What does Hawaii mean to you? If you haven’t yet visited the islands, then you probably will have a different list of descriptors than we’ve come up with below. When we first came up with Aim for Awesome (.com) we wanted to create a site that explained everything about living in Hawaii and how someone could go about it. It was a lofty goal, and one that we’ve not even come close to making reality yet, but it’s still our long-term goal. With that in mind, we recently recreated our list about what Hawaii means to us. Some of these are linked so you can find posts that relate to the topic below. Enjoy!

Hawaii Means…

  • relaxation – beach, home, dining, fishing, camping, picnics
  • health – sports, water, walking, swimming, fitness
  • peace of mind – karma, zen, low stress
  • fitness – running, tennis, surfing, swimming, biking, hiking
  • family, ohana – strong bonds, helping each other, accepting individuality
  • perfect weather – sunshine, tradewinds, cool rain showers
  • perfect terrain – rugged dry mountains, rugged wet rainforest, sandy beaches
  • lifestyle – variety and freedom of choice
  • ocean – flat and calm or blown out and cranking big surf
  • water – ocean, streams, lakes, waterfalls
  • surf – North Shore, Diamond Head, Jaws, Ala Moana
  • mountains – long shady hiking treks on rolling hills or steep climbs
  • once in a lifetime – feeling of temporariness
  • magical world – Bruddah Iz
  • paradise – top place in the world for vacation, sites, food
  • vacation – a temporary bastion of magic from the ‘real world’
  • locals – family, respect, friends
  • family visits – spending time together cherished
  • anti-technology – some disdain for moving Hawaii forward any more than it has been already
  • culture – aloha spirit, strong family, ancient beliefs, powerful natural world, sharing, friendliness
  • music – soothing calm, steel guitar, ukulele, Bruddah Iz (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)
  • language – Hawaiian, pidgin, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Filipino, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean
  • identity – individuals, tattoos, cars, bikes, surf clubs
  • art –
  • respect – treat others as you want to be treated, show respect first
  • friends – sharing food, talking story
  • helping – family, strangers, yourself to the food! (ha!)
  • sharing – aloha spirt
  • aloha – spirit of the islands, giving, sharing, respect, live and let live, happiness in moment
  • saving money – not spending on lavish lifestyle
  • anti-materialism – living with the least possible, not buying latest cars
  • reggae – Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Local Reggae
  • easy going – live and let live attitude, smiles and shakas
  • shaka – make friends among strangers
  • food fusion – Hawaiian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Filipino, mainland US, Ahi Poke, Opihi
  • adventure – biking, hiking, camping, surfing, hang gliding, parasailing, gliders, snorkeling, diving, fishing, hashing
  • high on life – perfect weather and surrounding self with happy people makes life sweet
  • flora and fauna – variety of plants and animals, especially in ocean
  • dolphin – Flipper next to boats
  • tuna (ahi), wahoo (ono), mahi-mahi (dolphin) – amazing grindz!
  • whales – sightseeing Maui, North Shore, Kauai
  • squid, octopus (tako)
  • barracuda – snorkeling, diving, Ala Wai canal
  • parrot fish – Hanauma Bay,
  • military – Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Kaneohe
  • shopping – Ala Moana, Kahala, Chinatown, International Marketplace
  • aloha attire – aloha shirts, dresses (mumu)
  • exploration – travel to other islands, long hikes
  • one with nature – laying on beach, surfing, swimming, walking trails
  • we’re all in this together – locals sense of bonding, overcoming obstacles, Hawaiian sovereignty
  • sadness at ‘progress’ – new malls, new businesses, power plants, pushing low-income families out
  • meditation – yoga
  • zen
  • pot, pakalolo – escape from stresses of life, becoming one with the islands
  • fun and funny people – pidgin, comedians
  • sustainability – living on less, making due with what is available, local made items
  • awe of nature – massive waves, strong storms, tsunamis, sharks
  • kids – playground in paradise, poor education issues, private schools, brilliant and harmful environment in one
  • things to do – typical attractions, hiking, biking, boating, deep sea fishing, movies on beach, North Shore, races, camping
  • sports – football, volleyball, golf, swimming, tennis, running,
  • attractions – Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Makapu’u, Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Lahaina, Molokai, Lanai
  • specials – discounts, coupons
  • kamaina discount
  • overnighters to other islands – weekend stays on Maui, Kauai, Big Island
  • waterfalls – Sacred Falls
  • mountains, cliffs – Ko’olau mountain range Oahu, West Maui Mountains, cliff diving Waimea
  • incense
  • picnics – Ala Moana, Waimanalo, Bellows AFS
  • fresh fruit – pineapples, coconuts, mangoes
  • north shore – surfing, waves, turtles, whales, snow cones, Haleiwa, Kahuku
  • bare bones necessities – beater trucks, Hondas, cruiser bikes, moped
  • living small – one room rentals, sharing house with family or friends
  • camping – Bellows, Waimanalo, Kauai
  • BBQ – shrimp, swordfish, chicken
  • surfing – North Shore, Diamond Head, Waimea, Ala Moana, Magic Island, Sunset Beach, Jaws
  • bodyboarding – Makapu’u, Bellows, Walls Waikiki, North Shore, Honolua Bay Maui, Ka’anapali Maui
  • bodysurfing – Point Panic, Sandy Beach, Makapu’u
  • swimming – Waikiki, Baldwin, Ala Moana
  • snorkeling – Hanauma, Honolua, Lahaina, Molokini Crater