This thread has been going for a while. Good stuff. I posted this a while back (edited some things) and someone thought it was helpful, maybe it might add some insight for others:
As for being cast as a mainlander, to be directly blunt, the truth is Hawaii
CULTURE is
based and influenced FROM Polynesian and Asian culture of being humble and nonconfrontational, which is the total opposite of how many mainlanders present themselves (think the term ugly American) when they come here. NOT ALL, but the bad ones usually stick out and ruin it for the other mainland transplants who are simply just good people. The problem is that they refuse to adjust to be open to the culture no matter how irrational or foreign it may seem to them compared to their experience living somewhere else.
If you truly have an open perspective and want to experience a new culture and environment, you can adapt quickly and make friends. Everything is
TOTALLY based on attitude.
There are alot of Asians here (myself included) about 50%. This surprises many Caucasians who may find not being a majority, in terms of what they may be used to, as something considerable to adjust to. There are much stereotypical perceptions, although evenly distributed between ALL ethnicities, but people usually end up taking you for what you are based on how you carry yourself. We have a tendency to find humor in the characteristics of ethnic sterotypes, its even funnier when you find out its true within someone you know!
You will find people of mixed race with ethnic backgrounds ranging from the Philipines to Portugal and everything in between. If they walked around in the maindland they would be percieved as either Mexican or White. It is easy to blend in with people because of the variety you encounter everyday.
If you are wiling to absorb into the culture, dress local, wear slippas, eat local food (learning a few pidgen words wouldn't hurt) you would have an easier transition than if you fight trying to retain your culture and lifestyle you've become habitually accustomed to previously.
It is a great environment to raise a family in, in terms of weather, beaches, general friendliness of people, just different and unique compared to the mainland.
Consider the islands a modern and ever developing state, in which the population will only continue to grow, consisting of a people still trying to retain the small town qualities Hawaii had 20-30 years ago, and you can see the mentality behind the good, and yes also bad, state of mind of people in Hawaii.