time to make a plunge if you have a stable job on the mainland (unless you can bring it here or have a job lined up like my wife did in the medical field) i would think again. also oahu is much more expensive than it is here and this place can be bad with marked up prices all over the place. but i can only reply so good luck with what ever you do. oh yeah it is pretty sweet here other than not having a job lol

[VanHa]

There are jobs around if you are persistant. Oahu is your best bet for work...if you are willing to pund the pavement and are willing to work hard. Best of luck to you and your wife....Aloha

[Ka'u]

Good Luck finding a job, even better luck suviving here on a $11/hr wage. If I were you I would not come with out a job or a place to live, just because there are listings in the paper doesn't mean you'll be the only one to show up. Thousands of people applied for a few hundred jobs at the new Target. I remember going to look at apartments where 200 people came to see it in 4 hours.