Relocating to Hawaiʻi Island as a Healthcare Professional?

You can contact me as soon as you begin thinking about relocating to Hawaiʻi Island. You do not need a job

offer, employment contract, or even a specific employer in mind. Starting early gives you more time to explore

healthcare employers, compare regions, understand housing options, and coordinate credentialing, pet travel,

vehicle shipping, and household goods.

Renting first can be helpful if you are unfamiliar with Hawaiʻi Island, your assignment may change, or you want

to experience different communities before purchasing. Buying may make sense if you expect to remain on the

island, understand the area, and are financially prepared. The right choice depends on your employment plans,

finances, housing needs, and familiarity with the island.

There is no single best region. Begin with your actual or potential worksite, shift hours, on call requirements,

preferred commute, budget, climate preferences, and access to everyday services. East, West, North, and

South Hawaiʻi differ considerably in rainfall, elevation, housing availability, travel time, and proximity to airports,

shopping, and specialty services.

Confirm how often you will take call, where you must report, and whether your employer requires a specific

response time. Consider the nighttime drive, road lighting, gates, private roads, parking, cellular coverage,

internet and power reliability, and alternate routes. When possible, test the commute after dark rather than

evaluating it only during a daytime home tour.

I work closely with several property managers who may be able to help you find mid term or long term housing.

I can help you understand different locations, compare commute considerations, and connect you with an

appropriate property manager based on your needs and current availability.

Yes. I can help you compare routes from potential properties to your confirmed or anticipated worksite,

including travel during the hours you expect to commute. We can also consider elevation, weather, traffic

patterns, nighttime driving, alternate routes, airport access, and any on call response requirements. Drive times

are estimates and should be tested personally whenever possible.

Hawaiʻi Island properties are assigned lava hazard zone ratings based on past lava activity, topography, and

proximity to volcanic vents. A lava zone may affect insurance availability, financing, resale considerations, and

your comfort with risk. I can help you locate the applicable records, but you should evaluate the information with

your insurer, lender, and appropriate specialists before purchasing.

Many Hawaiʻi Island properties are not connected to a municipal sewer system. During your property review,

confirm whether the home uses a cesspool, septic system, another individual wastewater system, or a sewer

connection. Consider its condition, location, maintenance history, capacity, and potential replacement cost.

Current Hawaiʻi law requires existing cesspools to be upgraded to an approved individual wastewater system or

connected to a sewer system before January 1, 2050, unless an exemption applies. Certain conditions can

require an earlier conversion. Buyers should review current requirements with the Hawaiʻi Department of Health

Wastewater Branch and obtain appropriate professional inspections and advice.

Yes. I work closely with several property managers who may be able to assist with mid term and long term

housing. Availability and rental requirements vary, so contacting me early provides the best opportunity to

discuss possible options.

Yes. I maintain separate resource lists for companies that ship household goods, vehicles, and pets, as well as

contact information and links for utility providers. These resources are available upon request. Services, prices,

schedules, and requirements can change, so you should confirm current information directly with each provider.

No. The initial relocation consultation is complimentary and does not obligate you to rent or purchase a

property.

No. You can contact me before you have a contract, job offer, or employer in mind. Reaching out early gives us

time to discuss Hawaiʻi Island's healthcare facilities, regional differences, possible commutes, housing

considerations, and the practical steps involved in planning your move.

The initial consultation is a casual conversation about your plans, what you are looking for, and what the

relocation and housing process may involve. We can talk by phone, meet by video, or meet in person. Once I

understand your work plans, household needs, timing, budget, and priorities, I can offer more specific guidance

and help you identify practical next steps.

I assist physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, technicians, administrators, first responders, and other

healthcare professionals who are considering a move to Hawaiʻi Island. You do not need to have a job offer or

definite relocation plan before contacting me.

Yes. If you are still exploring employment options, I can provide information about healthcare employers and job

search resources across Hawaiʻi Island. This may include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, community health

organizations, long term care facilities, emergency services, and other healthcare employers.

I am not an employment recruiter and cannot place you in a position or advise you on professional licensing. I

can help you understand where major employers are located and how a potential worksite could affect your

commute, housing search, and relocation plans.

Yes. I work with buyers throughout Hawaiʻi Island. If you are considering an area where another agent has

deeper local knowledge or would be better suited to your needs, I will partner with that agent while remaining

involved in the process. My priority is making sure you receive knowledgeable support for the location you are

considering.

Yes. I can connect you with multiple preferred lenders who are based on Hawaiʻi Island. I generally recommend

working with a local lender who understands island specific considerations such as lava zones, water

catchment systems, private roads, wastewater systems, insurance availability, and other property features that

can affect financing.

Each of my recommended lenders offers programs for healthcare professionals. Eligibility is not limited to

physicians and nurses and may include pharmacists, therapists, technicians, administrators, first responders,

and other healthcare occupations. Programs, qualifications, rates, and terms vary, so the lender will review your

profession, finances, and purchasing goals directly with you.

Major hospital facilities include Hilo Benioff Medical Center in Hilo, Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua,

Queen's North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital in Waimea, Honokaʻa Hospital and Skilled Nursing in Honokaʻa,

Kohala Hospital in Kapaʻau, and Kaʻū Hospital in Pāhala.

Healthcare professionals also work in Kaiser Permanente clinics, private practices, pharmacies, community

health centers, home health, behavioral health, rehabilitation, emergency services, skilled nursing facilities, and

other clinical settings throughout the island. Always confirm your actual department and worksite with the

employer.

No. Kaiser Permanente has outpatient facilities in Hilo and Kailua Kona, but it does not operate a hospital on

Hawaiʻi Island. Depending on the care required and the member's coverage, some procedures, specialty

services, or advanced scans may require travel to Oʻahu. Anyone considering a Kaiser plan should review

covered services, referral procedures, travel requirements, and available assistance directly with Kaiser

Permanente.

Compare more than the monthly premium. Review the provider network on Hawaiʻi Island, access to primary

and specialty care, prescription coverage, emergency and urgent care, referral requirements, and whether

some services require travel to Oʻahu. Ask how interisland travel, lodging, transportation, and companion

expenses are handled because coverage and assistance vary by plan.

Some Hawaiʻi Island homes rely on rainwater catchment rather than a municipal water system. Buyers should

understand the tank, roof collection surface, gutters, filtration and treatment equipment, water testing,

maintenance needs, and the cost of delivered water during dry periods. A professional inspection and

appropriate water testing can help you evaluate the system.

Service can vary by neighborhood and sometimes by the individual property. Confirm internet providers,

available speeds, cellular reception, electric service, water source, wastewater system, propane needs, and

trash service before committing to a home. This is especially important if you take call, use telehealth, work

remotely, or need reliable communication after hours.

Yes. Many relocating households do not arrive all at once. We can discuss temporary housing, the timing of a

rental or purchase, vehicle and household goods shipping, pet travel, and the needs of a partner or family

members so the plan reflects your actual transition.

Submit a request through missyelliotthawaii.com to receive the complete Hawaiʻi Island Medical Professional

Relocation Guide. You may also contact me directly at [email protected] or call me at (808)

987-4211. You do not need an employment contract or definite relocation plan before reaching out.