RETIRING IN HAWAI'I

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INFORMATION FOR OLDER ADULTS WHO WANT TO VISIT OR RELOCATE TO THE STATE OF HAWAII (Rev. June, 2006)

There is much about the 50th State to appreciate and enjoy, and many "malihini" or newcomers are happily retired here. Because so many older adults seek information about retirement in Hawaii, we have prepared the following information to help in their decision making before visiting or moving to our State.

Not everyone adjusts easily to our cost of living (in competition with Alaska for highest in the nation) nor to our different lifestyles and multi-ethnic population. Housing costs are among the nation's highest as are food and utility costs. Some feel that Hawaii is very much like a foreign country. Therefore, we recommend that you do at least two things to determine whether your retirement years would be best spent in Hawaii.

First, plan how you will meet your long term needs and wants for retirement.

No matter where you live, there are important questions that you should answer.  For example, will your income be adequate, given Hawaii’s high costs?  Or, will you require employment to supplement your social security or pension income?  Will you enjoy living in a multi-ethnic community, where Asian and Pacific Islander Americans make up two-thirds of the State’s population?  Will you be happier living in an urban or rural setting?  What are your contingency plans for major illness, accident, or even loss of a spouse?  What are your interests for recreation, leisure, or continued education?  In other words, what will you need to do to have the kind of lifestyle with which you’ll be happiest?

Second, find out as much as you can about life in Hawaii before you move here permanently.

A list of suggested readings has been included for you in this handout.  Your local library or bookstore can also be consulted for additional references, as can our major dailies – The Honolulu Advertiser or Honolulu Star Bulletin.  Most important, we highly recommend a visit to Hawaii so you can do some firsthand research.  You can get more information and get some feeling about what it might be like to live here.  You can find out whether your retirement income is enough to keep you independent and comfortable for twenty to thirty years.

A visit would also give you the opportunity to:

• Visit by car or public transportation, neighborhoods in which you would like to reside.             

• Contact a real estate agency of the Hawaii Realtors Association for purchasing, rental, and financing options.

• Call the telephone, electric, gas, and cable utilities for information about services, installation, and monthly rates.

• Check out job opportunities at an employment service office of the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

• Visit private retirement residences which are listed on page 4.  There are very few in Hawaii, many are for persons with higher incomes, and these have long waiting lists.

• Visit long term care and medical facilities and get their daily rates, meet their staff, get information about available services, and check out the environment.

• Tour supermarkets and shopping centers and check on the prices of food, everyday goods, and personal items.

• Check special interest activities such as sports, recreation, entertainment, crafts, and education.

• Visit senior centers and attend senior club meetings.  Hawaii also has local chapters of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA), National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), and other national organizations.

• Consult your health insurance providers regarding necessary policy transfers or changes.

• Check the local telephone directories for listings of services and merchants, most which offer senior citizen discounts.

• Contact the Executive Office on Aging or an Area Agency on Aging for information and referral services (pages 4-5).

The Executive Office on Aging (EOA) advocates for an independent, healthy and rewarding lifestyle for all older adults. We are here to serve you. Please call, write, or e-mail the EOA if you require further assistance.

HELPFUL INFORMATION

Social Security Benefits and Medicare

Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 regarding your change of address and continuation of Social Security, Medicare, and other benefits.

State of Hawaii Data Book & Pamphlets

Dept. of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism (DBEDT)
P.O. Box 2359
Honolulu, HI  96804
(808) 586-2423; Fax (808) 587-2790
www.hawaii.gov/dbedt

Daily Newspapers (Statewide Circulation)

The Honolulu Advertiser
P.O. Box 3110
Honolulu, HI  96802
(808) 525-8090; Fax (808) 525-8037
www.honoluluadvertiser.com

The Honolulu Star Bulletin
7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210
500 Ala Moana Blvd.
Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 529-4700
www.starbulletin.com

Employment

Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR)
Workforce Development Division
830 Punchbowl Street, Room 112
Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 586-8700; Fax (808) 586-8822
www.hawaii.gov/labor

Taxation

Dept. of Taxation
P.O. Box 259
Honolulu, HI  96809
(808) 587-4242 or 1-800-222-3229
Fax (808) 587-1488
www.hawaii.gov/tax

Financial, Food Stamp and Medical Assistance

Department of Human Services (DHS)
820 Mililani Street, Suite 606
Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 643-1643
www.hawaii.gov/dhs/

Subsidized Housing Applications

Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii (HCDCH)
677 Queen Street, Suite 300
Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 587-0524
www.hcdch.hawaii.gov

Private Retirement Residences

Arcadia Retirement Residence
1434 Punahou Street
Honolulu, HI  96822
(808) 941-0941; Fax (808) 949-4965
www.arcadia-hi.org

Harry & Jeanette Weinberg
Senior Residence at Maluhia
1111 Hala Drive
Honolulu, HI  96817
(808) 842-1082
www.geocities.com/2bc4u/Maluhia

Hawaii Kai Retirement and Assisted Living Community
428 Kawaihae Street
Honolulu, HI  96825
(808) 395-9599
www.seniorlivinginstyle.com/hawaiikai/community.html

Kahala Nui Life Care Retirement Community
4389 Malia Street
Honolulu, HI  96821
(808) 218-7200
www.kahalanui.com

Olaloa Retirement Community
95-1050 Makaikai Street
Mililani, HI  96789
(808) 626-2323

One Kalakaua Senior Living
1314 Kalakaua Avenue
Honolulu, HI  96826
(808) 983-4400
www.1kalakaua.com/1k-Index.htm

Pohai Nani Good Samaritan Retirement Community
45-090 Namoku Street
Kaneohe, HI  96744
(808) 247-3448; Fax (808) 236-2001
Toll Free 1-866-247-3448
www.pohainani.org

Ponds at Punaluu
P.O. Box 909
Hauula, HI  96717-9985
(808) 293-1100 x224
www.pondsatpunaluu.com

The Plaza at Punchbowl (Assisted Living)
918 Lunalilo St.
Honolulu, HI  96822
(808) 792-8800
www.punchbowlretirement.com

*This listing does not imply any endorsement by the EOA.  It is provided for information purposes only.  Please call residences directly.

State Unit on Aging

Executive Office on Aging (EOA)
No. 1 Capitol District
250 South Hotel Street, Suite 406
Honolulu, HI  96813-2831
(808) 586-0100; Fax (808) 586-0185
www4.hawaii.gov/eoa
Email:  eoa@doh.hawaii.gov

Area Agencies on Aging

County of Kauai, Agency on Elderly Affairs
4444 Rice Street, Suite 330
Lihue, HI  96766
(808) 241-4470; Fax (808) 241-5113
www.kauai.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=57

City and County of Honolulu
Elderly Affairs Division
715 South King Street, Suite 200
Honolulu, HI  96813
(808) 523-4545; Fax (808) 527-6895
www.elderlyaffairs.com

Maui County Office on Aging
Deparment of Human Concerns
200 South High Street, Room 420
Wailuku, HI  96793
Information & Referral:  (808) 270-7774
Fax:  (808) 270-7935
www.co.maui.hi.us/departments/Housing/aging.htm

Hawaii County Office of Aging
101 Aupuni Street, Room 342
Hilo, HI  96720
Information & Referral:  (808) 961-8600
Fax:  (808) 961-8603
www.hawaii-county.com/directory/dir_aging.htm

Suggested Reading Materials

Living and Retiring in Hawaii: The 50th State in the 21st Century by James R. and Diane Smith, 2002.

Affordable Paradise, The Secrets of an Affordable Life in Hawaii by H. Skip Thomsen, 2001

So You Want to Live in Hawaii by Toni Polancy, 1999

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