Overall
Hawaii is the tropical island paradise where many active adults over 55 dream about making their retirement community. In fact a recent (August 2007) Harris Poll indicated if baby boomers had to live somewhere other than their home state, Hawaii is the state where they would prefer to live. The Aloha State offers a year round steady warm climate, some of the greatest scenery in the world, and unlimited things to do. On the downside, living in paradise tends to be quite expensive. It is extremely desirable and that, along with being an island distant from the mainland, makes real estate and almost everything else tend to be high-priced. Travel back and forth to the continental U.S. is also expensive and inconvenient. If those are not insurmountable obstacles, this site will acquaint you with some basic facts about retirement to the best places in Hawaii.
Maui Luxury Retirement 
Climate
The Hawaii climate is characterized as tropical . The temperature is always warm except at the tops of its large mountains, where it can even snow.
Per Capita Income
In 2004 the Hawaii per capita income was just over $32,000, near the middle of all states. Real estate and almost everything else is very expensive. The average home price in Honolulu in the 1st Q of 2006 was $640,000.
Taxes
The Hawaii top marginal income tax rate is 8.25 %. Sales tax is 4%.
Certified Retirement Communities
Hawaii does not have a certified retirement community program. Some cities and towns in Hawaii are extremely popular as retirement communities.
Best retirement communities
Hawaii is made up of several islands of different sizes. There are some very different types of places to live in retirement, even on the same island. Kauai and Maui are very different than the more developed Ohahu (the island where Honolulu is located). The Big Island of Hawaii has a very different feel in its different parts - dry and volcanic on the west and wet and lush on the east near Hilo. The smaller islands of Lanai and Molakai are mostly undeveloped.
- Hilo - This delightful town is perched above the Pacific on the eastern side of the Big Island. It is rainy here but a place of great beauty and some diversity.
- The Big Island - Hawaii - Areas like Kona are very popular with many lovely small towns and plenty of golf courses. There are many different areas on this island, including an active volcano
- Kauai - An island with rugged terrain and less development
- Maui - Many people's favorite place to retire because of its beauty and fabulous beaches. There are many lovely communities in Maui.
Find more helpful information on more than 30 different state retirement guides and states like California, Oregon, and Florida
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