It finally happens. The stars align, and you receive the exciting news that the military is sending your family on an all-expenses paid three-year vacation to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. You may be tempted to prematurely get on island time and focus on planning your luau and snorkel schedule (http://www.greatlifehawaii.com/itt/information-tickets-travel), or perhaps the prospect of the unknown will get you wrapped up in reading about brown water advisories (http://emdweb.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/wqd/viewer/Home.aspx), how expensive it is to live here (http://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/the-10-most-and-least-expensive-states-america.html), or the alarming number of Hawaii tourist deaths (http://www.civilbeat.org/2016/01/death-in-paradise-is-all-too-frequent-for-visitors-to-hawaii/?cbk=56834b63529f3&cbs=1). However, this is a big OCONUS (Outside the CONtinental US) move, and you’re going to need to conserve that brain power to make the preparations necessary for a smooth transition.

Here, I present my top tips for mitigating stress and making the most of your adventure in the Aloha State.

Save Up for an Expensive PCS

One of the more challenges aspects of a move to Hawaii is the unpredictable process of securing housing in a red-hot real estate market. Agents wouldn’t even agree to show us their property five days out because they knew it would be gone by then. Property managers and owners alike want to size you up in person, so come prepared to scout out your preferred neighborhoods and strike quickly once you see something you like. AHRN https://www.ahrn.com/ is your best friend here. Most families spend one to two months in a hotel, and while these extra food and housing costs are reimbursable, military repayment takes time. You may also incur the cost of shipping a privately owned vehicle (POV), as the military will only pay for one, or expensive pet vaccine and travel expenses. Top it off with the fact that you are probably not already equipped to set up a home in a tropical climate, and you have the perfect recipe for financial strain. Protect yourself from premature aging by saving ahead for this move. Remember that your servicemember can take a month’s pay in advance for any move and an interest-free $8k loan that you repay over the course of the next year. You might also want to think about what big purchases you could make on the mainland where you have more options and better prices. While you’re at it, invest in some OXO kitchen storage containers to ward off an infestation of ants.

Put It in Storage

The military will pay to store a self-allotted portion of your household goods. Sorting through what to leave behind is complicated when you don’t know what type of living situation you are going to secure, but take it from me: when in doubt, put it in storage. Most of your wardrobe can be left behind; not only cold weather gear and long sleeves but also dark clothes and even jeans just don’t feel appropriate here. Your fancy dishes should also be placed in storage for safekeeping. You will likely not have the space for big parties, and there is a real emphasis here on an outdoor-focused, casual lifestyle. Think about boxing up most of your art as well. With so many windows, there just isn’t as much wall space to go around, and the danger of mold and sun-mediated fading is real. Any big furniture you own may also do better if left behind. Expect to downsize your square footage by 30-50% if you choose to live on the economy rather than on base.

Consider Your Car Options

When deciding whether to pony up $1k to ship a second car to Hawaii, keep in mind the havoc that the salty air and relentless equatorial sun will wreak on your POV. Most houses don’t have garages (though some have carports), and the shipping cost may not be worth it if you’re not planning to keep your car long-term. We, like many others, bought a used second vehicle upon arrival and will sell it when we leave the island. Interestingly, the appeal of certain cars here may be a consideration if you want to ship a particular vehicle here and sell it when you move on. Multiple people have approached my husband in parking lots trying to buy his 2001 Toyota Four-Runner that we brought from the mainland. That bad boy is still tearing it up at 240,000 miles, and I expect to find a sentimental buyer when it’s our time to leave. Crazy.

Mold is Everywhere

Mold is a real problem in Hawaii. The heat and humidity team up to make life very tough on your textiles. If you keep your closets closed, I guarantee that you will find mildew or mold on clothes that are too tightly packed and are not exposed to air circulation. Bring lots of covered plastic bins to protect lesser worn items and back-up linens from mold spores when not in use. Leather is especially susceptible. So are rugs near open windows. Borax is your wingman when doing laundry; it kills the mold and prohibits its return. I have also found many uses for Concrobium Mold Control, a prophylactic cleaning spray that can be used on both hard surfaces and fabrics. Again, this is a great reason to utilize that storage option to the max.

Think Hard Before Going Without AC

I moved to O’ahu 34 weeks pregnant under the mistaken notion that Hawaii is the perfect temperature year-round and climate control is not relevant. Au contraire. Hurricane season in the Pacific lasts from August into October, often disrupting the tradewinds and resulting in staggeringly hot and humid days. We knew we needed to develop a cooling strategy once I was trying to unpack and set up a nursery in temperatures rising to 103 degrees in our home. We learned that standing units fill quickly with water and present a mold hazard and are probably not the most efficient option. Even though we have mostly louvered windows, which are not exactly airtight, you can remove a few of the slats and, with a simple board and some insulation, insert a window unit. This was a great strategy for our nursery, as I didn’t want our little buddy sweating it out while trying to sleep. Luckily, the nights are mostly comfortable, and the sun sets blessedly early. Another thing to consider is that leaving windows open to the breeze is going to create more work. The air is saturated with pollen, and geckos and cockroaches run rampant, pooping where they please. Consider upgrading your mopping or vacuum technology if you don’t like sticky floors.

Above all, don’t freak out if you get to Hawaii, and you find yourself dealing with frustration combined with homesickness. It’s a big adjustment to live on a rock in the middle of nowhere, and you’re bound to encounter surprises in this unique environment, but give it time. Hawaii has so much to offer, and once you work out the kinks, you can incorporate lifetime experiences into your regular schedule. Make sure to visit the other islands, and learn something new that you can take with you, be it hula, ukelele, surfing or outrigger paddling. Enjoy!

XOXO,

Cara

Spouse Connexion Contributor