How Amazon Prime in Hawaii Evolved Post-COVID: A Game Changer for Kailua-Kona Residents

Living in Kailua-Kona means embracing a unique blend of natural beauty, tight-knit community, and a laid-back lifestyle. But when it comes to convenience, things haven’t always been easy, especially with shopping. For years, Amazon Prime was a fantastic service for mainlanders, but for those of us on the Big Island, it could be frustrating and impractical. Things took a huge turn, though, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Amazon Prime has transformed into a reliable and much more convenient option for residents like me.

As a local real estate agent and long-time resident, I’ve witnessed firsthand how Amazon Prime has changed. Before the pandemic, ordering through Prime could be hit or miss. However, Amazon rethought its logistics during COVID-19 and started using larger cargo planes, making a wider variety of products available and improving shipping times significantly. Now, Amazon Prime plays a much bigger role in everyday life for both new homeowners and long-time residents here in Kailua-Kona.

Amazon Prime in Kailua-Kona: Before and After COVID

Before COVID-19, using Amazon Prime was a bit of a headache. A lot of useful items simply wouldn’t ship to Hawaii, and if they did, it took forever. Sometimes it felt like a mystery — bulky items like large furniture would ship for free, but a small kitchen gadget? Forget it. Shipping times were unpredictable too, often taking over two weeks. I remember feeling baffled by the inconsistency.

During the pandemic, Amazon adapted by adding larger cargo planes to its fleet, which allowed them to move goods to Hawaii more efficiently. Suddenly, more items became available for shipping, and delivery times shrank to just 3-5 days for most orders! That’s a huge improvement from waiting two weeks or more, and it makes a world of difference in how we shop here.

How I Use Amazon Prime Today

Even with these changes, I don’t rely on Amazon Prime for everything. Living on an island, I still love to support local businesses whenever I can, especially when it comes to fresh produce, handmade goods, or home services. But for those niche items that are hard to find locally — like specialty foods, unique kitchen gadgets, or specific tools — Amazon Prime has become my go-to.

During the height of the pandemic, I turned to Amazon more frequently, especially when local stores had limited inventory or were temporarily closed. Now that things have returned to normal, I still find myself ordering from Prime for those items that would take weeks to find locally — if they’re even available at all.

I’m especially happy with the improvement in shipping times. While we don’t get the mainland’s two-day delivery, having items arrive in 3-5 days is a big win. It’s a far cry from the pre-COVID era, when even essential items could take weeks or just weren’t available to ship here at all.

Top Items Hawaii Residents Buy on Amazon Prime

Here’s a quick list of popular products Hawaii residents like me often buy through Amazon Prime:

• Home Essentials: Cleaning supplies, storage containers, and organization tools.
• Kitchen Gadgets: Specialty appliances, hard-to-find utensils, and unique cookware.
• Specialty Food Items: Health food brands, unique spices, or non-perishable pantry staples.
• Electronics: Smart home devices, personal tech, and accessories.
• Home Improvement Tools: Specific hardware items, power tools, and DIY supplies.

How Amazon Prime Helps New Homeowners in Kailua-Kona

Amazon Prime has become a huge help for my clients, especially those relocating to Kailua-Kona. Moving to an island is a big adjustment, and one of the biggest hurdles is getting your new home set up. When you’re moving into a new house, there’s always a long list of things you need — from kitchen appliances to home improvement tools.

Before COVID, people struggled to furnish their homes quickly because many items either didn’t ship to Hawaii or took so long to arrive that they had to make do with whatever they could find locally. But now, I see clients easily ordering everything from large furniture pieces to small décor items, making the transition into their new homes much smoother.

For newcomers, it’s also comforting to know they can order specialty foods or products that might not be available in local stores. Here’s a look at some of the categories where Amazon Prime has become a game-changer for new homeowners:

• Setting Up a New Home: Beds, dining sets, small kitchen appliances, and décor.
• Home Improvement Tools: Power tools, wall mounting kits, and specific hardware.
• Furniture Shopping: Storage solutions, shelving units, and small-scale furniture for condos or apartments.
• Electronics: Smart home devices, security systems, and entertainment systems.

Balancing Amazon Prime and Supporting Local Businesses

Even though Amazon Prime has become more practical here, I still believe it’s crucial to support local businesses. We have incredible artisans, farmers, and shop owners who offer unique products that Amazon just can’t replicate. For me, Prime is a tool to supplement my shopping habits, not a replacement for supporting local stores.

I always encourage clients to explore local markets and small shops, especially for fresh produce, local crafts, and island-specific items. But when it comes to hard-to-find specialty foods, electronics, or niche home goods, Prime adds a level of convenience that we didn’t have before.

Looking Ahead: What Amazon Prime Means for Kailua-Kona’s Future

It’s amazing to see how much has changed in just a few years. Today, Amazon Prime is a reliable service for many of us on the island, offering faster shipping times, a wider range of products, and more convenience overall. As more people move to Kailua-Kona, I expect Prime will continue to play a role in helping newcomers adjust to life here.

For those thinking of moving to the island, knowing that you can rely on Prime for certain household items, tools, or specialty foods is a great reassurance. It makes the transition to island life that much easier, and it complements the local lifestyle rather than taking away from it. I’m happy to see that Amazon Prime has adapted to meet the needs of Kailua-Kona residents, and I’m sure it will only continue to improve.

FAQs About Amazon Prime in Kailua-Kona

• How did Amazon Prime shipping change in Kailua-Kona after COVID?
  Before COVID, Amazon Prime shipping was slower and less reliable, with many items unavailable for shipping to Hawaii. After COVID, with the addition of larger cargo planes, shipping times improved significantly, with many items arriving within 3-5 days.
• Why were some items not available for shipping to Kailua-Kona before COVID?
  Logistics challenges and limited shipping capacity made it difficult to ship many items to Hawaii. Ironically, larger items would often ship for free, while smaller items weren’t available at all. This changed after Amazon expanded its shipping capacity during COVID.
• What types of items do Kailua-Kona residents typically buy through Amazon Prime?
  Specialty foods, niche home goods, and specific tools or gadgets that can be hard to find locally are popular purchases. Many new homeowners also rely on Prime for furniture, décor, and household supplies.
• How has Amazon Prime helped new homeowners in Kailua-Kona?
  With faster shipping and a wider selection of products, new homeowners can order essential items like furniture, appliances, and home décor, making their move and transition into island life much easier.
• Is Amazon Prime two-day shipping available in Kailua-Kona?
  No, two-day shipping is not usually available in Hawaii, but most items now arrive in 3-5 days, which is a big improvement from the pre-COVID wait times of two weeks or more.
• Should I still support local businesses if I use Amazon Prime?
  Absolutely. Amazon Prime can be a convenient way to get items that aren’t available locally, but it’s important to support local businesses for fresh produce, handmade crafts, and unique island goods that you won’t find online.

Amazon Prime may not have always been the easiest option for Kailua-Kona residents, but since the pandemic, it’s become a vital part of life here. From faster shipping to a broader selection of products, it now complements the island lifestyle without taking away from the special character of our community. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer, having access to Prime makes living on the island that much easier while still allowing us to support and enjoy local businesses.

Have more questions about living in Hawaii? Schedule a call and let’s chat about what makes this island community special!