We can all agree that Hawaii is the greatest state in the country — and it is also the most unique. While our mountains and beaches are truly second to none, there are some aspects of life in Hawaii that are just plain odd; if you’ve lived here for long enough, you’ll understand. From adapting to traffic patterns and throwing shakas to dealing with sun guilt, here are 12 bizarre experiences in Hawaii every true local has experienced at least once.

1. You can pronounce even the most difficult of Hawaiian words — like Humuhumunukunukuapua`a — without breaking a sweat.
Bradhoc/Flickr
You have also undoubtedly had to verify your address what seems like a thousand times because your street name sounds like it was made up.
2. Worn a sweater and jeans when it dips into the low 70s.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
Our weather only differentiates 20 degrees all year and when you're used to hot temperatures, anything below the "norm" feels a little... well, chilly.
3. You’ve been at the beach when it started raining and didn’t start packing everything up because you knew it was going to stop in five minutes anyways.
Steven Worster/Flickr
By the time you’re all packed up, the rain has already stopped.
4. You’ve thrown a shaka as an automatic response when NOT in Hawaii, resulting in a few pretty weird stares.
Art La Flamme/Flickr
I’m so guilty of this one — you’d think I were throwing gang signs with all the nasty stares I got after throwing a shaka in the Midwest.
5. You’ve felt completely under the weather and confused as to why only to think, “Duh,” when someone mentions the vog.
Kenneth Lu/Flickr
For some reason, it’s never the first thing you think of.
6. You’ve started to take your shoes off outside someone’s home — even though you’re just there to pick them up.
Danielle Chang/Flickr
We've all done it — subconsciously, of course. We'd be lying if we said we didn't love the practice of removing our shoes before entering our homes, though.
7. You’ve been given confused looks when talking about your slippers.
Bradleypjohnson/Flickr
That’s just what we call flip flops here, okay?
8. You’ve planned your errands around traffic.
Rugen/Flickr
Especially if you live on Oahu and have to go West on H-1 anytime after two o'clock in the afternoon.
9. You don’t use cardinal directions — instead you use Mauka, meaning towards the mountain, and makai, meaning towards the sea.
Opacity/Flickr
Let’s be honest, using directions like east and west is just more confusing.
10. And you’ve purchased Spam Musubi from your local 7/11.
Ken-Ichi Ueda/Flickr
It’s the perfect Hawaiian snack — quick, easy, and delicious!
11. You’re not exactly sure who your “real” aunts and uncles are.
Jshyun/Flickr
When you call everyone older than you aunty and uncle, it can be hard to differentiate between who your blood relatives are, but it doesn’t matter, because they are all ohana.
12. You've undoubtedly experienced sun guilt.
James Huckaby/Flickr
Sometimes, you need to recharge by binge-watching Netflix all day, but that can be hard when you feel guilty for not enjoying the weather and taking advantage of Hawaii’s beautiful landscape.

Have you ever had any of these bizarre experiences in Hawaii? What other experiences have you had that are uniquely Hawaiian? What about these 11 weird things only people from Hawaii do?

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

More to Explore

Life In Hawaii

Megan Shute | August 24, 2020

Do Hawaii locals have any strange habits? 

Of course, they do. In addition to the habits we've detailed in this article, many Hawaii locals refuse to use their car horns, eat more Spam per capita than any other state, and welcome geckos into their homes with open arms. Did you know that geckos not only eat up all of those unwanted bugs that somehow make their way into your home but are considered lucky?

What are the weirdest things about Hawaii? 

While we might take offense to the word “weird” at times, there’s no denying that the Aloha State is one of the most unique places in the entire country. From bizarre historic stories to the odd places you can visit, you’ll love learning about what makes the Hawaiian Islands so quirky. I personally love telling everyone I meet about the odd and elusive colony of wallabies you’ll find hiding in Oahu’s Kalihi Valley. I mean, does it get any cuter than that?

Are there any downsides to living in Hawaii? 

Despite being an absolute paradise, there are aspects of life in Hawaii that are — how should we put it — less than ideal. Don’t get me wrong, I have absolutely fallen in love with the islands over the years, but every once in a while, even those who live in paradise need to complain a little — whether that's about traffic, the cost of living, or the fact that your favorite musician will never perform here.

Related Articles

Explore Hawaii

Featured Addresses
Hawaii, USA