1. Flip Flops Are Totally Formal—And Actually, They’re Called Slippers
Slippers are wedding, business, and just hanging out on the beach appropriate. They’re the perfect all purpose footwear.
2. Malasadas Are Better Than Whatever Cronut Type Trend Is Happening On The Mainland
Portuguese in origin, these deep fried doughy bites of deliciousness are popular treats in Honolulu—and for good reason.
3. Don’t Make Any Enemies, Because You’ll Never Be Able To Avoid Them
Ah, one of the downsides to living on an island. There’s literally nowhere to escape. You will inevitably run into your ex, so make it a clean break. It’s also probably best to avoid water cooler gossip.
4. The Pace Is Way Slower, So You Might As Well Relax
Yeah, it’s going to take two hours to eat lunch. Yeah, that guy in front of you is maintaining a steady snail’s pace stroll. Calm down. Breathe. Enjoy the beauty around you. Rushing isn’t going to get you there any faster in Honolulu.
5. Island Fever Is Totally Real
There is something kind of claustrophobic about being surrounded by water all day every day. Just the knowledge of that brings on island fever—a creeping antsy feeling that means it’s time to book a flight.
6. It’s The Most Beautiful Place On Earth All Year Round
Sometimes it gets down to sixty degrees. Sometimes it rains (which makes all the plant life even more pretty). That’s about it. It really is perfect all year.
7. You’ll Never Again Eat Mainland Fast Food After You Try Zippy’s
You definitely can’t get sushi and katsu curry saimin at McDonald’s.
8. But If You’re Into Local Music, Honolulu Is The Place To Be
Between the Hawai’i Theater and the Waikiki Shell, Honolulu has plenty of music for out-of-town visitors and residents alike to enjoy.
9. Your Grocery Bill Will Be Five Times Higher In Honolulu
Since most things are shipped over from the mainland, you may find yourself paying nine dollars for a gallon of milk. Most locals go to Costco for the best deals.
10. That’s Why Spam Is The Best Thing Ever
Spam is a great grocery staple, because it never goes bad. It’s the kind of food you’d want in your kitchen if a nuclear apocalypse happened. Plus, Spam musbi doesn’t taste half bad.
11. You’re Probably Not Going To Get Eaten By A Shark
The odds are still relatively low, but pay attention to the signs. Honolulu natives aren’t much for cowering on the sand, but we understand an out-of-towner’s discomfort.
12. It’s Best To Get Into Local Entertainment
That new movie you wanted to see? Wait two weeks. Everything takes longer to arrive in Honolulu. By the time it gets to theaters, your Facebook friends from the mainland have already ruined it for you
13. People From Honolulu Spend As Much Time In Traffic As On The Beach
Second only to Los Angeles, Honolulu’s traffic is some of the worst in the nation.
14. Honolulu Is The Definition Of A Melting Pot
Honolulu’s blend of native Hawaiian, Filipino, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and mainland U.S. cultures make it totally unique. Respecting theses cultures is key to doing well as an out-of-towner.
15. Punctuation Is Seriously Important
The ‘Okina (a single quotation mark) indicates a phonetic stop, and leaving it out can totally change what you’re saying. And yes, Hawai‘i is pronounced differently by locals.
16. Haole Are Never Referred To As Hawaiians
You don’t refer to everyone from Hawaii as Hawaiians, like you would New Yorkers. People of white ancestry (or outsiders in general) are referred to haole, which is sometimes an insult, sometimes not.
17. The Unofficial Language Should Totally Be Official
Hawaiian Pidgin is a unique language, influenced primarily by English, Hawaiian, Cantonese, and Portuguese. Some words were acquired from Japanese, Filipino, and Korean people who also worked labor jobs in Hawaii. It’s much more than slang, with it’s own set of grammatical rules and vocabulary.
18. You Could Spend Weeks At The Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum has a fantastic collection of Hawaiian art and artifacts, a natural history section, and a planetarium. If you ever get sick of the great outdoors, it’s a great place to spend the day—but good luck trying to see it all in that amount of time.
19. Know Your Waterfalls Because They’re Used As Landmarks
“Turn left at the waterfall,” is not an uncommon phrase to hear when you ask for directions.
20. You’ll Never Order Anything From The Mainland
Odds are, the item you buy will actually cost less than the price of shipping. At least you’re supporting the local economy when you shop close to home.
21. You’ll Never Leave The Chinatown Market Hungry
Honolulu’s Chinatown Market has a bustling energy and tons of great food. When you’re not trying to save on your enormous grocery bill at Costco, it’s a great place to shop.
22. The Best Sports Are Ocean Sports
Surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, diving—you haven’t experienced Honolulu until you’ve made it out to the ocean. Just try to forget about the sharks.
23. Literally Everything Is Served With Rice
A meal is just not a meal without rice. If you order something and it doesn’t come with rice, it’s totally appropriate to make a big deal about it.
24. Iolani Palace Is An Awesome Place To See Some Hawaiian History
It’s the only royal palace in the United States, and it was the former home of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii, which makes it a super important piece of Hawaiian history for anyone to see.
25. You’ll Get Over That Fear Of Cockroaches Fast
They’re everywhere, and they’re the size of your face. Don’t worry. Your slipper swatting technique will improve quickly.
26. All The Tourists Hang Out In Waikiki
It’s beautiful, but it’s not the only part of Honolulu worth seeing. It’s also not a bunch of islands. I’m looking at you, Nicki Minaj.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you have to explain to out-of-towners about Honolulu in the comments below! 
