12 Things That Are Just Plain Impossible To Find In The Hawaiian Islands
By Megan Shute|Updated on April 24, 2020(Originally published April 10, 2020)
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
While we often define places and things, including our home states, by the traits, characteristics, and features they possess, we tend to forget that defining something by the things it lacks is also important. Throughout the Hawaiian Islands, you will find beautiful beaches, mind-blowing scenery, and plenty of shave ice, but there are other things — like snakes — you definitely won’t find in Hawaii, and sometimes, well, that’s just the way we like it.
In 1927, Hawaii was the first state in America to outlaw billboards — preserving the natural beauty of the islands for decades to come. While we may have to deal with heavy traffic congestion, we will always have unobstructed views of the beautiful islands we call home.
The Aloha State is truly a melting pot of ethnic diversity; not only are the islands are home to the most multiracial residents in America, but there is no ethnic majority in Hawaii. White Americans make up just 24 percent of the population, whereas multiracial Americans make up 23 percent of Hawaii residents.
Yep, you read that right. The only place you’ll find snakes in Hawaii are in a zoo, because they are banned from entering the island chain. I guess Hawaii really is paradise, especially for those afraid of snakes.
With only a few exceptions to accommodate the federal government, all beaches in Hawaii are public. Even in areas where the shoreline is dominated by residential dwellings or beach resorts, county governments and private developers are required to provide public access and parking for anyone to utilize.
Honolulu may be known for having the worst traffic in the country — second only to Los Angeles — but that doesn’t mean you’ll hear car horns on the road. The absence of road noise, even during rush hour, is a constant reminder of the Aloha spirit we embody in every aspect of our lives.
Sure, the sushi is absolutely divine, but if you’re in the mood for spicy and guacamole-filled tacos, you’re out of luck. Hawaii is known for its sub-par Mexican food. There are a few decent places out there though: my favorites are Mexico, in Honolulu, and Cholo’s, on Oahu’s north shore.
Now this one is a little less obvious — but exactly zero of the country’s ten major banks have branches in Hawaii: that includes Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo. Perhaps it has something to do with the high cost of doing business and manning call centers for a drastically different time zone? Instead, Hawaii residents are loyal to local banks, like Bank of Hawaii and First Hawaiian Bank.
Because Hawaii is so close to the equator, daylight savings time simply doesn’t matter here. For comparison, the earliest and latest sunset times for Hawaii differ by only an hour and a half, whereas sunset times in New York City differ by more than four hours.
The cost of living in paradise is astronomical, which is why I have to laugh every single time someone asks about where to find a renovated two-bedroom apartment in Honolulu for less than $1,500 — with parking fees and utilities included. Jokes on you, you won't find that in Hawaii.
While this makes it a pain to transport your pets to and from Hawaii, everyone can be happy about living in a rabies state. Due to its isolated location, it’s no surprise that Hawaii is the only state in the country without rabies.
Sometimes, all you want are breadsticks from Olive Garden, a Chipotle burrito, or even Chick-Fil-A — or whichever coffee chain is most popular in whatever area of the country you've spent the most time. We’ve been tortured for years with the rumor that an Olive Garden will be opening on Oahu, but I seriously doubt that's actually happening.
Serving all 1.3 million residents of Hawaii is a single area code that was assigned to the islands shortly after our statehood in 1959. That area code is 808, and it’s something many Hawaii residents are proud of.
Are there any other things you can think of that you won’t find in Hawaii? Sound off in the comments below, then click here to discover 12 things you can only find in Hawaii, including the only royal palace on United States soil, the world’s largest telescope, and the tallest sea cliffs in the world. Hawaii sure is unique, wouldn’t you agree?
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More to Explore
What Makes Hawaii Unique
Megan Shute|April 24, 2020
What is Hawaii known for?
While there are certain things Hawaii is known to lack, there are several things that the island chain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean is known for. From breathtaking stretches of sand that are always open to the public and towering, verdant mountain peaks to scrumptious restaurants that serve local favorites, seafood, and cuisine from our favorite Asian countries as well as Kona coffee and pineapple, the islands are truly phenomenal.
What local chains can you find in Hawaii?
You might not be able to find your favorite American chain restaurant here in Hawaii, but we're grateful for access to some mighty mouthwatering eateries you'll only find in Hawaii, like La Tour Cafe, Aloha Salads, Lanikai Juice, and Teddy's Bigger Burgers. From quick cuisine to fine dining and local flavor to Japanese and Italian restaurants, these 10 local chains absolutely must be added to your Hawaiian restaurant bucket list.
What animals are native to Hawaii?
We're so grateful you won't encounter snakes in Hawaii, but have you ever thought about what animals you will discover here? Hawaii’s wildlife is truly remarkable, from the Hawaiian green sea turtles, spinner dolphins, and tropical fish that are found in the waters surrounding our breathtaking islands to the native birds flying above us. Fun fact: the Aloha State is home to only two native mammals — the Hawaiian monk seal and the Hawaiian hoary bat.
