Finding The Right Hawaiian Island To Call Home
Each of the Hawaiian Islands offers its own unique climate and geography, although, as a whole, the islands are considered to have a two-season year. Each individual island also has its own lifestyle. Even though the islands are considered a part of the United States, there are some major differences between living in Hawaii and living on the mainland. The cost of living is generally higher, housing can be limited, and employment opportunities can vary considerably from island to island.
If you’re trying to find the right Hawaiian island to call home, here is a brief overview of each to help get you started.
Hawaii – “The Big Island”
Hawaii, commonly called “The Big Island,” is the largest of all the Hawaiian Islands. It offers a wide variety of climates and landscapes, from tropical beaches to mountainous areas and volcanic terrain.
The economy on Hawaii Island is diverse. Tourism, government, healthcare, construction, agriculture and ranching are all important parts of the local economy. The island is also home to the world-renowned astronomical observatories on Mauna Kea, making astronomy and scientific research an important part of its identity.
One of the attractions of Hawaii Island for people considering a move is the amount of space available compared with some of the other major Hawaiian Islands. Communities range from the larger population centers of Hilo and Kailua-Kona to smaller, more rural communities.
If you want more room, a variety of landscapes and a lifestyle that can feel less urban than Honolulu, Hawaii Island may be worth considering.
Maui – “The Valley Isle”
Maui, “The Valley Isle,” is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Tourism remains a major part of the island’s economy, while agriculture, healthcare, construction, professional services and other businesses also provide employment opportunities.
Maui has long attracted people looking for a combination of outdoor recreation and a quieter lifestyle. Snorkeling, hiking, surfing and other water and outdoor activities are popular, and the island offers numerous bays and beaches to explore.
Maui has also undergone significant change since the 2023 wildfires in West Maui. Recovery and rebuilding continue, particularly in the Lahaina area. At the same time, tourism has continued to recover, with more than 229,000 visitors traveling to Maui in June 2026.
For someone considering moving to Maui, it’s important to look beyond the vacation experience and understand the current housing, employment and community conditions in the particular area where you plan to live.
Oahu – “The Gathering Place”
Oahu, “The Gathering Place,” has the largest population of all of the Hawaiian Islands and is home to Honolulu, the state’s capital and largest city.
If employment opportunities and access to services are important considerations, Oahu deserves serious consideration. The island has the state’s greatest concentration of government, military, healthcare, education, tourism, professional services, retail, transportation and other employment opportunities.
Honolulu is also home to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the state’s primary air transportation hub, as well as the Port of Honolulu, one of the state’s major commercial ports.
Of all the islands, Oahu offers perhaps the greatest selection of shopping, restaurants, entertainment, healthcare, schools and other services. Surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking and other outdoor activities are also readily available.
The trade-off is that Oahu generally offers a more urban lifestyle than the other major Hawaiian Islands. If you want the greatest selection of jobs and amenities, Oahu may be the right choice. If you are looking for a quieter or more rural lifestyle, another island may be a better fit.
Tourism remains a major part of Oahu’s economy. In the first half of 2026, Oahu welcomed nearly 2.9 million visitors and recorded more than $5 billion in visitor spending.
Kauai – “The Garden Isle”
Kauai, “The Garden Isle,” is the fourth largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is known for its lush scenery, mountains, beaches and dramatic coastline. Its natural beauty has also made it a popular location for television shows and Hollywood movies.
Tourism is an important part of the Kauai economy, although agriculture, construction, healthcare and other local businesses also provide employment.
Kauai offers a slower-paced lifestyle than Oahu, with smaller communities and less of the urban development found around Honolulu. That can be appealing if you’re looking for a quieter place to call home.
The trade-off is that there are fewer employment opportunities and fewer large-city amenities than you’ll find on Oahu. Housing can also be challenging to find, so anyone considering moving to Kauai should begin researching housing well before the move.
Kauai continues to attract substantial numbers of visitors. In 2025, the island welcomed approximately 1.42 million visitors, and visitor spending totaled approximately $2.93 billion.
And yes, the famous feral chickens are still part of the Kauai experience—but they probably shouldn’t be the deciding factor when choosing your new home!
Molokai – “The Friendly Isle”
Molokai is much less developed and less populated than the four major visitor islands. For someone looking for a quieter, more rural lifestyle, that can be its greatest attraction.
Agriculture and small local businesses are important to the island, but employment opportunities are considerably more limited than on Oahu, Maui, Kauai or Hawaii Island.
If you’re considering moving to Molokai, you should be prepared for a very different lifestyle from Honolulu or the larger communities on Maui and Hawaii Island. There are fewer shopping and entertainment options, fewer services and a smaller selection of housing.
For some people, that’s exactly the appeal.
For others, the limited employment opportunities and services can make Molokai difficult as a permanent home. A visit before making the decision to move is especially important.
Lanai – “The Pineapple Isle”
Lanai is the smallest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands and has a very small population. Historically known as the “Pineapple Isle” because of its pineapple-growing history, modern Lanai is better known for its quiet communities, ranching heritage and luxury tourism.
Tourism and hospitality are major parts of the island’s modern economy, and employment opportunities are limited compared with the larger Hawaiian Islands.
Lanai offers a peaceful, remote lifestyle, but that comes with trade-offs. There are fewer stores, restaurants, healthcare services and other amenities than on Oahu or Maui, and residents need to be comfortable with the realities of island living.
If your idea of the perfect Hawaiian home involves privacy, quiet and a small community rather than nightlife and extensive shopping, Lanai may be worth exploring.
What About Niihau and Kahoolawe?
Not every Hawaiian island is a practical option for someone looking to move to Hawaii.
Niihau is privately owned and has a small permanent population. It is often called the “Forbidden Isle” because public access is highly restricted. While the island has a fascinating history and unique cultural significance, it is not generally a residential relocation option for the public.
Kahoolawe is uninhabited and is managed for cultural, historical and natural-resource purposes. It is not a conventional residential destination.
For most people looking for a place to call home, the practical choices are Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Molokai or Lanai.
Finding the Right Hawaiian Island for You
There is no single “best” Hawaiian island. The right island depends on what you’re looking for in your new home.
If you want the greatest selection of jobs, services and entertainment: Oahu may be your best choice.
If you want a combination of employment opportunities, outdoor recreation and island lifestyle: Maui may be a good fit.
If you want more space, diverse landscapes and a variety of communities: Hawaii Island is worth considering.
If you want a quieter, nature-oriented lifestyle: Kauai may be right for you.
If you want a very rural, less-developed environment: Molokai may be worth exploring.
If you want a small, quiet and remote community: Lanai may be the island for you.
Of course, these are generalizations. Every island has communities that offer very different lifestyles, so it’s worth spending time exploring specific areas before deciding where to live.
What Types of Property Are Available in Hawaii?
Once you’ve narrowed down the right Hawaiian island, you’ll need to start thinking about where and how you want to live.
The types of property on the islands range from single-family homes, multi-family homes and regular condos to timeshare condos. An “ohana dwelling” is a cottage or additional dwelling on another individual’s property. The landowner usually has a home of his or her own on the property also.
There are vacant lots available for those wanting to build, as well as commercial properties for those looking to start a business.
It is important to note that there are two types of property ownership available in Hawaii: Fee Simple (FS) and Leasehold (LH).
With fee simple ownership, you generally own both the property and the land on which it sits. With leasehold property, you own the building or other interest in the property for the term of the lease, while the land itself is owned by someone else.
If you’re considering purchasing property in Hawaii, make sure you understand whether the property is fee simple or leasehold and what the terms of the ownership or lease involve.
Visit Before You Move
One of the best parts of finding the right island for you and your family is visiting Hawaii.
A vacation can give you an idea of what an island looks like, but living there is different. If possible, spend enough time on your preferred island to explore neighborhoods, look at housing, investigate employment opportunities, shop for groceries and experience everyday life.
With limited housing available in many areas, it’s wise to begin your search well in advance of your move if possible.
Think about what matters most to you:
- Where will you work?
- How much space do you need?
- What type of housing do you want?
- How important are shopping, restaurants and entertainment?
- Do you need easy access to healthcare?
- Are you comfortable with a long commute?
- Do you want an urban, suburban or rural environment?
- How important are beaches, hiking and other outdoor activities?
- Are you comfortable with the higher costs and logistical challenges that can come with island living?
Hawaii’s economy continues to evolve, and employment opportunities are not limited to tourism. Current state data shows significant activity and job growth in areas including healthcare, construction, accommodation, information, transportation and other industries.
The more you understand about the differences between the islands before you move, the better prepared you’ll be to choose the right one.
Moving to Hawaii
Once you’ve found the right Hawaiian island to call home, Compass Moving can help you get there.
Moving to Hawaii is different from moving between mainland cities. Your household goods need to travel by ocean freight, and your vehicle, pets and other belongings may require separate planning.
Our experts can answer your questions about moving to and living in Hawaii and help you understand the logistics involved in getting your household to your new island home.
When the big day comes, we’ll help make your move go smoothly so you can feel right at home in Hawaii.