Thinking about moving to Hawaii in September, 2010 A few questions?

[HibbityDibbity]

Originally Posted by annabellepdx

For professional servers, i.e. those who do it as a career, the best money and hours are to be found at the resorts from what I've heard. Obviously these are the most desirable jobs, but you can potentially make a living and get insurance that way. And some servers in some states do work forty hours a week (like where I work for instance), but in general I've gotten the same feedback that everyone else is saying -- that those jobs are few and far between in Hawaii and you'll likely end up working two. Doesn't seem like a big deal to me for a server, if you can get jobs with set hours that allow you to do both. Insurance is always an issue in the service industry. Consider yourself fortunate anywhere if you're a server and get benefits.

FYI, Hawaii state law requires employers to offer insurance to anyone who works over 20 hours a week.

[Balad1]

Originally Posted by HibbityDibbity

FYI, Hawaii state law requires employers to offer insurance to anyone who works over 20 hours a week.

But it doesn't say it must be free...

[HibbityDibbity]

Originally Posted by Balad1

But it doesn't say it must be free...

Where was cost ever mentioned?

When is insurance ever free?

[mdand3boys]

Originally Posted by Balad1

But it doesn't say it must be free...

Actually, for almost all people, the state mandated individual (not family/dependent) coverage is nearly free. Some employers go ahead and pay all of it rather than charge the small amount back to their employee.

Source: Hawaii Dept of Labor
"Employers may elect to pay the entire monthly premium or share the cost with their employees. Employers must pay at least 50% of the premium cost, but the employees’ share cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the premium cost or 1.5% of the employees’ monthly gross earnings."

There are only a few state-approved plans. Cost ranges for the employer is about $300-$350 per month. Dependent coverage costs around $900. Generally, the employee will pay all or most of the extra cost for dependent coverage. It just depends upon the employer.

[Fmanker]

I too will be making the move this year. My son will be attending HPA so i need to buy a home close to the school. Once we are their I an hoping to find a job in Waimea. Does anyone know about the pay?

[KoaKine]

Originally Posted by Fmanker

I too will be making the move this year. My son will be attending HPA so i need to buy a home close to the school. Once we are their I an hoping to find a job in Waimea. Does anyone know about the pay?

Friday is payday!

Sorry I had to. In what field are you looking in to find employment?

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by mdand3boys

Source: Hawaii Dept of Labor
"Employers may elect to pay the entire monthly premium or share the cost with their employees. Employers must pay at least 50% of the premium cost, but the employees’ share cannot exceed the lesser of 50% of the premium cost or 1.5% of the employees’ monthly gross earnings."

Unless, of course, your employer is the state of Hawaii, who is not required to follow its own laws.

[HelloTimeToWakeUp]

Now there is high unemployment, lots of crime, risk of tsunami/earthquakes, terrible schools which produces kids with no motivation who contribute to the crime situation.
I keep reading about people wanting to "buy" property when they will not even own the postage stamp piece of land they live on!
I've been to all the major islands several times and love visiting there, but would never want to live there. I know of several people who got stuck there because once you're there everything is so expensive it's impossible for some to move back to the mainland. You get in so deep financially that you can't get out and you become trapped. Many people have to borrow money from family to get out and back to the mainland.
People keep referring to the beaches like they are some personal playground. They are often crowded with homeless people living on them.
The tourist view of Hawaii is very different than living there. The beauty of the islands is a major factor for all of us who love being there, but the Aloha spirit is also a form of laziness. These people have no opportunities, especially today with the poor economy, and the ones that do move to Las Vegas for work. Do you want your children to lack motivation and think nothing is of urgency or not always be reaching for the stars?
I would think long and hard before uprooting my family, or even as a couple. In my opinion, visit there yearly and continue to love it, but it's doubtful you will make a great life there unless you are willing to make many many sacrifices. I would NEVER sacrifice the education of my children for the blind need of "living in paradise."
Good luck to you and please think as a responsible parent, not as a dreamer otherwise your life could potentially go from what is normal for you to a nightmare financially. The toll it will take on your children when you're always broke and they are poorly educated is not worth it to live near palm trees and a beach. Once they've grown and have lost out on many opportunities, their ignorance cannot be remedied by turning back time. Maybe it's you that wants to live in paradise, but if your children could comprehend the full situation on an adult level, they would not want to live someplace where they can't have access to the same cultural activities, museums and so forth. Sure there are some great things, but they will be limited in so many ways. Want them to learn about the Hawaiin culture? Then take them on vacation every year.

I know someone single who is a professional who moved to Maui and has hinted at their misery after only a year. I cannot stress enough how great Hawaii is for a vacation, but how it places limits on your lifestyle and future. Sure, if you're a trust fund babe who likes to surf all day it's your place. But otherwise unless you're a native you are in for a HUGE surprise.