Once you put your Moving Day in the calendar, it might feel like your life kicks into high gear. Whether you’re trying out a new spot locally, heading to another island or relocating to the Mainland (and beyond!), moving creates a “to do” list of its own. 

To help you check off the big items on your list, we’ve compiled a list of links and resources to make your Kona move easier. Along the way, we’ll also include some helpful tips we’ve discovered after moving hundreds of families in, out and around Hawaii. 

Manage Your Utilities 

As soon as you know your move date, make sure to contact your utilities to make sure you don’t pay for service you don’t need. If you’re staying on the Big Island, you might be able to kill two birds with one stone here: shut off your old service and start service at your new home. Additionally, if you’re not on paperless billing, update your address so you can receive your final bill at your new address. 

File a Change of Address Online with the USPS 

Changing your address online only costs $1, and it saves you a trip to the post office. All you’ll need is a credit or debit card and a valid email address. Make sure you file your change at least 7-10 days before your move so you don’t miss any mail. You can specify the date that you want the change to take effect, so don’t worry about filing too early.  

Once your request is processed, the Postal Service will forward your mail for 12 months. This service applies to First Class Mail, Priority Mail, and First-Class Package services. Newspapers and magazines are forwarded for 60 days, so make sure you update your address on any subscriptions you have. Just click the link below to get started:  

 If you want to mail change of address cards to your family and friends, you can design yours for free at Canva. 

Do Your Civic Duty 

 The local government counts on having a correct address in order to send you important correspondence. This is especially important come election season when you are assigned a polling place: 

You’ll also want to make sure you update the address on your driver’s license. Although it might seem like a small detail, it’s especially important if you, for example, lose your wallet. A current address gives a good Samaritan the right address to return your lost belongings: 

If you receive any government checks, including Social Security, make sure to update your address with the appropriate agency. It’s also always a good idea to update your address with the IRS. However, if tax season is approaching, you can simply put your new address on your return and the IRS will update their records. 

Update or Cancel Your Auto Insurance 

Don’t forget to give your auto insurance company notice when you move. You might only need to update your address if you’re moving locally. However, if you’re making a bigger move, you may need to make additional changes, like signing up for a new policy or canceling your policy if you sell your car.  

Change Your Address with Your Bank—or Close Your Account, if Necessary 

It’s important you keep your address with your bank current. That way, any formal paperwork, including any tax documents, will be sure to reach you promptly. If you’ve enrolled in online banking, you can likely make this change online.  

However, if you’re moving off the Big Island, you may need to close your account. Check your destination to see what banks it features nearby. If you do need to close your account, you’ll probably need to visit the branch. 

Sell Any Items You Don’t Want

If you’ve taken our advice and you’ll be downsizing before you move, you may want to sell some of your unwanted possessions. You could go the traditional route and organize a yard sale, or you could leverage online resources to sell your possessions, including: 

If you have some particularly nice pieces of furniture that are in good condition, you might try the consignment route. We’ve known a couple of families who have nearly paid for their entire move by going this route. 

Consignment stores display your items for you. When they sell, you get a cut of the final price. Because neither you nor the shop owner make money until a piece gets sold, many consignment shops are choosy about the items they take. However, in turn, you might get a better price than you’d see on Craigslist. Some places on the Big Island to try include: 

Donate Any Gently Used, Unwanted Items 

Even if you have a yard sale, you’ll probably end up with at least a few items you’re unwilling or unable to sell. In that case, any of these four places would be happy to have your donations: 

If you have non-perishable food items you don’t want to move, ask your moving company if they can collect them for Move for Hunger on Moving Day. Donations will be delivered to local food banks to help local families in need. 

Back Up Your Computers 

When your computer makes a big move, there’s always a little bit of risk involved, even if you’re carrying it with you. Make sure you’re prepared by backing up your computer before Moving Day. That way, if anything happens to your computer, all of your precious data is taken care of. Your safest bet is to back up to the cloud. That way, your data is easy to access no matter where you are in the world. We suggest: 

  • Backblaze –  One of our favorites—and one of the most cost-effective options out there. Just $60/year per computer for unlimited storage.  
  • iDrive – Others swear by this service, which is more customizable than Backblaze, but also costs a little more, depending on your usage. 
  • iCloud – If you’re an Apple person, this native app will take care of everything. Just make sure to check your settings and do a full back up before Moving Day. 

And while we’re on the topic of important electronic data, Moving Day often means a lot of hustle and bustle. This can sometimes lead to dropped (and broken!) phones. Make sure your phone is backed up before Moving Day. The last thing you need is to try to recreate your contact list after you move. (If you don’t know how to do this for your phone, Google will be your best friend!)  

Make a Clean Getaway—or a Fresh Start  

Whether you want to give your old house a good scrubbing after the movers have left or move in to a sparkling clean home, the right cleaner can make your moving experience much simpler. You might try one of the following companies, all located in the Kona area: 

Keep Your Furry Children Safe on Moving Day 

Moving Day can get hectic. That’s why we recommend you consider boarding your pets the day of your move. Knowing they’re somewhere safe will help you relax and focus on the task at hand—getting all your possessions packed and out the door. Two places you might consider near Kona: 

 

Finally, if you have any questions ABOUT your move, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’ve got a branch right in Kailua-Kona (plus another in Hilo!). We’d be happy to help you make a quick and easy move, whether you’re moving locally, making the switch to a different island or relocating to the Mainland. 

Tell us about your move!
  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.