Teleworking From Paradise

With COVID-19, many people are either working from home full-time or part-time. For those who are able to telework completely, you may be interested in a new program in Hawai'i. As reported by Kaia Hubbard in this article, the program is called Movers and Shakas and is funded by the state of Hawai'i in partnership with several companies.

Specifically, the program will cover airfare to Hawai'i to 50 out-of-state individuals who are already employed and are able to keep their position while relocating to the Aloha State. The ideal candidate for the program is a fully-employed individual with the flexibility to work anywhere, lives the “"Aloha Spirit," and is looking to invest themselves into the community they choose to call home. In addition to the free flight to Hawaiʻi, participants will receive discounted hotel stays and co-working space.

Program participants are required to sign a pledge to be a "good neighbor" and perform community service in the form of nonprofit work for three to five hours per week. Hawai'i is not unique in offering such a program to lure workers from other states. Hubbard notes that the states of Vermont and Utah also have similar initiatives.