Though it is true that Hawaii is one of the least stressed states in the country, and the islands’ residents spread the love and Aloha wherever they go, locals can only put up with so much before lose our cool, laid-back style. If you want to stay on the good side of Hawaii locals, be sure to avoid these 13 ways to make someone from Hawaii mad. (Just a friendly reminder that this list is meant to be funny; these 13 things are generalizations, and obviously don’t apply to everyone, so please, don’t get mad at me.)
- Assume we spend all of our time at the beach.
Nancy As much as we wish that every day could be spent at the beach, we still have jobs and lives that prevent us from always enjoying the waves.
- Treat us like we’re all voluntary tour guides.
Timothy Tolle/Flickr While we are more than willing to share our beautiful islands with you, we are not tour guides. We can’t just take time off to show you around the island, especially since the cost of living in Hawaii is so high compared to our average wages - some people need to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet, and we don’t have time to play tour guide for you.
- Ask us if you need a passport to visit Hawaii.
Ken Lund/Flickr Like, really? Last time I checked, Hawaii became a state more than 60 years ago.
- Assume that everyone from Hawaii is a Hawaiian.
Hitchster/Flickr Being Hawaiian isn’t the same as being a Californian - Hawaiians are a race, and only those who can trace their roots back to the islands’ original Polynesian settlers. In fact, only about 10 percent of Hawaii’s population are native Hawaiians; everyone else is a Hawaii resident, or local.
- Tell us that we pronounce “Hawaii” funny.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr I’m sorry, but anyone who is from Hawaii knows how to pronounce it correctly. You’re the one who can’t pronounce it correctly, but we don’t blame you for that.
- Make a mockery of Hawaiian culture.
Lindley Ashline/Flickr The Hawaiian Islands are as unique in culture as they are in landscape, and we treasure our islands’ cultural traditions and history. So, please, don’t make a mockery of what is so important to so many locals.
- Drive like an idiot, or use your car horn.
David Brooks/Flickr Tourists have this nasty habit of slowing down to take photographs while they are driving, and they often like to use their car horn, which is just something you aren’t supposed to do - unless a local is angry at said tourist for stopping in the middle of the road, obviously.
- Try to speak pidgin.
Marcos Ojeda/Flickr You’ll just end up sounding even more like a haole, trust us.
- Disturbing sea life.
eutrophication&hypoxia/Flickr Touching an endangered green sea turtle could result in up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. Just give the sea turtles and monk seals some space, please.
- Wearing shoes inside your host’s home.
Bert Kimura/Flickr This is a major cultural faux pas, so just don’t do it.
- Leave a mountain of trash wherever you go.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr There is a reason Hawaii is home to some of the cleanest beaches in the country - because we view littering as an extremely awful offense. Please respect Mother Nature, and our mission to keep Hawaii beautiful.
- Steal waves from a local.
Kazuhiko Yoshioka/Flickr Now, it probably won’t matter if you accidentally steal a wave or two, but if you are constantly trying to move in on local surfers - and not giving them the respect they deserve - you might end up in a fight.
- Console us with “but you live in Hawaii” whenever we have problems, or just need to complain.
taka_aka_T.Flickr Just because we live in a tropical island setting that so many tourists visit each year, doesn’t mean we get to live like we’re on a constant, never-ending vacation. We are not immune from the stresses and problems of modern-day life just because we live in “paradise.”
What makes you angry? Don’t forget to check out the 14 most common mistakes made by tourists while visiting Hawaii, or these 14 things that everyone from Hawaii absolutely loves.
Nancy
As much as we wish that every day could be spent at the beach, we still have jobs and lives that prevent us from always enjoying the waves.
Timothy Tolle/Flickr
While we are more than willing to share our beautiful islands with you, we are not tour guides. We can’t just take time off to show you around the island, especially since the cost of living in Hawaii is so high compared to our average wages - some people need to work two or three jobs just to make ends meet, and we don’t have time to play tour guide for you.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Like, really? Last time I checked, Hawaii became a state more than 60 years ago.
Hitchster/Flickr
Being Hawaiian isn’t the same as being a Californian - Hawaiians are a race, and only those who can trace their roots back to the islands’ original Polynesian settlers. In fact, only about 10 percent of Hawaii’s population are native Hawaiians; everyone else is a Hawaii resident, or local.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
I’m sorry, but anyone who is from Hawaii knows how to pronounce it correctly. You’re the one who can’t pronounce it correctly, but we don’t blame you for that.
Lindley Ashline/Flickr
The Hawaiian Islands are as unique in culture as they are in landscape, and we treasure our islands’ cultural traditions and history. So, please, don’t make a mockery of what is so important to so many locals.
David Brooks/Flickr
Tourists have this nasty habit of slowing down to take photographs while they are driving, and they often like to use their car horn, which is just something you aren’t supposed to do - unless a local is angry at said tourist for stopping in the middle of the road, obviously.
Marcos Ojeda/Flickr
You’ll just end up sounding even more like a haole, trust us.
eutrophication&hypoxia/Flickr
Touching an endangered green sea turtle could result in up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. Just give the sea turtles and monk seals some space, please.
Bert Kimura/Flickr
This is a major cultural faux pas, so just don’t do it.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
There is a reason Hawaii is home to some of the cleanest beaches in the country - because we view littering as an extremely awful offense. Please respect Mother Nature, and our mission to keep Hawaii beautiful.
Kazuhiko Yoshioka/Flickr
Now, it probably won’t matter if you accidentally steal a wave or two, but if you are constantly trying to move in on local surfers - and not giving them the respect they deserve - you might end up in a fight.
taka_aka_T.Flickr
Just because we live in a tropical island setting that so many tourists visit each year, doesn’t mean we get to live like we’re on a constant, never-ending vacation. We are not immune from the stresses and problems of modern-day life just because we live in “paradise.”
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