Best Reasons to Live in Hawaii

Hawaii is an interesting place to call home. Sometimes, it is a bustling metropolis fueled by business and commerce. Other times, it is a sleepy beach town where time stands still. No matter where you look, you'll never find another place quite like it. Here are some reasons why it is so great to live in Hawaii:

Diversity - Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures. From its early days when the first Polynesians arrived on canoes to the present day when thousands of people fly in on jets, Hawaii has served as a wonderful place to rest and recuperate. Many visitors stay awhile before returning home with stories of tropical days and nights to tell their friends. Others are seduced by the islands and never leave.

Food - Because of the blending of different cultures, the food in Hawaii is quite different from other places. There are so many flavors that are unique to the islands that many former residents claim that what they miss most about Hawaii is the cuisine. From the hole-in-the-wall restaurants to five-star dining experiences, the food in Hawaii can only be described as ono (which means delicious in Hawaiian). If you're ever in the area, try the barbeque beef sandwiches at W&M's on Waialae Avenue, the hamburger steak plate lunch at Rainbow's Drive-In on Kapahulu Avenue and the cocoa cocoa puffs at Liliha Bakery on Kuakini Street

Weather - There's a song that goes, "96 degrees in the shade, real hot, in the shade" and this is definitely what the weather feels like in Hawaii. Though it may not always be as hot as 96 degrees, the perpetual sunshine and blue skies is enough to lift anyone's gloomy mood. And when it does rain, the showers almost always let up to reveal a striking rainbow or two.

People - The people you'll find in Hawaii are like no other. They welcome you as if you're part of the family and new friends are always embraced. During the era of boat days, hula girls would wait at the docks to greet visitors from the mainland with fragrant flower lei. This spirit is still alive when you step off the plane. The tradition of lei giving lives on, but it is more than just the giving and receiving of the floral garlands that makes Hawaii a welcoming place. It is the sheer joy and genuine kindness that is felt by those giving away the lei that leave the lasting impression.

History - Hawaii is steeped in history. It was the only place in the United States that was run by a monarchy, and Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the country. The Hawaiian people are steadily moving toward a cultural revival of traditional arts and culture. They fight for various causes, some of which are similar to the Native American plight. Some people fight for a separate nation, others fight for a nation within a nation. Either way, history is still being made and we are still learning because of it.

Nature - Whether you are drawn to the ocean or the mountains, Hawaii offers a great deal of nature for you to explore. The blue coastal waters are warm and inviting to surfers, body boarders, snorkelers, wind surfers, kite boarders and sun bathers, just to name a few. Beautiful white sand stretches for miles on the jagged coastline. If you like hiking and breathing in the fresh mountain air, there are many trails for you to discover. Some trails lead deep into the valleys and culminate in a flowing waterfall. Others paths guide you higher and higher into the hills to spectacular views of the beaches below. Each path can lead you on a new adventure.

Hawaii really is a special place on Earth. Only a lucky few are able to call it home. For the unlucky ones, they must settle for visiting paradise. Hawaii is a place where technology, tradition, progress and history all collide yet still find a way to co-exist with each other. Hawaii looks toward its future with sheer joy yet does not completely forget its past struggles. It is where families and communities are at the heart of it all, and aloha is lived every day.