Eight Surprising Things You Might See In Hawaii.
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1. Spam
Photo by y arnold | inuyaki via Flickr.
Yes, spam—not the emails you send straight to your junk folder, but the pink, canned meat product most Americans have never even tasted. It was introduced to the islands during World War II, and locals took a liking to it. Nowadays, you’ll see spam incorporated into loco mocos (a rice bowl that usually also includes hamburger, egg, and gravy), regional dishes like musubi (a sushi-like snack of rice and spam wrapped with nori), and even McDonalds menus!
2. Wild Chickens
If you take a trip to the island of Kauai, it’s actually unlikely that you won’t come across a chicken or two. The island has thousands of the birds, and they have no natural local predators, so you’ll see them in places like parking lots, roadsides, and sometimes even beaches.
3. Upside-Down State Flags
Some Hawaiians fly their state flag upside down as a symbol of solidarity with the Native Hawaiian sovereignty movement. It’s not an overtly anti-American sentiment; rather, it’s an expression of a love for the islands, concern about the Native Hawaiian community and the loss of traditional culture, and a wish to prevent the modern devastation of Hawaii’s beautiful ecosystems.
4. Locally Grown Coffee
Hawaii is the only U.S. state where coffee is grown. Sweet (and expensive) Kona coffee is similar to champagne, in that the only “real” Kona coffee must be grown in the area that gave it its name: the Kona districts.
5. The Only Royal Palace on U.S. Soil
Photo by woofiegrrl via Flickr.
Honolulu’s Iolani Palace is a testament to Hawaii’s royal history—its monarchy was overthrown only about 120 years ago. The opulent palace was home to Hawaii’s first electric light system and flush toilets. Today, tours are offered where visitors can walk through the building and see its ornate furnishings, portraits of Hawaiian royalty, and ancient royal regalia.
6. Technicolor-Blue Water
Have you ever really looked at pictures of Hawaii’s beautiful beaches? The water is so stunningly beautiful it looks Photoshopped, but that brilliant blue is the real deal. If you’re picking Hawaii hotels, try to score a high-rise room with a a window facing the beach—the view will be postcard-picture-worthy.
7. Asian-Influenced Architecture
Americans who visit the islands are likely to feel like they’ve stepped into a foreign land, despite the fact that they haven’t left their home country. This isn’t just because of the exotic local plant- and wildlife, either. Hawaii’s Japanese and Chinese immigrants left a noticeable stamp on its architecture. Across the islands, and especially in Honolulu’s Chinatown, you can find koi ponds, “moon gates,” pagoda-inspired eaves, and buildings modeled off Buddhist temples.
8. Muumuus
These loose, bright dresses (famously rocked by Tyler Perry’s Madea) are actually originally from Hawaii. The islands are probably the only place in the world where muumuus are sometimes worn at weddings. The ultra-comfortable frocks perfectly encapsulate islands’ laid-back, colorful spirit, and can be found at dozens of local boutiques.
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