Andy Verke, Jr.
The island style is a laid back, slow-paced lifestyle. It is commonly found in the islands of Hawaii. The people of Hawaii are known to be the most friendliest people in the world. We have a vast amount of ethnic background which makes it one of the more unique places in the world as well. The majority of the ethnic backgrounds are from Asia.
There are eight total islands but visitors and locals can only visit six of the eight. One of the islands, Ni`ihau, require special qualifications in order to visit the island because they live solely off the land and have no technological advancements. The other island, Kaho`olawe, is used for military target practice. Majority of the people who come to visit the islands of Hawaii stay on the island of O`ahu. There are plenty of activities to participate in, such as: Hiking, scuba diving, going to the beach, etc.
Since Hawaii is made up of a vast amount of different ethnic cultures, the culture of Hawaii takes different aspects of other cultures and adapts it as their own. For example, before entering someone’s house you remove your footwear as a sign of respect; this comes from the Japanese. Whenever there is a family party or a party in general, everyone is required to bring or make something so they do not come empty-handed. On a side note, you will never leave a party in Hawaii hungry. More often than not, there will be enough food leftover for everyone to take home with them. The idea of everyone bringing or making a lot of food comes from the Filipinos because their culture is centered around family. The one tradition that has stuck in Hawaii from the start is the idea of “Spreading da aloha”. Aloha basically means to treat others the way you want to me treated. Family…Family is what the Culture of Hawaii is all about. They are the one’s who have been with you from the start and they will always stick with you through everything that you go through. Your family will always be there for you to fall back on when you need help to get back on your feet.
The island style is a laid back, slow-paced lifestyle. The average speed limit on the freeways around the island is 50 miles per hour, as where in the continental United States, the average is approximately 65 miles per hour. Besides from the workplace or school, whether or not you are on time is socially acceptable. There is a saying “I not late, I stay on Hawaiian time!” and Hawaiian time is slow and at your own pace. Also to the island lifestyle is going to the beach every weekend and enjoying time off from reality and being with family and friends. Majority of the people in Hawaii does not speak the native Hawaiian language but a broken english called pidgin. Pidgin is a mix of German, Filipino, and Japanese which was created in the sugar cane fields; It was recently recognized as an official language.
Because Hawaii is a culturally diverse place, we have a lot of different types of foods ranging from everywhere around the world. The most common type of imported foods that we have are from Asia. We still have the places that sell your typical Hawaiian food such as Poke (po-kay) raw fish, Lomi Salmon (Salmon and tomatoes), Kalua Pig (steamed pork butt), Lau Lau (Chicken/pork and fish wrapped in a luau leaf). There are many more foods that could be described but I have listed the most common foods you will typically find. Some of the best Asian foods are found in Hawaii simply because we do have Asian immigrants who come to Hawaii and bring their culture with them.
Hawaii has also produced multiple world-class athlete’s as well. Some of them include Brian Clay (Track and Field), Shane Victorino (Baseball), Marcus Mariota (Football), and Olin Kruetz (Football). From generation to generation, Hawaii produced some of the greatest athletes in the world but also a few Hollywood stars such as: Bruno Mars (Singer), Dwayne The Rock Johnson (Actor), and Yvonne Elliman (Singer).
In conclusion, Hawaii is one of the world’s wonders and it is definitely a place that everyone needs to visit before they pass on. Hawaii has the friendliest people you will ever meet in your life. We are also known for having some of the best food in the world. It is a very unique place, in the fact that, no matter what everyone is treated with respect. The only thing that the locals of Hawaii ask is that you clean up after yourself and that you respect the culture. The culture includes: all sacred grounds, the lava fields, the ocean, the beaches, and its people.
