Moving Between Islands: Tips for Transferring Your Housing Assistance in Hawaii

Many residents assume that because they have a “Section 8” voucher or live in “Affordable Housing,” they can simply transfer their current lease to a property on another island. This is rarely true.

Because each county (City & County of Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii) operates as a separate legal jurisdiction with its own Public Housing Authority (PHA), moving requires a formal federal process called Portability. If you attempt to move without following the correct protocol, you could land in Hilo with no voucher, no subsidy, and no place to live.

At HAPI, we manage properties across multiple islands. Here is your comprehensive roadmap to navigating the complex waters of inter-island relocation.

How to Move Your Section 8 Voucher (“Portability”)

Taking your subsidy to a new county.

In the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) world, moving to a new jurisdiction is officially known as “Portability.” Since the funding is tied to your specific Public Housing Authority, you cannot just hand your Honolulu voucher to a landlord on Kauai. You must formally “Port Out” of your current agency and “Port In” to the new one.

The 12-Month Residency Rule Before you pack your bags, you must check your eligibility. If you were not a resident of the county when you first applied for your voucher, federal rules typically require you to live in that initial county for 12 months before you are allowed to move to another island. If you attempt to move before this year is up, your request will likely be denied. (Exception: If you already lived in the issuance county when you applied, you can usually port immediately).

Why Affordable Housing (LIHTC) Leases Do Not Transfer

Understanding the difference between Vouchers and Project-Based housing.

If you live in a private Affordable Housing (LIHTC) building on Oahu and want to move to a similar building on the Big Island managed by the same company, you generally cannot just transfer your lease.

Unlike a Section 8 voucher, which is tied to you, LIHTC subsidies are tied to the building. Each property is a separate legal entity with its own investors, tax credit regulatory agreements, and waitlists.

The Application Reality To move to a sister property on another island, you must treat it as a fresh start:

1. New Application: You must apply to the destination property as a new applicant.
2. Income Qualification: You must pass their income screening from scratch. If your income has increased since you moved into your current unit, you might not qualify for the new one.
3. The Waitlist: You cannot “skip the line” just because you are a current tenant. If the Kauai property has a 2-year waitlist, you must join it like everyone else.

Logistics: Shipping Your Life with Young Brothers

It’s not as simple as renting a U-Haul.

Unless you plan to sell everything, you will be dependent on Young Brothers, Hawaii’s primary inter-island cargo carrier. Understanding their rules is critical to avoiding homelessness or lost goods.

Shipping Your Vehicle

• Reservations Required: You cannot just drive up to the port. You generally need to book a shipping reservation at least 2 weeks in advance.
• Documentation: You must have current registration and insurance. The name on the booking must match the registration.
• Cleanliness: The car must be empty (no personal items packed inside) and have less than a 1/4 tank of gas.

Shipping Household Goods

• Palletize Your Boxes: Shipping loose boxes is expensive and risky. The most cost-effective method is to stack your boxes on a wooden pallet and shrink-wrap them tightly. You pay for the pallet slot, not per box.
• Drop-Off Times: Ports have strict drop-off hours (usually morning only). If you miss your window, your container won’t make the barge, and you might arrive on the new island days before your mattress does.

Pre-Move Readiness Checklist

Answer these questions before you book your flight.

• Have you lived in your current unit for at least 12 months? If no, check your lease term and Section 8 status. Moving early can violate your lease and jeopardize your subsidy.
• Do you owe any money to your current landlord? If you have unpaid rent or damages, your “Port-Out” request will likely be denied until the debt is paid in full.
• Have you contacted the Section 8 office on the NEW island? Do not assume they know you are coming. Call them to confirm their “Payment Standards” and intake appointment availability.
• Do you have savings for a Security Deposit? Section 8 rarely pays the security deposit. You need cash on hand (usually one month’s rent) to secure the new unit.
• Is your car registration current? You cannot ship a car with expired tags.