Pack and Ride Blog

Moving to Hawaii is not just your average local or state to state move.  There are certain requirements and restrains that are not experienced by average movers.

Moving Containers:
People moving to and from Hawaii do not have the options that your everyday mover has.  They are confined to either a 20ft or a 40ft container.  These Ocean Containers are 8ft wide and 8ft tall and are specifically designed to make the trip across the ocean.  The problem with this is most people will not have the amount of belongings to fill this size so proper packing is a must.  You will need to pack high and tight and once you have packed everything, you will need to secure your load using plywood/2x4’s and anything else to minimize shifting in transit.  The floors are made of wood so you can nail into them. Furthermore, you will be required to pay for the entire container, no matter how small the shipment.  

Likewise, if you have more than the container will hold, it is recommended that you get rid of things you don’t need so you can fit into the appropriate size that you will need. For example, If you have 45ft worth of goods that need to fit into 40ft, get rid of the swing set your son/daughter has outgrown and will never use again.

In addition, make sure you bring all of your important documents with you including your ID, personal documents, prescriptions, medical records, etc.  You should bring these documents with you in your carry on luggage to avoid any complications.

Transit time:
The transit time of your move to/from the islands will also be different than a standard move.  Since your container will be traveling across the ocean by ship you can expect it to take anywhere from 10-20 business days.  This is because it may not make it on the first ship out of the port and the ships leave every Wed/Sat.  This will increase the amount of planning that will be necessary to make your move a successful move.

Shipping a vehicle:
Shipping a car to or from the islands can be arranged by Matson Navigation.  The cost of the shipment is around $1000 per standard vehicle.  This rate would not apply to any vehicle exceeding 22’8” (L) x 8’ (W) x 7’ (H) or vehicles that have built in accommodations for cooking or sleeping.