What Makes Hawaii Unique???

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by denverian

1 year old twins, dog, jobs... it's hard to uproot an entire family. Plus we're gay parents and live in a very accepting area with great schools, so it's a good place for us to raise our kids. I have no idea how accepting people are in Oahu to family situations like ours. We're also a bi-racial black/white couple with bi-racial children. I suspect we wouldn't have any huge problems though.

Denver...I think that you will generally find true Hawaiians accepting and respecting differences. Gay families are just that...families. You should have noticed that Hawaiian are very much...multi racial...multi national....multi religious....Hawaii is the "multi" of the world! The only problem that I think you would have moving here...is your dog...it may have to be quarantined!

[KonaKat]

No "quarantine" necessary if you just follow the Dept of Ag's 5 Day or Less Import procedure. The really tricky part is finding a rental where you may have a dog. Most condos do not allow dogs; those that do often have a 25 lb. limit although that does vary widely, and owners only are allowed to have a pet, not the renters. So before one considers a move to Hawaii with a pet, very careful research on housing is number one.

[Chicagoland60426]

Originally Posted by denverian

1 year old twins, dog, jobs... it's hard to uproot an entire family. Plus we're gay parents and live in a very accepting area with great schools, so it's a good place for us to raise our kids. I have no idea how accepting people are in Oahu to family situations like ours. We're also a bi-racial black/white couple with bi-racial children. I suspect we wouldn't have any huge problems though.

You wouldn't have any problems. Hawaii have the highest level of multiracial people in the US.

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by Chicagoland60426

You wouldn't have any problems. Hawaii have the highest level of multiracial people in the US.

Well said Chicago!

[solytaire]

I think what makes Hawaii unique is that it seems like from visiting, that people just kind of live and let live...they REALLY dont seem to stress too much...and despite the place being SUCH a mix of different cultures & ethnicities, I also think they do a great job of keeping the real native Hawaiian culture distinct from the tourist oriented/tourist destination version of Hawaii. The islands away from Honolulu/Waikiki still offer such a lush, remote, natural environment while still being only an hour or two long flight from Honolulu.

Plus having virtually year round sunshine or 80 degree weather isnt so bad either.

[denverian]

Originally Posted by VanHa

Denver...I think that you will generally find true Hawaiians accepting and respecting differences. Gay families are just that...families. You should have noticed that Hawaiian are very much...multi racial...multi national....multi religious....Hawaii is the "multi" of the world! The only problem that I think you would have moving here...is your dog...it may have to be quarantined!

Thanks for the response! We joke that one of our boys looks "Samoan" - but they're Black, Puerto Rican, Italian, Irish, German, and Spanish. I've heard people (even a couple friends who lived there) claim that Hawaians don't like Mainlanders, white people, etc., but then they were in their own bubble and not what I'd call "into the culture". I've always found the people to be so warm and friendly and what you say confirms it. If we move there someday, it's because that's the culture we want to be in.

We also don't want to live in a "gay ghetto", and I think Oahu would be a good fit for our family, and we could fit into an average neighborhood. We'll just have to see when the timing is right someday.

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by denverian

We also don't want to live in a "gay ghetto", and I think Oahu would be a good fit for our family, and we could fit into an average neighborhood. We'll just have to see when the timing is right someday.

As the man said: "The true test of acceptance and respect is to live with those who are not like you"....Gandhi

[Alaula]

Wow, That is a deep question. Being born and raised as a farm girl in Michigan, I moved to Maui 30 years ago. Capitvated by its unique beauty was only the surface, what is most unique and overwhelmingly unique is its culture. It is considered a "melting pot" with many cultures co-mingling but very prominent. What has kept me here however, is the Hawaiian culture. When you ask a questions such as "what is aloha", there are entire books written to explain this. I have been studying the Hawaiian culture for 25+ years, everything from hula and language to music and spiritual practices. The depth and breadth of the Hawaiian culture and its significance holds amazing keys to life. The true Hawaiian culture, pre-contact and pre-Alii migration holds within it a wealth of wonderful connection with spiritual practices that, if intregrated into ones life, creates a connection to the source of life that I have not found in any other culture or spiritual practices, except perhaps the American Indian. Its beauty is lived and expressed in such marvelous ways as hula and chant as well as artistic practices using the amazing resources that existing all around us.

The Hawaiian people are amazing and they have big hearts, however, they have been hurt and abused over the past 200 years and that carries over into everyday life today. If ones approach is with "aloha" and a true love and respect, than Hawaii offers an amazing cultural experience that can not be duplicated anywhere else in the world!

[bkyhi]

Originally Posted by Jonah K

Hawai'i is probably the only state in the U.S. where an "interstate" freeway won't take you to another state (not counting the possible states of "frustration" or "confusion" of some drivers).

Ahhh, Alaska would be another state - the highway will take you to Canada though.

Lots of good in this thread. I think many have hit the nail on the head with the multi-cultural and multi-racial aspect. Hawaii has a blending of many cultures and races. You see it in the language, the food, the customs and the people. It's not all seperate groups there's a lot of commonality which has come to be over the many many many years.

I will make a distinction between "Hawaiian Culture" (Native Hawaiian) and "Hawaii Culture" (the melting pot), the latter includes many aspects of the former as well as many from other different cultures. Both are beautiful and warm. You will find the city of Honolulu to be very international with people there from all over the world, living and working as one community.

As to being accepted in Hawaii, it's almost certain. You will find you get what you put out. Many people there are mixed race - that is simply a given.

In so many ways 'Aloha' is a state of mind and being.