As the most isolated population center on earth, and one of only two states located outside of the contiguous United States, Hawaii is certainly unique. And while many Americans view Hawaii as that cool distant cousin with a glamorous life, the islands could also easily be seen as the black sheep of the United States – simply because things are so different here.

1. Hawaii is the only state in America with its own time zone.
Jasperdo/Flickr
It's no wonder that Hawaii isn't up to date on all the latest happenings in mainland America.
2. The Aloha State is the country’s most isolated.
Rob Bertholf/Flickr
More than 2,400 miles separate the Hawaiian Islands from California.
3. There are two official state languages - English and Hawaiian.
Hitchster/Flickr
No other state has its own language.
4. While many mainland states commiserate about the winter weather, we’re over here shivering in 65 degree temperatures.
Justin De La Ornellas/Flickr
We just can't relate to the blizzards and polar vortexes all of our mainland friends have to deal with.
5. Our taste in food is wildly different from anywhere else in the country.
Jack/Flickr
Loco Moco? Shave Ice? Spam Musubi? Poi? Our food choices often elicit blank stares from those who aren't familiar with Hawaiian food.
6. We don’t use cardinal directions.
Intiaz Rahim/Flickr
Forget directions like east and west, Hawaiians use the words mauka, meaning towards the mountain and makai, meaning towards the ocean.
7. Hawaii is home to the lowest population of white Americans - just 24 percent - according to the 2010 United States Census.
Orin Zebest/Flickr
In fact, the Hawaiian Islands don't have an ethnic majority at all.

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8. Our beaches aren’t exactly “normal.”
Jack/Flickr
In addition to the white sand beaches you’re so used to seeing, we’ve got red, green, and black sand beaches.
9. Our highways aren’t littered with billboards.
Roman Iakoubtchik/Flickr
That's because billboards were outlawed in 1927 to protect our natural scenery.
10. In Hawaii, life is a little slower…
Mark Faviell/Flickr
We simply can't keep up with the fast pace that is living in New York City... or anywhere on the mainland for that matter.
11. ...And we don’t adhere to regular work standards.
Rosa Say/Flickr
Can you really blame us for ditching work to catch those perfect waves?
12. Hawaii was the first state to raise the legal smoking age to 21 instead of 18.
Kanaka Rastamon/Flickr
While this does make us healthier, there are some states that might think we're too elitist for them now.
13. Speaking of smoking, we’re the only state in America that has to deal with active volcanoes.
U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
I can guarantee that Hawaii is the only place you will ever need to consider getting lava insurance.
14. Hawaii is home to the only monarchy in American history - as well as the only castle on American soil.
Katsuhiro7110/Flickr
Our royal background can certainly be alienating to those not used to talk of kings, queens, and palaces.
15. You won’t find any snakes here, but wild chickens are everywhere.
Avi/Flickr
We may not have to deal with snakes, but wild chickens roam free.

Oh, and these 11 weird things only people from Hawaii do certainly isolate us from the rest of America even more.

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