MOVING TO HAWAII: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE. Copyright 2012 by Michele Meyer dba How To Live In Hawaii. All rights reserved. Published in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information, visit HowToLiveInHawaii.com or send correspondence to How To Live In Hawaii, PO Box 240872, Honolulu, HI 96824. Limitation Of Liability/Disclaimer Of Warranty: This publication contains the opinions and ideas of its author and is intended to provide informative material on the subject matter covered. This publication is sold with the understanding that the author is not engaged in rendering professional advice or services and that the information and strategies contained in this publication may not be suitable for every situation. The author makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this publication, and the author does not guarantee or warrant that the reader's reliance on or application of the contents of this publication will produce particular results. The author specifically disclaims any and all responsibility or liability for any loss, risk, injury, or any incidental, consequential, punitive, exemplary, or other damages that are incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the use or application of any of the contents in this publication. October 2012 Cover photo: Taken by Eric Richardson in Princeville, Kauai. Some rights reserved. For more info on Moving To Hawaii: A Step-By-Step Guide, visit: HowToLiveInHawaii.com/ebook 2
Clickable Table Of Contents Introduction A Dream Deferred A Nice Gig If You Can Get It The Adventure Begins! Rolling Up My Sleeves Aloha, Alice & Amy! Get Ready For Your Own Adventure Step 1 Is living in Hawaii right for you? The Bad News The Good News What's Your Verdict? Step 2 Which school(s) will you attend? Preschools Financial Aid Special Needs Feeder Preschools Other Reputable Preschools Public Schools (K-12) Kindergarten Eligibility Finding Your Home School Geographic Exceptions Public Charter Schools Hawaiian-Language Immersion Schools School Rankings Feeder Elementary Schools Private Schools (K-12) "The Big Three" Other Reputable Private Schools Special-Needs Schools & Programs (PreK-Adult) Early Intervention & Preschool Autistic Gifted & Talented Learning Disabled At-Risk 3
Other Special Needs Homeschooling How To Start Recordkeeping How To Stop Please Be Aware Colleges, Universities & Vocational Training Public Schools Private Schools & Vocational Training English-Language Schools & Programs DOE Community Schools For Adults University Of Hawaii Private Schools Step 3 Which island do you want to live on? Oahu Maui Big Island Kauai Molokai Lanai Step 4 Visit the island(s) you're still interested in. Resident vs. Tourist Become A Resident For A Week Step 5 Estimate your minimal monthly living expenses in Hawaii. Rental Housing Total Monthly Expenses Step 6 What source(s) of income will cover your living expenses? Income Sources That Don't Involve Working Income From Working Stay in your current job but work remotely in Hawaii. Find a new job in Hawaii. Start your own business in Hawaii or move your current one. 4
Step 7 What will be your source of health care insurance? Your Employer Your Most Recent Employer (COBRA) Medicare Medicaid HMSA Student Health Plan Buy Your Own Step 8 How will you legally reside in Hawaii? Visitor Visa Student Visa Exchange Visitor Visa Temporary Worker Visa Immigrant Visa (Green Card) Refugees & Asylees Step 9 Estimate your moving and startup expenses. Moving Expenses Startup Expenses Total Moving & Startup Expenses Step 10 Complete your necessary tasks. Task #1 Find your source(s) of income. Task #2 Get your visa. Task #3 Save up money. Task #4 Start preparing your pets. Time For A Pep Talk Step 11 Start preparing your pets. Is Your Pet Legal To Own In Hawaii? If Your Pet Is Not A Dog Or Cat Dogs & Cats From Guam, Australia, New Zealand & The British Isles Rabies Vaccinations Microchipping OIE-FAVN Blood Test Step 12 Look for a rental home. Sign A Lease Now Or Later? Rental Listings 5
Terminology Tips For Success What Landlords Might Not Tell You Step 13 Schedule your move date. Step 14 Buy airfare and prepare for pets' flight. Flying With Pets Pet Kennels Dog & Cat Import Form Step 15 Arrange your health care insurance. Step 16 Submit a forwarding address. Step 17 Decide what you will bring. The Storage Option Decide On The Biggest Items First Considerations Buying Household Goods In Hawaii Step 18 Arrange your shipments. Approaches To The Moving Process Mail Services & Air Transport Hiring Service Providers Ocean Transport LCL (Less Than A Container Load) Shipping Options Shipping Your Vehicles Moving Companies Step 19 Pack up and clear out. Packing Up Clearing Out Getting Rid Of Vehicles Step 20 Get Hawaii auto insurance. No-Fault Insurance Minimum Coverage Requirements Optional Coverages Insurance Companies How Soon You Need To Buy Insurance 6
Questions? Step 21 Arrange your utilities. Electricity Synthetic Natural Gas & Propane Water & Sewer Trash & Recycling Pickup Internet Phone & Internet Cable TV, Phone & Internet Satellite TV Step 22 Finish preparing your pets. Health Certificate Other Final Tasks Step 23 Fly to Hawaii! Before You Go To The Airport At The Airport Leaving The Airport Step 24 Take care of urgent business. Bare Necessities Long-Term Transportation Long-Term Housing Setting Up House Registering For School Source Of Income Step 25 Find child care. Types Of Providers Average Monthly Costs Financial Aid Choosing A Provider Nonprofit Child-Care Providers Nannies, Au Pairs & Babysitters Step 26 Register your vehicles. If You Shipped Your Vehicle To Hawaii If You Buy A New Vehicle In Hawaii 7
If You Buy A Used Car In Hawaii A Couple More Things Step 27 Get a Hawaii driver's license or state ID. What's Your Situation? Transferring An Out-Of-State Driver's License Getting A Hawaii Driver's License As A New Applicant Getting A Hawaii State ID Step 28 Find a doctor, dentist & veterinarian. Hospitals & Medical Centers Emergency Veterinary Clinics Choosing A Doctor, Dentist & Veterinarian Step 29 Update your contact info. Step 30 Develop a new social life. Effort Required Socializing Strategies Some Parting Words... Holidays State Holidays Other Holidays & Observances Books Magazines, Newspapers & Online Publications Word List For more info on Moving To Hawaii: A Step-By-Step Guide, visit: HowToLiveInHawaii.com/ebook 8