Many people have asked us…either visiting or moving to Hawaii, about the proper ETIQUETTE when visiting or living in Hawaii…there are clearly some things you can, should or should NOT do while you visit or live in Hawaii…Below we put a short list together so you come to Hawaii FULLY INFORMED…so if you DO get Cracks or Lick’ins…well…we warned you! lol

 

PROPER ETIQUETTE IN HAWAII:

Learn the PROPER use of the Words ALOHA and MAHALO, but go above and beyond the basic words…Learn words like…KULEANA, AINA, MALAMA, KAPU, MAUKA & MAKAI etc.

If you are given a LEI….wear it with love and gratitude…being given a lei may it be for a welcome or a birthday etc is a BIG DEAL…Don’t disrespect the person who gave it to you and take it off in their presence.

Under all circumstances RESPECT Nature and the Wildlife in Hawaii. Do not disrespect their space.

When visiting an others home for the first time…ALWAYS bring a Gift. When visiting a home for a BBQ always bring a dish for potluck.

If you are invited to a child’s FIRST BIRTHDAY LUAU be prepared for it being a VERY BIG DEAL and find out the THEME of the the first Birthday so you can bring the proper gifts or food.

In Hawaii most service workers are tipped 20% if they do a great job…Lets respect this hard working class here in Hawaii as they get paid less than minimum wage.

You’re on ISLAND TIME…calk the fuck down.

DO NOT refer to people who live in Hawaii as NATIVES or HAWAIIANS…Educate yourself on the different cultures before you come to Hawaii…People Born and Raised in Hawaii are LOCALS, but they could be any race…very few are Native Hawaiian which are better known, and prefer to be called, Kanaka Maoli.

DO NOT attempt to speak PIDGIN if you did not grow up in Hawaii or haven’t already lived in Hawaii for many, many years. Locals and Hawaiians would take it as disrespectful and a form of mocking them.

DO NOT take offense to being called a HAOLE. 75% of the time it’s done with no disrespect and is just meant to mean you are not from Hawaii. Portuguese take offense to being called Haole because of the history they have in Hawaii so please don’t call them Haole.

LNT…LEAVE NO TRACE Policy. Always take out what you take in. Respect our hiking trails and our beaches and always make an effort to leave they place you ended up at in better condition than how you found it.

Always take off your shoes when you enter any home.

It’s SHOYO (Show-You) not SOY SAUCE…catch on to that one FAST because you’ll be using and asking for it a lot.

Know what you CAN and CAN NOT take from the islands. Volcanic Rock, Black Sand you can not take from the islands…Dead Shells (sand on beaches), White dead Bleached Coral you can take in small amounts from the islands…No live Coral can be taken from Hawaii and no Shellfish or Tropical Fish can be taken from Hawaii without a Commercial permit.

DON’T beep your Horn while when driving in Hawaii unless it’s to avoid an accident…It’s disrespectful to Honk your horn in Hawaii for any reason other than to avoid an accident.

Remember to never touch or walk on live Coral…it’s a living thing and can be killed if you walk or touch it…if you kill the Coral fish won’t visit that area anymore and if that happens bleaching can happen killing large sections of the reef system.

Be respectful of other cultures as well as historic and sacred sites.

Kupunas come first…Always respect the elderly here in Hawaii.

RESPECT KAPU…do not tresspass!

LISTEN to others when they have a story to tell you…it’s c...