Surprisingly, many digital nomads or remote workers never consider working remotely from Hawaii, but should because it’s much easier than you think.
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Working remote from Hawaii, dipping your toes in the digital nomad lifestyle.
Most digital nomads and those working remotely always consider moving abroad. They seek out well worn paths to exotic locations like Bali or Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Perhaps they want to experience the cafe cultures of Paris and Amsterdam. Some may even want to go to the Caribbean and hang their hats for a while in places like Bermuda, the Bahamas or the Virgin islands.
Something about kicking back in a hammock with your laptop open, tapping away is the cliched image of the digital nomad. However, how many digital nomads consider working remotely from Hawaii? What about you?
Have you been able to talk your bosses into letting you work remotely from home?
If so and if you’ve earned their confidence, perhaps you too can jet off to an exotic island and work remotely.
In fact, you could do that without even leaving the United States, if you’re a US citizen.
That island paradise is Hawaii and yes, you can work remotely from Hawaii.
However, Hawaii is not generally on the digital nomad trail simply because of the costs. Not only that, but Hawaii, if you look at the world map, seems quite isolated.
Though, because it is part of the United States, it is very well-connected to the mainland by air, especially California.
It might be worth it for you to try working remotely from Hawaii.
Working remotely from Hawaii tax issues.
If you’re a US citizen, then you are definitely responsible for US Federal taxes. No matter where you live, even internationally.
The US is the only country in the world that actually taxes its citizens based on their worldwide income.
However, in Hawaii you may also have to deal with state income taxes. If you have established any kind of residency in Hawaii whether it’s opening a bank account, getting utilities in your name, signing a lease etc.
These situations may make you a tax resident for the state of Hawaii and you could be liable for state income taxes, which can be some of the highest rates in the United States.
Although if you are going to work in Hawaii for a short period of time, perhaps a few months and you don’t get anything put into your name, then more than likely you will not be subject to Hawaii’s state income tax.
However, always check with a legal tax expert, particularly one-based locally to find out your taxation obligations. Here is the Department of Taxation | State of Hawaii website for further information.
Otherwise, you would have to pay taxes not only to the federal government, but to the state in which you are technically a resident of. Just food for thought.
Working remote in Hawaii reddit thread.
There’s some interesting threads on reddit regarding remote working in Hawaii. Most deal with issues like where in Hawaii would be best to set up and work remotely. Others deal with expenses, rents and internet speeds.
An interesting thing to note is that Hawaii is quite well-connected to the internet, thanks to its underwater, oceanic cables, satellite coverage and it’s US military installations.
There are many IT contractors as well as others who provide vital support and logistics to the US defense industry.
Let’s not forget Pearl Harbor is a major US Pacific Naval Base in Hawaii.
Also these reddit threads do discuss the various islands.
Remember, Hawaii’s made up of five islands and you would need to pick one. Well actually six, but the six one is basically used for Target practice and military exercises for the US military.
Here are some reddit threads for digital nomads and remote working in Hawaii, you can check out.
Why would a digital nomad from outside the US choose Hawaii?
If you’re a digital nomad from outside the United States and you have an income based in for example Euros or Japanese Yen, British pounds etc. You may find Hawaii to be quite affordable.
Although I don’t hear the word affordable and Hawaii used much in the same sentence.
That being said, Hawaii is a top destination for Kiwis and Aussies since it’s the closest point in the United States to those two countries.
Not to mention Aussies and Kiwis love the islands of Hawaii for its great surf and lifestyle. It literally is the closest thing to Paradise you will find in the US.
In addition, if you work remotely, you will have for the most part great internet speeds. You can also work remotely on your laptop as long as you are a citizen of a visa waiver country the US has a treaty with.
Though you aren’t allowed to legally have employment in the US on a tourist visit or while staying in the US as a tourist.
Finally, before your trip, you do have to register for ESTA, which is a US travel authorization. Here is the link to the Official ESTA website to register.
But that’s usually quite easy and costs less than $10. ESTA is good for at least three or four years. Check the website link above for more details on ESTA.
Best places to work remotely in Hawaii, co-working spaces, cafe’s, the beach?
Many digital nomads work from home with the occasional stopover at a cafe. You see, Hawaii is quite spread out. Although the islands are small, there aren’t a lot of centralized places where digital nomads congregate.
If you are out on one of the islands for example, you may find that there are limited restaurants, cafes etc. If you are in Honolulu or one of the major cities in the Big Island of Hawaii” or the islands, you will probably, on occasion, use a cafe.
As far as co-working spaces, there are none that I know of. So you’re better off, if you want to go to Hawaii to get the best place you can afford with good internet access.
The more remote you are, the cheaper it will be, but the less human contact you will have as well. Also, if you go too remote, the infrastructure becomes extremely limited, including that of the Internet.
Unlike some locations in the world, if you have an interruption in internet service, you can usually use your phone’s 4G connection.
But in Hawaii, that might not be much use either, since cell phone coverage can be sporadic as well.
In general though, Hawaii has some surprisingly good internet connections and speeds, so this shouldn’t be more or less a problem than anywhere else.
Working remote from Hawaii, summary.
If you want to go and try working remotely from Hawaii, then your best bet would be to either go to the North Shore of Oahu or the Big Island as far as overall costs, access and convenience.
Maui tends to be quite touristy and extremely pricey.
Lanai doesn’t have a big enough infrastructure and is basically an island for cruise ships. Kauai would be a nice choice. Although it too, is and can be quite remote and isolating for digital nomads and remote workers.
Let’s not forget that the locals in Hawaii have their own culture and can be quite distant to the point of resentfulness to outsiders. Especially those who are only going to be there temporarily.
However, they are also resentful to those who actually want to move there and live more permanently. So either way, tread carefully. But all in all, Hawaiians can be quite friendly if you show respect for their islands and culture.
Anyway if you have the budget and the time, you can probably live comfortably for $2,000 to $3,000 a month while working remotely.
Again do your homework beforehand, check out Airbnb costs etc. for the particular Hawaiian destination for an overview of the pricing for accommodations.
Of course the more money you have, the more comfortable and convenience your stay in Hawaii will be.
You will find decent internet connections and speeds, fantastic beaches, lush tropical forests, waterfalls, great Hawaiian food and of course, the surf.
However, as a digital nomad you may feel a little isolated, since there is no real digital nomad culture in Hawaii complete with coworking spaces and the like.
But go ahead and try your luck. Hawaii is a great place to spend a few months working remotely from, If you can afford it and have the time.
You never know. You might even get “lei’d”. The “Lei” is the traditional Hawaiian flower wreath type necklace.