What is the ratio of caucasian people (like in the contiguous state) vs islanders in Hawaii? (home, middle school)

[certsevtxert]

If a caucasian were to move to hawaii, would it be a big cultural transition to like natives and hula dancing and other unusual things? Or would it be pretty much like any other US state?

[laughing traveler]

I moved here 27 years ago. It takes time to adjust.

[OpenD]

Demographically Hawai'i is the most ethnically diverse state in the country. Whites are a minority, about 25% of the population overall. Keep in mind that "natives and hula dancing and other unusual things" are not unusual in Hawai'i. On the other hand, day in and day out, everyday life in Hawai'i is not strange, it's just different.

[khyron]

Originally Posted by certsevtxert

If a caucasian were to move to hawaii, would it be a big cultural transition to like natives and hula dancing and other unusual things? Or would it be pretty much like any other US state?

I have a hard time parsing what "caucasian people like in the contiguous state" could possibly mean, but you may find this image educational. Try to guess what the colors represent, and then click on the picture for a middle school social studies refresher:

[hotzcatz]

I dunno, Kyron, that's a mainland map and doesn't work for Hawaii. They are calling out blue for Germans, Green for Irish and Purple for Italians, but in Hawaii we lump almost all of the groups they consider separate under one label of "haole". Hawaii doesn't see any difference between German, Italian, English or Irish, they are all "white" or "haole". We do see big differences between "Japanese" and "Chinese". Even between Japanese and Okinawan occasionally. Samoans are different than Tongans, etc., whereas to the mainland those would just all be "Asian" or some other generic label.

Back to the OP, Hawaii is not like any other state in the nation. Moving to Hawaii is almost like moving to a foreign country. You may have a better transition if you consider us a foreign nation since you won't be surprised when things aren't "done like they do back home". Hula dancing is normal and Hawaiian is one of our two official languages.

[Jungjohann]

The rampant cannibalism, and lack of A1 sauce at Costco take a little getting used to, but, other than that, it's like any other group of islands sitting in the middle of the specific ocean with a large population and limited resources.

Aloha po'o likeke

[khyron]

Originally Posted by hotzcatz

I dunno, Kyron, that's a mainland map and doesn't work for Hawaii. They are calling out blue for Germans, Green for Irish and Purple for Italians, but in Hawaii we lump almost all of the groups they consider separate under one label of "haole".

My point is the seemingly implicit idea that the mainland is somehow ubiquitously "caucasian" is hilarious (and kind of offensively ignorant). But yeah you make a good point. Anyone who would describe the mainland that way might not make out too well living someplace with less white privilege.

[Razzbar]

LOL, I like the red states ancestry: "American". I don't think they mean Native American, however.

How long does it take to get used to the culture? It depends entirely on your own self. Some people are "hetero-cultural" and really like mixing with people of different nationalities, cultures, races, etc. Others are more comfortable with their "own kind".

Contemporary Hawaiian culture is open to all colors and backgrounds. Anybody can play, and it is on the basis of cultural assimilation, not race or color or origin, that a person is accepted. There's always a certain amount of racial teasing and harassment, but everybody gets the short end of it -- not just "white people".

I'm from a mainland haole background, but feel completely comfortable and accepted as a local. As to the matter of "getting used to it", just be glad there IS something to "get used to". Here on the mainland, everybody seems to be a rootless drifter with no attachment to the place they call their home town. The sense of community and belonging to "a people" is so much stronger in Hawaii than it is on the mainland. A certain amount of culture shock is going to happen, but it's worth enduring.

[tdr22]

Originally Posted by Jungjohann

The rampant cannibalism, and lack of A1 sauce at Costco take a little getting used to, but, other than that, it's like any other group of islands sitting in the middle of the specific ocean with a large population and limited resources.

So true and also, here on Maui there's a Huge tribe of really Old hippies that wander aimlessly thru the Friday Festivals, Costco, just everywhere - you bump into them a lot and that takes awhile to get used to.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Razzbar

LOL, I like the red states ancestry: "American". I don't think they mean Native American, however.

I've noticed that in Appalachian southern states as well. I think they are basically Scots-Irish or British, but been in those hills so long, they just feel no association whatsoever with British Isles ancestory. Just my take on that though.

I've always found it weird as well though.