Bear in mind, it's called the Big Island for a very good reason. There are two main centers of commerce located in Kona on the West Side and Hilo on the East. Between them lie 4,038 square miles of mostly undeveloped land and a couple of the biggest volcanoes in the world. So don't plan on living in Kona and working in Hilo unless you want to spend at least five hours a day on the road getting back and forth. While 130 inches of rain a year on average is of little concern to the locals, who have developed a healthy tropical flower industry out of it, the tropical moisture can sometimes wear discouragingly on the newcomer expecting a steady Hawaiian diet of sun, sand, and surf.
Government is the largest employer on the island.
Tourism, agriculture, construction, and astronomy are the largest private industries. The University of Hawaii campus in Hilo is also a major employer with students, faculty and staff totaling about 4,000 people. Of course, it is always better if you line up your employment before you land. But if you are unable to do that, here are a few leads to aid your search for a job or a new business. C, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.