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Relocating to Hawaii: Suggestions for a Major Move

Provided by Tom Tezak*

Section 1: Moving Your “Stuff”

• Furniture
• Selling vs. Shipping
• Selling –  Typically makes a long-distance move “easier” however prices of practically everything is higher on the island, so unless you are willing to buy everything new for your home, shipping your current furniture is usually cost-effective. Keep in mind that replacing antique furniture is almost impossible once you arrive. While there are furniture stores, the majority of available items are modern. Also, if you are only shipping a few pieces of furniture, it is possible that it will cost more to ship them than to replace them on-island.
• Shipping – As with any move, it is possible that damage will occur during transport, although it is usually minor.  Generally speaking, shipping an entire household of furniture is less expensive than re-buying everything on-island. This also ensures that you keep furniture items that are hard to replace or hold great sentimental value to you.
• Ways to Transport your Items
• Crating: An intermodal container or freight container is a reusable transport and storage unit for moving products and raw materials between locations or countries; the terms container or box may be used on their own within the context of shipping.
• FCL – A Full Container Load (FCL) is a standard (20 or 40 ft length) depending on location of origin, but sometimes it is standard container that is loaded and un-loaded under the risk and account of one shipper and only one consignee, in practice it means the whole container is intended for one customer. FCL container shipment attracts lower freight rates than an equivalent weight of cargo in bulk. The FCL means the loading reaches its allowable maximum weight or full measurement. In practice, the FCL in the ocean freight does not always mean packing a container to its full payload or full capacity.
• • LCL – Less than container load (LCL) is a shipment that is not large enough to fill a standard cargo container. Most LCL methods require that all items shipped to be packaged in shipping grade boxes, cartons, or crates. This requirement is for the protection of your shipment as it will be loaded into an ocean container with all kinds of freight from around the country.

   

  • Door to Door – This service includes pickup and delivery from your old home to your new home, rather than you delivering/retrieving your items at the loading docks. This does not include carrying items into various rooms, or set-up of any kind.

   

  • Full Service – this is how it sounds – packing, pick-up, delivery and unpacking/setup of all your household goods.

   

  • Some suggested freighting companies (NOT FULL SERVICE)
  • Universal Transportation Services
  • American Fast Freight

   

  • Some Full Service Companies
  • Guardian
  • Allied Van Lines
  • American Pacific Moving Services

   

• Items other than Furniture
• Full Service companies listed above will also move your items
• Other options include, but are not limited to:
• Moving Companies
• Relocation Services
• Self-sent through the Post Office
• Vehicles
• Matson – “One Call Does It All”
• Matson offers state-of-the-art customer support which simplifies the entire freight transportation process. By calling one toll-free number, customers can quickly and easily obtain information pertaining to any aspect of doing business with Matson, including rate quotations, booking, billing, schedules, equipment needs, shipment status and problem resolutions
• Pasha            The Pasha Group is a transportation and logistics company with over 60 years’ experience in vehicular transportation, offering expertise in point-to-point logistics, terminal operations, distribution management and information tracking systems.
•  Horizon Lines– TheMission    To deliver reliable and cost competitive container shipping and logistics solutions with industry-leading customer service and operational excellence between the Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, Micronesia, and Puerto Rico. 

   

  Section Two: Pet Relocation

  Hawaiiis rabies-free. Hawaii’s quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from potentially serious health problems associated with the introduction and spread of rabies. All dogs and cats, regardless of age (puppies and kittens included) or purpose, must comply with Hawaii’s dog and cat import requirements. The different quarantine options and requirements can be found here: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

  • Dogs – Many Hybrid dogs such as wolf mixes are not allowed to be brought onto the island. The entire prohibited animal list can be found here: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/lists

   

  • Cats – Hybrid cats (such as cat/bobcat mixes) are prohibited. Please see http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/lists for the entire prohibited animal list.

   

  • Birds – Large exclusion list including Lories, Parrotlets and many Finch varieties. Please see http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/lists for a complete list.

   

  • Small Animals – Many small animals are not allowed into the Hawaiian Islands. These include gerbils, hamsters, ferrets and snakes. The full list can be found here: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/pi/pq/lists

  Section Three: Moving the Family

              Provided you have children, there are essentially two options when relocating your family. You can have one adult come ahead of time, or everyone can come at once. Each option has its pros and cons, a few (not all) of which are discussed below.

   

   

  All Together Pros:

  • Everyone gets the first experience ofMauiat the same time.
  • Family can be a major source of support.
  • Depending on kid’s ages they can help clean, unpack, etc.

   

  All Together Cons:

  • The kids may be restless with the chores of moving
  • Multiple travel tickets are expensive!
  • Timing for such a venture may be tricky

   

   

   

  Separately Pros:

  • Monetary requirements will be more spread out
  • The relocating adult will have better focus on needs of moving
  • Time to explore and find good island activities for the arriving children.

   

  Separately Cons:

  • Lack of support in new area/missing family members
  • One partner has to complete the rest of the move with the children
  • Time constraints if working to let in movers/painters etc.

   

   Section Four: Important To-Dos After Arriving

  • Safety Inspections and Registering your vehicles –Hawaiirequires both a Safety Inspection and State Registration to legally operate a vehicle onMaui.
  • Safety inspections must be completed as “provisional” before the state will begin your registration process. After the vehicle has been registered, you will need to return to the registration station to have them officially complete your inspection and issue you a sticker.
  • Vehicle Registration inHawaiiis done by weight, not necessarily the age of the vehicle. There are several places you can register your vehicle onMaui.
  • For information on the vehicle registration process in Hawaii, please visit the state website: http://www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs/motorvehicleregistration.htm

   

  • Driver’s License vs. State ID    Hawaiirecognizes all other 49 state driver’s licenses as valid.  If your license has a long time before it expires, there is no direct reason to re-take a written test to obtain aHawaiilicense. The underlying reason many people change their license upon arrival is due to the vast majority of businesses offering “kamaaina” discounts to anyone with proof of residency inHawaii. The other option you have is to apply for a state ID, which is also acceptable as proof of residency. To learn more about obtaining either a driver’s license or aHawaiistate ID, you may visit

  http://www.state.hi.us/dot/publicaffairs/driverslicense.htm 

• *Tom Tezak does not recommend, partner with, benefit from or endorse any company, product, service, or website mentioned in this article. All links, quotes, products, services, or other third party materials are provided for informational purposes only. Tom Tezak does not assume any liability should individuals receiving this information choose to begin a business relationship with any mentioned entity. All materials referenced are copyright of their respective owners.
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