1. Nope, The Miles Of Beaches Never Get Old
Good surf day? Chances are locals will be out on the water. The best beaches aren’t well-known, and chances are you need an ATV and a good sense of direction to get there.
2. The Two Sides Of The Island Couldn’t Be More Different
Kailua-Kona and Hilo may be in the same state, but that’s all they have in common. In addition to their different climates (Hilo being rainier and greener than almost-always-sunny Kailua-Kona), the locals are different, too. Folks in Hilo prize their laid-back lifestyle, while those in Kailua-Kona relish sunny beach days and easier access to amenities and restaurants.
3. A Plate Lunch Is More Than Just Lunch On A Plate
Plate lunch consists of two scoops of rice, an entree like chicken katsu, poke or kalua pork, macaroni salad and, if you’re lucky, a generous serving of gravy. A plate lunch with two entrees becomes a mixed plate. This dish is known for being cheap and hearty and has been an island staple since the 1800s.
4. Be Sure To Watch For Goats On The Road
If you drive around the island (and why wouldn’t you), chances are you’ll catch a glimpse of at least one goat. History says locals have Captain Cook to thank for these animals that go around eating basically anything they can.
5. Shave Ice Is NOT A Snow Cone
Shave ice came to Hawaii via Japan and residents wasted no time putting their own spin on it with flavors like passion fruit, guava and pineapple. Don’t call it a snow cone, though – shave ice is a finer consistency and the flavorings tend to stay put instead of running off. If you’re feeling extra indulgent you can even get a scoop of ice cream on the bottom. Mmmmm.
6. Sunsets In Kona Are Second To None …
Does watching the sun go down over the ocean ever get old? Neither locals nor tourists think so. Stunning sunsets are almost always guaranteed here.
7. … Except Sunrises In Hilo
If you’re an early bird, there’s nothing more calming than watching the sun rise over Hilo Bay. If you feel like taking a road trip you can both watch the sun come up over Hilo and watch it sink low in Kona in the same day.
8. The Best Poke On The Island Comes From Da Poke Shack
Da Poke Shack is known for its fresh fish and friendly service and thus draws locals and tourists alike. It’s so well-rated that Yelp declared it number one on their list of Top 100 Places to Eat in the US in 2014.
9. Swimming Is As Natural As Walking To Locals
They’ve been hanging out in the water since they were babies, so don’t feel bad if you see locals do some water feats you can’t accomplish. Don’t forget that they always know the water better than you, so just because a local can do it doesn’t mean you should, too.
10. The Merrie Monarch Festival Isn’t About Butterflies
This festival celebrates Hawaii’s culture and history with an art fair, hula competition, dance performances and a parade. It’s named after King David Kalakaua, who was also known as the “Merrie Monarch” thanks to his devotion to the arts and keeping Hawaiian culture alive.
11. Hawaii Isn’t Immune To Snow
If you had to name a list of things you wouldn’t think you’d see in Hawaii, snow would likely be pretty close to the top. You’d be wrong, though. Volcano Mauna Kea’s elevation of almost 14,000 feet means it’s subject to different weather than the rest of the island, so snow’s not uncommon.
12. When Locals Eat, They Want Ono Grinds
If a local tells you a restaurant has “ono grinds” you should definitely pay it a visit because it has good food. Other phrases you’ll likely hear from locals include brah (bro), choke cars (lots of traffic) and broke da mouth (tastes delicious).
13. Locals Don’t Care About “Left” Or “Right” When Giving Directions
If you’re asking for directions on the Big Island, you’d better know your mauka from your makai. Don’t worry, it’s not that hard: “mauka” means toward the mountain and “makai” means toward the ocean.
14. Loco Moco Is Best When Eaten At Café 100
Loco moco is a local dish that consists of rice, a hamburger patty, gravy and an egg. Café 100 doesn’t stop at the traditional loco moco, though – they have 30 varieties. Try loco moco with spam, sausage or chicken katsu.
15. Those Aren’t Flip-Flops You’re Wearing
Flip-flops? Nope, they’re slippers or even better, slippahs. And whatever you do, don’t wear them (or any other!) shoes inside.
16. Locals Know Some Of The Best Spots Can’t Be Reached By Car
In the grand scheme of things Hawaii’s a relatively new island and it’s actually still growing. That means new beaches are developing, but no one’s in a hurry to build a road to ‘em. Locals don’t mind and just hike or take a good 4-wheel drive vehicle to their destination.
17. Pele Should Be Taken Seriously
According to Hawaiian legend, Pele is the goddess that controls Mount Kilauea and its lava. Though tourists come to the island to “ooh” and “aah” at flowing lava, locals know just how dangerous it can be as it swallows up homes and anything else in its path.
18. Broke Da Mouth Grindz Makes The Best Spam Musubi
Spam musubi consists of grilled spam and rice wrapped together with nori seaweed and it’s usually made to be eaten on-the-go. It might be a little hard to travel with the spam musubi from Broke Da Mouth Grindz though, considering theirs is a foot long. This place is a little difficult to find, but one bite and you’ll know the search was worth it.
19. Geckos Live Inside, Too
If you stay in Hawaii for any period of time, don’t be surprised to find geckos sharing your living quarters. They might be stuck to a window, hanging out on the ceiling or scuttling along the floor, especially at night. Locals think geckos are lucky and don’t mind ‘em – they do eat tiny pests like mosquitoes, after all.
20. You Can’t Find Better Ice Cream Than Tropical Dreams
This local ice cream is aptly named and you won’t find creamier ice cream anywhere else. The flavors are everything you’d expect from a Hawaii-based company: toasted coconut, passionfruit cream, Kona coffee, mango cream and macadamia nut are just a few.
21. Aloha Spirit Is Alive And Well
Aloha can mean “hello” or “goodbye,” depending on the circumstances. Either way, locals are apt to say it often and heartily, to fellow locals and tourists alike.
22. What’s Shakin’ Only Looks Like A Shack
This shack is a little off the beaten path, but making an effort to check it out will be rewarded. Shakes are made to order, using frozen bananas instead of ice, and the service is friendly.
23. Eat At Ken’s House Of Pancakes For Pancakes Bigger Than Your Face
Ken’s House of Pancakes is a Hilo staple and it’s easy to see why. Often voted as one of the best breakfasts on the island, it’s open 24 hours a day. You don’t want to miss any of the pancakes, but the fresh banana or macadamia nut would both be a fine choice.
24. Lava Tubes Are Just As Odd As They Sound
Lave tubes form when lava is flowing underground and they often stick around when the flow is done. Walking through a lava tube can be a surreal experience. Perhaps the most famous on the Big Island is the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
25. The Ocean Is Amazing, But Can Be Amazingly Dangerous
Yes, a lot of warnings are posted near the ocean, but they should be taken seriously. Rouge waves are not uncommon and the current can be hard to predict. It’s wise to follow posted signs and otherwise use common sense.
26. Hardened Lava Covers Nearly Every Surface…
Whether it’s still flowing or stopped long ago lava abounds on this island. It’s not uncommon for roads to be built with hardened lava all around and in some areas it can seem never-ending.
27. … But This Island Is Still Amazingly Beautiful
One of the most amazing things about Hawaii is the land’s ability to be both blackened by lava in some places and amazingly lush and green in others. Sure, there are other islands, even some that are pretty close by – but locals know this one is special.
What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Hawaii? Tell us in the comments below! 
