Hawaii is the 50th state of the United States of America and is actually made up of several islands. It is set in the Pacific Ocean south west of the continental US and south east of Japan. Hawaii is a collective chain of volcanic islands; there are 8 main islands within the group although there are actually several hundred islands within a 1500 mile area. The main Islands are Hawaii (also known as the big island) Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, Kahoolawe, Niihau and Lanai.

The state capital and also the largest city is Honolulu located on Oahu Island. Also on Oahu one will find the US Naval base Pearl Harbour. Hawaii is the 42rd largest state in terms of population and 43rd in terms of area. The main cities in Hawaii are Honolulu, Kailua, Hilo, Kaneohe, and Mililani. The climate is tropical although easterly winds help to keep the temperature reasonable.

Hawaii – Employment

One of the main industries in Hawaii is tourism. Hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the state each year and there are always positions available in hotels and shops. These are mainly for non-skilled workers and some positions are seasonal. Other industries include agriculture, as the state has a high number of sugarcane plantations and is an exporter of pineapples and coffee. Vacancies in this area may also be seasonal.

Full-time positions are more likely in the medical and education sectors. The US has a shortage of qualified medical staff but expats wanting to work in this area will have to take local examinations in order to get a licence to practise in the state. The state has a relatively low unemployment rate at 6.9%.

Hawaii – Property

Many expats head for Honolulu when they first move to Hawaii and there are many areas of the city to choose from. The Waikiki district, for example, is a Mecca for tourists. The district is filled with restaurants and nightclubs as well as shops and beaches. There are some residential sections of the district, mainly apartments, and due to the demand the prices are quite high.

The Waterfront district is centred on the harbour in Honolulu and as for Waikiki, this is a mainly tourist area. Properties available are mainly apartments and the high demand for the properties has kept the prices high.

The area of Mililani is situated very close to Honolulu and many who work in there choose to live in Mililani. There are many residential areas of the town that cater for families. As well as many family homes there is a good school system, parks and shopping malls. The oldest part of the area is known as Mililani Town which is home to many commercial and retail areas. A newer residential part of the town is Mililani Mauka, which is aimed at the more affluent homeowner. Launani Valley is also a new development in Mililani, mainly consisting of town houses and detached family homes. Mililani has been voted one of the best places in the United States to set up home and there are plans for further developments in the area.

The town of Kailua is a mostly residential area but there is a commercial district too. Just a short drive from Honolulu, it is the ideal town for those who want to experience island life without the hustle and bustle of tourism. The town is tranquil, although it is still a beach town and there is a strong community feel to the area. Property here is much sought after and this helps to keep the prices high, but it is a very family-orientated town. It is a relatively small town and the lack of hotels means that tourists are not there all the time.

Kaneohe is a large residential area located on the windward side of the island of Oahu. Around two thirds of homes in the area are owned, rather than rented and many are single family homes. The area is popular with those who work in Honolulu. Prices here are a little cheaper than other areas and residents will find that there is everything that they need for daily life. For those who do not have a family there are apartment complexes and if you want a view of the bay you will find that you will have to pay more.