Trucking in the Aloha State.

Since forever, my dream has always been to live in Hawaii. I know that Hawaii and Trucking go together about like Milk and Sushi, but I've heard, researched and seen that there are actually opportunities way over on those islands for professional drivers. So yes, the opportunities exist BUT I want to find out more, do more research and hopefully hear from some people who have experience in such or know more than I. One big thing that attracts me to Hawaii is the "Aloha Spirit" and the more simplistic, simple and laid back lifestyle. I understand that there IS work to be done and you've got to do your duty, it IS a civilization after all and people do have deadlines to meet and jobs to do. But, at the same time I've been told they are a lot more laid back, against overworking and more about relaxing. I hope this doesn't all come out wrong, in fact these things I've heard may be 100% completely false, I've never lived there or even visited before unfortunately. The thing is, I have nothing really tying me down to any one place. I don't have any major expenses either and I don't mind living cheaply to be living in a nice place, especially one that may be more laid back than the hustle and bustle of the big cities I'm used to.

Anyways, I don't mean to ramble on but am curious, do the driving jobs over there work their drivers as hard as the ones over here? From what I've seen if anything they pay a little less, is that true? Because of course the living expenses over there are about equal to California costs. Most importantly, what KIND of commercial driving jobs are available over there? I've seen most of the tour bus places ask for years of experience, usually prior with buses. I know the gasoline is getting to those gas stations some how and have even seen a full sized tanker on Maui at a gas station thanks to GoogleMaps. I know there are agricultural industries there that need freight moved. I also know there's a lot of containers, of course product has to get from ship to store some how. I personally would prefer to live on the Big Island and am totally opposed to living on Oahu as I'm trying to get AWAY from big-city hustle and bustle. I know DHE has a terminal in the Kona region on the Big Island, how hard is it to get on with some where like that? Do OO's haul the containers around over there or are there companies doing the work and where do they get their workers from? I have HEARD that in Hawaii they would rather hire a local with no experience than a expat fresh to the islands with more experience. I find that hard to believe but is it true?

Surely there is work over there for a class A driver with a clean record, going on 2 years of experience and all their endorsements. Question is what it might make, the schedule and how hard those jobs are to come by. I've just never seen this discussed before and figured it would make for a interesting topic at least.

 

You got it sir, but you have to find me the job in HI first also expect a pace similar to the one you're use to in Chi-Town here in SoCal.

They do definitely have tractor trailers there. I have seen them on Maui, Big Island, Oahu and even Kauai. They are all day cabs of course. I've heard DHE offers the positions in Kona to drivers who have been with the company for a long time BUT that might just be a rumor. Seems like there are some of us who are curious. Not everyone wants to move to a secluded Island 3,000 miles away, over the ocean. Especially with a family, but for a select few like me it might be a interesting opportunity.