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Hawaii Living: Rainbows, Beaches, & Shave Ice
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All of the reasons that Hawaii is such a great place to live.
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• General: Educational
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• General: Health / Wellness / Spirituality
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| Guide Series: Hawaii Living |
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Congratulations on making it this far. Or, if you just stumbled onto this section of our Hawaiian Living guide be sure to read all of the other sections as well!
It may seem like some of the previous topics are a bit on the negative side but they’re really not. It’s not about being negative, it’s about being realistic. Hawaii is a wonderful place, it truly is paradise. Unfortunately, paradise has a very high cost and things aren’t always rainbows and unicorns. So the tone of some of the previous topics was simply to give a realistic view of what living in Hawaii is.
Now, let’s go over some of the wonderful things about living on the Hawaiian Islands. This is the stuff your dreams are made of.
Weather & Temperature
Hawaii Weather is a popular topic, and we even covered it in detail in Hawaii Living: Weather. It's one of the biggest reasons people move here or want to move here. If anyone asks what the temperature in Hawaii is, you can tell them it is around 83 degrees Fahrenheit and you’ll probably be right.
Sure, the temperature does vary depending on where you’re at on any given island and what time of year it is, but in most cases the temperature swings are pretty minor. That means that you can swim in the ocean year round. You can go on hikes, walks, bike rides, or just generally enjoy the outdoors at any time.
It rains in Hawaii. A lot. It’s likely raining somewhere in Hawaii pretty much all the time. In many cases, it’s a short rain. It will come out of nowhere, drop some water, and then disappear as quickly as it arrived. Rainbows come out to play often. The rain keeps things growing, keeps things clean, and even keeps things cool. It’s never too dry here. It’s rarely too wet here.
The Beach
We all love the beach, right? It’s why everyone comes here on vacation! Warm, sunny days and a sandy beach with clear ocean waters is all you really need in life. Well, actually, it’s that thought that gets some people in trouble here. You actually need more than that in life, but it’s certainly a good start.
Hawaii is full of beaches. We literally have hundreds and hundreds of beaches! They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. That’s right, colors! In addition to the usual tan sand colors we’re all used to, we even have black sand beaches, and some with red sand and even green sand.
Some are great for swimming, some for snorkeling, some for watching turtles, and some that are just good for getting away from civilization so you can sit back and watch the ocean waves in peace.
Air Quality
You may not think much about the air around you but it’s really important to your health and wellbeing. Of course, if you’re coming from a polluted city or country you may really notice how fresh and clean our air is.
The tradewinds in Hawaii generally keep air moving throughout the islands with a steady breeze. This keeps things cool but also supply us with plenty of fresh air. You can smell it the moment you arrive. The humidity is something you can feel as well. If you’re coming from a dry climate you’ll notice how your skin doesn’t dry out or feel itchy. Your eyes won’t feel as dry either.
Culture Variety
Hawaii is truly a melting pot of cultures. In addition to the Hawaiian people and Polynesian influences we all expect, there are huge amounts of other cultures here. One of the biggest influences will be various Asian cultures (which gives us amazing places like Chinatown) along with Hispanic, African American, and even American Indian ethnicities here.
All of these cultures bring in their various foods and ways of life. If you live in Hawaii you’ll get to experience a wide variety of experiences, languages, people, and foods all in one place. Just the vast amount of cuisines available make Hawaii a fun place to live!
Slower Life Pace
Hawaii lives on a slower clock than the rest of the world. This slower pace of life that we enjoy goes far behind the famed Island Time you’ve heard about (or read about in Hawaii Living: Island Time). It’s something you have to learn to embrace when you live here.
There is no need to be in a rush to get from Point A to Point B. You’ll get there eventually. Slow down and take it all in. If life is getting too hectic, go surfing or just watch the waves roll in at your favorite beach.
Watch the locals as they move around. Very few will ever be in a hurry. In fact, most will be walking at a much slower pace than the tourists around them. They’re in no rush. Besides, sometimes it gets warm here and if you’re rushing around then that just leads to sweating. Moving slower means less sweating!
Overall, slowing down is a good thing and just feels like a healthier and smarter way to live. Embrace it and watch your stress levels melt away.
Healthier Lifestyle
Moving to Hawaii doesn’t guarantee a healthier lifestyle but it sure makes it easier to have one here. First off, with great weather comes year round outdoor activities. You can walk, run, hike, bike, swim, and do so many other things any time of the year.
There are also many food options from many cultures that it’s easy to find healthier options, at least compared to many American diets. Hawaii is heavily influenced by Asian cultures and many Asian’s live longer, healthier lives. Clearly they’re on to something!
Of course, that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some amazing fish tacos from time to time (especially since the fish is likely fresh and healthy). And you’ll certainly want to develop a Shave Ice habit so you can argue with your friends about which places makes a better shave ice, even if they’re all very similar.
Hawaii is officially listed as the healthiest state in the United States with the longest life expectancies.
Happiness
When you learn to embrace the Aloha Spirit, slowing down, and adopting a healthier and more active lifestyle you can’t help but find happiness a little easier. Go hike in the woods and watch a waterfall. Watch some waves roll in at a beach. Sip your favorite beverage under a banyan tree and watch the people walking by. Take it all in and suddenly the little things become fun things.
There is also a peace of mind in knowing that you live in a beautiful place like Hawaii that is filled with aloha. If you’re not in the best of moods you can take a dip in the ocean and watch how you feel like a million bucks after that. You don’t need fancy dinners, night clubs, movies, and all of that other stuff you used to do for fun all the time (though we have all that too). You’ll be just as happy, or happier, going for a walk along a beach. The best things in life truly are free.
Family First Mentality
Hawaii is big on putting family first. Go to a beach on a weekend and you’ll likely spot several local families hanging out. Often, they’ll set up camp for the day. We’re talking about a serious setup that involves some sort of covered tent area, BBQs, tons of food, and family. Lots and lots of family.
Growing up, I don’t really remember birthday parties for babies being a thing. In Hawaii, I’ve seen 1st birthday parties for babies that rival the biggest super bowl parties countless times. But it doesn’t have to be an event, the people here are just all about the ohana(family).
People get together and hang out, kids get together and play. It’s a beautiful thing.
Vacation / Staycation
Where do you vacation when you live in Hawaii? Answer: Hawaii. Well, the second most popular destination might be Las Vegas or California. Still, most people who live here tend to vacation here, aka staycation. It’s fun to play tourist on the weekend or during a break. It’s not always cheap, but certainly cheaper than coming from the mainland to vacation here.
We can drive to a resort area and play just like those who flew thousands of miles to get to the same place. Or we can hop on a short flight and see another island for a few days. Island hopper flights are relatively cheap and kama’aina rates (local’s only discounts) take some of the sting out of hotel and restaurant prices.
Conclusion
So what have you learned about all of the greatness that is life in Hawaii? Simple: Hawaii is a pretty awesome place! It’s probably everything you imagine it to be, even with all of its flaws.
It’s a happy and healthy place to live with perfect weather, amazing cultural experiences, and people who put family first. You can live in a vacation paradise and can play tourist when you want. Better yet, you won’t need a vacation nearly as often because you’re living aloha!
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