🌺 First 30 Days in Hawai‘i — Your Essential Relocation Checklist.

Photo by Jo Barnes on Unsplash

🏠 Housing & Utilities

• 📄 Sign rental agreement & collect proof of address
• ⚡ Set up electricity (HELCO) & water service
• 🌐 Choose internet provider (Spectrum, Hawaiian Telcom, local options)
• 📬 Update mailing address with USPS
• 💰 Budget: Rent + utilities + internet ≈ $1,200–$1,800/month

🩺 Health & Employment

• 🧪 Schedule TB testing (required for many jobs/schools)
• 🏥 Obtain health clearance from a local clinic
• 🗂 Gather employment eligibility docs (passport, SS card, birth certificate)
• ✅ Complete I‑9 verification with employer
• 💰 Budget: TB test $20–$50; clearance visit $75–$150

🚗 Transportation

• 📝 Register car with Hawai‘i DMV (title, insurance, safety inspection)
• 🔧 Complete safety inspection at authorized station
• 🛡 Transfer or purchase Hawai‘i auto insurance
• 🪪 Apply for a Hawai‘i driver’s license
• 💰 Budget: Registration $50–$300; inspection ≈ $25; license ≈ $40

📜 Legal & Residency

• 📑 Collect proof of residency (lease, utility bill, bank statement)
• 🗳 Register to vote in Hawai‘i
• 🪪 Update ID documents with new address
• 🎓 Transfer professional licenses/certifications if applicable
• 💰 Budget: Minimal fees, mostly admin

💵 Budget & Lifestyle

• 🛒 Track grocery costs ($500–$700/month per person)
• ⛽ Monitor gas prices (often $0.50–$1 higher than mainland)
• 🌽 Explore farmers’ markets for affordable produce
• 🤝 Join community groups/clubs to build connections
• 📊 Use cost calculators to plan monthly spending

🛠 Tools Included

• 📊 Rent Affordability Calculator
• 🧾 Cost of Living Worksheet
• 📅 Onboarding Timeline Tracker
• ✅ Residency Proof Checklist
• 💡 Relocation Budget Planner

🎯 Quick Wins

• ✅ Book TB test before arrival to avoid job delays
• ✅ Register car within 30 days to avoid penalties
• ✅ Use relocation budget planner to prevent overspending
• ✅ Keep digital copies of all documents for faster onboarding

New Years Eve and New Years Day

Looking at these beautiful colors reminds me of the night we popped fireworks. In Hawaii, aerial fireworks remain illegal for the most part and we did not have those fireworks. As I was growing up, it was a tradition to have Red Devils or Duck brand firecrackers hung on a pole, preferably a telephone or electric pole, so we could ring in the new year. This year will be a year of growth for me. This year will be the year of no-holds-barred. In other words, I will not give up on my passion for anyone, anything, or any place. 

The beauty of last year stems from how last year fortified this year. It made this year a cakewalk and has helped us to prepare for the future of 2025. Noticeably, there are many people writing to me venting their biggest fears about transgender rights and how they affect the lgbtqia+ men and women as citizens. Although this is sort of the previous generations' Mission Objective, the issues sometimes do not overlap but in fact, make those from the 80s seem old but you are not really old. Gosh, my brain is turning off, let me rest for a little bit.

Alarming Conspiracy or Real Catastrophe?

Photo by Viktor Hesse on Unsplash

I will explain two things weighing on my mind right now. 

First, some posts claim that #Francehasfallen. There are countless videos on social media and YouTube, both Twitter and TikTok alike, that display people stealing, looting, and terrorizing other human beings for WHAT!!! I am humiliated that humans can do these horrible things to each other. They do this anonymously because they are wearing COVID precautionary masks and get away with this.

Next, I watched a YouTube video about the CIA suppressing information that seemed totally irrelevant to suppress. It was the particular video that really blew my mind about human existence. If you want to watch it. Click HERE. This will give you a unique perspective on our existence. The concept is that the world will experience a polar shift, and we will experience a Great Reset. The idea is that we should make ourselves as comfortable as we can. This is not good news, and no one will survive. Why are we all working hard to get somewhere in life? This must be why Elon Musk is building a transportation system to planet Mars.

We are here for a higher purpose, and the fact that we can even think about these things must count for something.

Please comment and share what you think.