Relocating to Hawaii?

Enjoy your adventure as you visit the best Hawaii relocation resource available today.

Before you start your journey, take a minute and review what makes Hawaii a great place to work and play.

What makes Hawaii real estate worthwhile?

Hawaii, an archipelago of 132 islands, islets, reefs, and shoals in the Pacific Ocean, is the only state that is not connected to the North American mainland. Located just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Hawaii is also the most southerly point of the United States.

The eight main islands of Hawaii are the tops of broad-based shield volcanoes that formed as lava slowly oozed, rather than erupted, from them. This process has given the islands smooth, sometimes steep slopes that build to great elevations. Hawaii, the largest and easternmost island in the archipelago, is formed by five volcanoes, two of which are active. The inactive volcano Mauna Kea rises very gradually to the state’s highest point at about 4,205 meters (about 13,796 feet) above sea level.

The peaceful coexistence between corporate interests from abroad and the Kamehameha dynasty began to disintegrate in the late 19th century as King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani resisted European cultural and economic influence and sought to revitalize native traditions. The rulers were overthrown in a coup fronted by U.S. businessmen, and by 1898 Hawaii was formally annexed by the United States. The U.S. military soon established positions in Hawaii, such as the naval station at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, which was bombed by Japanese forces in one of the first salvos of World War II.

Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state 14 years after the end of World War II. Since then the state has experienced tremendous growth. Tourism is central to the economy—in the early 1990s, 6 million people per year visited the islands. Most visitors frequent the extensive, often secluded beaches and volcanoes of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, or Kauai. Another attraction is surfing, a sport developed in the intense and well-formed waves found off the Hawaiian coast and throughout Polynesia and the South Pacific. The sport was popularized centuries after its initial development when it was exported to California in the mid-20th century. Although Hawaii is one of the smallest states, it is also one of the most urban. Nearly 90 percent of the population lives in Honolulu, Hilo, or a smaller urban municipality. Hurricane Iniki battered the Hawaiian Islands in 1992, causing an estimated U.S.$1 billion in damage.

Want to know more about Hawaii real estate?

Maui Real EstateKen, Greg, and Jeremy Smith (The Smith Team) with Coldwell Banker Island Properties in Wailea, Maui are one of the top real estate agent teams in Hawaii. In 2006, their efforts put them amongst the top 100 real estate agents in Hawaii. If you are looking for a dedicated, hard working team of individuals to help you buy or sell property in Maui, please call on the Smith Team.

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