Moving from Hawaii to the mainland is a major change. You’re not simply crossing a state line and driving a moving truck to your new home. Your household goods have to cross the Pacific, your vehicle may need to be shipped separately, and the climate, geography and pace of life can be very different depending on where you’re going.
Whether you’re moving for a new job, returning to the mainland, relocating for the military or making a permanent change for your family, planning ahead can make the transition much easier.
Start Planning Your Move Early
One of the biggest differences between a Hawaii-to-mainland move and a typical interstate move is the logistics involved in getting your belongings off the islands.
Household goods traveling from Hawaii to the mainland are generally transported by ocean. Depending on the size and nature of your shipment, your belongings may be loaded into a shipping container and transported by ocean carrier before continuing to your destination.
That means your move involves more than simply scheduling a moving truck. Your mover needs to coordinate the pickup in Hawaii, packing and loading, ocean transportation and delivery to your new home on the mainland.
For that reason, don’t wait until the last minute to start comparing moving companies and requesting estimates. The earlier you begin, the more time you have to understand your options, establish a realistic budget and work around your preferred moving dates. (You’ll also want to be sure you’re comparing apples to apples when you get moving quotes. Keep in mind that Compass Moving has decades of experience in moving people from Hawaii to the mainland, and your personal Compass Relocation Specialist will walk you through the process from start to finish.)
Decide What Is Worth Taking With You
Moving your entire household from Hawaii can be expensive, so this is a good opportunity to take a hard look at what you actually want to bring.
Before your movers arrive, sort your belongings into four basic categories:
- Things you definitely want to take
- Things you may want to sell
- Things you can donate
- Things that are inexpensive or easier to replace after you arrive
This doesn’t mean you should automatically sell your furniture. Replacement costs on the mainland can vary significantly depending on where you’re moving, and buying everything again after you arrive can quickly become expensive.
Instead, compare the cost and convenience of shipping an item with the cost of replacing it at your destination. Your mover can provide an estimate based on the size of your shipment, which can help you make those decisions.
Don’t Forget About Your Vehicle
For many Hawaii residents, deciding what to do with the family vehicle is one of the biggest questions associated with the move.
You generally have two choices: ship the vehicle to the mainland or sell it in Hawaii and purchase another vehicle after you arrive.
If you decide to ship it, vehicle transportation is handled separately from the household-goods portion of your move. Also keep in mind that your vehicle may arrive at a mainland port before or after your household goods. Build that possibility into your transportation plans.
With Compass Moving, our vehicle shipping process is straightforward, and your vehicle rests in good hands.
Prepare for a Very Different Climate
Hawaii’s year-round climate can make seasonal changes on the mainland feel dramatic.
The adjustment will depend almost entirely on where you’re moving. Someone relocating to Southern California will have a very different experience from someone moving to Missouri, Minnesota, New York or Colorado.
Before you leave Hawaii, research:
- Average summer and winter temperatures
- Snow and ice
- Severe thunderstorms
- Tornadoes or hurricanes, depending on the region
- Heating and air-conditioning requirements
- Seasonal allergies
- Appropriate clothing and footwear
If you’ve spent years living in Hawaii, you may not own the clothing or equipment you’ll need for a mainland winter. Rather than trying to purchase everything at the last minute, find out what you’ll need before you move and budget for it.
And if you’re moving somewhere with snow and ice, learn how winter driving works before your first major storm arrives.
Get Familiar With Your New City Before You Arrive
One of the biggest adjustments may have nothing to do with your household goods. It may simply be learning how your new community works.
Hawaii has its own geography, road systems and local customs. On the mainland, the experience varies dramatically from one city to another.
Before you move, research:
- Your commute
- Public transportation options
- Major highways and roads
- Parking
- Schools and childcare
- Grocery stores and shopping
- Healthcare providers
- Local government services
- Neighborhoods
- Recreation and community activities
If possible, spend some time exploring your new city before moving day. Even a short visit can help you understand where you’ll be living and what your daily routine will look like.
Be Ready for the Cost-of-Living Changes—In Either Direction
It’s easy to assume that moving from Hawaii to the mainland automatically means everything will be cheaper.
That isn’t necessarily true.
Housing, transportation, utilities, groceries and other expenses vary enormously from one mainland community to another. A move to a high-cost metropolitan area may not produce the savings you expect, while a move to a smaller city or rural community could have a very different financial impact.
Research the actual cost of living in the city where you’re going rather than relying on general comparisons between Hawaii and the mainland.
And remember to account for the cost of the move itself, including transportation for your family, household-goods shipping, vehicle transportation, temporary housing and other expenses associated with getting established.
Your Favorite Hawaii Foods May Be Harder to Find
One thing you may miss after leaving Hawaii is the food.
Depending on where you move, you may not find your favorite local foods at every grocery store or restaurant. Some communities have strong Hawaii connections and excellent Hawaiian, Japanese and Pacific Island food options; others may have very little familiarity with the foods you’ve grown accustomed to.
You may find yourself looking for places that sell things such as mochi, li hing mui, local-style snacks or other Hawaii favorites.
Fortunately, you don’t have to give them up completely. Hawaii-inspired food and products are available in many mainland communities, and friends and family back home may still be able to send you some of your favorites.
Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Moving away from Hawaii can be an emotional transition as well as a logistical one.
You may be excited about your new job, home or community while still missing the people, food, weather and lifestyle you left behind. That’s normal.
The pace of life may feel different. The weather may be different. People may interact differently. Even simple things such as grocery shopping, commuting or navigating a new city can take some getting used to.
Give yourself and your family time to settle in.
Look for opportunities to meet people, explore your new community and establish routines. If you’re moving with children, remember that they may experience the transition differently than you do and may need time to make new friends and become comfortable in a new school.
Moving From Hawaii Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming
A Hawaii-to-mainland move involves more planning than a typical move across state lines, but you don’t have to coordinate every detail yourself.
An experienced mover like Compass can help you understand the logistics of transporting your household goods from Hawaii, coordinate packing and loading, arrange transportation and help you plan for delivery at your new home.
The key is to start early, understand what you’re shipping, research your destination and work with a moving company that understands the unique challenges of Hawaii moves.
If you’re planning a move from Hawaii to the mainland, Compass Moving can help you navigate the process from your initial estimate through delivery at your new home. Fill out a quote request form or email us directly for more information.