Moving to Hawaii for 4 months

My boyfriend and I are planning on moving to Hawaii for 4 months starting in October of this year. We will have a bit of money saved up but were hoping to work down there to minimize the costs of the whole trip. I have an Advanced diploma in Graphic Design, but no real work experience as of yet, and he works in the heating and cooling industry, but he also knows a lot about biking/fixing bikes, etc. Which I understand is fairly popular in Hawaii.

What would our options be when it comes to a Working/Holiday visa?......I only Graduated my program in April and will be travelling in October (6 months apart).

Any insight on the topic or anything related would be a huge help...also how far in advance we should be looking at getting a Visa?

Thanks a lot!

- Melissa

I don't think you've got many options here, you need three years experience to get TN-1 as a graphics designer with a diploma.

There's a remote possibility you might be able to get H-2B, which is a temporary work permit that you would have to be sponsored for. H-2B is usually used by hotel workers to fill temporary positions and other tourist-related industries. Usually you go through an employment agency in the US and tell them you want to work in Hawaii. However given the economy I'd say the chances of getting it are slim and they were pretty slim to begin with.

The only other thing I can think of would be a J-1 through the SWAP programme: www.swap.ca

The US unfortunately does not have a working holiday visa for Canadians. (or any other nationality that I'm aware of!)

H2B hospitality is closest you're going to get probably. And that may be hard to come by.