The state of Hawaii is offering free round trip tickets to Oahu to attract out-of-state remote workers to become temporary residents.
Hawaii launched its temporary residency program, called "Movers and Shakas," in partnership with schools and businesses. Successful applicants will receive free round trip tickets to Hawaii to become temporary residents while contributing to the state's economy.
The first group of applicants will be accepted until December 15.
Movers and Shakas program
Jason Higa, the group's founder, said: "Movers and Shakas is a small step towards economic recovery and diversifying our economy."
"The pandemic has normalized remote work for the foreseeable future, so we believe this situation presents an opportunity for local residents to return home, and for out of state professionals to experience Hawaii, not as tourists, but as contributing members of our community," Higa explained.
For the first batch of temporary residents, 50 people will be chosen from the applicants while later applications will be processed on a rolling basis. Remote workers who are at least 18 years old are qualified to apply to the program.
Under Movers and Shakas, chosen applicants must move within one month of selection and should spend at least 30 consecutive days in Hawaii.
The program's news release stated: "Hawai'i currently has the lowest rate per capita of Covid infections in the country, also making it one of the safest places to live and work." The state has reported more than 18,000 coronavirus cases, including over 200 deaths.
The Covid Tracking Project reported that the US had a record high of 101,487 Covid-19 hospitalizations on Sunday.
The new record high for Covid-19 hospitalizations demonstrates the massive pressure being carried by hospitals and health care workers in the US and reflects the scope and severity of the outbreak.
It was only a few days ago that the US first reached 100,000 hospitalizations.
Contributing to local communities
While the prospect of spending days enjoying in the waters of Hawaii may be very attractive, the Movers and Shakas program is actually looking for people who want to contribute to the local communities in the state.
Individuals selected by the program will be required to spend a few hours every week to a nonprofit organization where they can share their knowledge and skills.
While the program accepts applicants from across the US, it is also designed to attract former residents of Hawaii who want to come back.
Richard Matsui, a Movers and Shakas founder who recently returned to Hawaii from San Francisco, shared: "As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I always dreamed of moving back home. The pandemic normalized remote work, and I took the opportunity to relocate home."
Matsui also mentioned that one of the program's objectives is to help foster economic diversification.
"Beyond bringing in valuable dollars into our local businesses, the real value is bringing talented knowledge workers who will both help to build our communities through volunteer work and to make our economy more resilient," Matsui said. "While the pandemic is an enormous crisis, it also presents Hawaii with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to diversify our economy."
