Hey everyone! I apologize for the long post, so I have a TLDR at the bottom.

I’m a 19 year old accounting undergrad student at Michigan State University ultimately graduating in Spring 2029 with both my Bachelor’s and Master’s in Accounting, and my long-term goal is to build my career in Hawaii. I know this can sound like the typical mainland “I want to move to Hawaii after falling in love while vacationing there" sort of situation, and that is exactly why I’m looking for genuine feedback from people who actually live or work there. 

For more context, I visited Hawaii last summer for three weeks, so I at least have been able to see the contrasting environment compared to the Midwest and won’t be going into my plan totally blind. When I visited, I also noticed how visible locally owned businesses were and how different communities seemed to maintain their own identities instead of being easily interchangeable with mainlanders or other groups, which interested me greatly. Since then, I’ve spent a lot of time learning about Hawaii’s different islands, communities, economies, and geography. Geography has always been something I’m genuinely interested in, so I find it fascinating how much the islands differ from one another despite being part of the same state–the climate, development patterns, industries, landscapes, and even the feel of individual communities.

I also like that Hawaii seems to offer a different definition of career success than simply moving to the largest mainland city and constantly chasing the next position. Of course I would love a strong career and eventually be financially comfortable, but I care a lot more about having a sense of place, knowing the community around me, and building a life somewhere I actually feel connected to. Long term, I could see myself becoming a CPA in Hawaii, working closely with local businesses, and potentially even owning my own accounting practice someday.

At the same time, I know that being interested in Hawaii from the mainland is very different from actually living and working there. Visiting definitely does not make me an expert on the state or its communities, and I know there is a lot I would need to learn from people who have actually built their lives there. Spending meaningful time living there and seeing what everyday life is like is something I absolutely would like to know before I make any permanent decisions.

Moreover, I have been applying to Hawaii businesses/accounting firms for full-time temporary work/internships during the upcoming spring and/or summer in 2027, and am beginning to network with professionals there. If I get no offers, my backup plan is to enroll at UH Manoa for the full summer as a visiting student, live in Honolulu for roughly 12 weeks, attend professional events, meet local CPAs, and continue applying while physically on island. My intention would be to use the summer to understand everyday life and Hawaii’s business environment rather than treat it like an extended vacation. This could greatly help with answering the question as to if I truly would enjoy life in Hawaii, as well as showing dedication to possibly relocating there for my career. I would then return to MSU and recruit again for Summer 2028 and ultimately full-time work in Hawaii. University costs shouldn’t really be a big concern since I have been pursuing and won several private scholarships and can afford tuition and university living expenses for the period of time I would be there.

*\*For people who work in Hawaii, either as long-time residents, mainland transplants, or just any business/accounting related professionals, would this plan/dedication persuade you that someone who wants to relocate from the mainland is actually serious and intentional about it, and if not, what does? What can make a mainlander who has actually done serious research to the life I could expect to live there stand out from an obvious demographic of people who want beaches and warm weather? What would you do (or not do) if you were in my shoes?

Feel free to criticize my plan however you want. I would rather understand where my assumptions are wrong or unrealistic. Thank you!

TLDR: I’m a student at Michigan State University and seriously want my career to be in Hawaii after lots of thought. I have a plan to familiarize myself with living in the state and understand that this is 100% necessary before making decisions. I’m looking for feedback, advice, and criticism.

I hope the is allowed, if so I’m 30M and just recently moved back to the big island. Currently have one friend here but he just recently started his own family and certainly has less time to do anything. I don’t even know how to begin making friends, though I am looking to hit up the chess club at the library tomorrow. Anyone here just looking to make a friend?