With magnificent beaches, cascading waterfalls, breathtaking hiking trails and stellar views, the Hawaiian Islands are incredibly unique, unlike anywhere else in the world. Whether you’ve lived your entire life in Hawaii, or only called the islands home for few years, there are undoubtedly several things that will make you think of the islands — from sunny skies and palm trees swaying in the ocean breeze to soul-crushing traffic and wild chickens.
- Gorgeous beaches.
Gary Eyring/Flickr With more than 750 miles of stunning coastline, Hawaii beaches are truly second to none, and you will undoubtedly compare all beaches to those found across the islands.
- Someone throwing a shaka.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr Whether it’s in a photograph taken in Hawaii, or a transplant who hasn’t quite gotten used to the mainland, seeing a shaka will always make you think of home.
- Mouthwatering malasadas.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr There is truly no better treat, and we can guarantee that when you’re biting into that traditional donut anywhere else, that you’ll be wishing it were a malasada.
- Traffic.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr Honolulu traffic is particularly soul-crushing. In fact, Honolulu’s traffic is the worst in the country, second only to Los Angeles, and whenever you’re stuck in traffic elsewhere, we’re sure you’re thinking, “at least I’m not driving West on H-1 at 4 p.m.”
- Sunny skies.
Steven Worster/Flickr There is certainly something special about Hawaiian skies.
- Swaying palm trees.
fcitta/Flickr Because we all know the ocean breeze isn’t quite the same anywhere else.
- Street names you can’t pronounce.
Bill Sodeman/Flickr Hawaiian street names are notoriously difficult to pronounce, and nowhere else quite compares.
- Poke + Rice.
Katarina/Flickr To keep this list from being too long, let’s add manapua, loco moco, plate lunches, acai bowls, shave ice and anything made with Spam to the list of foods that remind Hawaii locals of home.
- Luau party decorations.
Karen/Flickr We all know that the luau decorations sold at the nearest party store are notoriously cringe-worthy.
- Laid-back vibes.
Melissa Emmons Photography/Flickr You’ve become used to the laid-back lifestyle living in Hawaii affords you, and you’ll wish you could find it elsewhere in the United States.
- Slippers.
jenswanson/Flickr And you will undoubtedly cringe anytime you hear them called flip flops.
- Aloha Wear.
doclam01/Flickr How weird is it that you see more Hawaiian shirts when you’re not actually in Hawaii?
- Ukulele music.
Peggy Carlaw/Flickr There’s little more quintessentially Hawaiian that ukulele music.
- Cascading waterfalls.
Joe Parks/Flickr There are countless gorgeous waterfalls found across the world, and every time you witness the beauty of one, you will be reminded of your favorite waterfall swimming hole.
- Volcanoes.
Howard Ignatius/Flickr There’s no place like home… even when you have to buy lava insurance for your home.
- Wild chickens.
tobz/Flickr Whenever you see a stray cat or chicken, you will most likely be reminded of the wild chickens, feral cats, peacocks, and sea life found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
- Any movie filmed in the Aloha State.
vipnyc/Flickr With stunning beaches, majestic mountains, panoramic views and a lush, tropical setting, it is no wonder why so many Hollywood directors choose Hawaii for film productions.
- Vibrant sunsets, sunrises, and rainbows.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr There is little better than a Hawaiian sunset, except maybe a stunning sunrise… or maybe a radiant rainbow.
- Sweeping panoramic views.
Craig Moe/Flickr Nowhere will you find more magnificent, panoramic views than throughout the Hawaiian Islands — and you can bet that every single sweeping vista will remind you of Hawaii.
Did we miss anything? What else makes you think of home sweet home?
Gary Eyring/Flickr
With more than 750 miles of stunning coastline, Hawaii beaches are truly second to none, and you will undoubtedly compare all beaches to those found across the islands.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
Whether it’s in a photograph taken in Hawaii, or a transplant who hasn’t quite gotten used to the mainland, seeing a shaka will always make you think of home.
Wally Gobetz/Flickr
There is truly no better treat, and we can guarantee that when you’re biting into that traditional donut anywhere else, that you’ll be wishing it were a malasada.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Honolulu traffic is particularly soul-crushing. In fact, Honolulu’s traffic is the worst in the country, second only to Los Angeles, and whenever you’re stuck in traffic elsewhere, we’re sure you’re thinking, “at least I’m not driving West on H-1 at 4 p.m.”
Steven Worster/Flickr
There is certainly something special about Hawaiian skies.
fcitta/Flickr
Because we all know the ocean breeze isn’t quite the same anywhere else.
Bill Sodeman/Flickr
Hawaiian street names are notoriously difficult to pronounce, and nowhere else quite compares.
Katarina/Flickr
To keep this list from being too long, let’s add manapua, loco moco, plate lunches, acai bowls, shave ice and anything made with Spam to the list of foods that remind Hawaii locals of home.
Karen/Flickr
We all know that the luau decorations sold at the nearest party store are notoriously cringe-worthy.
Melissa Emmons Photography/Flickr
You’ve become used to the laid-back lifestyle living in Hawaii affords you, and you’ll wish you could find it elsewhere in the United States.
jenswanson/Flickr
And you will undoubtedly cringe anytime you hear them called flip flops.
doclam01/Flickr
How weird is it that you see more Hawaiian shirts when you’re not actually in Hawaii?
Peggy Carlaw/Flickr
There’s little more quintessentially Hawaiian that ukulele music.
Joe Parks/Flickr
There are countless gorgeous waterfalls found across the world, and every time you witness the beauty of one, you will be reminded of your favorite waterfall swimming hole.
Howard Ignatius/Flickr
There’s no place like home… even when you have to buy lava insurance for your home.
tobz/Flickr
Whenever you see a stray cat or chicken, you will most likely be reminded of the wild chickens, feral cats, peacocks, and sea life found throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
vipnyc/Flickr
With stunning beaches, majestic mountains, panoramic views and a lush, tropical setting, it is no wonder why so many Hollywood directors choose Hawaii for film productions.
Anthony Quintano/Flickr
There is little better than a Hawaiian sunset, except maybe a stunning sunrise… or maybe a radiant rainbow.
Craig Moe/Flickr
Nowhere will you find more magnificent, panoramic views than throughout the Hawaiian Islands — and you can bet that every single sweeping vista will remind you of Hawaii.
Moved away from Hawaii? Here are 11 things people miss when they move away from the islands.
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