Have you ever wondered, “What is it like living in Hawaii?” Living in Hawaii is a little different than living in the rest of the country, and that’s the way we like it. Across the Hawaiian Islands, life is a little slower, and we choose to embody the Aloha Spirit in everything we do. Hawaii is a magical place to live or visit, but if you’re planning a move to these beautiful islands, there are a few things you should know. Without further ado, here are 17 things no one tells you about life in Hawaii, including the good and the bad.

1. The Aloha Spirit is all-encompassing.

Rocky A/Flickr
Those who call Hawaii home believe in the Aloha Spirit - in welcoming everyone with open arms, and being friendly with anyone they encounter. There's nothing quite like the Aloha spirit you'll find when living in Hawaii. People who have never lived or visited the islands might think it's a stereotype, but here, it's just life.

2. Living in Hawaii is astronomically expensive.

I-5 Design & Manufacture/Flickr
Sure, you might have guessed Hawaii was expensive, but perhaps you didn’t quite realize the extent of it. Because there is a limited amount of developable land in Hawaii, and island life is quite desirable, housing costs in Hawaii are astronomical. You will also find that food costs approximately 50 percent more than it does on the mainland, and utility costs are almost 70 percent higher.

3. Every day is casual Friday in Hawaii.

daryl_mitchell/Flickr
Most offices enforce an "Aloha Casual" dress code, and no one expects you to get more dressed up than a sundress and your "fancy" slippahs, even for most weddings. Be sure to go through your wardrobe before you move: The only suit you’ll need is a bathing suit. For more information on this subject check out our What to Pack for Hawaii Guide

4. The views are truly second to none.

Hector A Parayuelos/Flickr
With towering mountains covered in lush, emerald green flora, rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and pristine white sand beaches with sparkling turquoise waters, the views you’ll find living in Hawaii rival that of the world’s seven wonders. Easily.

5. And you won’t find better beaches anywhere in the world.

Jeff Keacher/Flickr
Daily life in Hawaii always includes at least one beach. With approximately 750 miles of stunning coastline and beaches in a variety of colors, Hawaiian beaches are absolutely breathtaking. From Hanauma Bay to Punalu’u Beach and everywhere in between, it doesn’t get much better than Hawaiian beaches.

Tour some of the beaches in this video:

6. The culture shock is real.

MitchellShapiroPhotography/Flickr
With a unique history and incredible diversity, Hawaii is truly a cultural melting pot – and it shows in nearly every aspect of life in the islands. While you might feel culture shock at first, soon you will identify as a local.

7. Life moves slowly.

Edmund Garman/Flickr
From alarm-free mornings to relaxed schedules, life is slower in Hawaii, and that’s the way we like it. There’s no need to rush through anything in Hawaii - including that important work project, or a coffee date with a good friend. You’ll be much happier when you slow down and truly live in the moment and truly understand what is it like to live in Hawaii.

8. You will experience island fever…

Megan Shute/OnlyInYourState.com
It’s easy to go stir crazy when you live on a small island, especially when the only road trip you can take is the drive around the island, and your weekend getaways consist of visiting a neighboring island.

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9. ...and sun guilt.

marlonius/Flickr
Yes, sun guilt is a real thing, and it sucks. There are so many things to do in Hawaii - especially outside. But sometimes, all you want to do is stay inside and binge watch Netflix. But enjoying a lazy day at home can be hard when you feel guilty about not enjoying the weather and taking advantage of exploring Hawaii’s magnificent landscapes whenever you get the chance.

10. The islands are crowded.

Daniel Ramirez/Flickr
Well, actually, let me rephrase this: the island’s main tourism destinations are crowded. You can find seclusion on remote beaches and secluded trails but, more often than not, if you’re headed to anywhere you might find described in a guidebook, it will be crowded.

11. Your vocabulary will change immensely.

Kent Buckingham/Flickr
Pau hana? Howzit? Broke Da Mout? Da Kine? At first, you’ll shake your head in confusion, but soon enough, your family back home will start commenting on your new vocabulary from living in Hawaii.

12. You might be allergic to this thing called vog.

Sunlight and clouds filter light on the lava fields of Volcano National Park
photog387/Getty Images
Vog, or volcanic smog, wafts over from the Big Island, and it is killer on the sinuses. We’re talking severe allergy symptoms and sinus headaches. Your best defense while the vog is thick is to stay inside and make sure to keep taking those allergy meds.

13. The traffic is soul-crushing.

rugen/Flickr
Oahu is home to some of the worst traffic in the country - second only to Los Angeles. With streets crumbling with potholes and seemingly endless road closures, the average Honolulu resident sits in more traffic than nearly anyone on the mainland. The state is also ranked dead last in highway conditions and cost-effectiveness. Guess you better work on that driving playlist on Spotify. Oh, and one more note: Lay off the car horn. Trust me.

14. Though the islands are small, there are so many places to explore.

Eric Tessmer/Flickr
From active volcanoes and rainforests to sea cliffs and pristine beaches, you will never run out of places to explore on Hawaii’s eight main islands.

15. You might encounter some terrifying critters.

Daniela/Flickr
No one warns you about the horrifying bugs you’ll find in Hawaii - most notably the cockroaches and centipedes. What they also forget to mention is that you will also find geckos in your home, and that you should welcome them as roommates, for they eat the nasty little bugs.

16. You’ll never tire of spectacular sunrises, sunsets, and rainbows.

Waikiki Natatorium/Flickr
While you might think it’s easy to get over those phenomenal Hawaiian skies, you’d be wrong. Even after years of living in Hawaii, I always admire (and snap a photo) of every gorgeous sunrise, sunset, and rainbow I see - especially if I happen to be at the beach.

17. Finally, you won’t really be allowed to complain - ever.

Lauri Sten/Flickr
You definitely won’t be getting any sympathy for your problems when your friends have just been caught in a blizzard. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve tried to vent about something only to be told, "Relax. You live in Hawaii. Life is good." And you know what? They're right.

We think these are some of the most important things you need to know about living in Hawaii. What other things would you add to this list? Is there anything you would liked to have known before moving to Hawaii? If you’re simply interested in visiting the Aloha State, though, you can get a more realistic feel for what it’s like to live here by staying in an Airbnb rather than a hotel or a resort.

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Living In Hawaii

Jackie Ann | August 11, 2022

Is Hawaii a great place to live?

Without question, Hawaii is a great place to live. Daily life in Hawaii is laid back, full of beautiful scenery, incredible food, and some of the friendliest folks you’ll ever meet. Sure, the cost of living can be a bit expensive, but that’s the price you pay when your backyard is basically an endless stream of waterfalls, beaches, and hiking trails that lead to incredibly stunning views.

What are the best road trips through Hawaii?

We know we just mentioned the terrible traffic you’ll run into in Oahu, but one of the best ways to see Hawaii is on a road trip where you can pick your own special spots to stop off. For enchanting waterfalls, you can’t beat this ultimate Maui waterfall road trip which will take you to some of the most majestic waterfalls you’ve ever seen. If you’d rather something a little more spooky, you’ll love this paranormal road trip through Hawaii where you can learn about the haunted side of the islands and maybe even have a ghostly sighting of your own.

What unique words and phrases do people in Hawaii say?

Every state has its own unique words and phrases and living in Hawaii, you’re going to learn a few new ones. You’re probably familiar with Aloha, which means both hello and goodbye, but some of the more common Hawaii phrases that you’ll often hear include “mauka,” (towards the mountain) and “makai,” (towards the sea), and both are common when asking for directions. Oh, and your flip-flops? They’re called slippers in Hawaii. If you’re visiting during Christmas, you’ll often hear the phrase, “Mele Kalikimaka,” which means Merry Christmas in Hawaiian.

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