Why do people think this of Hawaii?

Question

Why do people in America always assume that Hawaii is another country when traveling between the mainland and Hawaii? And why do people always assume that Hawaii is not a advanced civilization?

Answer 1

Being from Hawaii, I've heard the questions about grass shacks, surfing and hula girls. But if you think about it, there is a reason for some of the misconception.

When traveling overseas, you want to make sure that your immigration status is proper. Better to be safe than sorry, especially when you're paying thousands of dollars on plane tickets and hotel reservations. So some people ask about the need for passports when traveling to Hawaii. Hawaii is the 50th State of the U.S., so there is no need for passports when traveling between states.

As for the grass shacks, well, we like to advertise the natural beauty of our islands, and that focuses on palm trees, surfing and hula girls. We normally do not advertise our 5 lane interstate freeways, high-rise office towers, large shopping malls or our one million plus city of Honolulu.

But it's all good. We're just glad that people are thinking about our state and hope y'all get a chance to come visit us soon.

Answer 2

I suppose it is because of the distance between Hawaii and the mainland. Actually, when looking at it from a geographers standpoint, Hawaii would logically be a state of the US, but maybe a colony...geographically.
As far as Hawaii being an advanced civilization, I guess it is because when most people think of Hawaii, they think of cheap grass skirts and coconut shells, which can seem rather primitive when viewing it with the wrong mindset...I have never been to Hawaii, but I can assume there is more to it than that.
Still, I don't think that!

Answer 3

Well dear Erica, because it "seems" like another country. The weather is completely alien to most of the mainland. Furthermore, the way of life is 100% different than the mainland. Try getting decent service at a restaurant, for God's sake! You wait 20 minutes and pray a server will come some day!

As for why people think your state is not advanced? Well, other than pineapples, what does Hawaii export to the rest of the world that has any value?

Answer 4

I think I read somewhere that history and geography are on the low end when it comes to residents of the United States (Was it Time or Newsweek?). Or that they haven't heard that saying, "Don't believe everything you hear/see on TV". I think sometimes media portray Hawaii as being uncivilized with people still living in grass shacks and wearing grass skirts. That's how people end up visualizing Hawaii.

I've experienced that so much when I worked for a college. I got questions asking about international student admission (after finding out they are a US citizen) to questions like, "Is canoes the only transportation and do I need to learn how to paddle?", "Is grass skirt commonly worn to class?" and many many more. It was hilarious! It was the most fun I've had working...but it's sad!

Answer 5

Because of something called "Mass Media Franchise". In sitcoms movies and cartoons Hawaii is portrayed as being like another continent Showing fire dancers and girls in grass skirts. These pieces of media show resorts that display Hawaii culture and history instead of everyday life. Tv sitcoms including Full House and My wife and Kids-Cartoons like Lilo and stitch and nemurous movies all show Hawaii like that.
It was the last state only 60 years and people think that Hawaii is undeveloped just like how they think of Alaska is unmodernized because of its newness to the U.S even though it has many developed cities.
Hawaii is a small island about the size of 2or3 U.S counties. Hawaii dosen't have a lot of factories but it still developed in cities.
Hawaii tries to stay close to it heritage so when some people travel there they go these shows and events getting the influence that Hawaii is different.Hawaii is also a very peaceful place besides many of its 6-legged insects chirping in the night so people think of it as a different country because of it peace and seretiny.
It is riduculous that people think that of Hawaii like that.

Answer 6

They dont think its not as adavanced just that it is LIKE another country, from the people to the plants and animals. I remember the first time I went to Hawaii and right when I got off the plane there was that 'Hawaii smell' really sweet kind of smell. And as far as people really thinking hawaii is another country they are morons who didnt pay enough attention in school its the same with Alaska, its not another country but it is like another country.

Answer 7

BECAUSE, that's what they LIKE to think Hawaii is. It's natural if you live on the mainland.

You want to think of Hawaii as different as part of the fantasy of traveling. I'm cool with that, as long as they realize it's just part of the "romance" of traveling, and really has nothing to do with reality here.

For instance, they now have 6-LANE FREEWAY!!! How romantic is that, huh?

Answer 8

Hawaii exists primarily for the NFL Pro Bowl.

Answer 9

We watch Dog the Bounty Hunter. That show makes Hawaii look like a big bag of crazy!

Answer 10

If people think of it as a different country, it's only because it is detached from the mainland... like American Samoa. People think of it as a simple civilisation bcoz that's how they are portrayed for the sake of tourism.