Moving sentimental things to the BI from mainland (Hilo: house, landscaping)

[DVSG]

I have sentimental snow globes and antiques that I want to take with me. What's the best way of getting it there? I will not be shipping furniture or anything else.

[Grassyknoll]

Having just moved to the BI with a limited number of items (mostly documents, family heirlooms, pictures and tools) I'll weigh in.
I shipped a single 3' X 4' X 7'/1800 lb pallet using a freight forwarder (Aloha Freight).
It was picked up at my house in California and delivered to my house in Ocean View. Total cost was $1,200 and it actually arrived before my car did (shipped via Matson).
Aloha was very professional; I received daily e-mail updates on my shipments status and can't say enough good things about their level of communication and customer service.

Now, as far as packing for survivability of the items I shipped. I have worked in distribution and know how to build a load that will survive transit. I had many breakable items, these were packed low on the pallet and in the center of the load, surrounded by less breakable items such as tools and other household goods.

The whole load was wrapped with pallet stretch wrap, then wrapped with landscaping fabric (for added strength and to masque pallet contents) and then wrapped again with pallet wrap. I used almost a whole roll of pallet wrap and also wrapped completely over the top of the pallet.

I had one broken picture frame out of the entire load.

I'm sure you could also ship via USPS/FedEx or UPS as well. But since I didn't use any of those I'll leave it for others to comment on those methods.

[DVSG]

I go back and forth with shipping more household goods. It's expensive to ship that's for sure!

[Grassyknoll]

I had considered shipping a container, but in the end, took the general forum advice that it's easier to replace items once there.
Also, I must say, it was quite cathartic to sell, give or throw away the bulk of 27 years' worth of accumulated possessions. I really came to realize what a slave I had become to much of what I owned.

[Grassyknoll]

Oh yeah, and you want expensive, start shipping pets. Two cats and a dog at nearly $1,000 each total cost.
Lucky for them they are like family.

[DVSG]

Thank goodness I have no pets!

[Due]

Originally Posted by Grassyknoll

Oh yeah, and you want expensive, start shipping pets. Two cats and a dog at nearly $1,000 each total cost.
Lucky for them they are like family.

If the Vet work & Lab rabies testing, Vet final health checkups and letters, HI permits, Pet Safe shipping, Vet meeting us in Kona, and other costs (3 kennels) are included (not counting countless personal hours):
3 dogs cost us about $5,000.

Yes: they are family.
PS: they love it here.

[Grassyknoll]

Originally Posted by Due

If the Vet work & Lab rabies testing, Vet final health checkups and letters, HI permits, Pet Safe shipping, Vet meeting us in Kona, and other costs (3 kennels) are included (not counting countless personal hours):
3 dogs cost us about $5,000.

Yes: they are family.
PS: they love it here.

True Due, I didn't include incidnetals in my figure.
And for anyone shipping pets (well at least dogs). Make sure you bring cleaning supplies for the arrival (wet-wpies, water, paper towels and plastic bags). One thing nobody mentioned, your dogs will likely defecate from the stress.
I arrived in Kona and was like "huh, I thought I shipped a Border Collie and an Aussie, not two Chocolate Labs".
Yeah, it was just that bad.
And tying to dissasemble and clean the kennels and both dogs before putting them in the car, in the sun and heat of mid-day Kona, fun fun.

[DVSG]

I hear pros and cons about shipping household goods. It's expensive but you will not have to shop and look for replacement items at twice the cost of things. I think most of us are pack rats to a certain point but sentimental things can't be replaced.

[mdand3boys]

Most likely, you will have a smaller house than what you have on the mainland - including smaller room sizes, so take that into consideration. Also - if on the Hilo side - humidity is a real issue and some furniture types simply won't hold up. Leather is a real problem. Mold seems to love it.