 Oahu is different from most areas of the Mainland when it comes to finding a rental. On the Mainland, real estate agents will often take prospective tenants out and show them available rentals, as a system usually exists to compensate the agents if a prospective tenant rents one of the homes that have been shown. That type of compensation system does not exist on Oahu. Therefore, real estate agents will seldom show available rentals other than those handled by their own real estate company.
If you are new to Oahu, the first step in finding a rental is to become familiar with the major residential neighborhoods, so you can concentrate your search in the area in which you desire to live. Often, a friend or business associate will drive you around the island for this purpose. The major residential areas on Oahu differ considerably; e.g., East Oahu (Hawaii Kai) is entirely different from Central Oahu (Mililani Town/Waikele) and both of these areas are entirely different from Windward Oahu (Kailua/Kaneohe) or Waikiki. All of these areas will have advocates that are likely to say that their area is the only place you want to live on Oahu. So, be very suspect of such comments until you have seen the major areas yourself. Talk to as many people as is practical about where to live and conduct your own area tour if necessary.
 Once you have decided on your preferred area(s), the next step is to locate an appropriate rental. Most available rentals on Oahu will be advertised in at least one of the two daily newspapers. The telephone number in the advertisement will probably be a real estate office. Usually, the real estate office will want you to drive by and approve the rental from the outside prior to making an appointment to meet you at the home to show it, Therefore, an automobile will be needed unless you're searching in a relatively small area like Waikiki. If you're searching in Waikiki, most of the buildings have a bulletin board where current and future rentals will be advertised.
Rentals Illustrated is also an excellent resource. This is a bi-weekly publication with photographs and other information on available rentals. The publication is available at grocery stores, convenience stores and at various sidewalk stands in Waikiki. If you're in the military, contact the Community Housing Rental and Referral Services at (808)-471-4624. They maintain a list of rentals applicable to many military personnel. If you want to search on the Internet, go to the next section "Rental Guide."
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