By Movoto
With the rise of remote work, secluded places with a lot of natural beauty are becoming more popular places to call home. Hawaii, once considered primarily a vacation destination is now becoming a more plausible place to set up permanent residence. And why not? Surf, sand, delicious food, friendly people—you’d be hard-pressed to find a reason not to live in Hawaii. But before you pack your bags, you should be aware of some things about island life and living in Hawaii in particular. But while it has its challenges, making Hawaii home is worth it.
1. Aloha is a way of life.
Aloha means hello and goodbye. But aloha is more than a greeting and farewell—it’s a fundamental way of life for Hawaii residents. Aloha is a philosophy of peace, love, empathy, and mutual respect that encompasses the culture of Hawaii. If you consider living in Hawaii, prepare to learn and adopt the true meaning of aloha.
2. Island living takes getting used to.
Hawaii is a very remote archipelago with no states in sight, so life in Hawaii can feel very secluded. There’s no such thing as a road trip when you live here. The culture and lifestyle are very different from most mainland states, and you can feel isolated from your friends and family stateside. If you’re not prepared, island life can be a bit of a shock, so don’t be surprised when Island Fever strikes. It will pass.
Seriously, everything is slower in Hawaii. From internet speeds to the pace of life, Hawaii living teaches you how to slow down. Get used to walking, talking, and living a little slower. Forget about same- or next-day Amazon deliveries. The slow pace is an attitude as well; there’s no room in Hawaii for your rushed impatience. So, sit back, relax, learn to take it slow, and enjoy living in Hawaii.
You might think that living on an isolated island means it’s a breeze to get around, but that’s just not the case in Hawaii—especially in Honolulu, which has some of the worst traffic in the country (second only to Los Angeles). According to statistics, the average driver spends 50 hours a year sitting in traffic here, which can aggravate even the chillest person out there.
Unfortunately, living in paradise comes at a cost. Hawaii’s isolation makes it difficult and slow to receive items that are commonly imported to the mainland, so the cost of simple things like milk and gas will cause a bit of sticker shock. But housing prices are the real shock. Housing can be triple the cost of properties of the same size—if not smaller—on the mainland. And the internal agony of paying such higher shipping costs never really subsides.
It’s going to take a minute to get used to the Hawaiian local dialect, which can be a mix of English, Hawaiian, and Pidgin/Creole. The surfing boom in Hawaii has heavily influenced slang, with terms like “brah” and “da kine” used often. If you hear someone say, “We go beach bumbye, brah,” it means, “We’re going to the beach later.” You’ll probably pick up some words naturally, but don’t try to force the dialect.
Which isn’t a big deal because you don’t live in Hawaii yet. But when you move here, you should pronounce it correctly if you don’t want to look like a tourist. On the islands, it’s pronounced like “Ha-VIE-ee,” not “HA-why-ee.” It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference.
Being born in Hawaii doesn’t make you Hawaiian; it makes you a local. Native Hawaiian people are an indigenous race, so don’t start referring to yourself as Hawaiian no matter how long you live there because it’s considered disrespectful. And don’t expect to be embraced as a local right away either. Embrace the culture, make some friends, and give the island respect and over time, you’ll earn your place as a local. Be prepared to get called a haole (a derogatory term for a non-native) pretty often—usually in jest.
Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian, whether it’s your biological family or your chosen family. In Hawaii, the people that you meet and are lucky enough to become close with will become your ohana. Your friends become your cousins and all the women in your life who are older then you become your aunties, so be prepared to make space in your life for your new family.
Some people care about their area codes, but in Hawaii, it’s serious. The sole area code for the whole state, all islands included, is 808. When you switch to an 808 area code, you can officially say you live in Hawaii.
Hawaii is one of only two states that doesn’t observe daylight savings time. You’ll never have to worry about remembering if you spring forward or fall back, or deal with losing an hour of sleep in the spring. Sounds great, right?
How malasadas are not as popular everywhere else as they are in Hawaii remains a mystery. A malasada is a rich, deep fried dough coated in sugar. It’s amazing that in America it isn’t on every menu in every state. But it’s just another thing that makes Hawaii so special. They’ve got the best surfing and, hands down, the best malasadas.
When you move to places like the Big Island, you’ll find that properties are listed by varying Lava Zones. Lava Hazard Zone 1 means the greatest risk of damage due to an eruption, and Lava Zones 3 and 4 mean that the chances of damage are much slimmer. But don’t let it scare you off. It’s similar to living near the San Andreas Fault in California or near the Gulf of Mexico during hurricane season. Living in Hawaii, a place with volcanoes, is manageable as long as you’re prepared and alert.
When you move to Hawaii, don’t procrastinate on switching your documents like your license and tags. Having proof that you’re a Hawaiian resident rather than a tourist can get you discounts on rates at some hotels and restaurants. And driving around with a Missouri tag is a dead giveaway that you’re not a local and you’ll stick out like a sore haole thumb.
What everyone else in the country calls flip-flops are slippers, pronounced “slippahs,” to the people of Hawaii. Don’t call them flip-flops here or everyone will laugh at you. Slippers, and even no shoes at all, are considered practical daily footwear for island life.
Depending on where you live in Hawaii, it can get pretty damp. That means you’ll be battling mold and rust for the rest of your life. You’ll replace bikes more often and find your car needing a new paint job much faster than you did (if you ever needed one) on the mainland.
The roads in Hawaii can get confusing and reception can be spotty, so it’s important to invest in a good GPS system and keep it updated until you get used to the roads. Spend some quality time getting to know your way around because it’s one of the most important things you can do to safely adapt to life here in Hawaii.
Spam is a common ingredient in Hawaiian cuisine—whether at a hole-in-the-wall takeout spot or an upscale restaurant. If the thought of it has always seemed unappetizing, prepare to have your mind changed. Sam is prepared in a variety of creative and delicious ways in Hawaii. Just ask a local about where to get the best Spam musubi and prepare to view Spam in a whole new light.
Forget everything you know about shaved ice, Italian ice, water ice, or snow cones. The shaved ice in Hawaii is truly special and will permanently ruin all other icy treats for you. For the best of the best, head to Matsumoto’s.
The first day of May kicks off the May Day celebration throughout the state of Hawaii at 9 a.m., continuing through the next day. This huge annual event honors Hawaii’s rich culture and the significance of leis. Each island creates leis from the designated flower that represents their island and they host several special events. The Big Island holds the Hilo Lei Day Festival featuring live music, hula, craft demonstrations, and workshops on how to preserve native Hawaiian plants.
The South has “meat and threes,” Upstate New York has “garbage plates,” and Hawaii has the “plate lunch.” This quintessential Hawaiian meal is similar to the others but with a Pan-Asian influence. A basic plate lunch is made up of a couple of scoops of white rice, macaroni salad, and an entrée meat. A “mixed plate” features more than one entrée.
Ready to make the move? Check out current homes for sale in Hawaii.
