Hawaii offers free round trips for remote employees choosing to live there temporarily

Hawaii will be providing free round trip tickets to Oahu to remote workers from outside the state who choose to live and work there while contributing to the economy of the state.

In partnership with schools and corporations, the state initiated the temporary residency program known as "Movers and Shakas," which will accept applicants until December 15, reports CNN.

For the first cohort, fifty people will be selected. Later, on a rolling basis, applications would be approved. You must be a remote worker and be at least 18 years old to apply.

Participants must travel within one month of selection and must remain in Hawaii for at least 30 consecutive days.

Jason Higa, the group's founder, told CNN, ""Movers and Shakas is a small step towards economic recovery and diversifying our economy."

"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."

"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.

So far, Hawaii has reported over 18,000 coronavirus cases, and more than 200 people have died.

Giving back to Hawaii

While spending your days off soaking in the sun may sound like heaven, "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.

"As someone who was born and raised in Hawaii, I always dreamed of moving back home," Matsui, 35, told CNN. "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 is bringing talented knowledge workers who will both help to build our communities through volunteer work and to make our economy more resilient," Matsui said. "While the pandemic is an enormous crisis, it also presents Hawaii with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to diversify our economy."