Though it is true that Hawaii is one of the least stressed states in the country, and the islands’ residents spread the love and Aloha wherever they go, locals do occasionally lose our cool, laid-back style – and there are certainly countless ways to annoy or disrespect Hawaii locals. From minor annoyances like using your car horn and eating Hawaiian pizza to massive errors like disturbing sea life and making uncalled-for comments about the homeless population, here are 14 ways to annoy people from Hawaii – or at least several things you should not say in Hawaii.

1. Tell us that we pronounce "Hawaii" funny.
Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
I’m sorry, but anyone who is from Hawaii knows how to pronounce it correctly. You’re the one who can’t pronounce it correctly, but we don't blame you for that.
2. Drive like an idiot - or use your car horn.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Tourists have this nasty habit of slowing down to take photographs while they are driving and they often like to use their car horn, which is just something you aren’t supposed to do — unless a local is angry at said tourist for stopping in the middle of the road, obviously.
3. Referring to all locals as "Hawaiians."
Orin Zebest/Flickr
"No, I am not a Hawaiian, nor will I ever be." Hawaiians are a race and only those who can trace their roots back to the islands’ original Polynesian settlers. In fact, only about 10 percent of people from Hawaii are native Hawaiians; everyone else is a Hawaii resident or local.
4. Talk about your dislike of the beach.
M Swiet Productions/Moment Via Getty Images
The Hawaiian Islands are home to approximately 750 miles of stunning coastline and hundreds of individual beaches. If you don’t like the beach, why are you even here?
5. Trying to speak pidgin like the locals.
Marcos Ojeda/Flickr
You’ll just end up sounding even more like a haole, trust us.
6. Ask us if you need a passport to visit Hawaii.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Last time I checked, Hawaii became a state more than 60 years ago. Is that really not common knowledge?
7. Ordering a Hawaiian pizza.
Lynac/Flickr
News flash: Hawaiian pizza wasn't invented in Hawaii. Also, there really is nothing Hawaiian about Hawaiian pizza – except for the pineapples, I guess.

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8. Wearing shoes inside your host’s home.
TheKarenD/Flickr
How dare you wear your shoes into someone else's home. Just don’t do it - unless your host says it’s alright. Also, they’re called slippers, not flip-flops.
9. Disturbing sea life.
King Jai/Flickr
Touching or harassing an endangered green sea turtle could result in up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $2,000. They are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Just give the sea turtles and monk seals some space, please.
10. Joking about how you would sleep on the beach if it meant living in Hawaii.
David Fulmer/Flickr
Homelessness is a major problem in Hawaii - so please don’t expect any laughs. Hawaii has the third largest homeless population per capita in the country; an estimated 6,400 residents are homeless, according to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. Since the year 2000, the homeless population in Hawaii has increased by 61 percent, and while many once lived on the beaches 24/7, these individuals have since been driven into local neighborhoods, especially on Oahu.
11. Leave a mountain of trash anywhere you go.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
There is a reason Hawaii is home to some of the cleanest beaches in the country - because we view littering as an extremely awful offense. Please respect Mother Nature, and our mission to keep Hawaii beautiful.
12. Dismissing warning signs.
John M/Flickr
Warning signs are posted throughout Hawaii for a reason, but unfortunately, there are many tourists who don’t heed these cautions – especially when it comes to the ocean. Always check the surf report and read all posted signs so you know what to expect at a certain beach. Trust us, you’ll be a lot safer.
13. Pocketing lava rocks or sand.
Sid/Flickr
While you may think grabbing a lava rock or filling a small tube with sand is an awesome souvenir, it is extremely bad luck to do so. Nobody wants to deal with the wrath of Pele.
14. Console us with "but you live in Hawaii" whenever we have problems, or just need to complain.
Edmund Garman/Flickr
Just because we live in a tropical island setting that so many tourists visit each year, doesn’t mean we get to live like we’re on a constant, never-ending vacation. Living in Hawaii does not mean we are immune from the stresses and problems of modern-day life.

Which of these 14 ways to annoy people from Hawaii makes you cringe the most? Are there any others you would add to this list?

If you want to learn about some of the frustrations people from Hawaii face, head to our post, 20 Things That Are Actually Really Frustrating About Living In Hawaii.

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Ways To Annoy People From Hawaii

Melissa M | April 26, 2021

What is living in Hawaii like?

The phrase “Lucky we live in Hawaii” gets tossed around a lot, but it’s how many who live there feel. With year-round tropical climate, endless outdoor recreational opportunities, 750 miles of coastline, mountains, volcanoes, plenty of waterfalls, views you need to see to believe, and frequent rainbow sightings, what’s not to love? However, living in Hawaii does have its downsides like a high cost of living, the fact that it’s third in the nation for homelessness, bad traffic in some areas, and the risk of experiencing island fever in a state that’s isolated from the rest of the world. But people still live here and feel lucky for it.

What are some Hawaii stereotypes?

Surely you’ve heard of some Aloha State stereotypes like the love for Spam. This canned ham product has become a staple of the decades and can be found in many homes and restaurants. You may have also learned about how laid-back the locals are and how many live on island time, which is true in many cases. You can learn more about Hawaii stereotypes in our previous coverage.

Do Hawaiians have any strange habits?

Hawaii is quite an isolated state and, over time, people have developed some strange habits that mainlanders will probably never understand like the love of Spam. But aside from that, Hawaiians call their flip flops “slippers” and most own several pairs for different occasions. Slippers are basic and comfortable, which makes them perfect for a place as laid-back as the Aloha State. Another strange habit is the refusal to use car horns because it’s considered rude and disturbs the peaceful nature of the islands. 

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