• Hawaii is made up of a chain of islands.  There are 8 main ones: Big Island (where the active volcanoes are), Kauai, Maui, Niihau (a private island with limited access), Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Oahu (where Honolulu is located).
• Yes, it SNOWS here!  The slopes of Mauna Kea on the Big Island see snow during the winter months but there are no lifts or resorts.
• Hawaii became the 50th state on August 20, 1959.  It used to be governed by a monarchy.
• Hawaii has the only royal palace on American soil (Iolani Palace)
• Hawaii has its own time zone, and we don’t observe daylight savings time.
• There are no rabies or snakes here.
• According to the Hawaii Census Bureau, the 2018 estimated population is a little over 1.4 million people.
• You won’t find any roadside billboards here.

Pidgin is a very casual form of language that a lot of the locals use.  The language incorporates many words that are not found in the English dictionary.  Here are a few of the more common words and phrases:

Aloha – means hello, good bye or love

Da kine – refers to almost anything.  In general it means “the kind” or “that thing”.

Howzit – another way to say “How are you?”

Kama’aina (ka-ma-eye-na) – a local person or someone who’s lived here a while

Kane (ka-nay) – man

Keiki (kay-kee) – child/children

Kokua (ko-ku-ah) – help or assistance.  Ex: “Please kokua and pick up your trash.”

Mahalo – thank you

Ohana – family

Ono (oh no) – delicious.  Ex: “That steak was ono!”

Pau (pronounced “pow”) – means finished/done.  Ex: “Are you pau eating?”

Wahine (wa-hee-nay) – woman

The shaka—“hang loose”.  This friendly gesture can mean a “hello” or “thank you”.

It is said that hula originated in the Hawaiian islands and dates back to ancient times.  It has evolved from a sacred, ritualistic dance and as a way to pass on history with its chants, movements and expressions, to being banned for about a decade after the Christian missionaries arrived, and finally into the beautiful contemporary art form it is today.  Other Polynesian cultures have their own form of “hula” which is very distinct from the Hawaiian hula.  When you attend a luau or visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, you’ll witness the different dance styles of Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji to name a few.

Hawaii receives the most direct overhead sunlight than anywhere on the mainland (less atmospheric filters) which means much more exposure to the sun’s rays.  A very bad sunburn will ruin your vacation.  We recommend always wearing a strong sunscreen, especially for children who will be playing in the pool and beach.  Follow product instructions for reapplying even though it claims to be waterproof – this is equally important.  Swim shirts (aka rash guards) can be found at places like Walmart or Target.

Hawaii has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world!  Use caution when entering the ocean.  It’s highly advisable not to swim when conditions are rough.  Find a beach that has lifeguards and always follow ocean guidelines.  Don’t go in when the water is murky. 

You may be lucky to see a Hawaiian monk seal coming to shore to rest or even green sea turtles frolic near the shore.  Both of these animals are protected under federal and state laws.  You can marvel at these creatures but please keep your distance as there are hefty fines imposed if you get too close.

Box jellyfish make their way to the shoreline each month around 9-10 days after the full moon.  It’s highly recommended to stay out of the water if you see them.