CNN - What better way to survive a pandemic than to do it on a beach in Hawaii?
For anyone who finds the idea dreamy, Hawaii is
offering free round trip tickets to Oahu to out-of-state remote workers who
want to live and work there while contributing to the state's economy.
The state launched the temporary residency program,
known as "Movers and Shakas," in collaboration with schools and businesses. It's accepting its
first group of applicants until December 22.
"Movers and Shakas is a small step towards
economic recovery and diversifying our economy," Jason Higa, the group's
founder, told CNN.
"The pandemic," he said, "has
normalized remote work for the foreseeable future, so we believe this situation
presents an opportunity for local residents to return home, and for out of state
professionals to experience Hawaii, not as tourists, but as contributing
members of our community."
Fifty people will be chosen for the first cohort. To apply, you must be a remote worker and at least 18 years old.
Participants will have to move to Hawai'e within one month of being selected and must spend at least 30 consecutive days in Hawaii.
"Hawai'i currently has the lowest rate per
capita of Covid infections in the country, also making it one of the safest
places to live and work," according to the program's news release.
"Movers and Shakas" is specifically
looking for individuals who want to contribute to Hawaii's local communities.
Those accepted into the program are required to
commit a few hours every week to a nonprofit where they can use their knowledge
and skills.
Though the program will accept remote workers from
across the United States, it's also geared towards former Hawaii residents who
want to return.
Among those people is Richard Matsui, a Movers and
Shakas founder who recently returned to Hawaii from San Francisco. He told CNN
"I was born and raised in Hawaii and my dream
was to move back home. The pandemic normalized remote work and I took the
opportunity to relocate home."
Matsui also pointed to one of the program's central
goals: to help diversify the economy.
"Beyond bringing in valuable dollars into our
local businesses, the real value of the program is bringing talented knowledge
workers who will help to build our communities through volunteer work and to
make our economy more resilient," Matsui said. "On the one hand, the
pandemic is an enormous crisis, but on the other it presents Hawaii with a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to diversify our economy."
