Work Exchange

For any number of reasons you might not want to be spending money as soon as you get to the island. Or maybe you're hoping to gain some farming experience before deciding if a homestead (solo or as a group) is right for you. Work exchange programs are in abundance, and even without them there are plenty of locals on group pages looking for responsible and reliable workers.

One example would be WWOOF. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or Willing Workers on Organic Farms, is a loose network of national organizations that facilitate homestays on organic farms.

Also known as work travel or voluntourism, work exchange is a type of travel where you exchange your time and abilities for accommodation. You find a host who is looking for a certain kind of help, and lend them a hand for a limited number of hours per week. They provide you with a place to stay and other benefits such as food.

I have personally seen several posts just in the last few days from Big Island locals who own farms and property and want someone to come work a few hours a week for a place to stay. This is a great option for anyone working on a tight budget, or for someone who doesn't want to financially commit too much money before deciding on whether Hawai'i is right for them or not.