There is no doubt that – as the most isolated population center on earth – Hawaii is easily the most unique place in America. While the white sand beaches and the lush scenery is certainly appealing, moving to Hawaii is not only expensive but can result in quite a bit of culture shock. Here are 19 things everyone who moves to Hawaii quickly learns about their new state.
- All beaches are not created equal.
Steve Corey/Flickr With more than 750 miles of coastline, some beaches are going to be better than others - especially for certain activities.
- Hiking is the best form of therapy.
Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr I never knew I was a hiker until I moved to Hawaii - and now I try to hit the trails every weekend to ditch the stress of everyday life.
- You learn about the Aloha spirit…
Marvin Chandra/Flickr There’s nothing quite like the Aloha spirit you’ll find in Hawaii.
- …and that Spam is actually delicious.
Chris Barker/Flickr Who knew that Spam in sushi form could be so delicious?
- Geckos are your friends.
Geoff Sowrey/Flickr You might freak out the first time you find one in your new home, but trust us, they will soon become your favorite roommate.
- There’s nothing worse than Honolulu traffic.
be808/Flickr Honolulu rush hour is no joke.
- There is such a thing as sun guilt - and it is not fun.
Skot Lindstedt/Flickr Some days you just need to stay inside, watch Netflix, and relax. The sunshine can make you feel guilty for not getting outside, though, and it almost defeats the purpose of your lazy days.
- It’s shoyu, not soy sauce.
frontriver/Flickr No one will look at you funny if you call it soy sauce, though.
- The fear of tsunamis, flash floods, jellyfish and shark attacks is totally justified.
Brian Sterling/Flickr Don’t forget about rip currents, strong undertow, and rouge waves.
- There’s a certain indifference to current events that exists in Hawaii.
harDrive/Flickr When you live more than 2,000 miles from the mainland, it’s hard not to feel indifferent when it comes to United States politics.
- You will learn how to actually pronounce Hawaii.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr You’ll learn very quickly, my friend.
- Poke is not the action of prodding someone or something with your finger.
dslrnovice/Flickr Poke, a raw fish salad, usually consists of cubed ahi (yellowfin tuna) marinated with sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, limu seaweed and chili powder. The delicious dish is currently taking over the mainland, but Hawaii obviously still does it best.
- The vog will easily ruin your week.
Kenneth Lu/Flickr The vog - or volcanic smog - that wafts over from Kilauea can be miserable for your sinuses.
- Life moves slowly in Hawaii.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Life in Hawaii is meant to be lived slowly - and that’s the way we like it.
- You should not, under any circumstances, use your car horn.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr Throw a shaka instead, man. Spread the aloha.
- Malasadas - and sunrises - are worth waking up for.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr Forget the days of staying up late and sleeping in - you’ll want to wake up for that amazing sunrise hike and some fresh malasadas.
- Slippers are the only shoes you’ll ever need.
Rosa Say/Flickr Well, except for hiking boots.
- There is nothing better than a kama’aina discount.
youngthousands/Flickr The cost of living in Hawaii is astronomical, and the kama’aina discount certainly helps.
- Living in Hawaii doesn’t make you 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.
Not convinced that making the move to Hawaii is right for you? Here are 17 reasons to move to Hawaii.
Steve Corey/Flickr
With more than 750 miles of coastline, some beaches are going to be better than others - especially for certain activities.
Shubhika Bharathwaj/Flickr
I never knew I was a hiker until I moved to Hawaii - and now I try to hit the trails every weekend to ditch the stress of everyday life.
Marvin Chandra/Flickr
There’s nothing quite like the Aloha spirit you’ll find in Hawaii.
Chris Barker/Flickr
Who knew that Spam in sushi form could be so delicious?
Geoff Sowrey/Flickr
You might freak out the first time you find one in your new home, but trust us, they will soon become your favorite roommate.
be808/Flickr
Honolulu rush hour is no joke.
Skot Lindstedt/Flickr
Some days you just need to stay inside, watch Netflix, and relax. The sunshine can make you feel guilty for not getting outside, though, and it almost defeats the purpose of your lazy days.
frontriver/Flickr
No one will look at you funny if you call it soy sauce, though.
Brian Sterling/Flickr
Don’t forget about rip currents, strong undertow, and rouge waves.
harDrive/Flickr
When you live more than 2,000 miles from the mainland, it’s hard not to feel indifferent when it comes to United States politics.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
You’ll learn very quickly, my friend.
dslrnovice/Flickr
Poke, a raw fish salad, usually consists of cubed ahi (yellowfin tuna) marinated with sea salt, soy sauce, sesame oil, limu seaweed and chili powder. The delicious dish is currently taking over the mainland, but Hawaii obviously still does it best.
Kenneth Lu/Flickr
The vog - or volcanic smog - that wafts over from Kilauea can be miserable for your sinuses.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Life in Hawaii is meant to be lived slowly - and that’s the way we like it.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Throw a shaka instead, man. Spread the aloha.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
Forget the days of staying up late and sleeping in - you’ll want to wake up for that amazing sunrise hike and some fresh malasadas.
Rosa Say/Flickr
Well, except for hiking boots.
youngthousands/Flickr
The cost of living in Hawaii is astronomical, and the kama’aina discount certainly helps.
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.
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