Haha. Are you enjoying the picture above? That was me probably about 12 years old. I danced hula in a halau (school) since I was little and danced even in college. Not so much any more since I live far away from anything polynesian. That’s why I enjoyed celebrating this May Day week with Nikki at The Salty Pineapple. It brought back some great memories of my childhood living in Hawaii. I miss it. I miss it lots. Here are just a few things I miss about living in Hawaii (this list could go on for hours)…
- Aloha Fridays. Every Friday morning you can listen to the Aloha Friday song play on the radio. Everyone is in a good mood as they go into work on Friday “’cause there’s no work till Monday.” Everyone in Hawaii already have a laid back personality, so can you imagine Fridays where it’s even more relaxed than the rest of the week? And don’t forget everyone wears an aloha shirt to work on Fridays. Everyone.
- Warm weather all year round. I am one who doesn’t care for snow. In fact, I wouldn’t mind warm weather all year round. I think seasons are nice, but a little overrated. Especially winters. Did you know that I didn’t own a pair of pants until I moved on the mainland at the age of 14? Winters in Hawaii we would wear a sweatshirt or jacket with shorts and slippers (or what you would call flip-flops). Did you know that we weren’t required to wear shoes to school in elementary school?
- Pidgin. The way they speak in slang and a mixture of Polynesian, Asian and English words. Calling everyone auntie and uncle because when you are in Hawaii, everyone is family. And hugs and kisses are the way to greet.
- Do I even have to mention the food and tropical fruits? The great thing about Hawaii is you have access to all the good food right there in one place. Fresh seafood, tropical fruits picked from the trees in your backyard, shave ice, Hawaiian, any kind of Asian food… Ono (yum)!
- Island music. Jammin’ music that you can dance to. Islanders know how to move and have a good time. When good music is playing, no one is sitting down.
» Tell me… Have you ever been to Hawaii? What did you think of it? What do you miss about Hawaii?
I started reading your blog a few weeks back, and I only just discovered you’re from Hawaii with these May Day posts. I’m from Hawaii too, and I’m loving the reminders of home. The list of what I miss? Pretty much the same as yours! But most of all, it’s the people, the values, and the Aloha Spirit. I know it’s not the same as it was 15 or 20 years ago, but it’s still so different from the mainland (and especially the east coast). Lucky for me, I’m moving back, and taking my husband and baby with me! It really is a dream come true, and I’m so excited!
I just got back from Hawaii in January! It was my first trip and my husband’s third. We took our toddler and he had a blast. I ate as many plate lunches as I could, went snorkleing anywhere that looked remotely safe, and enjoyed my first real shave ice. Now thanks to Hawaii, baby #2 is on the way…
We just moved to Kauai in january and this week I have been missing life on the mainland. Mostly the people. Thanks for reminding me to appreciate what I have here.
I miss Hawaii and I have never even been there. Warm weather all year around…perfection!
We went to Hawaii once before we had children. It was so beautiful! I would happily live there. (Being a Floridian, I also don’t like snow and think seasons are overrated.) My favorite part was the Road to Hana on Maui. Love, love, loved it!
Honeymooned in Hawaii…didn’t know we were going there until I got to the gate of our layover, which made me cry in front of my new husband and most of Chicago O’Hare. I miss everything about that place (Hawaii, not Chicago O’Hare)…the warm water, the fruity, floral smell in the air, and of course living life on aloha time!
We lived in hawaii for 4 years and I at least loved living there. My hubby and I had a small amount of bad experiences but with that came a million blessings. I loved the island, being just the 2 off us we went to a new island every aniversary. I loved whale watching in the winter, the flowers, being able to walk to the beach from my house, talking to WWII Vets, going to pearl harbor. Sooo much I love about hawaii… but most of all I miss the friends I had to leave behind.
I still live here in Hawaii and I love it! I wouldn’t missing all these high prices though!
I meant I wouldn’t MIND missing the high prices!
I went to college there for one year, and it was magical! I was desperately poor, bit realized it was the chance of a lifetime, so when fellow students left after finals, I stayed an extra week to hit all of the great museums and cultural preserves and nature areas on my own. I’ve been back many times!
Funny story: my BFF and I made a pact that while we lived in HI, we each had to kiss a boy on the beach (like the movies!). Her new boyfriend helped her with her goal almost immediately. Me, not so much. It was my last day on the island, a friend dared me to ask a cute stranger for a peck on the cheek just to call it “done.” Instead, the guy gave me a full, big smacker on the lips! DONE! I never got his name…
I am planning our first trip to Hawaii for this fall and I’m so excited! Our son will be 18 months and I can’t wait to see him play on the beach. We live in Washington state, so it will be a nice break for us!
my husband was stationed at kaneohe bay a year ago. We moved there last April and I love it. I love aloha fridays, the amazing food, the wonderful people. I grew up in Georgia so moving there felt like moving to a foreign country. The people there are so friendly and they made it feel like home! We are home in Georgia visiting my family while my husband is deployed for Afghanistan. I cant wait to go back to the beach!!!
The things I miss most about Hawai’i… the food, flowers, the ocean, the rain, the people, farmers markets, even the roosters… *sigh*…
I was stationed there back in the late 90′s with the USCG(Sand Island across the harbor from Aloha Tower). I had a love/hate relationship with HI. Loved HI, but hated being stationed there because it meant that I lived on a CG cutter and spent most of my time at sea and in Alaska, quite the contrast. Looking back I realized that thoroughly enjoyed even that part of it but at the time it terrified me. Being at sea in the Pacific is magical, the stars are insane. The memories, feelings, scents, and joy immediately floods me when I think of being in HI again. I loved the weather there but missed Midwest thunderstorms. The easy going pace of life was wonderful and I loved the open air mall (Ala Moana?) Seaweed kim chi is another thing I loved at the Korean bbq place. Oh and the most romantic date I ever went on was with a guy who was stationed on my boat and grew up in Kauai, didn’t fall in love with the boy but fell in love with the date lol.
Well, I was born and raised here in hawaii, but when I was in the mainland for college I missed just about the same things that you do =)
Amen sistah!! Totally miss pidgin. Totally miss everything! Lucky we still have grandpa living over there so we can visit and have a free place to stay!
I’m like freaking out to find such a cute blog written by another kama’aina, love it!!
I have to admit I miss the year round warmth even though I tell people here how pretty the snow is and how fun it is to experience seasons. Living in a part of Wyoming for the past two years where the only season is Winter (and then a SHORT spring-esque Summer), it’s been pretty Rough! As for the food and the Aloha Spirit, I try to take it with me..I want people to feel Hawaii through me..even if it isn’t the beach and 80 degree weather. Love your Blog!!
Hubby and I went to Maui, Hawaii 4 years ago. Loved it!! It truely is a tropical paradise and everyone there is wonderful!!
Stop by and visit. Im having a giveaway until May 14th.
I lived in Hawaii from 1968 to 1970 (a long long time ago) as a young girl. I never forgot Hawaii and it has always been my dream to go back. I can still remember the beauty, floral smell, the beautiful beaches, saimen, and hot malasadas. I am finally going back in October 2011 with my husband.