The living cost in Poipu is generally higher than the living cost in the mainland. There is very limited land zoned for residential uses so the houses are always very expensive. The cost of the real estate properties in Poipu are twice times higher. Besides, all the general items such as groceries and petrol fee are more expensive because they are imported from the mainland. The houses are also smaller. The main advantage of moving to Poipu is that you will enjoy a higher air quality. Poipu offers one of the best air qualities in the whole world.

Before moving to Poipu, you should take into account the expenses for settling down there. It is recommended that you open a local bank account before arriving. The banks in Poipu will hold checks from mainland for about 10 days. After 10 days, the check will be cleared so that you can obtain the funds. With a bank account, it will be easier to make payment for the utility fees such as water, electric and telephone services. If you are buying an apartment, the appliances such as dryer, washing machine and etc will be included. If you are buying a single-family house, the utilities may not be included so you need to install them yourself. You can install the cable television in your house if you want to watch television show.

You will also need to take into account the car shipping cost. If you want to move your car, you have to pay for the excess freight charges as well as the charges for the wharfage. Normally, the shipping company will accept payment by traveler cash. After the vehicle has arrived at Hawaii, you will have to pay for the vehicle registration fee. Upon arrival in Hawaii, you will have up to 10 days to register the vehicle. You will need to purchase a Hawaii auto insurance coverage for your car. The car needs to be inspected by the local authority. In addition, you need to obtain a driving license before you can legally drive on the highway of Hawaii.

In Hawaii, you will get personal income tax if you receive revenue of more than $20,500. The income tax is much lower. It is about 2% - 10% depending on how much revenue you earn every year. You will also need to pay a 4% excise tax on the goods and services you buy.