What's a good area of the Honolulu to stay in for a few months? What sort of rent should we expect to pay if it is 3 people and a small dog? Do you suggest furnished or unfurnished apartments if you are only there for less than a year?

A good place to check rent would be craigslist / Honolulu. Areas like Makiki, Salt Lake or Kaimuki are a good place to start your search. Rent can range from $1500 to $3000 depending on what you are looking for.

Hope this helps!

You might look at Craigslist.

The dog might be an issue both for landlords and customs. I don't know all the facts and figures, but do know there's a long-ish quarantine in the islands. Could be as long as two months. Look into it.

There are some small home/condos available on the different beaches outside of Waikiki...like on the Kaneohe side. Check those out!

Hi
You can try on-line the classifieds for any of the newspapers..maybe like the Honolulu Advertiser ... Also check out the WEEKLY .. ( newspaper)they have a classified section in that newspaper also.. Makiki and Manoa are are good locations ..close to downtown and also Waikiki and Ala Moana Shopping Center.

All of the above replies are good. A "good" place to stay depends on what you will be doing while there. If working downtown, then look for a condo or house for rent in the Nuuanu, Pauoa, Kalihi areas. Makiki is near enough, but very densely populated with highrise condos.

If you are bringing your dog, you might want to look into renting a house, although short-term rentals are expensive. Most want one-year leases. Expect a house rental to cost about $2000+ per month. Condo rentals run about $1500+ per month. The cheaper the rental, the worse the neighborhood!

If you are going to be dependent on using the bus for transportation, make sure your home is located on or near one or more bus lines. The more lines, the easier it is to get where you're going. If you live far up a valley or on a mountain ridge, you may have to wait a hour for the next bus.

The quarantine requirements for dogs and cats have been relaxed a bit. You will need proof from your veterinarian that you dog has had its rabies innnoculation. I think it has to be recent. Best to google that information from State of Hawaii websites. Even if you have the documents, it still may take a while (and a short stay for your dog in quarantine) before it is released. Hawaii has no rabies, and they want to make sure it stays that way.

As for furnished or unfurnished, it is up to you. If you rent unfurnished, there are inexpensive ways to buy furniture, including hotel liquidation stores that sell surplus from hotels that have changed out their funishings. They you have to deal with the funiture when you leave. If you rent furnished, you don't have to worry about the furniture, just worry about the deposit being returned because you have a dog and they may be extra picky about any damage. If you buy furniture and need to get rid of it when you leave, call Goodwill, Salvation Army, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, etc. and they will come and pick up your stuff that is in good condition.

Thanks everyone! VERY HELPFUL and I am looking forward to my stay. I can't wait to escape a cold Chicago Winter to come to sunny Hawaii!