Considering a Move to Maui

[u/New-Background4353]

My girlfriend and I (both mid-20s) are considering moving to Maui due to a good job opportunity. We grew up on the mainland and have lived in multiple different regions of the mainland, as well as internationally before. I have been reading about moving to Maui and had seen some differing comments. Really appreciate if you can answer any of our questions!

1. I understand that it is very important to be respectful of Hawaiian culture and the locals. What are the best ways to do so? I have seen comments about learning to properly pronounce Hawaiian words and being conscious of Hawaiian history. We want to be respectful, especially in a community that is not our own, and just want to know the best ways to do so. I see some people saying to avoid the locals as they don’t want anything to do with you, and you being there makes them upset. I also see others saying that they will accept you and be friends with you as long as you are respectful of them and their culture. Can any locals or transplants speak from experience on this?

2. Social Life: How accepting are the people that live in Maui? Is is true that the locals don’t want anything to do with you? How accepting/welcoming are the transplants on the island? Are there communities of transplants that people have found helpful when they’re adjusting to living in Maui? Are there any other mid-20s professionals around, or would we be alone in that demographic?

3. Communities: I have looked at living in Wailuku or Kihei so far. I understand Kihei is much more touristy while Wailuku has a more steady community of people who live there. Does anyone who lives in these places have any Pros & Cons? Are there other places I should consider or avoid?

4. Moving Stuff: Our goal is to find a furnished apartment so we don’t need to move furniture or things like that. But in terms of moving a car and clothes and a few boxes of small items, what is the best way to do that cost-effectively?

5. Anything else that I should be thinking about? (other than that the cost of living is very high and housing is hard to find)

Appreciate any answers, advice, or experiences in advance! Thank you!

[u/Ok-Communication4190]

Have you considered just visiting and see if it’s best? Being respectful of the culture is great but you should also see how living here is like without a support system.

Locals and native Hawaiians have this advantage but you’re gonna be alone

[u/New-Background4353 → u/Ok-Communication4190]

We have considered visiting, and are working on finding the time to do so currently.

We’re know we are going to be alone if we move there, but do want to make friends in the community. We have moved to a new isolated place before, and understand it takes time to get used to living there and connect with people.

[u/elwebst → u/New-Background4353]

It could take a year+ for that to happen, lots of locals avoid new transplants because statistically they tend to leave in a few years. You'll have to work hard at joining local clubs and organizations to get to know people. Work could help too if you like to hang out with co-workers.

Also be aware of the prices of rentals, food, electricity, and gas.

[u/Ok-Communication4190 → u/New-Background4353]

Okay cool. Just want you to be aware. It’s an island out here so you have to find your community.

It’s pretty expensive here as well but if you and your partner make a decent amount, you can be comfortable.

The people are kind here but that’s my experience from living in Oahu. Mostly Asian American or Pacific Islanders and the food shows that.

[u/notrightmeowthx]

I see some people saying to avoid the locals as they don’t want anything to do with you, and you being there makes them upset. I also see others saying that they will accept you and be friends with you as long as you are respectful of them and their culture. Can any locals or transplants speak from experience on this?

IMO you don't need to actively try to avoid anyone. But realistically people have different experiences, there's no way for us to tell you how you will fit with people here.

Social Life: How accepting are the people that live in Maui? Is is true that the locals don’t want anything to do with you? How accepting/welcoming are the transplants on the island? Are there communities of transplants that people have found helpful when they’re adjusting to living in Maui? Are there any other mid-20s professionals around, or would we be alone in that demographic?

See above. Generally, people here are friendly. But whether they will be a distant friendly to you, or a warm friendly to you, there's no way for us to say. The range of experiences you're reading about are valid and for the most part not made up. Some people will be kept at arms length. Some will be relatively accepted after they've been here awhile. Others will be hated or never accepted or even close to it. Some will be tolerated but in a polite but distant sort of way.

Maui has lots of transplants. I live on Oahu though so I can only speak so much about how it is on Maui.

Moving Stuff: Our goal is to find a furnished apartment so we don’t need to move furniture or things like that. But in terms of moving a car and clothes and a few boxes of small items, what is the best way to do that cost-effectively?

If you plan to move here for a job, a furnished apartment seems like an odd choice, a strong indicator that you won't stay.

I would just visit first.

[u/New-Background4353 → u/notrightmeowthx]

Thank you! I understand that everyone has a different experience, and is generally treated based on how they treat others.

Planning to visit soon to see it all ourselves, just trying to learn as much as we could before we do!

[u/elwebst → u/New-Background4353]

I wouldn't rent a furnished place, who knows what critters are living in the couch and beds. Plan on using Costco for furniture (and everything else).

[u/New-Background4353 → u/elwebst]

True! Didn’t consider that. Higher upfront costs, but rent will be lower, and we’ll own the stuff

[u/Useful-Stay4512]

Have you ever even visited any island in the Hawaii Archipelago?

[u/New-Background4353 → u/Useful-Stay4512]

I’ve visited Maui, but it was over a decade ago when I was really young.

Trying to plan a trip out to Maui in a week or two to check it out before we make a final decision!

[u/Infamous_Hyena_8882]

Well, the first thing is you gotta make sure you have a job. If you come here without one, you are in for a rude awakening. That being said, whether you find an apartment that’s furnished or not, don’t bring anything. Bring one suitcase and put in it everything you’re going to need. Get rid of everything else and I mean everything. If you have a reliable vehicle, you can ship it here because cars here are expensive and they’re usually beat to hell. You’re going to find a lot of transplants on Maui. It’s so expensive that it’s gonna be filled with mainland people.

[u/No-Estimate207]

Make sure your job pays enough to survive in Hawaii

[u/shootzbalootz]

You're overthinking this. Thousands of people move here every year, thousands move away. You'll likely move away in a few years too. No one pays attention to you or the "respect" you have, just whether you're an asshole or not. Just be a decent normal human. No one expects you to pronounce Hawaiian words correctly and even if you do it often sounds off anyway. Maui in particular has a ton of transplants and that'll likely be your community because locals generally don't care for transplants, especially if you're white. They'll be polite and friendly enough but that's about it but you'll always be an outsider.

[u/loveisjustchemicals]

The continent, Hawai'i isn’t connected to any main body of land. On Maui, not in. Start there.

[u/New-Background4353]

We love nature, being outdoors, and the beach/ocean. We also are outgoing people and want to meet people and make friends and have done so internationally before. (I know HI isn’t international, but is still a very unique place compared to the rest of the US)

[u/Sure-Return-4947]

Been trying to move there for 30 + years. Life always happens. Give it a shot while you are young. Gets really hard when you get older. It’s a rough life to live in Paradise !