Hey guys, its official... I'm moving to Honolulu in about 3 weeks. Im a photojournalist and am moving from a mid-sized newspaper in the midwest to work at the Star-Bulletin.

Anything I should know before moving out there? Im currently having a hell of a time finding a cheap way to get my stuff out there. I'm shipping my SUV and my wife's cooper (of course), and I heard they have to be empty. If so, that screws up my whole plan... I can pack pretty light, but only 2 suitcases is a bit extreme. I guess I'll have to ship my things separately, but it gets a bit pricey. Any have experience in that subject?

Thanks for your help. I better go brush up on my pidgin...

 

just read this post...as far as moving and shipping your stuff...i remember using a book rate with usps for my books when i moved back home from school. not sure if it's available for non-books, but it was cheap and took i think 4-6 weeks to come over the pacific ocean.

based on shipping mini parts from the mainland to here, i can almost definitely say that ups is more expensive than usps. main advantage of ups is that you can track your packages and they'll package it for you.

it sounds like you'll be getting here just after 4th of july and our fireworks show. hope your move goes as smoothly as possible w/o any lost gear. and for the next few weeks we'll be looking for a cooper with kansas plates.

 

Im here!!! Still got the Kansas plates... Im living in the Salt Lake area, and always take Nimitz to work at Ala Moana and Punchbowl. I like this place so far. Lots to do, but you gotta time your plans w/ traffic. This is the first time in my life I have envied those who dive automatics... OK, almost

 

Welcome to Hawaii burley! Hope to see you around. Check out our club website to see when our next gathering is. If you want to meet some MINI folks this weekend, head to the Aloha Stadium parking lot to check out the auto-x action (should be a few club members chasing cones).

 

If I show up, just look for the hauli who looks lost

 

Burley,

Aloha and welcome.

Tomorrow at the Aloha Stadium parking lot we have SCCA autocrossing all day from about 9am to 4pm. You can park in the flea market parking lot area and walk into the spectator's area of the autocross for free. You can go to the flea market and they have food there as well.

There are four heats, two in the morning until about 1130 then lunch and two heats in the afternoon until about 330. Then we have funruns until about 430pm and we can take one passenger along on the course but they must have shoes, be older than 14 and wear a helmet that is rated M2000 or higher. There are rental helmets available but usually they are taken up- first come first served- no fee.

After that next event is last sunday in August.

Hope to see you at the MINI events. Check the club website.

 

I too might be heading that way. I have heard that the weather is quite tough on vehicles. Any problems with the salt air and the Mini?

 

It depends on where you live.

If you are close to the beach or ocean with lots of wind and spray then yes corrosion and rust are a problem. But most of us are far enough back from the shore for it to be a concern but not much of a big problem unless you car is over 12 years old or so.

I have had cars over 12 years old in Hawaii with little or no rust (just a little superficially) and over 120,000 island miles. I sold both cars used with no problems.

I live in the middle of the island and my MINI is doing pretty good after about 5.5 years. Being garaged does help. Wash once a week is good.

 

That's good to know. If I end up getting the job, I'll have to look inland for a place to live. Thanks so much for the info.

 

It's not hard to look for housing that is inland since beachfront property is at a premium (maybe $1 to $2 million and up on every island).

On Oahu the island is only 40 miles wide so the most inland you can go is 20 miles like me.

Beachfront is usually right on the beach with waves crashing and you can hear the ocean most of the time. Some salt spray will carry a few blocks. If you are at least 1/3rd mile from the shore that's pretty good but still in the Tidal wave evacuation zone though.

 

Thanks again! I'm looking at the March-April time frame. My wife and are excited for the possibility. We've been researching the rules for shipping cars and pets. There is a lot to do to prepare if I get hired. Keeping our fingers crossed!

 

When I moved back from Guam which was awhile ago I packed my own 20' container which included my Nissan Pathfinder. I stuffed the SUVs interior to the roof and packed stuff around the exterior before they locked up the container.

Might be an option.