When one thinks of Hawaii, several pictures come to mind: stunning natural landscapes, pristine beaches, festive luaus, and hanging ten while surfing a wave! While planning a trip to the Aloha State is easy and straightforward with the help of Internet resources, visiting Hawaii and experiencing the islands from a more local point of view requires insider perspective.
Embrace the Aloha Spirit
To enjoy your trip to Hawaii and experience it from a local point of view means embracing a more laidback approach. Here, everything moves at a much slower pace. People enjoy living in the moment, which is easy to do when one is surrounded by so much natural beauty. Taking in the sun, the surf, and life’s simple pleasures can be easily achieved by forgoing your dependence on your technological devices, namely, your smartphone. Taking a break from your devices, leaving your watch in the hotel, are all simple steps in connecting with the present moment and will have you feeling like a local in no time.
Explore local eateries
Stepping outside of the comfort of one’s resort to experience local cuisine can be daunting. However, Hawaiians are genuinely happy to offer suggestions of yummy local eateries that should be visited during your time on the islands. From the freshest seafood to casual diners serving up juicy burgers, Hawaii has a wide assortment of delicious food choices. Treat yourself and your appetite to exciting meals that thrill visitors and locals alike.
Hone your hula skills
Most Hawaiian resorts and hotels throw luaus, a traditional party or feast originally celebrated by the Islands native peoples. These events feature many local foods such as roasted whole pig on a spick, poi (a root vegetable native to the islands and characteristic of Hawaiian and Polynesian cuisine), salmon, and beer to name a few.
Being open-minded and sampling the various local dishes pays respect to the local culture as well as expands one’s palette. Entertainment is also an important element of a luau. You can expect to enjoy live music, flame throwing, hula dancing, and storytelling. When given the opportunity to join hula dancers for a performance, do not shy away from being involved in this ancient tradition. Hula is seen as an art form, a physical and creative expression of beauty, power, and cultural significance.
When attending a traditional luau, it is essential to be respectful of the ancient traditions. Simply experiencing such a quintessential Hawaiian event will surely have you feeling like a local.