I've been in Moscow for almost 2 months now and decided to write a guide on how to use Hawaii. For those flying for the first time and not knowing what to expect.

Accommodation

Hostel: You'll most likely end up there. In the summer (June-July), it costs $25 a night. It's a two-room suite with 4 people in each room. I can recommend Waikiki Beachside Hostel and Polynesian—our guys lived there. A bus runs directly from the airport to Lemon Road (where they are located) (number 19). You can also live there for free if you agree to work 20 hours a week.

Rental apartment: After a few days in a hostel, it's quite easy to find Russian speakers and agree to move into an apartment. That's what most of our guys who met at the Polynesian did. An apartment in the center (Waikiki) costs around $1600 a month, plus $800 for a deposit. Our landlord assumed we were living four to a room, but in reality, there were 10 of us. So we paid very little. It might turn out to be more, so have money set aside for that.

House: Costs about the same as an apartment, and dozens of people can cram into it, but it will be far from the center. Since most of our group worked in Waikiki (the center) because there's more work there, it would have been very inconvenient to commute. Therefore, I still recommend Waikiki or Downtown.

Extreme options: Turned out not to be very attractive. One option is a shelter. It's called IHS, there's even a stop for it on the same 19 bus... (Institute for Human Services). They won't ask for money, they'll even feed you, but there's a routine you have to follow (wake up at 5:30, lights out at 10). And it's a big barracks. Well, I'm not even talking about the homeless. 546 Ka’aahi St.

The second option that everyone seems to count on for some reason is sleeping in a tent on the beach. Denis was surrounded by a patrol after the second night. So that idea has run its course. In principle, if you don't live in Honolulu, it's quite realistic.

Food.

Stores - everything is as usual. Everyone who stole was eventually caught. Whether you need that or not, decide for yourself. When they catch you, there are three possible paths:

• A strict reprimand, they will take your photo and tell you not to show up again.
• They catch you, the police arrive, you spend the night in a cell, they release you in the morning and schedule a court date for the end of September, when you'll already be home. You won't get a visa again.
• They catch you, the police arrive, you spend the night in a cell, they schedule a court date where it's proven that you are innocent... and you still won't get a visa.

Stores 2 - eating in the store is a more lenient option. If you get caught eating, the second and third points won't happen =)

Free food - works 3 times a week in the first half of the day. You can visit once a week, 20 kilograms per person (ours carried out forty). The food is expired, but you can eat it. I don't remember the exact address, I'll clarify and write it down.

Things to bring.

Everything can be bought here very cheaply. (But more expensive than on the mainland). There are expensive stores in the center, and outlets like ROSS, Nordstrom, Macy's. I would recommend going to Waikele Premium Outlets for clothes, everything is 1.5-2 times cheaper.

As for technology: you can also buy everything here. There's a huge Best Buy, there's even an Apple Store.

As for small things: there's an ABC Store or 7-Eleven at every step. Everything is more expensive there than in big stores, but everything is at hand.

Transport.

The bus costs us $1 there and back. Actually, only those under 17 pay $1, but all our students traveled like that.

Car: You can easily buy one for $300 (running). A friend was selling a minivan for $1700. So everything is realistic =)

Trucks: Hawaii is one of the few states where you can ride in the back of a car (truck). By the way, hitchhiking is also allowed.

Bicycles and so on - no problem. You can ride and return them.

Communication.

Mobile: I don't recommend buying AT&T. It's much more profitable to buy a Net10 mobile phone online. Used up all the minutes - threw it away. The number can be restored. It costs $15 for 300 minutes. With AT&T, you'll pay $15 just for the contract itself, not counting top-ups and buying the phone itself, which might be needed if yours doesn't fit the SIM card.

Internet: Well, it's even silly to write this. It's everywhere in America. If you don't have your own laptop - welcome to the Mac Store. It's located on the main street, Kalakaua. We always had very good Wi-Fi at home, so you don't have to pay. In the hostel, Wi-Fi cost $5 a month... or a dollar for 15 minutes on their computer... You can also always catch it at Starbucks and McDonald's.

Entertainment.

I've already written a lot about them... Besides the ocean (surfing, snorkeling, bodyboarding) and hiking (waterfalls, temples, jungles), there are also

Clubs: I didn't make it all summer, except for Senior Frog's, where I worked. Your ISIC cards won't help... entry is only by passport, or get a state ID card. A bunch of clubs are located on Kuhio Avenue (parallel to Kalakaua) - I won't write the names, you'll figure it out yourself. BUT they are worth it))

Cinema: There is even one =) you can get in for $10 for all sessions in a row. You can also get in for free if you say at the entrance that you came to fill out an application =) this is Katya and Vanya's invention)))

Zoo and all other nonsense.

You can always go to other islands if you get tired of OAHU. The flight is about $80-100 round trip.

Kauai - the wildest island. There is an insanely beautiful trail there, Ulyana went with Arman and was delighted.

Maui - a wild island, but not as neglected as Kauai. The main attraction is the multi-colored sand)))

Big Island - it has an active volcano. A friend said that the island is a combination of heaven and hell. Wild blooming jungles, and after 100 meters you drive out and see only black frozen lava around.

JOB SEARCH TIPS.

I cannot give a definitive answer to the question of what needs to be done to get a job. I'll just provide some statistics.

Filling out applications is a thankless task. In the end, no one called back.

Scouring Craigslist gave no one anything. We came to interviews where, besides us, there were already 20 Russians, 10 Estonians, and 2 Americans with impressive folders of recommendations... guess who they hired...

Accidents - that's how Ulyana found her first job. She just walked into a cafe, it turned out the owner had flyers and... voila!) well, her charm played a part here. Ira got a job as a cook's assistant before July 4th, when hands were needed... and stayed there.

Persistence - call the manager who took the application 10 times. Stop by the job some time after you submitted the application. That's exactly why I was hired at Frog, and Arman at an Asian bistro... we just annoyed the managers.

Your amazing knowledge of English and amazing ability to present yourself - Katyusha, who arrived in mid-July. I immediately labeled her "the girl who missed out," but 2 days later she found a job at Jamba Juice (mixing fruit cocktails), and after some time - as a waitress in a restaurant. thanks to language and charisma =)

Previous work experience in this place - if you worked at Sheraton or Hilton, then in Hawaii you will have the opportunity to get a job there again. Although, there is a great chance that they don't need anyone... but at least you will have advantages over other candidates.

Connections - they rule everything. Ulyana threw a job to me, then to Denis and Yurka, Yurka and Denis - to Vanya and Eldar, then more and more joined... in the end, about 15 of us Russians worked for Gilbert. and all thanks to Ulyana's luck... I accidentally met Igor, who knew the restaurant manager... without him, the manager wouldn't even have looked at me. And there are a million such examples. Communicate MORE! =)