Welcome to the Forum.
It depends on the time you want to visit? Generally summer is Tourist season so all the hotels will be higher priced. You might try to visit in the fall, up to before the holidays, or before spring break. The weather will still be nice, but less humidity, which i like, as i age!
Here is a couple extended stay type hotels, to investigate. You will have to check to see if it will work for you?
Extended Stays
Honolulu - Waikiki Extended Stay Hotels and Corporate Housing - Biz-stay.com
You did not list what type of work you will be looking for, so i cannot give any ideas at this time. But you really need to have a good paying job due to the high cost of living. But you being from NY, (City?) you may already know about cost of living. Best to have six months, or more, of funds saved up in-case you cannot find any work?
Hope this helps, Best of luck in your search.