MOVING TO BIG ISLAND HAWAII MOVING TIPS

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Moving Your Household to Hawaii

Tips for shipping your car and moving your pets, furniture and family safely over land and sea.

One of the biggest challenges when relocating to or from Hawai'i (or even to another Hawaiian Island) is transporting your posessions. Your car, furniture and other large household items, pets and more, need additional attention to transport safely over land and then the ocean.

Before you begin, research and talk extensively with shipping companies to determine which can operate within your budget and time frame. Companies such as CSX Lines, and Matson provide full shipping services at decent prices, from most locations on the U.S. West Coast.

Determining whether to sell or ship all of your items is something you need to carefully look at. Some people decide it's more economical to sell certain items than it is to ship them — such as older cars valued at less than a thousand dollars. That is often a wise choice, but if your household items are in good condition, it makes sense to take them with you to the Aloha State. In Hawai'i you'll find higher costs for manufactured goods, and your choice of replacement merchandise may be more limited than what you are used to.

Time frame: Shipping a car or container of household items generally takes three to four weeks. Cars are shipped in individual containers. A three-bedroom home will likely fill a 24-foot container. Check with your shipping company or an authorized trucking company; they may be able to deliver the container to your house for packing, then retrieve it for delivery to the docks. These drop offs and deliveries of containers will be charged separately by the trucking company. There are several choices on the Big Island and it pays to do your homework.

Plant materials are not allowed into Hawai'i from other states. These are items that will easily be replaced with all the opulent choices of flora and fauna in paradise.

• Bringing your pets to Hawaii

Some items should be moved with your personal luggage :

Family records
Passports
Insurance, health and other related paperwork

Moving Ideas for Kids

To the younger members of your family, moving can be downright frightening. Communicate openly and realistically with all family members as early as possible. Here are some other helpful hints you can use: Tell children what is happening and include them in the process of selecting the new home, if possible. If children feel included in the decision-making process, and "take ownership" of their new home, the transition will be easier.

Don't try to get rid of children's favorite items at this time even though it might make moving simpler.
Don't throw away personal stuff behind a child's back.
Negotiate what goes and what stays.
Bring pictures from the new home and school, as well as special things about the area, according to their interests.
Ask the new coach, scout leader, teacher, etc., to call your child.
Don't forget grandparents, cousins, and your extended family, close friends of adults and children.
Share the excitement and responsibilities.

If every family member takes responsibility for an age-appropriate part of the move, yours can be an easy move.

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