Today is more of a food-for-the-soul post. Why is Hawaii unique amongst the 50 states? What compels so many ex-pat Hawaii people to return "home" as often as we can?
Warm weather, beautiful beaches and the Aloha spirit. Stock answers. However, there are also some very ordinary hazards and "city life" clutter that are simply NOT found in Hawaii, helping to create a more relaxing geographical as well as mental state. It's easy to just "be" there.
While I have plenty of familial distractions in Hawaii (but you know I love you all!) here are a few wildlife and environmental distractions you don't have to deal with.
Warm weather, beautiful beaches and the Aloha spirit. Stock answers. However, there are also some very ordinary hazards and "city life" clutter that are simply NOT found in Hawaii, helping to create a more relaxing geographical as well as mental state. It's easy to just "be" there.
While I have plenty of familial distractions in Hawaii (but you know I love you all!) here are a few wildlife and environmental distractions you don't have to deal with.
Snake, not worm. Photo by Pacific Island Parks
Snakes
OK, OK, in the strictest biological sense, there are no endemic snakes. There is indeed one non-native snake that introduced to Hawaii in the 1980s. However, it's not poisonous, blind, and about as large as an earthworm. As if you needed another reason to declare Snakes on a Plane to be a ridiculous movie. It is illegal to have a pet Nagini, and if even one snake gets loose, it makes the front page news.
Rabies
People never believe it, but Hawaii really is the only state in the US that is rabies-free. Here is the rabies quarantine information, straight from the Department of Agriculture. No Cujo on O'ahu or any other island.
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak
Which is a problem for me, because I don't really know what these look like. Good thing I don't like camping.
OK, OK, in the strictest biological sense, there are no endemic snakes. There is indeed one non-native snake that introduced to Hawaii in the 1980s. However, it's not poisonous, blind, and about as large as an earthworm. As if you needed another reason to declare Snakes on a Plane to be a ridiculous movie. It is illegal to have a pet Nagini, and if even one snake gets loose, it makes the front page news.
Rabies
People never believe it, but Hawaii really is the only state in the US that is rabies-free. Here is the rabies quarantine information, straight from the Department of Agriculture. No Cujo on O'ahu or any other island.
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak
Which is a problem for me, because I don't really know what these look like. Good thing I don't like camping.
Billboards
There is no "Your Ad Here" there. When you drive to Hana or Haleakala, you really should keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Mobile Homes
Though most homes are single wall construction anyway. And the vast majority of homes have neither an attic nor a basement.
Humongous RVs
Just how far do you think you can go on an Island? And there are no inter-island bridges.
Goodyear Blimp
How would it get there anyway? It sort of defeats the purpose to deflate it, fly it over, and re-inflate it to fly it.
There is no "Your Ad Here" there. When you drive to Hana or Haleakala, you really should keep your eyes on the road at all times.
Mobile Homes
Though most homes are single wall construction anyway. And the vast majority of homes have neither an attic nor a basement.
Humongous RVs
Just how far do you think you can go on an Island? And there are no inter-island bridges.
Goodyear Blimp
How would it get there anyway? It sort of defeats the purpose to deflate it, fly it over, and re-inflate it to fly it.
You cannot own sand and salt water.
Private Beaches
You may own the land in front of the shoreline and it can be difficult to get to the shoreline, but You Cannot Own the Shoreline. Larry Ellison may have bought the entire Island of Lana'i and the airline to get him there, but he can't gate a beach or kick you off.
Professional Sports
But UH and high school sports rule. Cost of "away" games and small market audience probably have a lot to do with this.
Daylight Savings Time
Hawaii is located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. Thus, the variance between the longest and shortest day is a whopping 2.5 hours. Why bother?
Seasons
There can be snow on Mauna Kea, but there is no spring thaw or fiery blaze of autumn leaves. People who live in Hawaii would tell you differently, but really, every day is beach weather.
Consider this a dose of away-from-Hawaii or lucky-you-live Hawaii relaxation. What else have I missed?
You may own the land in front of the shoreline and it can be difficult to get to the shoreline, but You Cannot Own the Shoreline. Larry Ellison may have bought the entire Island of Lana'i and the airline to get him there, but he can't gate a beach or kick you off.
Professional Sports
But UH and high school sports rule. Cost of "away" games and small market audience probably have a lot to do with this.
Daylight Savings Time
Hawaii is located between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator. Thus, the variance between the longest and shortest day is a whopping 2.5 hours. Why bother?
Seasons
There can be snow on Mauna Kea, but there is no spring thaw or fiery blaze of autumn leaves. People who live in Hawaii would tell you differently, but really, every day is beach weather.
Consider this a dose of away-from-Hawaii or lucky-you-live Hawaii relaxation. What else have I missed?
