Hawai`i Living | rdrecruitment

Living in Hawai`i

"Aloha is the unconditional desire to promote the true good of other people in a friendly spirit out of a sense of kinship."

~ Abraham Akaka

Would moving to Hawai`i be a good choice for me?

Throughout the world Hawai`i is famous for being a tropical vacation destination. While Hawai`i does boast amazing beaches and beautiful scenery, it is far more than the exoticized stereotypes that are associated with Hawai`i through the tourism industry. Hawai`i is an incredibly unique place with a rich culture and complex history. Living in Hawai`i can provide one with many different opportunities and experiences, but along with that come a number of distinct challenges, particularly for people who transition to Hawai`i from other locations. It is important to take time and consider both the opportunities and the challenges of living in Hawai`i before making a decision.

Opportunities and experiences include: resources at your fingertips to learn about Hawaii and Native Hawaiian culture and history; consistently warm weather; many outdoor recreation choices; diverse population of residents; unique culture; low pollution; beautiful beaches; lower crime rates (comparably); free festivals/fairs/community activities year-round; great hiking; many historical places and museums; a wide variety of foods/dining options; plant and animal life that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

Challenges may include: a higher cost of living (including housing, groceries, and gas); living on an island (i.e. island fever); the significant distance between Hawai`i and family/friends; a high cost of travel to visit the continental US; tropical insects; certain "common" stores and restaurants do not have locations anywhere in Hawai`i; adapting to local culture and language; a lack of 4 seasons; potentially confronting one's own ignorance and/or assumptions regarding living in Hawai`i.

Below are a few examples of websites that have information which may be helpful to consider when deciding if living in Hawai`i would be a good fit for you.

http://www.alohatony.com/before-moving.php

www.howtoliveinhawaii.com/842/is-living-in-hawaii-right-for-you/

University of Hawai`i at Mānoa

Professional Staff Recruitment