From deep-rooted Hawaiian stereotypes to food preferences and experiences, many people who live in Hawaii are too embarrassed to admit that any of these 12 things ring true for them.

  1. Some people from Hawaii don’t know how to surf.

Sander van Djik/Flickr I know, Hawaii is synonymous with surfing culture, but not everyone here knows how to surf, but they probably won’t admit that to you.

  1. They have spent an entire weekend inside – perhaps without ever leaving the house.

Mark Doliner/Flickr With so many amazing hiking trails, beaches and other outdoor activities, we often feel guilty when we are not outside 24/7. But sometimes, we just need a weekend in to recharge. Good luck getting us to admit that though.

  1. Similarly, you will rarely hear anyone admit to his or her lack of fitness.

Kevin Nelson/Flickr When you live in Hawaii, you don’t necessarily need a gym membership, and it’s easy to be active all the time. But everyone isn’t always as active as their Instagram would indicate.

  1. They might be jealous of people on the mainland who get to experience winter.

Lisa Nolan/Flickr Winter is a mystical, foreign concept to many people from Hawaii, and sometimes people would do anything to experience snow. They will probably change their mind once they have to drive in it, though.

  1. They will never admit to liking Hawaiian pizza.

Elsie Hui/Flickr Because there really is nothing Hawaiian about Hawaiian pizza – except for the pineapples, I guess.

  1. Any other state has beaches as amazing as Hawaii’s.

Hector A Parayuelos/Flickr It is hard for anyone accustomed to Hawaii beaches to admit that anywhere else even comes close to the Aloha State’s incredible beaches. P.S. This beach in California may be pretty, but the water definitely isn’t as warm as it is here.

  1. They haven’t participated in a common activity.

Steven Worster/Flickr Whether it be snorkeling, attending a luau, hiking the island’s most well-known trail, or going stand up paddle boarding, admitting that you haven’t participated in one of the most common activities in Hawaii is almost unheard of.

  1. Admit that they talk differently, or have an accent.

Marcus Ojeda/Flickr Though the Hawaiian accent is subtle, people from Hawaii do talk a little… differently.

  1. Hawaii isn’t all paradise, all the time.

Christian Arballo/Flickr Many people in Hawaii want to protect the image of our beautiful islands, but not everything here is as perfect as it seems; we often deal with many of the same problems as those on the mainland - like traffic.

  1. No one will admit when they don’t like a popular food.

Michelle Lee/Flickr Admitting that you don’t like malasadas, loco moco, shave ice, mochi, or any other uniquely Hawaiian food is basically a sin.

  1. They don’t necessarily want to live in Hawaii forever.

Robert Linsdell/Flickr Hawaii is an amazing place to live, but with so many other incredible cities, states and countries throughout the world, it’s hard to stay in one place your entire life. Especially when that place is a small, isolated island chain.

  1. And people from Hawaii will NEVER admit to the fact that tourism is beneficial to the islands.

Kanaka Menehune/Flickr Many people who are born and raised in Hawaii will fervently oppose the tourism industry, even though it is easily seen that the tourism industry (as well as the military bases on Oahu) boosts the local economy.

Are any of these true for you? What else would you never admit to someone else who also lives in Hawaii?

Sander van Djik/Flickr

I know, Hawaii is synonymous with surfing culture, but not everyone here knows how to surf, but they probably won’t admit that to you.

Mark Doliner/Flickr

With so many amazing hiking trails, beaches and other outdoor activities, we often feel guilty when we are not outside 24/7. But sometimes, we just need a weekend in to recharge. Good luck getting us to admit that though.

Kevin Nelson/Flickr

When you live in Hawaii, you don’t necessarily need a gym membership, and it’s easy to be active all the time. But everyone isn’t always as active as their Instagram would indicate.

Lisa Nolan/Flickr

Winter is a mystical, foreign concept to many people from Hawaii, and sometimes people would do anything to experience snow. They will probably change their mind once they have to drive in it, though.

Elsie Hui/Flickr

Because there really is nothing Hawaiian about Hawaiian pizza – except for the pineapples, I guess.

Hector A Parayuelos/Flickr

It is hard for anyone accustomed to Hawaii beaches to admit that anywhere else even comes close to the Aloha State’s incredible beaches. P.S. This beach in California may be pretty, but the water definitely isn’t as warm as it is here.

Steven Worster/Flickr

Whether it be snorkeling, attending a luau, hiking the island’s most well-known trail, or going stand up paddle boarding, admitting that you haven’t participated in one of the most common activities in Hawaii is almost unheard of.

Marcus Ojeda/Flickr

Though the Hawaiian accent is subtle, people from Hawaii do talk a little… differently.

Christian Arballo/Flickr

Many people in Hawaii want to protect the image of our beautiful islands, but not everything here is as perfect as it seems; we often deal with many of the same problems as those on the mainland - like traffic.

Michelle Lee/Flickr

Admitting that you don’t like malasadas, loco moco, shave ice, mochi, or any other uniquely Hawaiian food is basically a sin.

Robert Linsdell/Flickr

Hawaii is an amazing place to live, but with so many other incredible cities, states and countries throughout the world, it’s hard to stay in one place your entire life. Especially when that place is a small, isolated island chain.

Kanaka Menehune/Flickr

Many people who are born and raised in Hawaii will fervently oppose the tourism industry, even though it is easily seen that the tourism industry (as well as the military bases on Oahu) boosts the local economy.

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