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Helpful Articles - Living in Hawaii

Is life really better at the beach? What better way to find out than by beach-hopping around Oahu and experiencing all the iconic and picturesque shorelines that the island is known for?  Come along with us, and we’ll take you on a tour of the best beaches on Oahu, with options for every part of the island. After all, you want to spend as much of your day basking in the beauty of these beaches, not sitting in the car!  Below, you’ll also find a Google Map of all the beaches listed in this article to help you get oriented and find each beach easily.   The Best Beaches on Oahu’s South Shore  Because of their proximity to...

Some people will tell you that Hawaii is one of the best places to retire in the U.S. Many retirees are lured to the islands by Hawaii’s year-round balmy temperatures and postcard-perfect tropical landscape. In fact, Kiplinger named Hawaii the second-best state to retire in, citing its low health care costs and high life expectancy for residents. i   However, you’ll find plenty of divergent opinions on the topic. In 2019, WalletHub ranked Hawaii as the 11th worst state to retire in. However, in 2021, the state jumped all the way up to the 18th best state for retirees in WalletHub’s rankings. ii  So which is it: Is Hawaii an ideal place to retire—or a...

Last edited 11/15/2021 When you decide to relocate to Hawaii, you’ll have a lot of choices to make: what to take, what to leave behind, when to make the move, whether to hire moving help, and—the biggest decision of all—which island to make your home. Many people on the Mainland refer to the entire island chain by the single name “Hawaii.” However, the islands that make up the Hawaiian archipelago offer surprisingly diverse lifestyles. You’ll get a taste of “island life” wherever you decide to live, but you’ll soon discover that each island offers its own unique take on the concept. If you’ve got your...

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own home in Hawaii? If you’ve browsed real estate listings in the Aloha State, you may have encountered a small detail that says: “Land Tenure: Leasehold.”  You’ll often see this note in listings for condos, especially those in and around Honolulu. The other thing you’ll notice is that these properties are significantly less expensive than comparable ones listed as “fee simple.”  Initially, you might think the low price is a typo. That’s not the case. When you agree to a leasehold arrangement, you’re getting something a little different than an outright sale.  We’ll show you exactly what it means to enter into a leasehold agreement—and who this unusual situation might be right for.  Understanding Leasehold vs. Fee...

Last Updated: 8/9/2024 Considering a move to Hilo? You’ll find this town on the eastern coast of the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, nestled in the South Hilo district.   Many people will tell you that Hilo is the rainiest city in the U.S.—but that doesn’t tell the whole story.   In fact, Hilo sits in the “tropical rainforest” designation of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classification System. In other words, there’s no dry season in Hilo. As a result, the landscape in the North and South Hilo districts is one of the most verdant on the island. Think waterfalls and plentiful plant life in vibrant shades of greens, pinks, reds, yellows, purples—almost every shade imaginable.   Additionally, Hilo holds the...

There’s a reason they call it the Big Island. As largest island, Hawaii clocks in at a whopping 4,028 square miles. (It’s almost as big as Connecticut, which measures 4,842 mi2!) In fact, the Big Island has more land area than all of the other Hawaiian Islands combined.i   Considering the Big Island’s substantial size, visitors sometimes decide to focus their time in one area, such as the Kona side. Of course, if you’re lucky enough to move to the Big Island, you’ll have as much time as you like to explore!  If you’re spending your time on the Kona (or western) side of the island, you’ll find it hotter, drier, and sunnier than the Hilo (eastern) side. As a result, there are a several activities...