Living in Hawaiʻi

Our main office is located in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oʻahu. Hawaii has a population of 1.4 million (of which approximately 1 million are in Honolulu) and over 8 million visitors annually. This lends to its richness in ethnic diversity of its people, culture and food with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific. Where else can you find Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Korean, American, French, Himalayan, Italian and Mexican restaurants all within a 1-2 block walking distance of each other?

Click here to learn more about Activities to do in Hawaiʻi.

General information to help you get settled in Hawaiʻi is listed below and can be found HERE.

• Becoming a resident of Hawaiʻi
• Registering your vehicle
• Getting a driver’s license
• Getting a state ID card
• Register to vote in Hawaiʻi
• Utilities (water/electricity/gas/telephone)
• Animals and Pets
• Traveling and shipping information
• Interisland flights and ferries
• Demographic information

Information about Hawaiʻi’s airports, buses and traffic safety/driving laws can be found HERE.

OʻAHU, “The Gathering Place,” is the third largest Hawaiian Island and home to the majority of Hawaiʻi’s diverse population. Honolulu is the capitol of Hawaiʻi and is a bustling area of professionals and tourists. Even though Oʻahu is only about 65 miles across and 111 miles around the perimeter, each section of the island has its own personality and quirks.

Makiki – Mōʻiliʻili – Kakaʻako – Kalihi – Mānoa – Pauoa – Downtown – Kaimukī – Waikiki

Area Hospitals: Kaiser Permanente, Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women and Children, Kuakini Medical Center, The Queen’s Medical Center, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Straub Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center, Veteran’s Administration

Resident Comments:
Pros: Close proximity to work and town, convenient location for needs, central, most within walking distance to needs/beaches, abundance of restaurants.
Cons: Relatively expensive, noisy, crowded, inadequate parking, homeless population, touristy, hard to find pet-friendly locations, small size for price, lots of sirens, construction.

Points of Interest: Waikiki district for shopping and beach, Ala Moana Beach Park, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Golf Course, Convention Center, Bishop Museum, ʻIolani Palace, art museums.

‘Āina Haina – Kāhala

Area Hospitals: None

Resident Comments:
Pros: Close to hospitals, clean, safe, quiet, gated communities, close to beaches and shopping
Cons: Expensive, traffic can get long at peak times

Points of Interest: Hanauma Bay, Sandy Beach Park, Makapu‘u Lighthouse, Sea Life Park, Hiking

Kāneʻohe – Kahalu’u – Kailua – Waimānalo

Area Hospitals: Castle Medical Center, Hawaii State Hospital

Resident Comments:
Pros: Beautiful countryside, family friendly, quiet, good vibe in Kailua, easy access to beaches and golf courses, hiking, great restaurants
Cons: Commute to town is about 30 minutes.

Points of Interest: Waimānalo Beach Park, Kailua Beach Park, Sea Life Park, Valley of the Temples, Kualoa Ranch

Wahiawā – Pearl City – Aiea – Salt Lake – Waipahu

Area Hospitals: Wahiawā General Hospital, Pali Momi Medical Center

Resident Comments:
Pros: Quiet, not crowded, residential clean streets and air, gated communities
Cons: Commute to town is about 30-45 minutes, heavy traffic in peak times, far from beaches.

Points of Interest: Wahiawā Botanical Gardens, Pearl Harbor, Aloha Stadium, Dole Plantation, Hawaii Plantation Village

Kapolei – Waiʻanae – Nānākuli – Makakilo – Waikele – ʻEwa Beach

Area Hospitals: The Queen’s Medical Center West

Resident Comments:
Pros: Quiet neighborhoods, dry climate, rural areas, lots of beaches, hiking
Cons: Long commute, heavy traffic, about 45 minutes to town.

Points of Interest: Nānākuli Beach Park, Pokai Bay, Makaha Beach, Yokohama Bay, Aulani Resort, Wet ‘n’ Wild Water Park, Kaʻena Park

Lāʻie – Kahuku – Hauʻula – Haleʻiwa – Waialua

Area Hospitals: Kahuku Medical Center

Resident Comments:
Pros: Community-oriented, not crowded, countryside, surf competitions, hiking
Cons: About 1 hour commute to town, flooding during storms

Points of Interest: Mokuleia Beach Park, Haleʻiwa Beach, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, Polynesian Cultural Center, Shrimp Farms, Temple