Moving to Hawaii? Expect Aloha, $8 Milk, Slippahs, Surf, and Maybe Vog
Last Modified: December 17, 2025
Are you tired of reading Hawaii moving guides that feel like geography textbooks, stuffed with census stats but lacking personality? Life in Hawaii can't be summed up with average weather charts (hint: sunshine, trade winds, and surprise showers) or simple demographic stats (since they'd obviously miss the nuance of throwing shakas and ordering poke at Foodland). If you love warm, lazy mornings and the smell of plumeria, plate lunch with mac salad , and postcard-perfect volcano sunsets, the Aloha State might just be calling you home. Our playful and witty moving guide will prepare you for the good (like beach days any time of year) and the bad (exorbitant rent and H-1 traffic—but don't worry, you're on island time!), so you'll know what it's REALLY like to live aloha.
Snappy Summary: Hawaii offers year-round sun, endless beaches, and a rich melting pot of island culture. But expect very high housing and grocery costs, a heavy state tax load, relatively limited job opportunities (outside tourism, health care, and the military), daily traffic jams on Oahu, heat, humidity, passing rainstorms, and occasional island fever. People still choose it for the daily outdoor lifestyle, close-knit community, diverse food options, and incredible natural beauty.
Hey, I'm Matt
I was born and raised on Oahu and currently make the North Shore playground my home. I’ve lived in four states, half a dozen countries, and more houses across Oahu than I can remember. Each move requires relocating something like 40 surf, foil, and paddle boards—and the sobering realization that they all have to fit somewhere. I’m an adventure journalist, backcountry snowboarder, rock climber, mountain biker, and relentless swell tracker who loves scouting out obscure waves in far-flung corners of the world. Favorite constants include swell checks, tide charts, and vegan sushi at Tane. At Snappy Scout, I edit Hawaii guides with saltwater honesty and local precision.
Matt RottHawaii Local ExpertThe Inside Scoop on Hawaii Cities
Major Cities In A Nutshell
Honolulu
Honolulu is perfect for: Career climbers, urban convenience, island family roots.
Best known for: State politics, plate lunches, nightmare traffic.
If Honolulu were a person, it'd be: A hustling auntie with three side gigs.
Locals live here because: Jobs, schools, and grandma's Kalua pig
Locals swear by: Pau hana (no more work!) sunsets at Ala Moana.
Home sweet home in Honolulu is like: Concrete walkups, plantation cottages, exorbitant ocean views.
The downsides are: Sky-high rent, hot asphalt.
What you'll wear most often: Aloha attire, slippahs, and sunscreen.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona is perfect for: Sun lovers seeking small-town hustle.
Well known for: Coffee, coast drives, vog debates.
Kailua-Kona in human form is: A tanned barista who surfs before work.
Move here for: Outdoor workouts and neighborhood potlucks.
Locals swear by: Sunrise Costco gas lines and poke pickups.
Your housing options here are: Lava lot ranches and hillside subdivisions.
Be prepared for: Vog days; slow one-lane bottlenecks; family back on the Mainland thinking you live in Kailua, Oahu.
Local fashion forecast: Slippahs, board shorts, salt-crusted caps.
Hilo
Hilo is perfect for: Rain lovers, hippies, gardeners, and science nerds.
Widely recognized as the place for: Down-to-earth vibes and banyan shade.
If Hilo were a person, it'd be: A quiet bookworm carrying an umbrella, yoga mat, and bag of lychee.
Move here if you want: Affordable rentals and real neighborhood aunties.
Locals know best: Farmers market mornings and Merrie Monarch week.
Home sweet home in Hilo is like: Plantation homes, jungle mildew, ocean breezes.
The downside to Hilo is: Rain that laughs at your plans.
The dress code here is: Rain jacket, slippahs, muddy jeans.
Kahului
Kahului is perfect for: Practical islanders and Costco warriors.
Well known for: Maui's airport, malls, and running errands.
If Kahului were a person, it'd be: A no-nonsense neighbor with a surfboard rack.
Move here for: Convenience, jobs, and central everything—but with an outer island vibe.
Nothing's more Kahului than: Warehouse shopping and lunch breaks at the beach.
Housing vibe: Newer suburbs and no-view apartments.
Be prepared for: Airport traffic.
The dress code here is: Tees, board shorts, and sunscreen.
Lihue
Lihue is perfect for: Small-town rhythm with occasional errand runs.
Best known for: Feral chickens, county business, and Costco snacks.
Lihue in human form is: A laid-back clerk who knows every cousin.
Locals live here because: Steady jobs and easy inter-island flights.
Locals know best: Rainbow drives and Lydgate park potlucks.
Home sweet home in Lihue is like: Plantation boxes, tidy condos, mountain views.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: Rooster alarms before sunrise, every day.
Local fashion forecast: Aloha shirts on Aloha Fridays and red dirt stains the rest of the week.
Kailua
Kailua is perfect for: Biking families and remote workers with dogs.
Widely recognized as the place for: Beach town routine, mainland comfort, farmers markets, tourists looking to escape Town.
If Kailua were a person, it'd be: A yoga teacher who coaches AYSO.
Locals live here because: Schools, bike lanes, and cooler windward temps.
Nothing's more Kailua than: Whole Foods parking lot diplomacy.
Your housing options here are: Cute bungalows, duplexes, million-dollar tear-downs.
The downsides are: Traffic over the Pali during rainstorms.
What you'll wear most often: Designer tees and $50 slippahs.
Kapolei
Kapolei is perfect for: New suburbs and commuters with keiki (kids).
Well known for: Second City sprawl and Costco gas pilgrimages.
Kapolei in human form is: An ambitious planner with solar panels.
Move here if you want: Space, a garage, and backyard birthday blowouts.
Locals swear by: Rail skepticism and Ka Makana Alii laps.
Home sweet home in Kapolei is like: HOA rules, drywall, and shiny new parks.
Don't say we didn't warn you about: H1 bottlenecks that test your podcast queue.
The dress code here is: Aloha wear, soccer squad jerseys.
Eat Like a Local
For a classic plate lunch, try chicken katsu with mac salad and two scoops of rice. The best traditional Hawaiian grinds include poi, laulau, lomi salmon, pipikaula, and squid luau. Finally, nothing beats an ahi limu poke bowl for a quick lunch—don't forget the furikake.
Matt RottHawaii Local Expert
Fun Facts
Fun Facts You Might not Have Known About Hawaii
Think you really know Hawaii? This is a state full of fiery volcanos, SPAM musubi (don't knock it before you try it!), and humpback whales that breach majestically right offshore. Let's run through some facts, stats, and coconut wireless gossip that showcase what makes Hawaii's tropical brag reel irresistible.
- Common nicknames for Hawaii: The Aloha State, the Rainbow State, Paradise of the Pacific.
- Local reality check: Endless vacation? Real life includes daily traffic, high cost of living, occasional vog (volcanic fog, which pops up when the winds go Kona), and fierce local pride.
- You're most likely moving from: California, Washington, Nevada, Japan, and kamaaina returning from the mainland.
- Strangely large concentration of: ABC Stores in Waikiki, feral chickens in the country areas, and SPAM musubi enthusiasts everywhere.
- Music scene: Slack key guitar, ukulele virtuosos, KCCN FM100, Jawaiian reggae, Merrie Monarch hula, Honolulu jazz clubs.
- You'll have to see it to believe it: Night manta ray ballet off Kona; volcanic eruptions at Kilauea.
- Unique Geography: Volcanic islands with diverse climate zones, colorful coral reefs, and Mauna Kea (technically the world's tallest mountain, when measured from its base far below the surface of the ocean).
- Hawaii is home to: Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Haleakala, Polynesian Cultural Center.
- Well known for its: Surf breaks, poke, shave ice, malasadas, plate lunches, leis, luaus, hula, and aloha spirit.
- Fun history fact: Iolani Palace had electric lights in 1886, before the White House.
- Celebrity sightings: Obama on Oahu, Bruno Mars at shows, Jason Momoa in Haleiwa, professional surfers all over Oahu's North Shore.
- Noteworthy Census stat: #1 for multiracial residents share per Census.
- Most interesting sub-cultures within Hawaii: Outrigger canoe paddling clubs and sunrise regattas; dedicated shore-casting anglers; drift car racers; Mormons in Laie and Hauula (near BYU); Honolulu's traditional Asian neighborhoods and markets.
- Population: 40th largest state by population, 47th largest by land size.
- Hawaii is roughly the same geographic size as: Fiji.
Locals Know Best
If possible, time everything around the daily traffic patterns. Running counter-flow can mean the difference between minutes and hours, whether you are driving to Town or avoiding Turtle Traffic in the Country.
Matt RottHawaii Local ExpertMost Likely Personalities to Love (or Hate) Hawaii
Is Hawaii right for me? If you're a surfer dude, beach bum, or adventure junkie, you'll live for trade winds, poke bowls, and year-round ocean activities. If you're a Wall Street exec or tech bro, you'll love visits, but the slow island pace may drive you crazy. Homesteaders will find ample opportunity on the outer islands, but struggle on Oahu. Find out who Hawaii is and is NOT for in the list below.
Personality Fit Guide
| Personality | % | Recommended Cities | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfer Dude | 97% | Haleiwa, Waikiki, Hanalei | Pipeline, Duke Kahanamoku statue/Waikiki, Ala Moana Bowls |
| Beach Bum | 95% | Kailua, Poipu, Wailea | Lanikai sunrises, Poipu beaches, Wailea golden sunsets |
| Adventure Junkie | 92% | Na Pali Coast, Haleakala, Mauna Kea | Kalalau Trail, crater sunrise, stargazing on Mauna Kea |
| Foodie | 90% | Honolulu, Kailua, Hilo | Helena's laulau, The Pig and the Lady, Hilo poke |
| Yoga Instructor | 88% | Paia, Waikiki, Kailua | Sunrise beach flows, Paia vibes, Kapiolani Park classes |
| Retired Snowbird | 86% | Kailua-Kona, Kihei, Poipu | Warm winters, Kona sunsets, Kihei walks, Poipu golf |
| Craft Beer Fan | 84% | Kailua-Kona, Kihei, Kakaako | Kona Brewing, Maui Brewing Kihei, Hana Koa taps |
| Coffee Snob | 82% | Holualoa, Kaimuki, Chinatown | Kona farms, Morning Glass Kaimuki, Alii Coffee downtown |
| Farmer's Market Regular | 80% | Honolulu, Hilo, Kakaako | KCC Farmers Market Saturdays, Hilo market mangoes, SALT vibes |
| Garden Club Lifetime Member | 78% | Kaneohe, Manoa, Kilauea | Ho'omaluhia gardens, Lyon Arboretum, Limahuli Preserve bliss |
| College Student | 76% | Manoa, Downtown Honolulu, Laie | UH Manoa green, HPU waterfront, BYU Hawaii beach scene |
| Dog Momma | 74% | Kailua, Kakaako, Hawaii Kai | Kailua off-leash vibes, Hawaii Kai Dog Park hangs |
| Retired Military | 72% | Pearl Harbor, Mililani, Kaneohe | Joint Base life, Schofield community, Kaneohe MCBH beach views |
| Hipster | 70% | Kakaako, Chinatown, Kaimuki | Pow Wow murals, ARS cafe, indie vinyl hunts |
| PTA President | 68% | Mililani, Kailua, East Honolulu | Mililani Trojans pride, Kailua carnivals, Kaiser Complex fundraisers |
| CrossFit Regular | 66% | Kailua, Kakaako, Kapolei | CrossFit Oahu boxes, Ala Moana sprint sessions |
| Vintage Thrifter | 64% | Kaimuki, Aiea, Chinatown | Goodwill Kaimuki finds, Aloha Stadium Swap Meet scores |
| Binge Shopper | 62% | Ala Moana, Waikiki, Waikele | Ala Moana Center sprees, Waikiki Luxury Row, Waikele deals |
| Minimalist | 60% | Kakaako condos, Kaimuki, Hilo | Kakaako microlofts, beach walks, backyard gardens |
| DIYer | 58% | Hilo, Waimanalo, Waianae | City Mill runs, salvage scores at Reuse Hawaii |
| Gamer | 56% | Honolulu, Aiea, Kapolei | Hawaiian Telcom fiber, PC cafes, time zone raids |
| Stay-at-Home Mom | 54% | Mililani, Kailua, Pearl City | Keiki playgroups, beach days, Mililani Rec Center sanity |
| Cowboy | 48% | Waimea, Makawao, Kula | Paniolo heritage, Parker Ranch rodeos, upcountry charm, not Texas |
| Tech Bro | 42% | Kakaako, Manoa, Kapolei | Blue Startups energy, small scene, no SoMa scale |
| Homesteader | 38% | Puna, Waianae, Hamakua | Off-grid acreage, lava zones, tricky permits, old Hawaii magic still exists |
| Wall Street Exec | 34% | Honolulu | Downtown Honolulu finance, but no NYSE buzz or scale |
What Makes Hawaii Feel Like Home
The morning chorus of the tropical songbirds, interrupted by the occasional off-key crowing of a rooster.
Matt RottHawaii Local Expert
Things To Do
Fun Things to Do Around Hawaii
Curious about what you'll do when you live in Hawaii? If you like the idea of diving coral reefs, relaxing at the beach, exploring lava fields, and stargazing on Mauna Kea, Hawaii is calling you home! This list of fun activities will take you from lava tubes to waterfall hikes, and give you a taste of Hawaii's culture, nature, and history.
- Get outside and hike: Climb Diamond Head crater in Honolulu for sweeping views of Waikiki.
- Spend time on the water cooling off: Snorkel Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve on Oahu's southeast shore; surf the north side during winter.
- An iconic road trip:: Maui's road to Hana, with frequent waterfall stops.
- A scenic ride in the car or on a bike: Honolulu's Tantalus to Round Top for rainforest switchbacks.
- World-class stargazing: Get above Hilo's clouds at Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, near some of the world's most productive telescopes.
- Don't stop chasing waterfalls: Hike through lush rainforest to Akaka Falls near Hilo or Maunawili Falls on Oahu.
- Underground adventure: Walk Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.
- Local weekend vibes: Beach BBQ plans? Claim a picnic grill at Ala Moana Beach Park or Magic Island.
- For the sports fan: Watch the world's best surfers at Pipeline and Waimea Bay; UH Rainbows football games at Aloha Stadium.
- Winter highlights: Set out from Maui's Lahaina Harbor for a humpback whale watching excursion.
Hidden Gem Spotlight
Sunrise over Makapuu Lighthouse—but don't leave any valuables in your car.
Matt RottHawaii Local ExpertTaxes, Politics & People
The Essential Hawaii Trifecta
State Income Tax: Progressive brackets, roughly 1.4% to 11% top rate, thresholds vary
Property Taxes: Nation's lowest effective rate, Honolulu tiered classes, Maui and Kauai higher on second homes
Hawaii politics are: deep blue statewide, union-friendly, Honolulu progressive, neighbor islands pragmatic, Hawaiian sovereignty activism visible
Hawaiians are: warm, aloha spirit, laid back, proud of local culture, protective of the aina (land)
The religious breakdown is: a pluralistic mix, many unaffiliated, Christian majority, notable Buddhist population, some Shinto, folk religion, LDS
Weather
Hawaii Weather: All the Facts, None of the Stats
Is it going to pour, vog, or maybe something worse? The summers are baked by the sun and cooled by the trade winds, while winters bring warm rains and rainbow overload. Here's what else is going on around Hawaii that will impact your time outside.
- Summer temps be like: Permanent beach day vibes (westside sizzles, Kona side extra toasty)
- Winter lows are: Barefoot hoodie weather; mauka (mountains) can be chilly, Mauna Kea occasionally gets snow.
- The humidity makes me: Glisten or stink, depending on perspective.
- Unique weather patterns: Frequent showers on windward ridges; Kona storms when the trades die down; vog on the Big Island (and occasionally on the other islands); winter swells on the North Shore; rainbows every day.
- Local weather fashion tip: Slippahs (flip-flops) year round; aloha shirts count as business casual; downtime is spent in board shorts and bikinis.
- Bugs be like: Mosquitoes with the thickness, B52 cockroaches doing flybys, centipedes with grudges (and painful stings), coqui lullabies at 2 a.m.
- You're stuck indoors again today because: There's a hurricane watch and you can't handle another panicked Costco run.
- Green thumb enthusiasts love: Papaya from a backyard seed, mangoes dropping on the driveway, lilikoi (passion fruit) vines taking the fence hostage, more starfruit and mountain apple than you could ever eat, plumeria leis on demand, orchids thriving on gentle neglect, taro if you like muddy ankles.
- Your friend with allergies is always saying: Vog and mold are plotting my demise.
My Favorite Thing About Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall in Hawaii
If The Eddie runs between December and February, the entire island shows up to watch Hawaii's biggest event in its biggest waves. Kam Highway shuts down between Foodland and Chuns, with 50,000+ people crowding the sand, pavement, and every square inch around Waimea Bay. Drive out the night before, post up, and enjoy the circus.
Matt RottHawaii Local Expert