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It is nearly impossible to tell you what to expect when you decide to dive into the waters out here in Hawaii. Every Island is different. What I can tell you, is that to be successful, you need a plan of attack. Then you need 2 back up plans for when that fails.
Employers who hire off Island people:
This is something you will want to figure out as your finalizing your trip. Teachers will have the easiest time finding a job. My wife is a teacher, and got her 1st real teaching job in Hawaii before we moved to the Island. There is two primary ways of applying. Through the public schools, and through the charter schools. You will want and need to have your 1st interview with the public schools to get entered into their database. Its nothing more then a screening interview, but required for a public school job. Regardless what you decide to do, there is always a shortage of teachers. Call schools, be persistent, ask questions, you will get a job. I cannot speak from experience on other fields, but big businesses and jobs that require degrees tend to be more willing to look off Island, so focus on those. Include the Airport and government jobs as well.
Are you Jobless?
I was employed before we made the move, but once we got here, I had to start looking. Its not easy to find a job if you dont lower standards in the beginning. I graduated with a business degree, and on the Island of kauai jobs that require this degree are few and far between. Not impossible though. There is hotel jobs, and government jobs, etc that require a college degree, but it can take time to get hired. Find yourself a part time job at some small store or taco bell, and then make it your full time job to find a position you will be proud of. Everything is expensive out here and you will be glad to have the extra bucks taco bell will give you.
Housing
Line up some apartments you want to check out before you get to the Island of your dreams. Make sure you can see at least 6 places before you make a decision. MUST BE MONTH TO MONTH LEASE...unless your paying 850/month including utilities, find a month to month lease until you find something of good value. There are deals out there, you just need to be patient and not tied down to one place to take advantage of them.
Emergency fund
Have some cash with you to cover all expenses for 3 months plus a plane ticket home if it doesn't work out.
Best of luck,
Moderator cut: Sigs and links to personal blogs are not allowed here.
Last edited by 7th generation; 10-13-2011 at 03:56 PM..
I am not marketing anything. I am disclosing the fact I have been here for 3 months, and wanted to share my experience and thoughts about what worked for my family.
Sorry to offend you.
You don't offend me in the slightest ... and, despite my blunt response, I welcome you to Hawai'i and wish you well ... in fact, I suspect you and your wife will do fine. You show initiative and good intentions and a nice manner. So why did I respond bluntly? You are 25. You have been in Hawai'i 3 months. That's pretty young and pretty short time on site to be encouraging others -- few of whom will have your initiative and drive -- and most of whom will come for a dream and not last -- to risk their savings on what will in almost all cases be a lark that falls flat. When you've been here for 3 years you will start to have a grasp of what I am saying. Hawai'i is not expandable ... it is not expendable ... and very few people from the mainland will survive and want to stay.
I have a friend here on Kauai who has been a teacher for decades and her position was eliminated. Many other teachers were laid off, so I wouldn't necessarily say that there are a shortage of teachers.
Also, as far as housing is considered, good places are often found through other people. I am trying to find a new place and find that many of the online listings that are worth seeing go fast. I have received a lot of good recommendations from friends. I totally agree with the monthly lease suggestion.
I LOVE life in Kauai and hope you do too. They say that the first 6 months is a honeymoon period, where you still feel like you are on vacation. Then reality sinks in that you are here for good (or as long as "for good" may be). You have a wife with you that makes it easier- I was younger than you and single when I moved and had a few lonely nights before I found my niche.
Expect price sticker shock - but chalk it up to living in paradise. Was it the island of Kauai that you were targeting? The most beautiful (imo) island, but also one of the hardest for newcomers to survive in - culturally and socially.
You may get some hostility from some people in some areas, so work on building one relationship at a time, and before you know it, you will have a lot of good friends. As nullgeo said, initiative, good intentions, and nice manners will help you and you'll do fine.
Great food! Though lots of starch - our plate lunches have rice, main dish, macaroni salad, hardly any vegetables. Be adventurous and try different ethnic foods.
You will learn how to wait, and wait, and wait. We move slow here. Try not to use your car horn too much.
Learn to laugh after you get too frustrated. Forgive any rudeness. Make friends with your neighbors. Honolulu is a big city with country ways, and we have the worst city freeway onramps with terrible rush hour traffic. Everyone is always late, and we usually blame it on the traffic, lol.
Hope that helps,
[mod]Links to personal websites are not allowed here.[/mod]
Last edited by 7th generation; 10-13-2011 at 03:53 PM..
Oh my gosh -- how embarrassing ... No wonder all those hot babes (the ones with adam's apples) on Kuhio Ave. were smiling at me ... a little strap visible is one thing ... but not the okina!
OK, I'll add something useful: snorkeling! It's something you just won't find yourself doing on the mainland. Just choose a safe beach without a rip current and have a blast.
Are you there as we speak, null?
OK, I'll add something useful: snorkeling! It's something you just won't find yourself doing on the mainland. Just choose a safe beach without a rip current and have a blast.
Are you there as we speak, null?
No ... can't hardly pry me outta Puget Sound for even a minute in summers, but thought I'd be in California by now ... (enjoying the finer points of Arvin ) ... then on to my boat in Hawai'i after Thanksgiving ... as it is, still stuck up north keeping an eye on the insidious Canadian threat another month looks like ... I keep agreeing to be husband, father, and grandfather when I should be roamin'-retired!
Meanwhile, I need a good bottom-cleaning in Hawai'i (for my boat! for my boat!!)
I have only been here one year, but I have found it to be a wonderful experience. I found a job fairly easily, and bought a house a block from the ocean. The locals have been kind for the most part, but I pick up a little racism here and there. I just respond with kindness and it is all good!
Hawai'i is not expandable ... it is not expendable ... and very few people from the mainland will survive
This should be our new state motto!
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) ... then on to my boat in Hawai'i after Thanksgiving ... as it is, still stuck up north keeping an eye on the insidious Canadian threat another month looks like ... I keep agreeing to be husband, father, and grandfather when I should be roamin'-retired! 
