Explore the Living in Molokai Beyond the Magic of the Ocean

Posted Moving Abroad / February 2, 2018
Gemma Collins

Gemma is an NJ local that has explored all the US states, making her the perfect person to write about moving.

If you’re pining for a life on the islands, somewhere far from the rush of a big city and the noise of concrete jungles, look no further than living in Molokai, Hawaii’s fifth largest island. It’s located in Maui County and has numerous benefits for anyone planning on moving overseas.

Why Living in Molokai, Hawaii Is an Amazing Idea

While becoming an islander sounds attractive, there’s one big reason for moving to Hawaii that could also become tedious in the long run. Tourism is very developed in Oahu, Maui, and the main island of Hawaii. Since the weather is always wonderful and warm, people constantly visit every sunny beach on the islands. While it’s nice to have opportunities as a non-native islander, having so many people in one place can become overwhelming and damage the natural environment.

Compared to the rest of the state, an interesting fact about Molokai is that the natives of this small area completely abandoned promoting tourism as a part of their economy because it was inflicting too much damage on the area’s environment and culture. Despite being slightly unfriendly towards tourism, they aren’t at all unfriendly towards new residents trying to settle there.

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The Fifth Largest Hawaiian Island is the Birthplace of Hula Dancing

The name of this lovely isle is thought to have originated from one of two phrases – Molokai Aina Momona, which in Hawaiian means “land of abundance,” or Molokai Pule O’o, meaning “powerful prayer.” Today, its nicknames are Aina Momona and The Friendly Isle. It’s also a part of Maui County. The largest town on the island is called Kaunakakai.

The island itself is small, spanning 38 miles in length and 10 miles in width, and it lies on the land of two shield volcanoes that make the east and west sides of The Friendly Isle. Land near volcanoes is typically very abundant and fertile, so it’s no wonder that the residents sustain their economy by ranching and farming most of the time. Their economy thrives on businesses like farming, cattle ranches, pineapple plantations, and sugar cane production.

The population of this small area is 7,345 residents, and they pride themselves in rich culture and abundant nature, but a well-functioning society, too. There’s a decently developed school system if you’re moving with kids, one airport in the central area, which is how you can reach the isle and also ship a car overseas if necessary. They have a great general hospital, too. You don’t need to move across the world to experience a new lifestyle when a part of the US is still waiting to be discovered.

The Cost of Living in Molokai and Its Biggest Town of Kaunakakai

Compared to many other beach areas and the cost of living in Hawaii, the Friendly Isle offers more affordable options. The biggest town on the isle, Kaunakakai, has 3,000 residents, and most live a sparsely suburban lifestyle. The average home prices range from $300,000, and rent is around $800. Kaunakakai’s residents present a tight-knit community and pride themselves on being of assistance to each other at all times. If you decide to move here, you can relax knowing that the islanders will accept and help you out any time.

Kaunakakai mostly has job opportunities at the island’s general hospital, but there are small stores and spots where you could probably get some employment. The median yearly salary is around $30,000. However, the income reflects the expenses of most residents, and you wouldn’t need a lot more than that to survive. Living on this isle represents living in modesty and among friendly people. It’s one of the cheapest places in Hawaii to settle in.

Before You Leave for Good, Travel to the Friendly Isle for a Vacation

Suppose you have the intention of living on the Friendly Isle, especially the town of Kaunakakai. In that case, we recommend you travel there for a visit to get the feel of the land before deciding to move overseas. You can get rental cars to explore the area and check into the only hotel, Hotel Molokai. It’s important to understand the way of life there since most residents are native islanders and have spent their entire lives by the beach and ocean. Relocation stress happens with crossing any distance, so you should visit before deciding for real to make this place home.

Watch the video below to see some cool things to do when you visit the Friendly Isle.

An Overseas Moving Company Can Help You Travel and Settle In HI

If you’ve decided to settle on one of HI’s calmest islands, there are some things you should consider when moving in 2021. We’ve all experienced the dreaded quarantine period of last year, which has completely changed international moving and travel. Today, some real serious rules are at large when it comes to traveling and moving, so it’s best to educate yourself by reading the Coronavirus traveling guide. Besides that, if you need to, check the necessary documents for overseas moving by contacting the HI Document Service via email.

Immerse in the Culture of HI After Getting Professional Overseas Shipping

After finalizing your documentation and papers for the move to HI, just hire an international moving company to help you with their packing services for long-distance moving. Some things need to be properly packed for shipping overseas, and in addition to that, packers know precisely how to pack stuff like fragile items and other delicate cargo.

In addition to shipping cargo, you can ship your vehicle with an overseas shipping company which will cover all your bases. You can also just contact them via email to learn more about storage services since overseas shipping can take a while, and some items may need to wait before reaching your next home. We hope your next home on the Friendly Isle helps you find the peace and quiet you’ve been longing for.

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