Essentials
- City
- Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, United States
- Population
- Approx. 350,000 (Metro area approx. 1,000,000)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps; Fiber available via Hawaiian Telcom
- Currency & Banking
- US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink; high quality volcanic filtration
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
- SIM Card
- T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon. Most nomads use eSIM via Airalo or Holafly
- Banking for Expats
- Chase, Wells Fargo, Revolut (US), Wise for international transfers
- Accommodation
- High demand; Waikiki condos and Kaka'ako luxury lofts dominate
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, credit cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted everywhere
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (strict 30-day minimum in most areas), Outrigger Hotels, VRBO
- Budget Accommodation
- Polynesian Hostel Beach Club ($45-60/night for dorms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Waikiki: for beaches, shopping, and nightlife
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Kaka’ako: modern, walkable, high-speed internet, and coworking hubs
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Hub Coworking Hawai'i (Kaka'ako) - Day pass $35, Monthly $300
- Best Cafe for Work
- Arvo Cafe (Kaka'ako) or Ali’i Coffee Co. (Downtown)
- Networking Events
- Thrive HI tech meetups and Impact Hub community mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- Honolulu Digital Nomads Facebook Group and Meetup.com hiking circles
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber, Lyft, and Holoholo (local Hawaiian rideshare)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Biki (Bikeshare) - $4.50 per 30 mins or $25 monthly pass
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ala Moana Beach Park (locals' favorite) or Waikiki Beach
- Top Regional Airline
- Hawaiian Airlines (Inter-island flights approx. $50-90)
- Top International Airline
- United, Delta, ANA, Japan Airlines
- Highway Access
- H-1 Freeway connects Honolulu to the West and East sides
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Skyline (Rail Transit) - Phase 1 open; TheBus central hub at Ala Moana
- Public Transport Passes
- HOLO Card - $3 single ride, $7.50 day cap, $80 monthly
- Regional Travel
- TheBus (Island-wide) or inter-island ferries/flights to Maui and Kauai
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- The Queen's Medical Center (Punchbowl St)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- CorePower Yoga (Ward Village) or Power Yoga Hawaii
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- 24 Hour Fitness (multiple locations), UFC Gym (Kaka'ako)
- Laundry Services
- Hale Laundromat (Waikiki) - Approx. $5 per wash/dry
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- DoorDash, UberEats, and Bite Squad (popular in Hawaii)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Poke Bowl (Fresh Ahi) from Maguro Brothers or Ono Seafood
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Simple Joy Vegan Cuisine or The Beet Box Cafe
- Best Dessert Spots
- Leonard's Bakery (Malasadas - $1.85 each) or Matsumoto Shave Ice
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Don Quijote (Kaheka St) and Costco (Iwilei)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon (Prime shipping takes 3-5 days to Hawaii)
- Grocery Delivery
- Instacart and Safeway Delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Chinatown (Hotel Street) for bars; Waikiki for clubs
- Local Brewery
- Maui Brewing Co. (Waikiki) or Aloha Beer Co. (Kaka'ako)
- Wine Bars
- Island Vintage Wine Bar (Royal Hawaiian Center)
- Street Food Stalls
- Eat The Street (Monthly food truck rally in Kaka'ako)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Marugame Udon (Waikiki) - famous affordable Japanese noodles
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Diamond Head State Monument ($5 entry, reservation required)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) and Bishop Museum
- Historical Sites
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial (USS Arizona) and Iolani Palace
- Religious Sites
- Byodo-In Temple (Valley of the Temples); Kawaiahaʻo Church
- Annual Events
- Aloha Festivals (September) and Honolulu Marathon (December)
- Cultural Districts
- Chinatown (Historic and arts district)
- Theater Venues
- Hawaii Theatre Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Center
- Local Markets
- KCC Farmers’ Market (Saturdays) for local produce/honey
- Music Scene
- Blue Note Hawaii (Jazz/Live music in Waikiki)
- Street Art
- POW! WOW! Hawaii murals throughout Kaka'ako
- Cooking Classes
- Lanikai Bath and Body (make your own lotions/salts) or local Poke workshops
- Art Galleries
- Cedar Street Galleries and Arts at Marks Garage
- Historic Buildings
- Ali'iolani Hale (Home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court)
- Local Heritage
- Native Hawaiian culture prioritized through 'Aloha Spirit' laws
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Manoa Falls Trail (Rainforest hike) or Tantalus Lookout
- National Parks Nearby
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial (Oahu); Volcanoes National Park (on Big Island - 45 min flight)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ala Wai Canal path or the Lagoon path at Ala Moana
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout (High wind, panoramic views)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Foster Botanical Garden and Lyon Arboretum
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated areas at Sand Island State Recreation Area (Permit required)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- USPS, FedEx, UPS (Note: 'Ground' shipping takes weeks from Mainland)
- Tech Repair Services
- Apple Ala Moana or MacMadeEasy (Kaka'ako)
- Table Tennis Spots
- McCully Recreation Center
- Language Classes
- University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College (Hawaiian/Japanese)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Hawaii State Library (Downtown) - historic 1913 building
- Community Centers
- Stillman Community Center
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Gamerz Hawaii (Aiea)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is illegal in Hawaii)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² / 430 sq ft = $460,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² / 430 sq ft = $328,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² / 645 sq ft = $648,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² / 645 sq ft = $450,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² / 860 sq ft = $800,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² / 860 sq ft = $552,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 21% Federal + 4.4% to 6.4% State of Hawaii
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% to 30% depending on tax treaties (US Federal rules)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for US Citizens; State tax for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 11% (State) + 37% (Federal)
- VAT
- No VAT; standard General Excise Tax (GET) is 4.712% in Honolulu
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, US Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) rules apply
- Property Tax
- 0.35% for owner-occupied; varies for non-residents
- Property Transaction Tax
- Conveyance tax ranges from 0.10% to 1.25% based on price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad tax breaks; high cost of living involves high state taxes