Whether you are planning on moving to Hawaii or you already live there, finding jobs in Hawaii can be a rewarding experience. Many people only see Hawaii from a tourist point of view but there are a wide range of jobs in Hawaii in many different services and industries.

Many people expect that the services industry would always be the strongest in Hawaii. It is usually strong since it’s such an attraction for tourists. With the problems in the current economy it has been projected that leisure and hospitality industries would see a drop in jobs. The airline and cruise industries also saw a drop in jobs.

The industries that are forecasted to grow the most are the largest ones, education and health services. Teaching jobs in Hawaii and also nursing jobs in Hawaii are expected to show a year-over-year annual growth.

Local government jobs are expected to grow while Federal government jobs may decline due to budget cuts. Construction jobs in Hawaii also fell with the economy but they are expected to begin to grow again.

Do you like to spend time on the water? The fishing industry is a huge source of jobs in Hawaii. While this is tough work, it can pay very well. The entertainment industry also has a large presence in Hawaii. Just think of the many shows and movies that are filmed there. You don’t have to be a movie star, many entertainment jobs in Hawaii are filled with extras and crew members.

Another area that is looking good is the professional and business services sector. The fastest growing jobs in Hawaii are probably going to be in training, education and library. Some others that are expected to grow at least one percent annually are community and social services, computer and mathematical science; protective support; and healthcare support.

If you are planning on moving to Hawaii, there are many things to consider. One of the first things to decide is where in the state you want to live. The state is made up of dozens of islands spread across 1,500 miles of a volcanic chain in the central Pacific Ocean. Eight “main islands” are located at the southeastern end. They include: Kauai, Oahu, Niihau, Moloka, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Hawaii, and Maui. Hawaii is the largest of the islands by far, and is often referred to as the “Big Island” in order to avoid confusion with the entire state as a whole. Oahu hosts the capital city of Hawaii and is by far the most exciting one. Oahu is the closest to a normal city, having every modern facility that people are used to. Other islands are more tranquil with their population being much smaller.

Jobs on Oahu are the most plentiful, mostly because of the tourist industry. The tourist season runs between May and September, with a lot of activity in December too. Honolulu, the state capital, offers the most jobs and the tourism aspect makes it a great place to find part time jobs also. Many Honolulu part time jobs allow you to enjoy the sun and sand and others allow you to work in air-conditioned comfort. Seek out the type of jobs you like and apply for as many as you can. You may not be able to get your first choice as you will be competing against young workers, retirees, and parents of small children that are all looking for flexible part time hours.

Another big consideration in moving to Hawaii is the cost of living. It is higher than it is in most places on the mainland and is similar to that of the bigger cities, like New York and San Francisco. Condominiums in Hawaii typically start at around $320,000, while even small homes can cost $600,000. There’s also the fact that living in Hawaii means paying prices for shipped goods. Aside from the products like papaya and macadamia nuts that are produced in Hawaii, everything must be shipped to Hawaii by boat or plane. This shipping cost is passed on to consumers.

The last consideration to talk about here is getting all of your stuff from the mainland to Hawaii. Things like shipping over your household items and even your car can be very expensive. You need to do your research on this to get the best price. But remember, the lowest price may not be the best.

Overall, Hawaii is doing well considering the state of the economy and unemployment. If you’re moving to Hawaii, or are just looking for jobs in Hawaii, you can see there are many areas in which you could likely find a good, stable job.