I Forgot What The Mainland Was Really Like (as a local from Hawaii)

[@HelloFromHawaii]

And for those wondering, my work trip was in the South. I got a lot of questions about that so I just thought I'd pin that here. And yes, the food was great. 🤙

[@briangarnier5714]

Yes, the south is very different. I am in norcal and it felt like another country. Better than it was but still lots of racism there. You don't feel it as much in the cities like when l was there back in the late 80's but you go into the back country and it is hidden as much. Now wonder you felt so agitated in your video about being on the mainland. The south is very different and l would consider it the mainland.

[@CosmoguyDale]

No. Never be ashamed or embarrassed of who you are or where you're from. It took me years to figure out.....Your self esteem is just that...your's. No one can take it away from you....unless you let them. Thank you for being an amazing representative of a state and culture I greatly respect. I have visited Hawaii five times in the past five years and hope that I continue to learn and grow as a hopefully responsible and respectful visitor.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. Appreciate the kind words 🤙

[@susiechevalier221]

I think that’s why travel is SO IMPORTANT- different cultures different perspectives- good people everywhere really.

[@njhbgy98]

@susie, i know right. I watched the 1st 3min of the video & stopped. i don't understand how an adult is having a "tough time" adjusting? He's making it a bigger deal than it really is. Just improvise adapt overcome. Problem solved. Unless He's doing this just for content. Oh well.

[@hilostateofmind]

I just don’t feel at home without the aloha. I grew up back & forth between Hilo & Arizona, mostly Arizona actually but Hilo always feels more like home by far. Was raised on Hawaiian values… moved to Hilo full time 2019 now I’m here in Seattle man,,, I always thought I loved Washington state but I am just so homesick. It’s only been 4 months but I mean…. All my life when I’m not on the island I’m heartbreakingly homesick so I don’t think it’s gonna go away. I love love love the nature in the PNW but man I miss my people, Hawai’i people.

[@onniegranados8489]

Mahalo! I'm an older white guy (well actually I'm half Native American/Spanish and half Finnish) and I wore nothing but Aloha shirts to work from 2006 until I retired in 2021. Now I worked as a tech support analyst for a university, and universities are know for having a more relaxed dress code, so there's that, but I *love* Aloha shirts, and I still have over 88 (yes, eighty-eight) shirts in my collection! And none of those cheap knock-offs, I'm talking "made in Hawaii" with the pocket that lines up, coconut buttons, quality merchandise! If I could live in Hawaii, I would, we've only visited a few times but the minute we landed, I could feel the Aloha spirit everywhere. It's just not the same on the mainland. I love where we live, in the continental USA, but Hawaii has a spirit that cannot be exported!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's a huge collection. What brands do you wear?

[@ryanlee6530]

I was born and raised in Kaimuki, lived there for 28 years. Went to Kalani HS then KCC then UH. Moved to Los Angeles in 1997 then Vegas in 2002. Yep, been here 22 years and love it! Started a family, we're all thriving. Much lower cost of living and less traffic. Have enough good Hawaiian style restaurants. Plenty free time because didn't have to work 3 jobs to make ends meet. In fact, I semi-retired at 50. My point is, unfortunately many people have to move away from Hawaii due to economic reasons but if they open their minds and adjust their perspectives they might end up liking it in the end.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Sounds like things turned out great for you and your family 🤙

[@JohnMiles-tj1pd]

I have always enjoyed your videos and prospective on life. I'm a 67 year old bodyboarder (for 39 years) from Washington state. I have been fortunate to travel many times to your beautiful Islands manly Kauai. The Island people have always been so gracious to me out in the water. I totally respect your culture and it is very spiritual to me. Not only many times I'm I the only white person in the water but the oldest. Thank you to all the wonderful people in the water! Hope you are all scoring incredible waves!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the kind words. Glad you've enjoyed Hawaii and particularly Kauai. It's a great place.

[@surfr4evr2]

That’s one of my biggest pieces of advice to my kids. Travel early and often. Completely broadens your perspective and more people would benefit by doing so. In my opinion it prevents some of that close minded fear from taking root. I always hear comments in Hawaii referring to “it’s getting like the mainland “. Little do people know exactly how large and how diverse the mainland is, and you can literally find any scenario, good or bad there.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment. Great point about when people say Hawaii is getting like the mainland.

[@rolori3]

Love hearing your perspectives. My son has been in Oahu with the Coast Guard for a little over a year and loves it and has made some good friends. He lives in a garage apartment with a super nice landlord. When we visited he showed us all around the island. An interesting thing along the lines of what you shred is that Oahu seems to have very different cultures and people depending on where you are. When you think of the mainland, think of the size and realize how varied the cultures and people can be. I was very nervous to visit Hawaii based on many comments but my son assured me that “people are just like people anywhere, some are nice, some are rude but if you are nice and respectful you will typically get that in return”. I’ve traveled all over the mainland and find that to be true regardless of how people look and dress. Enjoy your travels and try not to be shy. You seem like a very nice person that is open to learning about others and I think most people appreciate that. Love your videos!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment. Yes, Oahu has a lot of different subcultures depending on location. It's hard to believe considering we're a relatively small island.

[@tofu1Ja]

Aloha Chris. So funny... I am from St. Louis, lived and still "marinating" on the Big Island (Hilo Side) for 4 years now, and work for a local company based here. I also recently came back from a conference all the way out in North Carolina back in July this year. Your video gives me a little chuckle especially about Qdoba. Love your videos.... I recently organized a large event and received confidence from a local performing artist who was born and raised on the Big Island I've known for 3 years now, and when he says blurt out "Cheee Hoooo!" on the mic, he emboldened me to blurt it out on the mic, and it sent a wave of laughter and good fun from his performance group and from the audience. hahah!

[@theoriginalchiguirex]

Interesting topic. As an immigrant to the US, I live in perpetual cultural shock. It's been decades but it doesn't go away. I'm very used to it, though. Traveling really opens up your mind and soul. It is a great spiritual medicine. I never feel weird in a new place because I'm always the outsider. With those feelings under control, there is nothing left to do but to enjoy and learn. Interestingly enough, when I visited Oahu for the first time, it felt both familiar and different at the same time. I grew up in the Caribbean, maybe that's why. It may not look like it, but there isn't that much difference between Asians/ Pacific islanders and Latin America.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Travel is great. I'm not a great traveler at times. I usually get really tired on long plane rides. But being in a new place broadens one's perspective on life.

[@Bodhismile]

Your “business casual” looks totally practical for a work conference. I am mixed (Filipino/Danish/Irish), even though I look White. I remember starting college in the dorms (in Denver, coincidentally) and I connected with a lot of students from Hawaii and Micronesia. We were all in some kind of culture shock, especially Freshman year. Grateful for my friends during that transition to a big city where I didn’t know anyone. 40+ years later, I was able to reconnect with one of my Micronesian friends - a lasting friendship!

[@nwboarder253]

Growing up in HI doesn't set you up for success on the mainland IMO because the culture is so different. I applied for a job on the mainland and ran into a Hawaiian guy who worked there. I asked for pointers going into the interview. He said if you go in there with that shy, quiet, humble manner that people from HI have, you won't get this job. For the next 30 minutes you need to be the best, most qualified, person on the planet for this job. Proudly tell them about all your qualifications and accomplishments. Wasn't easy, but I did it and he was right. Being humble, no make waves etc etc is drilled into you from birth.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Agree with what you shared. Sometimes you just gotta be bold.

[@susiechevalier221]

But makes Hawaii so mmmm lovely

[@samanthadaubenspeck58]

Also if you grew up in the Hawai'i school system, you were literally groomed to be in the hospitality services industry. Sigh...not a good set up for any other job on mainland at all. Or even life itself. Talk about culture shock!

[@njhbgy98]

Folks, there's nothing wrong with being humble, respectful, kind & polite. U don't need to be in the "hospitality industry" to be a nice kind human. Everyone should be a nice kind human. Dont get urselves to start believing that being a nice kind human is a "Hawaiian thing", it should be an "everyone thing". With that being said, don't mistake humility & kindness for being timid or "shy" either. When you are trying to get a job, you should do your best selling your self to achieve your goal. You should be your best salesperson and advocate. Period. End of story.

[@kennyftcummings6668]

I do agree to an extent, I moved from Kauai where I’m from to north Jersey right on the edge of NYC. I’ll say the being from Hawaii thing does give you a bit of a pop and people like it but yea you have to be confident in what you do to make it here. On the flip side I think there’s a lot of talented smart people from Hawaii who could succeed if they ever wanted to live mainland.

[@deb9869]

Interesting perspective from a local that grew up on the North Shore but was born on the mainland. I never really thought about it from what you have said, I think we have certain stereotypes that we grew up on and do not see how others view us or what they are actually doing as tourists! Thank you for looking at things from different angles; very refreshing! Much appreciated. I haven’t seen you on you tube for a while now!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for watching 🤙

[@misosoup8030]

I grew up in CA, but there are other parts of the mainland that I’m not sure I’d be totally comfortable in. As an Asian-American, third generation, we are still seen as Asian first. Let’s face it, there are certain parts of the continental U.S. that are fairly homogeneous and still look upon others that don’t look like them as ‘foreign’. I’m seen as a foreigner (though I’m not), but I do not get that feeling when I visit Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. I talked about this in a previous video, but the Asian American experience in Hawaii is very different than that on the mainland. So when I go away to the mainland, I sometimes forget how people typically view Asians.

[@oakridgemall-8jl2h9f]

That part of the U.S. between California/Nevada and New York/Boston that is fairly homogeneous is known colloquially as "Flyover Country".

[@DontUputThatEvilOnMe]

@@oakridgemall-8jl2h9f it not as homogenous as you would think. Most large cities are fairly diverse, but the countryside is mostly white especially in the northern middle part of the country.

[@RMMomma4Eva]

Asians are a lovely people but you're seen as different because you are generally so hesitant to mingle with other cultures, and clannishly stay to yourselves. Other cultures would love to know Asians if you are friendly. People are pretty much the same, it's just the packaging and the details that might vary. Nowadays people aren't as prejudiced and judge others moreso by their character than ever before.

[@sailordave1000]

I’m Cajun. In my youth, my grandparents spoke half in French and half in English when speaking with their grandkids but spoke all in French with our parents as it was their first language. Because of this I had a very thick accent. My dad told me that when he went to Navy boot camp in 1964 they made him take off his boots and socks because they heard Cajuns had webbed feet from living in the swamps. When I went to Navy boot camp in 1990, not much had changed. Where I was from as well as my thick accent had them asking me if this was my first time wearing shoes, was this my first time on dry land, and did I go to school on a raft. Because of how I talked and where I was from they thought I was a stupid ignorant hick. Imagine their surprise when they found out I had passed the entrance exam to enter the Navy’s nuclear power program. Prior to boot camp I had Ben to at least 5 US states. After boot camp I visited several more US states as well as almost 20 countries in Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Unlike most sailors, I learned about the places I visited and didn’t hit the bars until after dark. I saw so great stuff and some stuff of nightmares. I saw a man who was trying to sell a young girl he claimed was his daughter and a young boy whose tongue had been cut out by his own family to make him a better beggar. Hawaii is so far removed from the mainland that it’s easy to see locals never leaving the island to visit the mainland just because of the price of round trip plane tickets. I invite you to visit south Louisiana and see our culture and food. Cajun/creole food has several rice based dishes you should try including jambalaya, ettouffee, gumbo, boudin, and red beans and rice. Asians have settled in parts of south Louisiana in part because of the food having similarities to their home country.

[@susiechevalier221]

Peoples ignorance is amazing- so proud you persevered despite those types. My brother in law always jokes that we live in hula skirts and coconut bras in Hawaii. He’s literally from Cuba. I’m like 😏

[@sailordave1000]

@@susiechevalier221 it got worse. Met a girl in the Navy who was originally from the backwoods of Arkansas. We got engaged and she got an early discharge because her dad was dying. When she told her family she was engaged to a Cajun they were literally on the verge of throwing her out the home and family because they believed Cajun meant half white and half black. Even with my red hair and freckles they still gave me dirty looks trying to find some African feature. Year and ten months later the marriage was over. Year later her family regretted what they did to me. This was after she had found someone local, got pregnant, and he kicked her out and left town. Meanwhile I was still making my child support payments on time. Parts of south Louisiana have communities of Vietnamese and Koreans. Not many Penoys. Would love some good lumpia.

[@relaxfarms6627]

Great story. I thought Cajun people only ate okra, shrimp and alligator. I still dont have any idea where I got that from. :)))

[@sailordave1000]

@@relaxfarms6627 we eat those things, but not as often nor as much as some believe. Alligator meat is available thanks to alligator farms. Alligator hunting is legal but restricted. We also eat crawfish, catfish, red fish, and some small lake fish. There are some hunters who get duck and deer. There are some places to go crabbing when in season. There’s a town called Rayne that has a whole festival for frogs and they’re cooked in a variety of ways.

[@briangarnier5714]

People that love to hate are everywhere unfortunately, l am red haired and freckled amd people started physi al fights with me in california amd harassed me for it too. So as gar as l can tell some people just need am enemy. Could be wrong, but it made me hate my red hair as a kid.

[@cooliipie]

As a white guy living in Asia, it's really funny to see you living on the other side of things. In my case I find it really enjoyable living in a homogeneous society and being the minority. It's been a super funny experience! 5 years so far

[@Sabadikulforever7273]

Growing / evolving / stretching urself / keeping and open mind and not shutting down or casting out ! Amazing thank u for sharing . We are all never too old to grow as a human 🌺

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@stephaniepaints]

Good on you for really stretching that cultural muscle again:) and wear that shirt proudly ALWAYS. I live near Baltimore/DC, and got the chance to visit Hawaii 2 weeks ago, for the second time. It felt like coming home, even though I don't live there. I think that feeling was amplified by the fact that we rode the bus everywhere with mostly locals and chatted with them for 10 days straight. Both my mom and I had the best trip. (In Baltimore it's not exactly always safe to ride the bus around, and we enjoyed that as well!). Because I had already done a lot of tourist-like things during my first trip, the second time I feel we got way more in depth this time with Hawaii's complex and interesting culture. Also learned a lot about the ocean, and the botanical life, and the history of how things have changed over time. The last trip I had taken was pre-covid, so I was really excited and felt like I also needed to push myself again to do what you're talking about. The moment we had a layover in Seattle, which is a city I've never seen, I was thinking to myself, omg this is place, from first glance is very different. And that's just the airport. The mainland is so so diverse. If I even go 2 hours north to Pennsylvania, as far as New England, or head down into the southern states, it's pretty different. Even heading east from Baltimore to the coast, which is only a 3 hour drive, different. Different accents, different stores, different way of life, pace, everything. The more you travel and move around, talk to locals and let them kind of guide you, I feel like the bigger your heart gets though. ❤ I know for me, thanks to the generosity of Hawaii, I definitely brought back more aloha and openness than I would have had I just continue to stay put in my own little world, thinking about my own problems or the problems of this area.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experiences. It's great to hear that your second trip was better than your first because you were able to explore different places by bus and talk story with locals. I think that's the best way to visit Hawaii. After doing all the tourist stuff, try the stuff that locals do, including the food. Hopefully you enjoyed the food and local culture. 🤙

[@wesleychun3058]

I always told people where I was from, Hawaii. Then ask about the place I'm visiting, where to eat, sight see, etc. When I worked, every Friday was Aloha Friday, Aloha shirt. Got other people wearing Aloha shirts later, too. Sharing culture.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Nice. Glad the Aloha Fridays caught on 🤙

[@mmmpotstickers8684]

During college, I went to a conference at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. It's a small rural city. (Current population is 18,000.) Quite a shock to me, and had to force myself to meet others. It was nice to realize that people were interested in me. Through the years, I've met people from there and it's a great ice-breaker to say that I visited there.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Wow. Small college town. Sounds like Greeley, CO.

[@susiechevalier221]

White girl from a white town in Washington-have cleared 33 years in Hawai’i and I’m thankful EVERY DAY for the culture and aloha I learned. Honestly when I go “home” I am in culture shock too. And I’m proud of the way everyone takes care of each other. ❤❤❤

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@skymakai]

I had a culture shock after moving to Kauai'i as a 21 year old in hopes of living with the land. I did nothing but till and cultivate the soil, twice a week bringing vegetables to market. It was a good 6-8 years before I returned to the US Mainland, and I was shocked. Unlike you, my shock was not about race or skin color, despite being in the minority in Hawaii (caucasian). It's interesting that is what you notice. I can see how going from being a part of the majority to a minority could be odd... but would I call it "culture shock"? I don't think so. For me, "culture shock" was in noticing how tax dollars are being used more efficiently, providing better public amenities and overall what seemed like a better quality of life to residents. The roads and parks were beautiful with tons of public trails all well maintained. It seemed as though everything in Hawaii was barely being held together with duct tape and glue, while the tax money seems to disappear. Those are only a couple examples but in a great number of ways Hawaii is behind the times by a few decades. Note how we have no emissions regulations. We have no low-flow toilets. Building permits take months or years. Progress seems to be resented and actively resisted. On the bright side, being "behind the times" has its benefits. Aunties even at the bank will affectionately call you "sweetie". You can't do that on the Mainland US anymore... at least not in the progressive (regressive?) areas. Perhaps my perspective is limited, having only lived on Kauai'i and Hawai'i islands, both being quite rural.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment. I'm sure I would have noticed some of the bigger cultural differences had I stayed where I went longer. But in the short-term, these were the things that I felt and had to overcome.

[@DarrinCarlson]

Thanks for this great vlog update! What a total reverse coincidence. I'm originally from Loveland, Colorado and moved to Hilo back in 1985. I haven't been on the mainland since June of 1992! This November I'm going up to Vegas for my son's wedding and I'm anticipating the things that I've forgotten about the mainland!

[@relaxfarms6627]

Go to Osaka's at midnight!!! That's what the Vegas locals do!! All the food half off.. all the food.... best best best.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Loveland is great. I remember going there a lot since Greeley is so close. Interesting that you'll be experiencing culture shock in a different way.

[@nuutele]

We moved to Idaho a few years ago, this has been the biggest challenge for me personally is the culture shock. You're right there is a lot of growth of perspective through these uncomfortable environments.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, it's a tough thing to overcome at first. I had a hard time in Colorado and Oregon, but I eventually got used to it.

[@oakridgemall-8jl2h9f]

@@HelloFromHawaii You should have gone to California or New York. That's the real world --- and increasingly, the real USA.

[@soo-jinOT7seoulite]

Howzit from Seattle. Nah. No Shame braddah. Born/raised from pearl city. Had to leave home after 45years for work. Being a flight attendant for a major legacy U S carrier. I experience U.S. and international cities on layovers everyday at work. I’ve come to learn real fast what cities you can or cannot be approachable, good & bad especially when I rep all my Hawaiian designer street wear. I know exactly what you’re going to thru. So just give em Just rep that aloha spirit as you do but follow your gut. Right on. Stay aloha !!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Yeah, after the first day of wearing an aloha shirt, I thought about changing to a plain polo shirt, but I thought, "Nah, I brought this aloha shirt thousands of miles. Might as well wear it." 😆

[@soo-jinOT7seoulite]

@@HelloFromHawaii right on. Das how. Eh, thanks for acknowledging and actually responding back. You got a new sub. Mahalo plenty.

[@hughbennett5342]

Just be more interested in them and you won't have so much worry about yourself. You're right we're all Americans and we're all just people. As a Chiropractic Doctor I've worked with almost every type of culture and personality. And with humans there's always something wonderful about that particular individual. All you have to do is find it!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@hughbennett5342]

@@HelloFromHawaii I really am enjoying your KZbin channel! November 12 I'll be sharing your experiences because I'll be moving back to Oahu. Once I got my chiropractic doctorate degree I moved to Honolulu and lived and practiced there for 21 years. I moved back to the mainland 13 years ago to take care of my aging parents. Both lived to be 90 which I am very grateful! And now I look forward to going back to what I consider home! I hope to one day meet you. Your videos brought Oahu to me even though I was so far away! Hugh Bennett DC

[@EvilTheOne]

In my first year away from Hawaii, I spent most of it with people from Hawaii. After that time, I found myself gravitating to other cultures as I found them interesting and new. Hanging out with Caucasian, Latinos, and Blacks. As I love music, I started to naturally expand by listening to music from and by different cultures. Food and cuisine was hit or miss, some I loved and now miss (since coming back to Hawaii), others not so much. But ultimately I miss the people I left after leaving the mainland. They offered me an insight into another part of 'our' world.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It's great that you gravitated toward different cultures. I know it's very comfortable to hang out with only Hawaii people, but so important to try new things and get to know different people.

[@EvilTheOne]

@@HelloFromHawaii I found that it was safe being with my fellow Hawaii ohana, as we all were sharing the feeling of living away from the islands. Although when I started hanging out with non-Hawaii people, I found that it was interesting and fun, as I begun to learn a bunch of new things about where they were from, their upbringing, their likes and dislikes, and surprisingly, their misconceptions about Hawaii. Believe me, there were some in the very early 1980's, that still believed that Hawaii was filled with grass shacks and everyone from there were 'Hawaiians'. Hanging out with them expended me in ways that I didn't even know was happening...and I liked it. I remember you mentioning about sharing food/rice with the others on campus. Sharing kalua pig and smoked ahi sticks were a hit as well. Gotta bring 'aloha' to everyone we can.

[@sharonknorr1106]

So I live near Greeley, in Loveland, CO. Can't imagine moving there from Hawaii - culture shock, indeed. Thinking you went to NCMC. We actually have a new restaurant here in Loveland owned by a couple from Hawaii Island that serves local type food - kahlua pork, Hawaiian fried rice, loco moco, poke, spam musubi - was so happy when it opened. We lived in Hawaii in the 70's for about 4 years and miss it still although it seems to change so much every time we come back for a visit. Always enjoy your vlogs.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the comment. I went to UNC in the early 2000s. Interesting to hear that there is a Hawaii restaurant in Loveland. If they had opened when I was in school, I would have gone a lot.

[@misosoup8030]

I first went to Hawaii in 1975. I was a (college aged) young lady back then. The legal drinking age in Hawaii was 18 in those days - lol! I grew up in L.A., but didn’t spend much time with the Asian community. I’m a boomer Sansei Japanese-American. When I first went to Hawaii, it was kind of a culture shock to me. My first Hawaii experience was in the other islands , which was what I envisioned. But when I arrived in Honolulu for the first time, I was shocked that there were so many people that looked like me!! Come to find out that the largest ethnic group there is of Japanese descent! what?! My mom always wanted me to find a nice Japanese boy, and here they were - handsome too! But the Hawaii boys never liked me (in that way) - they wanted a haole girlfriend from the mainland, not someone that looked like them! 😂 I also learned that we (JA’s from the mainland) are called ‘katonks’ by the Japanese Hawaiians, but never quite knew the origins of that term. One of these days, I’ll find out. I was always told that I ‘look like a local’! I embraced it. I felt this new comfortable feeling that I was part of the majority for a change. I liked blending in (the introvert that I am). I remember going to ‘Like Like’ drive-in and ordering meals similar to what my mom made us (‘rice’ with meat). The McDonald’s there had saimin noodles and the Denny’s served breakfast with rice & shoyu - I loved it! I had gone to HI a few more times in the 70s, but then life took over. Adulting, jobs & lack of money kept me from going back there for a very long time. Took occasional vacations there in the 90s, then again after 2010. I was surprised to see how many Japanese businesses there are and how they cater to the Japanese tourists from Japan, with everything written in Japanese, from signs, menus, buses, etc. (mostly in the touristy spots, like Waikiki). I haven’t been back since 2019, but hoping to go again. If people think I’m a local in Hawaii, I just go with it! I love it there and the people are so friendly! And the food there is great! There’s so many ‘choices’ of Japanese restaurants, and then I discovered Zippy’s (I love it)! Anyway, just wanted to tell you that I experienced culture shock within my own culture! 🤭

[@musahimiyamoto]

😂

[@misosoup8030]

@@user-sg8kq7ii3y Lol!! 🤣 I did hear something similar many years ago, but I just thought people made it up and were joking! I did not know it was about the mainland JA vs Hawaii JA soldiers, though!! It was funny then and still funny now! But I suppose if it was a true story, it wasn’t funny to them (the mainland soldiers) at the time. That generation of soldiers (both Hawaii & mainland born), the Nisei, were the descendants of the Issei from the same mass immigration of Japanese to the U.S. at the turn of the century. A good amount settled on the WestCoast (& after 1924, started immigrating to Brazil), and a good majority went to Hawaii. I was always so amazed that the Sansei in Hawaii were just like me for the most part (except for a little pidgin thrown in there) because I didn’t know many JAs growing up. I’m glad those soldiers eventually came together for a common cause. Thank you for this info. It sounds funnier when someone else is telling me the story!😆 It made me laugh so hard! I really needed it! 😂🤣

[@misosoup8030]

@@user-sg8kq7ii3y yes, I had heard that the Hawaiian Japanese-Americans were not placed in Internment camps. I often wondered why, but it was good for them that they weren’t. I guess they were not seen as a threat there (like they were on the WestCoast) or it wasn’t feasible with the large numbers there. Yet, the U.S. government rounded up 120,000 persons of Japanese descent on the WestCoast and placed them in internment camps. It was such a big disruption and injustice to the lives of these JAs, & of course they lost everything. Most were U.S. citizens too. My parents and their families were sent to internment camps. My father served in the U.S. Army (but was not part of the 442nd). He might’ve gone in before 1942. But he sounded bitter when he would mention that the U.S. government had segregated all the Japanese American soldiers into their own units. Even the U.S. Military was racist back then. I remember thinking, as a young woman in 1975 who met all these friendly Hawaiians, that the JAs in Hawaii seemed happier (& friendlier) than their mainland counterparts. A lot had to do with them being in the majority, rather than the minority, and not subject to the same racism that occurred on the mainland.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing your experience as a Japanese American from the mainland. That must be an interesting experience to see so many Japanese that look like you, but are different.

[@briangarnier5714]

@misosoup. I think part of the reason about concentration camps for American Japanese happening on the mainland and not the islands was what you said about it being so large there amd the fact that the hawaiian islands were not a state. Just guessing about the state part, but l have read and watched a few things about peral harbor and they definitely say it was because of how many Japanese were on the islands.

[@Patches9427]

Growing up in Hawaii, being older generation😁 We were taught to be humble, to be self conscious and aware of our looks and actions. No make ass😂 No embarass da family. It stays with you no matter how old you get. Moving to the mainland I learned that it’s taken for meekness. And for a guy, weakness? Some folks think something is wrong with him cause he’s too nice🤣😂😂 As far as Aloha shirts’ I don’t think about being out of place anymore. Where I live, people go to the supermarket in pajamas! Dey no care!🤣😂😂

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I saw some other men wearing aloha shirts at the conference, but they were from other parts of the country. But they mostly wore the Costco ones. I told them to try the nice brands next time they visit 😆

[@brandoninhawaii]

I think the culture shock can also vary based on the region of the mainland you're visiting. It's a very different experience visiting the South vs Northeast vs Midwest vs West Coast, etc.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Different types of culture shock depending on the area, but nonetheless, it's a big change for local people. Still gets me everytime.

[@FIRED13]

Fried Okra, you must be in a Southern state, Virginia or a Carolina? We just tried some last week when visiting the South for the first time (aside from Orlando). Loved it!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Very slimy. Nothing like that here in Hawaii. 😆

[@5StarAlcatraz]

I now live in NorCal (SF/Sacramento area) where there is quite a bit of diversity (latino, caucasian, asian, poly, black), but my wife is from a small town in the upper MidWest. I usually don't feel out of place in California but whenever I visit with her family in the MidWest, I know EXACTLY your feeling! Takes a while to get used to being the only brown Asian/Islander for literally hundreds of miles! From the curious looks I sometimes get from the locals there, I sometimes wonder--is there something on my face? LOL

[@misosoup8030]

@@5StarAlcatraz 😆 just had to respond. this made me cackle! 😂🤣

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. It's a strange feeling, but glad it's relatable.

[@5StarAlcatraz]

Yeah, especially whenever we walk into a restaurant it feels like everybody stop talking & look: hey, there’s a foreigner in town 😂

[@dogsense3773]

​@@5StarAlcatrazI'm white, wife is Japanese been married 30 years, our next door neighbor is Japanese, when he moved in he tells my wife I'm happy your Japanese we have to stick together, when I walked out of the house, that was it, never talked to us again! Been 8 years now, I like your username, worked on alcatraz island for 25 years

[@susiechevalier221]

I once went to a construction company dinner in Oahu with my Filipino boyfriend and they had to be 500 Plus people. I was one of 2 blonds. Talk about feeling watched . I’m like please let me remember how to use my chopsticks even though I knew how to use them!😊

[@Cherrysmith2809]

Great message. Nothing better to open the mind than travel. Second is living in a big city. Third is being with yourself.

[@Keliiyamashita]

The last point was a gem!❤

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks 🤙

[@keithbell9348]

To help combat any negative stereotype that the locals in Hawaii may project towards me as just another tourist, I have committed myself to this overiding principle in how I will relate to them- The most beautiful thing about the Islands isn't the spectacular surroundings or natural beauty, the most beautiful thing about Hawaii are the PEOPLE. Having did research, viewed many documentaries about the history of the Islands and their tragic dominance from the US government, I promise myself to treat everyone over there whom I interact with, with respect, patience and kindness. And to learn from them. This approach I believe, will make my visit to the Islands especially enjoyable.

[@BobbyHo2022]

So funny. I remember when this Popolo guy came to the office for an interview in a suit down at Bishop st for customer service. I remember thinking, I don't think he is prepared for that position or he wouldn't have come in with a suit that only people on the mainland wear for a job interview.

[@Flying_turnip187]

I was the opposite…felt so at home in the mainland. Love cities …concerts…..rock music…..being able to travel. So opposite of Hawaii ….

[@dlb9643]

I was raised on the South Kona coast. Moved to Switzerland and wore my Reyn Spooner’s for thirty years in Zürich as a Swiss banker. Trust me, I was easy to spot. Took some kūkae for my sartorial choice, but never relented.

[@Sch2155]

Washington state, especially Olympia is really beautiful. Mt. Rainier (The Paradise Inn) and Ocean shores...

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@briangarnier5714]

And your right. We are all human being wanting very much the same things like dignity and respect and to feel safe.

[@naluryder]

You need to visit mainland more often 👍🏾👍🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾the golden rule , treat others as you want them to treat you 👍🏾👍🏾I’m former island boy who moved to TX and southern hospitality is like the aloha spirit 👍🏾👍🏾!! Dis mainland is big and not all act like dem tourists 😂😂safe travels

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great points. Always good to travel once in a while and not just to Vegas 😆

[@thetimeisnow5396]

Nice video! I really enjoy your content. You seem like a nice guy

[@tracyalan7201]

Everyone has different experiences growing up in the islands, friends, relatives, community, school, the same with people in the mainland, especially in the era, area that they grew up in. It's not a one size fits all for everyone/situation. Always be proud of growing up in Hawaii, education/experiences and expect that it's the same with other people you meet/deal with. We can't judge a book by the cover, so we can't judge a place/person/time by the same parameters. We take each situation/person/place/time one step at a time and see where the path goes. Here or there, we go boldly, bravely and experience. I just attended the funeral of a beloved cousin, who inspired and led those around him with grace, dignity, respect, charm, and wisdom that all who were honored to know him were better people for knowing him. He was athletic, intelligent, talented, creative, funny and always humble. He wasn't concerning about financial wealthy but like George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life", he was the wealthiest man of the life that he lived, the people who knew him were the wealthiest for living with him. We should all be so lucky about the life that we want to live.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@u4tubular]

My 808 phone number (never gonna give that up) and the remnants of pidgin in my speech has allowed me to meet many fellow relocated islanders up here. Funny thing is that my kids were born and raised in Hawaii but can’t speak pidgin without sounding like Dog Chapman haha!

[@susiechevalier221]

😂😂😂😂

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I still have my Colorado number. I gotta change that at some point 😆

[@1dash133]

There are good people and there are bad people everywhere you go (including in Hawaii). Like you mentioned, it's helpful to keep an open mind... but ... I'd say a little bit of caution goes a long way toward diffusing potential misunderstandings. (Sort of follows the saying, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.") When I went off to college on the mainland, I couldn't understand why kotonks behaved so strangely. They acted like shadows or ghosts. They almost melted into the background, never raising their hands, never voicing their opinions (unless asked for one). It was only years later, after completing college, that the truth dawned on me. I had been so naive, so wrapped up in my world, that I had completely failed to recognize that I didn't fit the role that I was expected to play. I was a minority. And that by acting as if I were a regular joe, it was I who was the one who had been acting strangely.

[@HoofinOG]

When I show up in Hawai'i in a business suit for some CPA event, I feel the same way.

[@808ecobeast7]

Hana Batta days went to visit family on the mainland in the late 60s. The neighborhood kids always asked me if I lived in a grass hut with dinosaurs running around ... 😁😁😁

[@susiechevalier221]

After Hurricane Iniki some tourists asked what we ate after the hurricane - pineapple and coconuts? And I said with straight face- no Burger King.

[@808ecobeast7]

😂😂😂👍👍👍

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Dinosaurs.

[@PanthasEmpressOracle]

5:35 and that is how mainlanders can feel when they get to the islands...i feel that Compassion is missing all the way around.

[@Californiansurfer]

1970 I grew up in Downey California and all my white neighbors called me Hawaiian boy. Well, I remember 2012 to 2023 I worked in Midwest. Jeffersonville Indiana, Mishawaka indiana, elkhart Indiana . I remember when I arrived at Louisville kentucky airport with shorts and casual look, it was cold. Brother. .. I remember the hotel, I was wearing my hawaiin shirt. Three older guys said, we will buy you a drink. I said no thanks. That was weird. I remember bob smith, I told him you guys are to friendly , these guys wanted to buy me drinks. I said no. Bob smith said, that hawaiin shirt, what do you mean…. We have gays out here.. Shit! , never do that. Again.. People always tell me, you Hawaiin? No, Japanese, No , philipino, no, Chinese? No. I am Mexicano. It’s priceless.. Frank Martinez Downey California 😮😮😮😮

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Great story about the aloha shirt. 😆

[@think.culture]

Hey dude! Genuine question here, but when you mentioned first being in northern Colorado that it was very homogeneous compared to Kaneohe (white vs Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc.) I’m curious why you think that would be more diverse. Are those all not East Asian ethnicities? That seems fairly homogenous Comparatively. I know they all have different cultures etc, but white people often have very different ethnic/ancestral backgrounds as well as up bringing, similar to those other ethnicities you mentioned in Kaneohe.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I saw Greeley as more homogenous because to me I saw White, Hispanic, and Black. In Hawaii, I see the different ethnicities, especially the Asian ethnic groups, as their own groups. There are also Pacific Islanders here as well.

[@think.culture]

@@HelloFromHawaii I appreciate the response! That is a very interesting perspective. I think many on the mainland would see the opposite . A community mostly made up of American Asians would appear more homogeneous to many than one that is made up of white, black, and Hispanic. To each their own of course!

[@EvilTheOne]

One thing I wish that people living in 'tourist-locales' would understand is to have more empathy for tourist/visitors. I know that it's home for us, although it may be a vacation of a lifetime for them. Something they've saved a good sum of money towards. Yes some of the tourist/visitors do conduct themselves poorly, but we cannot stereotype them as the same. Also many of the military members stationed there did not choose that posting, although they are trying to make the best of where they are at. Some tourist/visitors are coming to the 'tourist-locale' to unwind and de-stress, as the work/home situation almost necessitates for them to take a break from the 'rat-wheel' of life. If more people left the 'tourist-locale' and lived away from there for awhile, they probably would find themselves more understanding of being away from home. After all, there can be some lonely times and homesickness. Just a thought...

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great thought. Agreed.

[@EvilTheOne]

@@HelloFromHawaii Funny that I wrote this before watching the John Oliver video. People need to be considerate and understanding...tourist/visitor and locals alike.

[@ggrace1133]

It’s culture shock when we go to Hawaii too. We can’t tell who is Hawaiian, Japanese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, or Thai. Just like you can’t tell in Greeley who is British, Italian, German, Irish, Greek, Swedish, Danish, or French descent. We’re all mixed up too. Even if you go from Greeley to Boulder the culture is different. I lived in Fort Collins for 12 years. Native FC folks aren’t big on Greeley, lol. Humans tribal up big time, and their tribe’s culture is held dear. Just be nice wherever you go, and expect a little hesitation, if not downright suspicion of you and your ways until they get to know you. I’ve lived all over the US. The east coast loathes the west coast and vice versa. The mountain west is gorgeous but doesn’t like non-natives overly-especially in Colorado. The Midwest values God above all cultures. And the south are the friendliest people, so long as you’re not a Yankee or from Hollywood, lol. Hey, there are Hawaiian restaurants there owned by Hawaiians. Shoot over to Windsor nearby to Okole Maluna on Main St. for that-the little town is adorable! There are Japanese restaurants in the area too. Polynesians and Asians come for college and a fair number have stayed. So wish I was still in the area-I’d love to meet you! I’ve watched tons of your vids because I treasure Hawaii and its culture. I’ve learned a lot from you. Next time, get on social media before you come and meet up with your culture there! Enjoy your trip. Enjoy the people. It’s good to meet all kinds of tribes and cultures. Spread the aloha wherever you go. You radiate!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the kind words. Is that a new restaurant in Windsor? If not, how did I miss it when I was there?

[@momiau-keliikoa4975]

Thanks for posting! Very relatable. We do need to stretch. Make connections away from home. Thanks for sharing!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@kerriea3149]

Great perspective! But i really want to know what state you're visiting! Fried okra is pretty southern but then you said something about northeast?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I visited the South.

[@kayokolindenberger3754]

Be yourself, always. 😊

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo. I try 😄

[@bella42291]

I moved to West Virginia from Hawaii, that's some culture shock. The first year the temperature ranged from -30°F to 105°F. Wear your shirt with pride and they will come to you.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Whoa, negative 30 is no joke 🤙

[@brockjennings]

Now living on the mainland, I find it interesting that it takes me just about a day to revert back to pidgin when I come back to visit Hawaii.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's pretty fast. 😆

[@donycorpuz1813]

That's why we are all here, to learn, earth is a living school, take in everything, it will serve you well.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@ohmyitsvy]

I grew up around Asians/ Hispanics all my life. Moved to a different city that predominantly white. Felt a little strange at first, but adjusted pretty quickly! Goodluck brotha

[@reneecollin8825]

👠 youre welcomed anytime on the East Coast - hope you managed to enjoy yourself (and expand your horizons)! ✈🌸

[@kylezmcgee455]

I've lived Hawaii 24 years, last time I go mainland was 2003. Went 9th island and Orlando (i live 3 years by that time), had a culture shock going Orlando. I honestly don't know how I'll react if go now.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I haven't been to Orlando, but Florida seems like a diverse place. I'm sure it would be tough to make the adjustment.

[@milessakauye8819]

Hi Chris, thanks for the vlog. I'm pretty introverted, but need to try to push myself outside my comfort zone in the environment that you were in. Usually in that environment, I keep to myself. By doing that, I feel like I'm missing out on developing those different relationships. BTW, Where did you go?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I went to the South. Good food. Just never have rice 😆

[@greatguy2003]

I've taken to calling it "the continent" instead of the "mainland." I didn't grow up in Hawaiʻi, but I've been here 8 years and it's my permanent home. To me, and to many locals and Native Hawaiians, THIS is the mainland 😊

[@PeninsulaCity2024]

I went around the southern states and while people were polite in the places I went to, they sometimes end up saying or assuming something they don't quite realize is a stereotype. Luckly, they were very open to correction and it was still a friendly interaction. When I got back to the west coast, my friends and family were saying they were being "politely offensive". But that is also coming from an assumption that people from the south are all unprogressive and hate anything different. Simply not true, but its either brick walls or choirs when it comes to any sort of discourse around that at least in my home state. Talk about irony... It really seems like Hawaii is a lot more chill in comparison. At the same time, it also reminds me of Japan from what I head so far. And that was a place where both locals and fellow tourists thought I was Nihonjin at awkward moments even though I am Filipino with strong US accent.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's an interesting term, "politely offensive". Maybe people treated me that way over the years when I was on the mainland, but I never noticed or ignored it.

[@hilostateofmind]

I could really use some advice. I don’t know if I’m just in culture shock or I just don’t belong here & need to go back to Hilo

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

Chris, where on the Mainland did you go? What is your job that gave you this work trip? I have never known what you do for a living. 😊 If you are in the South, places will be hotter than it is in Hawai'i! And, more humid, too.

[@SuiGenerisAbbie]

You mentioned the tap water not being potable / drinkable, where you are. Wow, I am even more curious where you are now. Water must be really hard and mineral-laden where you are, I am guessing. Didn't anyone help you carry your water back to your hotel? Mmmm, shame. But the Mainland is where people do not automatically say hello to each other either, so ...

[@joyn2967]

I was thinking the same thing! Fried Okra, hmmm.... Maybe NC or SC?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I went to the South. I went to pick up water early to avoid the heat. I had a couple of people comment when I walked by on the street, but that was it. No big deal. Good workout 😅

[@jimgraham9450]

Enjoy your time here. There are huge differences in different areas of the mainland. It would be good if you were able to travel while here and get completely away from cities.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I've been to the rural parts of Colorado. I enjoy those small towns.

[@jamesimamoto1111]

well, being from the mainland; but having lived on Oahu for years, I think your video is very polite. where I am going with that is, do you find the people at your work thing to be polite, even slightly below the surface? and clean up. aloha and thank you for your thoughts!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I think the people at the conference were great.

[@kithg]

Okra isn't for everybody. I think it's the only food I've ever had that's both slimy and furry at the same time. It's been darn hot lots of places on the mainland, this summer. Brutal. Don't know where you are, but diversity isn't common everyplace. if you don't live in one of the melting pot cities like NY or LA or Chicago or San Francisco, you can get kind of limited. And some folks deliberately do that. Then they're shocked when they're suddenly not in the majority. Happens to tourists in Hawaii, sometimes, when they venture outside of the resorts. It's not the color, it's the culture. Sounds like you're doing good work with your perspective and viewpoint. I'm not surprised. 😎 Good thoughts for us, as always. Mahalo.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I think you brought up a great point about when some tourists visit Hawaii and they realize that they are not the majority. Must be an interesting experience.

[@briangarnier5714]

I was going to say. Thought you were west coast.. there are parts of our country l don't feel right in myself. When l did live on the island in the mid 70's l actually felt like l found home. People didn't rush they talked about people and not thints. The first time l went to Georgia l thought l went to a different country. That was back in 1987. I was wondering, to much coffee or just jacked up from the east coast?

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I was visiting the South. Very different than Hawaii.

[@lloydy.5012]

I'm a kaneohe boy went to puohala wen it first open king school where there was no such thing as bullying it was the norm then castle. Where i grew up faced the koolaus so beautiful.Love kaneohe. Wen i go vacation to California or vegas it's fun but there's no place like home. Being away makes me appreciate my home❤. I use to wrk in Waikiki in the 80s the tourist wud say people are so nice i wud think how are they where their from now i know.

[@troopbeutler4785]

CHRISTOPHER ! Of course another great video. No shock. BUT that bed cuz. Not made. 🫣😜

[@andrewwang3900]

Get room service, no? Nah, no worries. Sometimes the best ideas for a video just come to you. No can wait for room service.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Just me at the hotel. No worries, though. I make my bed at home 😆

[@Golgibaby]

Timestamp: 13:20 Emotional maturity, neuroplasticity, and distress tolerance at its finest. Not a victimization per say, but better equipped with skills acquisition to avoid black and white thinking that can make culture shock jarring...which usually comes with life experience. Perception and reality checks are expansive: the growth and capacity to still find childlike awe are important to the sometimes disorienting mind-trip. Belonging and love is third out of the five levels of Maslow's pyramid of needs. Not belonging is uncomfortable deeply. People can get defensive when their world views and ideologies are challenged: and in the superficial pop psych tiktok realm, a persuasive disagreement in perspective can be misinterpreted as gaslighting. Traveling definitely is a sophisticated version of experiential learning, while still maintaining a sense of psychological safety...or at least a sense of detachment and self preserving a strong sense of self or identity without losing oneself completely to assimilation or "selling out" on one's sense of self identity. Holding two seeming dialectical opposing ideas together in harmony...openness versus the opposing sense of a solid stable rigid ego.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the insight 🤙

[@garyyuh7031]

You should note where you are - city/state. It would give us some perspective into your conversation

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I went to the South.

[@readbooks9985]

Yes, it's going to a foreign country. At least they speak English there, but the words are the same, yet they mean different things. The way of communication is different.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Great comparison. It really is like a different country sometimes. I had to remember they don't know what "Howzit?" means. 😆

[@readbooks9985]

@@HelloFromHawaii Take a look at "Proverbs Reveal Culture Diversity," by Hou Rong (see section 2.2 Non-Verbal Communication Reflects Culture Diversity) where he talks about the different ways of communication between (generally) western and (generally) eastern ways of communication (in simplified terms, people who talk a lot to communicate (low-context cultures) vs people who use silence and non-verbal ways to communicate (high-context cultures). Some proverbs highlighting the two different ways of communication are: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." --U.S proverb; "Still water runs deep." --Japanese proverb; "Empty cans clatter the loudest" --Indonesian proverb The two different ways of communication lead to the complaints of "You don't talk enough" vs "You talk too much, yakamashi."

[@kauaiboy5o]

I get it, you are back on the mainland to experience again what's its like to be away from wife and kids😆 Seriously, I do have to get away on vacations to refresh my perspective on other people and other places, and to open up my horizon other than my parochial mindset.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

It was a nice trip away from Hawaii. Whether I'm in Japan or the mainland, I'm always reminded that the world is bigger than just Hawaii. 😆

[@LuisMCTrabuco]

More strange is wearing a Hawaiian shirt in England,... but it's summer and it's confortable!

[@cooliipie]

We wear those shirts in Florida every day. You just dress up when it's a formal setting obviously

[@leternadia]

I live in Waikiki. I don’t have cultural shock when traveling to mainland 🤣

[@FIRED13]

The great thing about the US, you actually can stay in country and feel like you're in a totally different country

[@kelvinyschun]

Every destination is a valuable experience. There are differences in every state. The west coast is very different from the east coast. Imagine if you spoke a foreign language. I have been at conventions where foreign people dress up in their traditional clothes. Hawaii's rail has both Hawaiian and English announcements. Living here all my life, i am still learning the various train stops in Hawaiian. Try getting a haircut at a foreign place and see if the experience will be eye opening.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@alaskanjade9951]

Just like Alaska.Even travelling in state going to a big city makes me feel weird.

[@relaxfarms6627]

When mainlanders go to Hawaii, it never dawns on us that the Hawaiian locals wont "look like us." We ignorantly think that because Hawaii is a state there are a few native Hawaiians, just like their are a few Native American Indians on the mainland, but mostly the islands will have "Americans." The culture shock goes both ways. It never dawned on me that local Hawaiians would feel culture shock in the mainland. When I got back to the mainland, I brought with me a big kanaka flag and put it up on my shop flag pole. I would literally have locals and natives drive past my business, slam on the brakes, and turn around and come back to the shop. "Where's the Hawaiian???" they would ask. I always ordered powdered Li Hung Mui. I would go over to the candy rack, pull off a bag of gummies and dump some Li Hung Mui into it and shake it up and give it to the person looking for Kanaka. I would say.. "I visited your great State and fell in love with this, so thought if any Hawaiians make it to Colorado Springs, I bet they homesick for Li Hung Mui." Was THE BEST time. Always. So many man amazing Hawaiian people have been at my shop. I retired two years ago. Miss those days.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Must have been great to see so many locals from Hawaii stop by. 🤙

[@jeffyanagawa1]

I love your shirt!

[@jeffyanagawa1]

I lived in Scottsdale Arizona for 22 years. Everybody wears Aloha shirts. 😊

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Thanks. It's a Kahala aloha shirt. One of my favorites.

[@darrylk808]

I was born/raised in HI, graduated from UH, and moved to the mainland. I had a different experience. I really never felt like a minority growing up in HI, and I think that was an advantage for me. Lived all over, Texas for a few years, Chicago, North Carolina, CA... I've moved a lot. Made a lot of friends from all over. Hawaii is a great place for minorities to grow up. On the mainland, they keep telling you you're a minority. Me "no I'm not."😂

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's great that you felt like you weren't the minority, even if they told you that. 😆

[@casper-z9rkls6gl]

Well, the demographics of the US is changing very rapidly. In a few years, most of the country will be minority-majority.

[@mikewallace9025]

Yeah I feel ya.. when you are the minority you can feel displace and not confident. As a hapa from mainland, thats how I felt growing up on east coast mostly white communities but moved to Cali when I was in junior high and felt more at home in Cali more diverse. I feel even more at home when I visit Hawaii as I never seen so many people that look like me than any other place I been to. Anyways big fan of your content! 🤙

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for sharing. Glad you feel a sense of home when in Hawaii.

[@bill2066]

HI Jeff (?), sorry if I mixed your name up, curious to know what your "civilian" job is when not on you tube. I live in Sacramento since 98' (former Hawaii 26 yrs) people here dress surprisingly "Local"...more then I thought. Blessings.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I work as an Analyst.

[@DenshaOtoko2]

The US mainland is very lonely compared to Hawaii.

[@oakridgemall-8jl2h9f]

That depends. The mainland is very big. Are you talking about Idaho, Montana, Vermont; or Camden, Detroit, Gary, Flint, Tenderloin, Skid Row?

[@gringo848]

Fried okra is the best

[@HelloFromHawaii]

lol. Yeah, hardly anyone wears suits here.

[@szvqorwnpstahskypfwmp9821]

Did those white people on mainland ask you, "Where are you really from?"

[@boyang234]

Depending on where you're at, you should try to catch a local powwow and meet some of the indigenous peoples of the area!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

I did stop by a local museum, which I really enjoyed. Learned a lot about the local history.

[@SoloYolo84]

Yeah traveling from east coast to west coast was culture shock to me as well i’m like wow so many asians as Virginian i see only white feeling more minority in suburbs/urban and mixed when your in downtown areas. West coast is more chill compared to east coast more hustle bustle. Missed the beach vibe and island vibe.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@ZendreGlymph]

Howzit Chris, Honestly I didn’t really experience culture shock when I moved to Oahu. Maybe it’s because I had visited Before and I have family on Oahu 😅.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

That's good that you didn't experience culture shock here.

[@dman030]

Enjoy it bra! Be a spirit of the world. :-) I don't think it has to be a secret which state you're in, by the time you upload you are probably gone already.

[@provoking3449]

Just so you know, your experience is not dissimilar to other parts of America. I would be careful in just referring to it as Hawaii vs Mainland because the our country is so culturally diverse. Things in Nebraska are different than New York. Just like Texas is different than California. Always important to just experience and appreciate, just like I do when I go to Hawaii. With respect to Tourists, imagine how those in any popular place feels - just as many tourists visit California and Florida if not more. I think gaining perspective through travel is important as you noted.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

Mahalo for the thoughtful comment. Agree that the mainland is diverse and that there are regional cultures that are different even among themselves.

[@mrs.d8921]

Only a person of color would understand your perspective. Only recently did I feel my browness in a sea of white faces. Growing up, I rarely come across racist attitudes in predominantly white places that I've lived and visited--maybe it's the way I speak or carry myself. Maybe I'm blind to stuff like that. i went to a predominantly white high school and currently live in a community where we are the only brown people. Only when I moved to Hawaii did I experience racist attitudes--and that came from a white person who related to me as a transplant and not a brown person. I enjoy being the "exotic" one in the bunch. You can use it to your advantage!

[@thomasmatthew7759]

Culture shock is like a jet lag, it just takes time to acclimate.

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙

[@lillileong5108]

Represent for our islands!

[@HelloFromHawaii]

🤙