Although Hawaii is considered just as much a state as the other 49, it is quite different from "The Mainland." Being a chain of islands in the middle of the Pacific isn't the only difference. Hawaii has a unique culture due to Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Asians, and Caucasians all being stuck on several small islands together. This captivating place also has beautiful natural features that just can't be duplicated in the Continental United States. So whether you lived in Hawaii or simply visited, here's a list of the things you'll find yourself missing.
1. The beaches and hikes
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This is an obvious one, but it had to be number one on the list.
2. Marine life
Although the Honolulu Zoo is not free, you have the opportunity to see anything from a sunbathing Hawaiian Monk Seal to a peaceful Green Sea Turtle for free any time you go to a beach.
3. Calling flip flops "slippers"
If you live in Hawaii you call these open-toed shoes "slippers" not "flip flops." It's also common to hear them referred to as "rubbah slippahs." The hard part is coming to the mainland and trying to switch back to saying flip flops so people understand that you aren't wearing fur-lined, warm, fuzzy slippers outside in the middle of summer.
4. Shave ice
It is shave ice NOT shaved ice! And it is a 1,000,000 times better than snow cones. When you are in the continental United States it is very hard to find real shave ice. You usually end up with a crunchy snow cone where all the syrup just sinks to the bottom of the cone.
5. Spam musubi
Spam musubis are the delicious combination of rice, seaweed, and spam. If you grew up in Hawaii this was one of your favorite things to buy at 7/11 or bring for a packed lunch.
6. POG juice
POG stands for Passion Orange Guava. This type of juice is available on the mainland, but in Hawaii, we love it so much that we sell it by the gallon.
7. Walking around barefoot
In Hawaii you'll still get service with no shoes in most places. If you aren't wearing rubbah slippahs, you're probably barefoot.
8. Living in a swimsuit
It's quite common to go to school wearing your bikini under your clothes, so you don't waste any time getting to the beach after school. Then after the beach the best way to air dry your swimsuit is to walk around in it. In Hawaii you'll also still get service with no shirt in most places. So it isn't weird seeing customers at a fast food restaurant in full on beach attire.
9. Rainbows
You don't realize how common it is to see rainbows in Hawaii until you leave. It is almost guaranteed you'll see a rainbow while or after it rains. Rain isn't too bad in Hawaii.
10. Hawaiian street names
Not only do Hawaiian street names remind us of the unique culture and history of the state, it also is really funny hearing tourists try to pronounce them. Pronunciation of these street names can easily distinguish the locals from the visitors.
11. Last but not least, you'll miss the aloha. It's not called the Aloha State for nothing. When you're in Hawaii you definitely feel the aloha just from a simple shaka of acknowledgment.
BONUS: One thing you will NOT miss...
Traffic.
