What Makes Hawaii Unique??? (Honolulu, Hilo: neighborhood, centers, beaches)

[VanHa]

When I travel to other parts of the U.S. there seems to be a general theme that Hawaii is just another state that has been absorbed into the mainland...and does not have its own culture and values or any uniqueness.

In this thread I would like to be able to itemize what makes Hawaii Unique and to provide those that are interested in visiting Hawaii other reasons to come...other than just the weather, beaches etc...those things that they can get elsewhere (California, Florida, Texas...etc.)...but what can't they get elsewhere?!

What does Aloha really mean? What is the HAWAIIAN CULTURE? What are the values that make this place different? Why would the educated and the sophisticated come here? Thoughts.....

[bresdo]

I am pretty sure that Hawaii is the only place in the world where the MacDonald's serves spam for breakfast.

[carexplorer]

hawaii has it all – from tropical blue lagoons, white-sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls, lush rainforests and serene mountains, to active volcanoes and even snow.

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by VanHa

When I travel to other parts of the U.S. there seems to be a general theme that Hawaii is just another state that has been absorbed into the mainland...and does not have its own culture and values or any uniqueness.

In this thread I would like to be able to itemize what makes Hawaii Unique and to provide those that are interested in visiting Hawaii other reasons to come...other than just the weather, beaches etc...those things that they can get elsewhere (California, Florida, Texas...etc.)...but what can't they get elsewhere?!

What does Aloha really mean? What is the HAWAIIAN CULTURE? What are the values that make this place different? Why would the educated and the sophisticated come here? Thoughts.....

Two points of view:

Only in Hawaii: Islands Unique in All the World

Video: What Makes Hawaii Unique?

[PacificFlights]

Unique is what a person finds unique. I don't find Hawaii Unique when compared to Guam, Tahiti, Fiji, etc. But it's Unique when compared to the mainland. I see not difference between Miami and Venice Beach, or Seattle and Portland, or NYC and Chicago. But I do see a uniqueness if comparing Boston to Yuma, or Nashville to LA. I guess the uniqueness depends on what you are use too and what you expect.

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by HankDfrmSD

Two points of view:

Only in Hawaii: Islands Unique in All the World

Video: What Makes Hawaii Unique?

I love the videos...nice to see them....

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by VanHa

In this thread I would like to be able to itemize what makes Hawaii Unique and to provide those that are interested in visiting Hawaii other reasons to come...other than just the weather, beaches etc...those things that they can get elsewhere (California, Florida, Texas...etc.)...but what can't they get elsewhere?!

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).

[Sweetbeet]

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).

Heck, it won't even take you to the next county!

[VanHa]

Originally Posted by Sweetbeet

Heck, it won't even take you to the next county!

That is so true!

[Jonah K]

Originally Posted by Sweetbeet

Heck, it won't even take you to the next county!

If one doesn't count the misnamed "Pearl City" neighborhood on O'ahu, the interstate highways in Hawai'i won't even take you to the next city.

On a historical note, while Honolulu has been known officially as the "City and County of Honolulu" since 1907, it didn't even have a city charter until 1959. The main population centers on the neighbor islands eg. Lihue, Kahului, and Hilo are officially "county seats", not cities; however, most would qualify as "towns."