Awkward moments are undoubtedly a part of life – regardless of where you live. But when you live in the most isolated population center on earth – the Hawaiian Islands – you’re sure to encounter awkward encounters that are entirely unique from those you’ll find elsewhere across the world. I’m sure most Hawaii locals can relate to these uncomfortable – and perhaps slightly funny – situations.
- When you just aren’t sure which beach to go to.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Here’s a common scenario: you spend all morning choosing which beach to go, pack up all your stuff, get in the car and drive to your favorite beach (for the third time this week), just to just to realize that it’s started raining and you have to head somewhere else.
- When you have to correct someone who misuses the term “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.
- When you throw a shaka on the mainland and everyone gives you weird looks.
Aaron Najera/Flickr Once when I was visiting my family back on the mainland, I threw a shaka when a woman stopped to let me cross the street in front of her car. She obviously didn’t know what I was doing and glared at me like I was using a gang sign. The same goes for using da kine, mahalo, and howzit in the same conversation - all to some pretty confused looks.
- When your entire camera roll is full of sunset, rainbow, beach photographs.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr How do you not take a photograph every time you witness a quintessential Hawaiian sky? This is particularly awkward when you take out your phone to show someone a photograph and have to scroll through weeks worth of sunset photos to find what you’re looking for.
- When a movie or television show’s portrayal of Hawaii is just… wrong.
Amy Rainey/Flickr There are so many films and television shows that don’t do the Aloha State any justice at all. Some of them even make a mockery of Hawaiian culture and history. But you will also have a newfound appreciation of the few movies that perfectly capture the Aloha spirit - like Lilo & Stitch.
- When you have to explain that Hawaiian pizza isn’t Hawaiian.
Lynac/Flickr News flash: Hawaiian pizza wasn’t invented in Hawaii. Also, there really is nothing Hawaiian about Hawaiian pizza – except for the pineapples, I guess.
- When you have to reprimand a tourist for getting too close to endangered marine life.
Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr Not only might touching an endangered green sea turtle result in up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000, but it’s just plain rude. No one wants to correct your bad behavior, so please, just give the sea turtles and monk seals some space, please.
- When you roll your eyes after someone jokes about how they would be willing to live on the beach if it meant calling Hawaii home.
Surfing the Nations/Flickr Homelessness is a major problem in Hawaii - so please don’t expect any laughs. Hawaii has the third largest homeless population per capita in the country; an estimated 487 out of every 100,000 residents are homeless, according to Movoto. Since the year 2000, the homeless population in Hawaii has increased by 61 percent, and while many once lived on the beaches 24/7, these individuals have since been driven into local neighborhoods, especially on Oahu.
- When you have to explain to someone that you can’t just take a boat to the neighboring islands.
Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr The only islands you can take a ferry between are Maui and Lanai, and Maui and Molokai. Yes, there used to be a ferry between Oahu and Maui, and no, it is not still running. We have to fly to the neighboring islands. We also don’t ride our pet dolphins to work - though I do know a guy who supposedly kayaks from Ewa Beach to Pearl Harbor for work, so there’s that.
- When you bundle up as soon as the temperature dips below 75 degrees.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr On the mainland, especially in the northern states, everyone wears flip flops (ahem, slippers) and shorts when it hits 50 degrees, but in Hawaii, you better believe that we’ll be wearing a sweatshirt and jeans as soon as the temperature drops below 75… after all, the only places you’ll experience cold weather (and sometimes snow) in Hawaii is at the summit’s of the islands’ tallest mountains.
- When your fridge constantly looks like you’re about to host a huge party.
Rosa Say/Flickr We only need one word to explain: Costco. Because the cost of living in paradise is so astronomically high, and a gallon of milk will easily cost you between $6-10, we shop in bulk. So, please excuse our well-stocked fridges and worry about your own problems.
- When you have to correct someone’s mispronunciation of a well-known Hawaii destination.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Kaneohe, Waianae, Ewa, Wahiawa… and that’s just on the island of Oahu. While this is certainly annoying, the worst is when someone mentions that you pronounce “Hawaii” funny. Because there’s no way they could be pronouncing it incorrectly. Insert eye roll here.
- When someone responds to your complaining with “but you live in Hawaii…”
Jeremy Hall/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 other awkward situations have you encountered as a result of living in Hawaii? While not everything about living in Hawaii is awesome, we certainly are lucky to live in Hawaii.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
Here’s a common scenario: you spend all morning choosing which beach to go, pack up all your stuff, get in the car and drive to your favorite beach (for the third time this week), just to just to realize that it’s started raining and you have to head somewhere else.
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.
Aaron Najera/Flickr
Once when I was visiting my family back on the mainland, I threw a shaka when a woman stopped to let me cross the street in front of her car. She obviously didn’t know what I was doing and glared at me like I was using a gang sign. The same goes for using da kine, mahalo, and howzit in the same conversation - all to some pretty confused looks.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
How do you not take a photograph every time you witness a quintessential Hawaiian sky? This is particularly awkward when you take out your phone to show someone a photograph and have to scroll through weeks worth of sunset photos to find what you’re looking for.
Amy Rainey/Flickr
There are so many films and television shows that don’t do the Aloha State any justice at all. Some of them even make a mockery of Hawaiian culture and history. But you will also have a newfound appreciation of the few movies that perfectly capture the Aloha spirit - like Lilo & Stitch.
Lynac/Flickr
News flash: Hawaiian pizza wasn’t invented in Hawaii. Also, there really is nothing Hawaiian about Hawaiian pizza – except for the pineapples, I guess.
Bernard Spragg. NZ/Flickr
Not only might touching an endangered green sea turtle result in up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000, but it’s just plain rude. No one wants to correct your bad behavior, so please, just give the sea turtles and monk seals some space, please.
Surfing the Nations/Flickr
Homelessness is a major problem in Hawaii - so please don’t expect any laughs. Hawaii has the third largest homeless population per capita in the country; an estimated 487 out of every 100,000 residents are homeless, according to Movoto. Since the year 2000, the homeless population in Hawaii has increased by 61 percent, and while many once lived on the beaches 24/7, these individuals have since been driven into local neighborhoods, especially on Oahu.
The only islands you can take a ferry between are Maui and Lanai, and Maui and Molokai. Yes, there used to be a ferry between Oahu and Maui, and no, it is not still running. We have to fly to the neighboring islands. We also don’t ride our pet dolphins to work - though I do know a guy who supposedly kayaks from Ewa Beach to Pearl Harbor for work, so there’s that.
On the mainland, especially in the northern states, everyone wears flip flops (ahem, slippers) and shorts when it hits 50 degrees, but in Hawaii, you better believe that we’ll be wearing a sweatshirt and jeans as soon as the temperature drops below 75… after all, the only places you’ll experience cold weather (and sometimes snow) in Hawaii is at the summit’s of the islands’ tallest mountains.
Rosa Say/Flickr
We only need one word to explain: Costco. Because the cost of living in paradise is so astronomically high, and a gallon of milk will easily cost you between $6-10, we shop in bulk. So, please excuse our well-stocked fridges and worry about your own problems.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Kaneohe, Waianae, Ewa, Wahiawa… and that’s just on the island of Oahu. While this is certainly annoying, the worst is when someone mentions that you pronounce “Hawaii” funny. Because there’s no way they could be pronouncing it incorrectly. Insert eye roll here.
Jeremy Hall/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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