Travel Nursing Jobs Hawaii
Island Premium · Queen's Medical Center · Maui Health · Big Island
Hawaii travel nursing combines the highest island premium pay ($3,400–$5,000/week) with an unmatched lifestyle destination. Geographic isolation, non-compact licensing, and 10M+ annual tourist visits drive persistent nursing shortage across all islands — making Hawaii one of the most in-demand (and highest-compensated) travel markets in the US.
Island Premium = +$800–$1,400/wk Over Mainland
Hawaii packages run $800–$1,400/week above equivalent mainland US assignments to offset cost of living and licensing effort.
Not NLC Compact — Get Your HI License Early
Hawaii is not an NLC member. Apply to HI DCCA 10–12 weeks before your target start. Many nurses keep HI license renewed for repeat Hawaii assignments.
Year-Round Demand Across All 4 Major Islands
Oahu has volume; Maui, Big Island, and Kauai have shortage. Neighbor island assignments pay 5–15% premium above Honolulu rates.
Live Hawaii Travel Nursing Jobs
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Submit Profile NowHawaii Travel Nurse Pay by Island & Specialty (2025)
| Island / Specialty | Weekly Package | Key Facilities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oahu — ICU / Critical Care | $4,200 – $5,000 | Queen's Medical Center, Kapiolani, Pali Momi | Only Level II trauma in HI at Queen's; highest volume island |
| Oahu — ER / Emergency | $4,000 – $4,800 | Queen's MC, The Queen's West Oahu, Straub | Tourist trauma surge Dec–Mar; highest HI ER rates |
| Oahu — Med-Surg / Tele | $3,400 – $4,200 | Kaiser HI, Pali Momi, Castle Medical, Wahiawa | Largest nursing job volume; entry-level HI travel market |
| Maui — All Specialties | $3,800 – $4,800 | Maui Health System (Maui Memorial, Lanai, Molokai) | Neighbor island premium; Lahaina fire recovery 2023–2025 ER surge |
| Big Island — All Specialties | $3,600 – $4,600 | Hilo Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, North Hawaii Community | Most critical shortage in state; highest crisis rates; lava zone considerations |
| Kauai — All Specialties | $3,700 – $4,700 | Wilcox Medical Center (Kauai) | Smallest island market; one main hospital; high-demand seasonal surges |
| NICU (Oahu) | $4,500 – $5,200 | Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children | Only Level III NICU in HI; all island NICU transfers come here |
| OR / Surgical (Oahu) | $4,000 – $4,800 | Queen's MC, Straub Clinic, Kapiolani | Strong OR demand; CNOR preferred; limited local workforce |
Island-by-Island Travel Nurse Guide
Oahu (Honolulu)
~1M residents · Queen's MC, Kapiolani Medical Center, Kaiser HI, Pali Momi, Straub, Castle Medical, Wahiawa, The Queen's West Oahu
- Only Level II trauma center in all of Hawaii — at Queen's Medical Center
- Highest nursing job volume; most assignment options
- Urban metro: Honolulu neighborhoods, North Shore, West Oahu
- Waikiki tourist concentration drives ER demand year-round
- Best public transit in HI; no car required in central Honolulu
- Housing: Honolulu GSA lodging ~$3,400–$4,200/month
Maui
~170K residents · Maui Memorial Medical Center (Wailuku), Lanai Community Hospital, Molokai General Hospital
- Maui Health System merged with Kaiser — new contract landscape 2024+
- August 2023 Lahaina wildfire increased medical demand across Maui
- Highest resort density in HI = sustained tourist injury ER volume
- Neighbor island premium: +5–15% above Honolulu rates
- Road to Hana, Haleakalā NP — outdoor recreation culture
- Housing tighter post-Lahaina; plan housing 8+ weeks ahead
Big Island (Hawaii Island)
~200K residents · Hilo Medical Center (east), Kona Community Hospital (west), North Hawaii Community Hospital (Waimea)
- Most critical nursing shortage in the state — rural, spread across 4,000 sq miles
- Three separate hospitals on different coasts of a giant island
- Hilo = east coast, wet/rainforest climate; Kona = west coast, dry resort
- Kilauea volcanic activity = lava zone evacuation planning awareness
- Highest crisis rates in HI; some assignments include relocation assistance
- Farming/agricultural community; no tourist-resort pace outside Kona
Kauai
~73K residents · Wilcox Medical Center (Lihue), Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital (Kapaa)
- Smallest major island market — one primary acute care hospital
- Garden Isle: Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, remote beauty
- Small-community healthcare: know your patients personally
- High tourist hiking/adventure injury volume (helicopter tour accidents)
- Limited housing inventory; book housing very early
- Some of the longest contract renewals (nurses who arrive often stay)
Hawaii vs California vs Alaska — Premium Travel Nursing Markets
| Factor | 🌺 Hawaii | ☀️ California | 🐻 Alaska |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak RN Weekly Pay | $5,000–$5,500 | $5,000–$6,000 | $4,500–$5,800 |
| ICU Pay | $4,200–$5,000 | $4,500–$5,500 | $4,200–$5,000 |
| State Income Tax | 1.4%–11% | 1%–13.3% | 0% |
| NLC Compact | No | No | No |
| Cost of Living | Very High (island) | Very High (Bay Area) | High (remote) |
| Housing Stipend (GSA) | $3,400–$4,400/mo Oahu | $2,800–$4,200/mo SF | $1,600–$3,200/mo |
| License Processing | 6–12 weeks | 8–16 weeks | 4–8 weeks |
| Lifestyle Premium | Beaches, surfing, aloha | Urban/tech culture | Wilderness, aurora |
| Neighbor Island Bonus | +5–15% | N/A | Remote facility +20% |
Getting Your Hawaii RN License
Step-by-Step Process
- 1Apply online through HI DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing Division — pvl.ehawaii.gov
- 2Pay $20 application fee + request Nursys verification OR request paper verification from your home state board
- 3Submit fingerprinting via IdentoGO (HI-approved fingerprint vendor)
- 4Provide employment history and attestation of good standing
- 5Await review — 6–10 weeks standard; expedite requests rarely honored
- 6Receive HI license number; add to your travel credentials packet
Pro Tips for Hawaii Licensure
- Apply 10–12 weeks before target start date — HI board processes slowly
- Nursys verification is fastest if your home state is Nursys-compatible
- HI license renews every 2 years — keep it active between Hawaii assignments
- Many travel nurses who love Hawaii do back-to-back contracts (common at Queen's MC)
- CatSol tracks your license expiration and alerts you to renewal 90 days early
- Some facilities accept pre-application confirmation letter while license processes — ask your recruiter
Maui Lahaina Wildfire — Ongoing Healthcare Impact (2023–2025+)
The August 2023 Lahaina wildfire (deadliest US wildfire in 100 years) displaced 12,000+ residents and continues to impact Maui's healthcare system into 2025 and beyond:
- Displaced healthcare workers created immediate nursing shortage
- Maui Memorial Medical Center experienced staff disruption
- Mental health needs surged — BH travel positions opened rapidly
- FEMA medical corps deployed travel nurses through 2024
- Ongoing reconstruction = occupational health nursing demand
- Housing for travel nurses tighter in West Maui specifically
- East Maui/Kahului unaffected; still good base for Maui assignments
- Community resilience: Maui remains one of HI's top travel markets
Hawaii Travel Nursing — FAQs
Q.How much do travel nurses make in Hawaii?
Hawaii travel nurses earn $3,400–$5,000/week in standard packages, with ICU and ER specialties at Queen's Medical Center reaching $4,500–$5,000/week. Neighbor island (Maui, Big Island, Kauai) assignments pay 5–15% above Honolulu. Crisis rates during peak tourism surges or after disaster events (like the 2023 Maui fire) have reached $5,500–$6,000/week at understaffed facilities.
Q.Do I need a special Hawaii RN license for travel nursing?
Yes. Hawaii is not part of the NLC Compact, meaning your home state compact license does not work in Hawaii. You must apply for a Hawaii RN license through the HI DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing Division. Processing takes 6–12 weeks. Apply at least 10–12 weeks before your target start date. Many experienced travel nurses maintain their HI license year-round between Hawaii assignments because of how long it takes to obtain.
Q.Is the cost of living in Hawaii a problem for travel nurses?
Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the US (1.5–2× mainland). However, your tax-free housing stipend is set at or near the GSA lodging rate for Hawaii ($3,400–$4,400/month equivalent for Oahu), which covers or nearly covers typical travel nurse housing costs. The island premium pay also compensates significantly. Many travel nurses come out ahead compared to mainland assignments when the full package is considered.
Q.Which island should I choose for my first Hawaii assignment?
First-time Hawaii travelers should strongly consider Oahu/Honolulu: it has the most facilities (Queen's MC, Kapiolani, Kaiser HI, etc.), the most job options, and the easiest logistics. Honolulu is an actual city with all mainland amenities, multiple grocery chains, and a large travel nurse community. Once comfortable with Hawaii culture and logistics, neighbor island (Maui, Big Island) assignments offer premium pay and more intimate community experiences.
Q.What is the best specialty for travel nursing in Hawaii?
ICU and ER are the highest-paying specialties in Hawaii, especially at Queen's Medical Center (Oahu's only Level II trauma). NICU travelers are valued at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children (the only Level III NICU in the entire state — all neighbor island NICU transfers come here). OR/surgical travelers also have strong demand. Med-surg travel nurses have the most positions available across all islands, making it the most accessible specialty for first Hawaii assignments.
Ready for Paradise? Start Your Hawaii Assignment.
CatSol places travel nurses at Queen's Medical Center, Maui Health System, Kapiolani, Hilo Medical Center, and across all four major Hawaiian islands.