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Simple lessons

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Small flip-flops
Image via Wikipedia

 

The other resident, Sheena, and I went to the Lahaina Plantation Days last night. It was somewhat of a crash course in local Hawaiian culture. One thing I notice here is the sense of community. Hawaii is all about community, and if you don’t have family, someone will take you in. So, some simple things I have learned, not all of them easy

  1. There are no mainland banks on Hawaii. If you are moving here, you will HAVE TO get a new account
  2. You will learn to take your shoes off at the door, unless you like sweeping, vacuuming and mopping every day. Oh, and sand gets in everything.
  3. If you show an interest in the culture, the locals are more than happy to teach you and help you out.
  4. If you use some of the pidgin language, it shows you are local vs a tourist, and you will get a better answer.
  5. You will learn to recycle. It’s an island, and what goes in landfill is your backyard.
  6. Noone works past 4pm, unless they are in a service job.
  7. The sunrise and sunset is always beautiful.
  8. TIME SLOWS DOWN. I don’t know how to explain it, but you get things done without rushing.
  9. When you aren’t going barefoot, you will most often be in flip-flops, practically a requirement, especially for the beach.
  10. Wear flip-flops to the beach, and when you exit, spray off your feet with the flip-flops on to avoid bringing tons of sand into your home or car.
  11. Keikis are treasured here, and people will generally watch out for your youngun.
  12. In most neighborhoods off of the main road, you can leave your door open. Trust is big here, as is helping each other out.
  13. Living here is a giant lesson in practicality.
  14. For example, electricity is horrendously expensive. You learn to close certain blinds to keep morning or afternoon sun out, open windows and doors all day and night, and use fans. The AC is a huge luxury and only to be used when the other won’t work. Or for your weak relatives who will faint with the humidity and heat of October.
  15. Thankfully, September and October are the muggiest months, and it will cool off about 10 degrees in “winter”. That’s a high of 75-80. Jealous yet?
  16. You will have neighbors close to you. Get used to it. Most houses have an ohana or 2, which means there is an attached studio, and often an unattached cottage.
  17. Every day is a fresh new day, so enjoy the beauty around you!