And white people from the mainland using other South Pacific island motifs and designs on their crap then brand and sell it las Hawaiian, or make like it’s owned or made by kanaka maoli. Example: that brand in Walmart where they use other Polynesian and some Micronesian designs and it says Hawaii or Aloha on it. I looked up the owners and it was a white guy from the mainland. Tried emailing them to educate them on the fact they using the wrong designs and patterns and should use Hawaiian designs if they’re going to sell it as “Hawaiian”. This is why kids and ppl from off island go away thinking everything belongs to one Polynesian group and also miseducating them on the real kanaka and culture respectively. It’s very disingenuous and insulting to the real natives of this land that some outsider sets up house, blatantly misappropriates their culture and the cultures of their Pacific brothers and sisters then falsely represents it as their culture to make money. They don’t respect kanaka or anyone else they misappropriate from for that matter.
Sometimes the people who live here are more pilau then the ones that are just visiting.
My opinion is we should all be more kind and loving to one another.. you fakaz!
I know we make fun of Ala Moana surfers but, this one time my youngest came home from an event there and told us about how a tourist almost took this bradda’s head off in the water. Had no surf manners and clearly was new to it.
The braddah was heated but still calmly told him what happened and to avoid doing that and why it’s dangerous - no insults.
Anyway, the tourist and his friend - instead of apologizing and saying “my bad bro”, they covered up their embarrassment with defensiveness. The group with them immediately walked over and a girl told the local guy to “shut the fuck up”and they all started calling him names. Local boy never backed down. After trying to tell them one more time why waht he did was not done, he said fck it and to stay out of the water if they don’t know how to surf safely or they could hurt someone. The guy he originally spoke to only got louder because he felt brave with his group all cussing out the local guy.
I don’t hate all tourists, but maaaan these the kine I like play peek-a-boo with👀
I think it really depends on the break. If you paddle out to Queens and think you’ll be able to just jump into it or snake waves without consequences, sure, there’s some jerks out there - you and the one giving you some licks.
But if you’re at a more chill spot, respect the lineup, are friendly, and can be consistent, then folks from that crew will likely end up being your friends in and out of the water.
Yup agreed, some breaks have a pecking order. While others it’s just common knowledge to not cut to the front or drop in on someone when you first paddle out.
Unless you’re at Canoes… then all bets are off. You’re mad Max and it’s the thunderdome. The goal is to survive without eating a board from a tourist or without hitting one of the bouys floating in the lineup.
Whenever I see people wearing stupid stuffs like this, I have to question their mentality, similar to idiots who hang the steel balls behind their trucks. I know it’s not the same but you got the idea.
Went to an event that was supposed to start at 6:00, got there at 5:30ish… Event started at 6:42. And there were easily twice as many people seated as there were at 6, so if they had started on time most of the audience would have missed the whole first half!
Kamehameha I was a brutal genocidal dbag and they need to stop teaching he “united the islands”.
He conquered all the islands with modern weapons that he traded for. The monarchy then lasted less than 150yrs. People should learn it wasn’t a millennia of culture and tradition that was stamped out by the US.
This place had a history of rulers and subjects all the way back to when Tahitians (the Ali’i) sailed over and declared themselves gods and masters over the true native Hawaiian people.
I’m reading a book that’s saying the monarchy gave away a lot of land, got into debt, converted landownership to private property (mahele) without disclosing what that meant so a majority of people didn’t go into town to “claim” their land… some chiefs even discouraged people claiming their land then sold it to foreigners.
I’ve also heard President Cleveland wanted to restore sovereignty to Queen Lili’uokalani but she refused unless she could behead the Provisionals. Which I would think would be discussed more.
I’m not suggesting Hawaii wasn’t unjustly taken from Hawaiians… I’m just starting to get the impression the monarchy/chiefs may have been very reckless and corrupt.
I don’t think that quite applies here. The US annexed Hawaii after pressure from several white plantation owners. Why would it make sense for them to teach that Kamehameha “united the islands” and brush over his oppressive past?
I’m saying that he’s seen as a hero because he won. He killed the rest of those that would contradict his consolidation of power across all of the islands, thus, he gets to call himself a hero.
Is this an unpopular opinion?
We don't need a new Aloha stadium that rarely will be used (UH have their own stadium). We can use that precious space for actual affordable units for low - middle income families. Create a marketplace with the swapmeet , local entertainment, gathering space for families, host fairs, fun events.
Not a massive stadium.
There are people who aren’t from this island that reside here, & care more about the island & its culture than the people who are actually from the island itself.
This is why nothing ever progresses here. So much corruption, nepotism, and inefficiency disguised as "island time" and supporting Hawaiians. Yeah, how long is that HHL waitlist now?
This. I was playing golf not long ago at Hawaiian Prince (which is a higher end course here on the island). When we made the turn we noticed 3-4 post-round tailgates going on in the parking lot. When we finished our round we saw that at least 3 of those groups just left all their rubbish (at least 12 empties, food wrappers, etc) on the ground where they had been parked for someone else to clean up. These were not tourists.
This is my biggest complaint about more ‘down market’ sushi places. It’s all rice and still $10 for a roll with a thin slice of ahi and avocado inside. I don’t always want a huge Japanese dining experience, sometimes I just want a couple of cheap and easy rolls for dinner, but end up paying $40 for what amounts to 2 cups of rice, one piece of nori, and like 2oz of fish.
Parents need to step up and actually parent. Too many kids running wild, too many pre-teens essentially raising their siblings. Community is great, it does take a village, but the parents still need to be the head of the village.
Also, if you’re struggling financially with four kids, don’t have two more…
Saw kids in kailua on a mini bike go through the mokapu intersection nearly get hit. Another guys was stuck on the hood of a car going down the pali too. What the hell
Just because everyone is on island time and no need rush place, doesn’t mean you can sit in the left going 45 on the H1. Also, that’s all good and nice, but sometimes I do wanna rush place and not sit in my car lol
The train should come all the way to Waikiki, down to the zoo, if can.
The fact that it goes to the airport but NOT to the major tourist hub is the dumbest design shit I’ve ever seen anywhere. It would draw in tons of outside money from tourist fares, actually cut down on local traffic, and could make enough to supplement it going to different parts of the island.
Going from the west side to the airport, which almost nobody uses, means it’s going to bankrupt the state even more.
My understanding was about the land - where would they have enough room to make several stops throughout Ala Moana and Waikiki? It was quick and easy to find spots westside, harder so in the middle of the city, so that’s still a work in progress
It was easy enough for them to find room to demolish Ohana Hale for the 7th high rise building in Ward/Ala Moana/Kaka’ako. Something tells me they could have done it if they wanted to. I’ll blame NIMBYism and corruption for this one.
Ageee. Not my own thoughts, but I have a few colleagues from west side that bike, jump on Skyline, then da Bus, and say it really needs to get to Waikiki and have said that the NIMBYism going stop progress most of the time.
I’ll probably regret posting this but - Even though he’s a douche, Scott Caan wasn’t really wrong for criticising the food here.
Hawaii doesn’t really excel at any cuisine minus some fusion dishes like poke and, obviously, Hawaiian food.
Most other regional food I’ve had here has varied in quality but I’ve had significantly better virtually anywhere else. Things are also ridiculously expensive here too, $13 for an inferior burrito is wild.
You have to really trust someone with a food rec because there’s nothing worse than being burned on a way too expensive meh meal. I feel like so many reviews online are just tourists high on vacation mode
Restauranteurs should really double down on elevating local cuisine & native ingredients, there’s stuff in Hawaii you can’t get anywhere else. All the classics are shutting down
When folks are driving and it rains, it's like Hawaiian ice magically appeared on the roadway.
Folks drive slower and traffic builds up, just like mainlanders driving in snow.
i've been [lucky enough to] going to roy's since i was a kid, and.. i kinda have to agree. idk if it's just a sign of the times changing, but their food is so bland now. granted, it's always been pretty "neutral" for obvious tourism reasons, but now it's just... different. not like what i remember it being. ): the people there are still nice tho! (':
I took my dad for his birthday and he *loved* it but he also told me the best food he had here was from a very, very mediocre sports bar so it absolutely tracks that he loved Duke’s.
Hulas (edit: I mean Hula Grill) is better quality, has a better menu, has a better view (because you’re one floor up) and is NEVER as busy as Dukes. I actually really like Hula (Grill)’s breakfast.
Haha people might be surprised if they went to Hula's for breakfast! I do love Hula's though, great place to get a Mai Tai pitcher and catch the sunset!
Old appliances and garbage piled up in yards. The dump is open 7 days a week and FREE, for crying out loud, and everyone has a pickup to make the rubbish run.
Well a lot are closet Republicans. I know a lot who used to work at the legislature.
They run as a Democrat because they know they won't win as a Republican
I think a false perception of the rest of the world exists - I should say the 'mainland' because the comparison reference is almost excusively the US mainland. I know well that every culture has its own exceptionalism but there's so much 'we do this, they'd never do that on the mainland...' or 'only in Hawai'i...'.
I understand the psychology behind it but sometimes I feel a bit like 'hey, we also do that, or we also have that where I'm from' (a place beyond the US mainland, though I imagine the mainland often does or has it too). Not to say that Hawai'i is not very unique and special but it seems other people are often dragged down for that to be expressed.
I actually agree with this. I know there are a ton of problems and folks are rightly upset because of them. But when it's done and folks are able to go further east on the train, it has potential to alleviate a lot of traffic issues. It's a lot faster than the bus. I'm super excited for when I'll be able to take it into town.
It could be the next kakaako if it got cleaned up a bit. Basically a fifteen minute neighborhood with great bus accessibility, public spaces, and markets.
Always feel sorry for the immigrant business owners who have to deal with chronics literally shutting on their doorstep. Like they’re looking for the American dream while Americans are breaking their windows.
Yes, but try living there: constant screaming and fights on the street echo up to your windows, walk one block and encounter unbelievable human suffering and degradation, the sick preying on the sicker, filth beyond description, etc.
Just because you have Hawaiian blood doesnt make you Hawaiian.
Ive met more white people that are better "Hawaiians" than some of those "born" fake Hawaiians.
This is an unpopular opinion I think, but I do agree. My wife’s dad is Hawaiian, but she grew up on the mainland, so when we moved here, she’s made a very concerted effort to ‘find her roots’ by getting involved in local communities, learning more about the culture, history, language, etc. I’ve tried to be super supportive and am diving in with her on a lot of it, but am blown away when I talk to locals who don’t have any concept of the history of the land, or the rich cultural traditions, or anything.
My very unpopular opinion is that until far less than 1 in 7 jobs are tourism-related, we're not quitting the tourism industry.
That means working harder to grow other industries, not working harder to shut down tourism.
A Hawaiian saying "Go back to the mainland!"
Is just as racist as a white person saying "Go back to Africa"
For all the "Aloha" there's still a ton of bitterness.
This entire state keeps vaping “a thing” - why tf does everyone vape? Even 14 year olds are vaping (here’s looking at my cousins) and developing nicotine dependency by 16 without ever having even tried a cigarette it’s craaaaazy
lol, when I visited Hawaii I found this to be such an odd practice. Some person would cut you the fuck off while driving and give a shakka like they didn’t do anything wrong. It happened a LOT in the time that I spent there.
Wait so usually when I go to Zippys I get a burger bc that's what I'm craving, but my coworker keeps telling me to get the chili chicken combo thing... Now I'm wondering about everything haha
As someone who loves and will defend Zippy's chili, and I will stand up for it on taste, it really doesn't fit into that chili taste most people are looking forward to, so it makes sense when people say Zippy's chili isn't chili.
I was surprised when I made a mapo tofu recipe and I messed up the ratio of ingredients and for a split second, it tasted eerily like Zippy's chili.
Cause you know what, as someone who grew up on Zippy's chili, I don't care for "real" chili.
The preoccupation with what high school you attended. I learned this in an interview situation when I was asked the “What school did you go to?” question and I assumed they meant college so I provided that. “No, what high school….” My reply: “I went to two.” Them: 🤯😵💫
I get that high school can be a peak time for some, but holy Al Bundy scoring four touchdowns in the city championship game for Polk High School, Batman.
And being a transplant out here, I don’t have that understanding of what it means to go to each school, where each school actually is, etc., so a lot of that is lost on me anyway.
It's more to sus out what area you're from and who you might know rather than a school-dick measuring contest.
That's how it was where I'm from in Alaska. Someone says "I'm from Alaska." You say "I'm from Alaska, too! Anchorage, yeah? What school did you go to?"
Not a judgmental question at all.
I would also say that the opposition to the TMT is not really about the TMT. It's about resentment that has little to do with it. Not that those feelings aren't valid or justified; just misdirected. And to me, the terrible thing is there was a moment when there could have been a mutually beneficial negotiation, but that moment is lost.
Mount Fuji has an observatory a few hundred yards from it's shrine on it's peak, so color me surprised when I saw people wanting to remove it from Mauna Kea.
Such a waste and bummer for inhibiting the advance of mankind at-large. At least South America was willing to repurpose it.
YES. Bro. I will never forgive them for taking away that chili tortilla thing and the katsu sando. WTF. I stopped going to Zippy's because every time I like something they take it away.
Hunters are the WORST. When I go hiking. I mean hiking hiking, not Lanikai/Diamond Head hiking, I mean deep in the middle of nowhere hiking...the hunters leave the worst messes. Leave their opala all on the trails. So irritating. Then blames tourists and hikers for "disrespecting the aina".
The diversity. I get the majority of the population here is the minority other places on mainland but most places I've lived on the mainland have greater cultural and ethnic diversity.
Just gonna share the time I visited NY city and my dad said we were going the wrong way on the subway because he noticed the white people got off and the black people got on. You might think it's racist but he was right about us going the wrong direction. Segregation like that is crazy.
I can tell who lives in hawaii kai vs Kailua vs haleiwa vs ewa vs waiane vs Waipahu vs milliani. Like who goes to Punahou vs Iolani vs mid pac vs Radford etc...
Not sure if you ever saw the guy from Hawaii that was on the UFC spinoff slap show. Where they're in the house training on how fo slap mo majah? When I saw that guy I bet someone that was also watching (this was in OCCC) that he was from Ewa Beach. I based it off the kind of pidjin he spoke, his look, and of course, da haircut and da eyebrows. I won me 3 trays of my choosing for that!
I lived in a diverse city on the mainland, and I noticed a similar amount of "diversity" but less people hanging out with people with other ethnic groups.
If lanes are zipping together and someone doesn’t throw the Shaka, I’m not bothered at all, if they do, thanks kind stranger, I’ll throw one back. But if you just cut me off and no throw the Shaka?! Now I know you’re one inconsiderate asshole.
The weather isn't unpredictable.
Some days it can be, sunshine, dumps rain for 5 minutes while the sun is still out is weird. But 95% of the time it's sunshine or rain when you expect it and the temperature is super stable.
The islands need development. Until we relax housing laws, zoning, and permitting, locals will continue to be displaced.
And the job market will stay garbage too for similar reasons.
Hey local knuckle head on Instagram. I know that you're a proud local and also hyper conservative. Tell me more about how terrible the mainlanders are who are here, even though chances are you're only second or third generation (insert something super not Hawaiian) and no more Hawaiian than my third generation polish ass. But no, please tell me more about how all the solar panels are giving people cancer. Please! Also, while you are posting on Instagram about how you don't like paying your taxes or vaccinations, I'm doing volunteer events or taking part cultural activities. But no no, tell me more about how I'm the f****** problem.
The PF Changs is actually one of the best spots for (Americanized) Asian food on the island.
Granted, it’s $$$, but go for lunch into Pau Hana, and you can get an ono meal for a good price… it’s their flagship restaurant!!
I agree, their food, while not authentic, is pretty good (though expensive). My two favorite Chinese on the Island (Lung Fung in Niu Valley) and Little Village Noodle House are long gone ☹️
Oh and since we're talking. UH baseball is 50 times better than UH football. I know football brings in the dough, but that's because people are stupid.
Hawaii baseball could become a goddamn powerhouse. Especially with all the local baseball talent. I wish the school would invest more money in the team.
I just remembered another one I have that's definitely unpopular. Tourism is a good thing.
Tourism wages are pretty high and tourism brings in a ton of tax revenue. It's an infinite money glitch. It's an industry that begets needs for other industries like telecom and construction. If anybody disagrees, why are we the only island chain in the pacific with a major city?
Should we diversify more? Yes. But tourism is not the problem. Japan is also a heavily tourism driven economy as well, but they got other stuff going on and are able to preserve their culture just fine. Instead of bitching about how bad tourism is, we should be finding ways to integrate our culture into it more effectively. This is also why I think boycotting TMT seriously misses the point of where we should be going. If the google undersea cables say anything, we have an opportunity to have a pretty good technology economy here. Luckily that's already happening since we're seeing the rise of Hawaii-based datacenters.
Fixation on high school as the end all/be all. And that after HS, you go trades or military. I’ve seen local newscasters hammer college/masters degree holding professionals about what high school they went to just so they can hear “Punahou.” YIKES. Do better Hawaii! Want more for your kids and the next gen bc seeing all those posts about not finding jobs that pay well is partially bc people are willing to settle for less here.
someone speaking pidgin doesn't make them uneducated.
maybe not the most unpopular opinion, but it pisses me off to no end whenever i'm treated with a clear bias by high maka maka fakaz just because of the vernacular i'm most comfortable with using. (especially since i've been able to qualify for mensa since elementary, which admittedly isn't the *most* difficult of accomplishments, but still. i'm sick of being treated as the "dumb kanak" just for the way i speak.)
Not sure if unpopular, but I did not appreciate my interactions with HNL airport staff. No issues in SFO and OGG but HNL were super uptight and anal about rules.
The Hawaiian Airlines Lounge SHOULD be a showplace but it’s the worst Lounge at the Airport and I’ve encounter some nasty people there who really lack Aloha.
The driving around here. I mean don’t get me wrong there is issues driving everywhere. My concern is when people randomly are trying to be kind with people jaywalking, or someone making a turn. Too many times I see situations where it almost causes accidents or does cause them. Then we can’t forget the bikes and mopeds apparently they can do what they want, when they want, and how they want with no regard to the people driving behind them. Also, can we all please put the cell phones down when you drive? I had neck surgery because of someone paying more attention to their phones than driving.
Every state thinks they have the worst drivers… but maaaan Hawaii has the worst ones. It is like everyone is trying to live up to their stereotypes of bad drivers.
We moved here from DC years ago and the difference on the highways are polar opposites. Driving in DC is like being a nascar driver, nose to tail, as fast as possible, don’t give an inch, but at least everyone drives like that, so you know how people are going to react.
I’ve called driving here ‘slow stupid’, because people do such unpredictable, dumb shit, but because it’s so much slower here (compared to DC), you can see them starting to do it a mile away. I can have a whole commentary while I’m driving about how shitty someone’s driving is, while it’s happening… that’s slow stupid driving.
I have never lived or been anywhere where they run red lights like they do here. Have seen two pedestrians hit crossing in crosswalks with a “Walk” sign.
People act like it’s the biggest inconvenience to actually *stop* before turning right on red. Don’t even get me started on stop signs. As a frequent pedestrian I’ve learned to expect the worst out of drivers and I’m usually right.
I wish it was just slow…
I’ve never seen people in other states drive with their headlights off at night like I see here, I have no idea why drivers don’t put on their turn signals BEFORE they start a left turn and not just at the last second so people have time to plan ahead and go around them, people here are always switching lanes when there is a solid line, people here couldn’t care less if their door scratches your car on tight parking spaces, etc etc. It is a perfect combination of rudeness and lack of driving skills.
I drive home at night (around 9pm ish) a couple nights a week, town to North Shore. Without fail, every single time I see at least one and sometimes multiple cars driving with no headlights on.
Atlanta is bad because the roads don’t help. Charleston SC, they just actively are hunting you down. I remember getting my brake pads inspected and the lady at the dealership was shocked at how good they looked. Yeah, lady, I’m not constantly up people’s butts and on my break the whole time.
Dude... I live next to two roundabouts, and my drive to work I take two other right turns on yields. I regularly, like minimum twice a week, see someone stop *inside* the roundabout and almost get rear-ended or t-boned trying to give up their own right-of-way for someone outside it. Same for the yields, people in front of me dead ass stopping for no reason.
Not to mention nobody looks fucking left when they're turning right out onto a busy street, or if they do they'll turn out in front of you just for you to look in your rearview and see fuckin nothing and they could've waited half a second and not been an asshole.
I've been all over the US. This happens everywhere, sometimes. This is *normal* here. Plus, there's so many fuckwits stopping multiple car lengths behind the car in front of them at lights and whatnot, braking short and/or backing up intersections unpredictably and idiotically. Hawaiian drivers are actual morons and pure chaos on the road regardless of how fucking slow they are.
Hawaiian food is not great. Loco moco is burger, rice, egg, and some gravy and they charge no less than 16$ for a plate
'island time' is not a real thing. it's called just being lazy and never having had to do anything in a timely manner
Hawaiians are not friendly on the whole, they are forced to be out of necessity by doing their job or not trying to negatively impact their economy. But most Hawaiian people don't want us here
Too many vendors trying to push "Hawaiian items made in China
UNpopular, they said, haha.
And white people from the mainland using other South Pacific island motifs and designs on their crap then brand and sell it las Hawaiian, or make like it’s owned or made by kanaka maoli. Example: that brand in Walmart where they use other Polynesian and some Micronesian designs and it says Hawaii or Aloha on it. I looked up the owners and it was a white guy from the mainland. Tried emailing them to educate them on the fact they using the wrong designs and patterns and should use Hawaiian designs if they’re going to sell it as “Hawaiian”. This is why kids and ppl from off island go away thinking everything belongs to one Polynesian group and also miseducating them on the real kanaka and culture respectively. It’s very disingenuous and insulting to the real natives of this land that some outsider sets up house, blatantly misappropriates their culture and the cultures of their Pacific brothers and sisters then falsely represents it as their culture to make money. They don’t respect kanaka or anyone else they misappropriate from for that matter.
Sometimes the people who live here are more pilau then the ones that are just visiting. My opinion is we should all be more kind and loving to one another.. you fakaz!
Surfers are jerks
The worst thing about surfing, are surfers.
Surfers would agree
I know we make fun of Ala Moana surfers but, this one time my youngest came home from an event there and told us about how a tourist almost took this bradda’s head off in the water. Had no surf manners and clearly was new to it. The braddah was heated but still calmly told him what happened and to avoid doing that and why it’s dangerous - no insults. Anyway, the tourist and his friend - instead of apologizing and saying “my bad bro”, they covered up their embarrassment with defensiveness. The group with them immediately walked over and a girl told the local guy to “shut the fuck up”and they all started calling him names. Local boy never backed down. After trying to tell them one more time why waht he did was not done, he said fck it and to stay out of the water if they don’t know how to surf safely or they could hurt someone. The guy he originally spoke to only got louder because he felt brave with his group all cussing out the local guy. I don’t hate all tourists, but maaaan these the kine I like play peek-a-boo with👀
I think it really depends on the break. If you paddle out to Queens and think you’ll be able to just jump into it or snake waves without consequences, sure, there’s some jerks out there - you and the one giving you some licks. But if you’re at a more chill spot, respect the lineup, are friendly, and can be consistent, then folks from that crew will likely end up being your friends in and out of the water.
I find the chillest lineups are often sponger dominant or boogie only sometimes, lot less jerks per capita in the boogie community it seems
Yup agreed, some breaks have a pecking order. While others it’s just common knowledge to not cut to the front or drop in on someone when you first paddle out.
Unless you’re at Canoes… then all bets are off. You’re mad Max and it’s the thunderdome. The goal is to survive without eating a board from a tourist or without hitting one of the bouys floating in the lineup.
Didn’t think this was an unpopular opinion
Over patterned polyester shirts that say Get Nutz or whatever are extremely tacky
But then how else can you let everyone know that everything you do is majah.
One lifted yota is all you need cuz
I do NOT understand the fascination with them! Seen whole families wearing the same ones too! Your three year old doesn’t need a shirt like that.
Whenever I see people wearing stupid stuffs like this, I have to question their mentality, similar to idiots who hang the steel balls behind their trucks. I know it’s not the same but you got the idea.
Island time and the aloha spirit are wonderful, but unreliable putzes can and do use them as their sword and shield
This 100%
“It will take at least a month, this is Hawaii, ya know”. Then it takes 2 or 3 months.
Went to an event that was supposed to start at 6:00, got there at 5:30ish… Event started at 6:42. And there were easily twice as many people seated as there were at 6, so if they had started on time most of the audience would have missed the whole first half!
Kamehameha I was a brutal genocidal dbag and they need to stop teaching he “united the islands”. He conquered all the islands with modern weapons that he traded for. The monarchy then lasted less than 150yrs. People should learn it wasn’t a millennia of culture and tradition that was stamped out by the US. This place had a history of rulers and subjects all the way back to when Tahitians (the Ali’i) sailed over and declared themselves gods and masters over the true native Hawaiian people.
I’m reading a book that’s saying the monarchy gave away a lot of land, got into debt, converted landownership to private property (mahele) without disclosing what that meant so a majority of people didn’t go into town to “claim” their land… some chiefs even discouraged people claiming their land then sold it to foreigners. I’ve also heard President Cleveland wanted to restore sovereignty to Queen Lili’uokalani but she refused unless she could behead the Provisionals. Which I would think would be discussed more. I’m not suggesting Hawaii wasn’t unjustly taken from Hawaiians… I’m just starting to get the impression the monarchy/chiefs may have been very reckless and corrupt.
From an objective perspective, you’re 100% correct. But I’m reminded of the quote from Churchill. “History is written by the victors.”
I don’t think that quite applies here. The US annexed Hawaii after pressure from several white plantation owners. Why would it make sense for them to teach that Kamehameha “united the islands” and brush over his oppressive past?
I’m saying that he’s seen as a hero because he won. He killed the rest of those that would contradict his consolidation of power across all of the islands, thus, he gets to call himself a hero.
Is this an unpopular opinion? We don't need a new Aloha stadium that rarely will be used (UH have their own stadium). We can use that precious space for actual affordable units for low - middle income families. Create a marketplace with the swapmeet , local entertainment, gathering space for families, host fairs, fun events. Not a massive stadium.
The Pro Bowl is never coming back to Oahu.
It's the truth.
There are people who aren’t from this island that reside here, & care more about the island & its culture than the people who are actually from the island itself.
This is why nothing ever progresses here. So much corruption, nepotism, and inefficiency disguised as "island time" and supporting Hawaiians. Yeah, how long is that HHL waitlist now?
True this ⬆️
Abandoned cars on Kam Highway, anyone?
I volunteer a lot. Most volunteers I meet are transplants. It’s usually 10:1 transplants:locals.
Locals are the ones littering
This. I was playing golf not long ago at Hawaiian Prince (which is a higher end course here on the island). When we made the turn we noticed 3-4 post-round tailgates going on in the parking lot. When we finished our round we saw that at least 3 of those groups just left all their rubbish (at least 12 empties, food wrappers, etc) on the ground where they had been parked for someone else to clean up. These were not tourists.
In my neighborhood...yeah, 100,%
Rice is used too much as a cheap“filler” food in a lot of restaurants
This is my biggest complaint about more ‘down market’ sushi places. It’s all rice and still $10 for a roll with a thin slice of ahi and avocado inside. I don’t always want a huge Japanese dining experience, sometimes I just want a couple of cheap and easy rolls for dinner, but end up paying $40 for what amounts to 2 cups of rice, one piece of nori, and like 2oz of fish.
Parents need to step up and actually parent. Too many kids running wild, too many pre-teens essentially raising their siblings. Community is great, it does take a village, but the parents still need to be the head of the village. Also, if you’re struggling financially with four kids, don’t have two more…
Couldn’t agree more!! Parenting has been at an all time low it seems.
Saw kids in kailua on a mini bike go through the mokapu intersection nearly get hit. Another guys was stuck on the hood of a car going down the pali too. What the hell
Just because everyone is on island time and no need rush place, doesn’t mean you can sit in the left going 45 on the H1. Also, that’s all good and nice, but sometimes I do wanna rush place and not sit in my car lol
My unpopular Hawaii opinion is you aren't in traffic you are the traffic.
The train should come all the way to Waikiki, down to the zoo, if can. The fact that it goes to the airport but NOT to the major tourist hub is the dumbest design shit I’ve ever seen anywhere. It would draw in tons of outside money from tourist fares, actually cut down on local traffic, and could make enough to supplement it going to different parts of the island. Going from the west side to the airport, which almost nobody uses, means it’s going to bankrupt the state even more.
My understanding was about the land - where would they have enough room to make several stops throughout Ala Moana and Waikiki? It was quick and easy to find spots westside, harder so in the middle of the city, so that’s still a work in progress
It was easy enough for them to find room to demolish Ohana Hale for the 7th high rise building in Ward/Ala Moana/Kaka’ako. Something tells me they could have done it if they wanted to. I’ll blame NIMBYism and corruption for this one.
Ageee. Not my own thoughts, but I have a few colleagues from west side that bike, jump on Skyline, then da Bus, and say it really needs to get to Waikiki and have said that the NIMBYism going stop progress most of the time.
locals aren't welcoming
I’ll probably regret posting this but - Even though he’s a douche, Scott Caan wasn’t really wrong for criticising the food here. Hawaii doesn’t really excel at any cuisine minus some fusion dishes like poke and, obviously, Hawaiian food. Most other regional food I’ve had here has varied in quality but I’ve had significantly better virtually anywhere else. Things are also ridiculously expensive here too, $13 for an inferior burrito is wild.
You have to really trust someone with a food rec because there’s nothing worse than being burned on a way too expensive meh meal. I feel like so many reviews online are just tourists high on vacation mode
I’m with it. I like my kitchen a lot more than most restaurants on O’ahu. I’ve had nicer food experiences on Big Island & Kauai in comparison as well.
this ^^^ anyone know any good mexican spots for Cinco??
Mexico Restaurant on School St in Kalihi is my go to now that Azteca on Waialae is gone. I’ll have to try Cafe Barrio
Straight Outta Husk but they’re not open today. Otherwise Da Seafood Cartel or Alejandro’s for two other styles of Mexican.
Cafe Barrio in Wahiawa
This place is fuckin good for real
Inferior Burrito should be the name of a band
Restauranteurs should really double down on elevating local cuisine & native ingredients, there’s stuff in Hawaii you can’t get anywhere else. All the classics are shutting down
4 Runners are just okay.
In the same vein: the Tacoma isn’t really that good of a pickup
But what if it’s a brand new…2003…Toyota Tacoma?!?!
You know I said that in Jo’s voice. Cherry Brah!
Facken cherreh, brahhh….facken cherreh!!! 😂🤣
Yeah wit slippah's
Cherry red
When folks are driving and it rains, it's like Hawaiian ice magically appeared on the roadway. Folks drive slower and traffic builds up, just like mainlanders driving in snow.
Roy's is low key mid. Bland weird sad little fancy food. The only thing I actually enjoyed was the ice cream. Go to Maile's.
'Sad little fancy food' Perfect!
i've been [lucky enough to] going to roy's since i was a kid, and.. i kinda have to agree. idk if it's just a sign of the times changing, but their food is so bland now. granted, it's always been pretty "neutral" for obvious tourism reasons, but now it's just... different. not like what i remember it being. ): the people there are still nice tho! (':
Dukes is overrated
And overpriced for less than average food. Ate there once and never again.
I took my dad for his birthday and he *loved* it but he also told me the best food he had here was from a very, very mediocre sports bar so it absolutely tracks that he loved Duke’s.
Hulas (edit: I mean Hula Grill) is better quality, has a better menu, has a better view (because you’re one floor up) and is NEVER as busy as Dukes. I actually really like Hula (Grill)’s breakfast.
Do you mean Hula Grill? I don't think Hula's serves breakfast.
I do mean Hula Grill… I do that all of the time. Gonna edit for clarity, thanks.
Haha people might be surprised if they went to Hula's for breakfast! I do love Hula's though, great place to get a Mai Tai pitcher and catch the sunset!
This is where I take anyone visiting when they say they wanna go to Duke's. No, you think you do, you really wanna go to Hula Grill.
Their salad bar slaps though
People can be super racist
I think it's crazy that people driving huge trucks with "malama ka aina" stickers don't see the irony.
Old appliances and garbage piled up in yards. The dump is open 7 days a week and FREE, for crying out loud, and everyone has a pickup to make the rubbish run.
Y’all have a free dump? That is awesome.
Here on Kaua'i it is, also you can bring an old refrigerator and it's all free
How do y’all handle junk cars?
the state government are republicans masking as democrats
Well a lot are closet Republicans. I know a lot who used to work at the legislature. They run as a Democrat because they know they won't win as a Republican
Holy shit this explains a lot
I,m afraid you may be right, unfortunately. Not Progressive at all.
Being such a Blue state,you would think it would be progressive and forward thinking, but it’s not.
The food is way too sweet. Too much sugar in absolutely everything.
Food is too damned salty. Shoyu in EVERYTHING
I think a false perception of the rest of the world exists - I should say the 'mainland' because the comparison reference is almost excusively the US mainland. I know well that every culture has its own exceptionalism but there's so much 'we do this, they'd never do that on the mainland...' or 'only in Hawai'i...'. I understand the psychology behind it but sometimes I feel a bit like 'hey, we also do that, or we also have that where I'm from' (a place beyond the US mainland, though I imagine the mainland often does or has it too). Not to say that Hawai'i is not very unique and special but it seems other people are often dragged down for that to be expressed.
Locals on average are bad drivers.
The train is a good addition to the island, and over time, it will be cherished. It will take time.
I actually agree with this. I know there are a ton of problems and folks are rightly upset because of them. But when it's done and folks are able to go further east on the train, it has potential to alleviate a lot of traffic issues. It's a lot faster than the bus. I'm super excited for when I'll be able to take it into town.
Chinatown is a toilet.
It’s supposed to be an *UNPOPULAR* opinion
I don’t think anyone would disagree
But fun for drinks and has lots of decent restaurants
It could be the next kakaako if it got cleaned up a bit. Basically a fifteen minute neighborhood with great bus accessibility, public spaces, and markets. Always feel sorry for the immigrant business owners who have to deal with chronics literally shutting on their doorstep. Like they’re looking for the American dream while Americans are breaking their windows.
Yes, but try living there: constant screaming and fights on the street echo up to your windows, walk one block and encounter unbelievable human suffering and degradation, the sick preying on the sicker, filth beyond description, etc.
Grew up there 30 years ago. It’s improved by a lot. Seriously a lot.
Just because you have Hawaiian blood doesnt make you Hawaiian. Ive met more white people that are better "Hawaiians" than some of those "born" fake Hawaiians.
This is an unpopular opinion I think, but I do agree. My wife’s dad is Hawaiian, but she grew up on the mainland, so when we moved here, she’s made a very concerted effort to ‘find her roots’ by getting involved in local communities, learning more about the culture, history, language, etc. I’ve tried to be super supportive and am diving in with her on a lot of it, but am blown away when I talk to locals who don’t have any concept of the history of the land, or the rich cultural traditions, or anything.
it's too hot
My very unpopular opinion is that until far less than 1 in 7 jobs are tourism-related, we're not quitting the tourism industry. That means working harder to grow other industries, not working harder to shut down tourism.
Honolulu Airport needs a $100+ million refresh!
A Hawaiian saying "Go back to the mainland!" Is just as racist as a white person saying "Go back to Africa" For all the "Aloha" there's still a ton of bitterness.
And they’re usually not even Hawaiian
They're usually the people you wouldn't want anywhere, but exist everywhere.
But, to be fair, I HAVE met some very good people here 👍
This entire state keeps vaping “a thing” - why tf does everyone vape? Even 14 year olds are vaping (here’s looking at my cousins) and developing nicotine dependency by 16 without ever having even tried a cigarette it’s craaaaazy
I like riding my bike here
Driving with aloha is B.S. Just follow the rules of the road
lol, when I visited Hawaii I found this to be such an odd practice. Some person would cut you the fuck off while driving and give a shakka like they didn’t do anything wrong. It happened a LOT in the time that I spent there.
I mean.... I'm gonna have to buy body armor but... Zippy's has terrible chili.
I appreciate your honesty. But, fuck off lol.
Literally the only chili I will eat 😭
You are the boldest person in here… this is a VERY unpopular opinion!
You shut your filthy mouth
Boo this person
Boooooooooooooooo
Wait so usually when I go to Zippys I get a burger bc that's what I'm craving, but my coworker keeps telling me to get the chili chicken combo thing... Now I'm wondering about everything haha
The chili chicken combo is one of the best plates on the island. So fuckING ONO! Now I’m craving…
BLASPHEMY!!!! Scorn you!!! 😂🤣
100% with you. I’ve gone here 3 times… I got food poisoning 3 times…
As someone who loves and will defend Zippy's chili, and I will stand up for it on taste, it really doesn't fit into that chili taste most people are looking forward to, so it makes sense when people say Zippy's chili isn't chili. I was surprised when I made a mapo tofu recipe and I messed up the ratio of ingredients and for a split second, it tasted eerily like Zippy's chili. Cause you know what, as someone who grew up on Zippy's chili, I don't care for "real" chili.
Nuh-uh! YOU are a terrible chili!
The preoccupation with what high school you attended. I learned this in an interview situation when I was asked the “What school did you go to?” question and I assumed they meant college so I provided that. “No, what high school….” My reply: “I went to two.” Them: 🤯😵💫 I get that high school can be a peak time for some, but holy Al Bundy scoring four touchdowns in the city championship game for Polk High School, Batman.
And being a transplant out here, I don’t have that understanding of what it means to go to each school, where each school actually is, etc., so a lot of that is lost on me anyway.
Especially on Oahu the school you attended gives a big clue as to your socio-economic background. And who you might know.
Yep, it’s super weird
It's more to sus out what area you're from and who you might know rather than a school-dick measuring contest. That's how it was where I'm from in Alaska. Someone says "I'm from Alaska." You say "I'm from Alaska, too! Anchorage, yeah? What school did you go to?" Not a judgmental question at all.
Not a popular opinion? The TMT on Mauna Kea is a good thing.
I would also say that the opposition to the TMT is not really about the TMT. It's about resentment that has little to do with it. Not that those feelings aren't valid or justified; just misdirected. And to me, the terrible thing is there was a moment when there could have been a mutually beneficial negotiation, but that moment is lost.
Silent majority would agree. Loud minority will forget.
Mount Fuji has an observatory a few hundred yards from it's shrine on it's peak, so color me surprised when I saw people wanting to remove it from Mauna Kea. Such a waste and bummer for inhibiting the advance of mankind at-large. At least South America was willing to repurpose it.
Zippy’s screwed up when they took the Patty Melt off the menu. They always drop the good stuff!
YES. Bro. I will never forgive them for taking away that chili tortilla thing and the katsu sando. WTF. I stopped going to Zippy's because every time I like something they take it away.
Lifted Tacomas are such a fad..
Mac salad is gross
Hunters are the WORST. When I go hiking. I mean hiking hiking, not Lanikai/Diamond Head hiking, I mean deep in the middle of nowhere hiking...the hunters leave the worst messes. Leave their opala all on the trails. So irritating. Then blames tourists and hikers for "disrespecting the aina".
Nothing that "Hawaiians" claim is "Hawaiian" is actually from Hawaii. It's all an imported amalgamation.
The diversity. I get the majority of the population here is the minority other places on mainland but most places I've lived on the mainland have greater cultural and ethnic diversity.
Just gonna share the time I visited NY city and my dad said we were going the wrong way on the subway because he noticed the white people got off and the black people got on. You might think it's racist but he was right about us going the wrong direction. Segregation like that is crazy.
I can tell who lives in hawaii kai vs Kailua vs haleiwa vs ewa vs waiane vs Waipahu vs milliani. Like who goes to Punahou vs Iolani vs mid pac vs Radford etc...
Not sure if you ever saw the guy from Hawaii that was on the UFC spinoff slap show. Where they're in the house training on how fo slap mo majah? When I saw that guy I bet someone that was also watching (this was in OCCC) that he was from Ewa Beach. I based it off the kind of pidjin he spoke, his look, and of course, da haircut and da eyebrows. I won me 3 trays of my choosing for that!
And I guarantee he doesn't hang out with guys from Milliani.
I lived in a diverse city on the mainland, and I noticed a similar amount of "diversity" but less people hanging out with people with other ethnic groups.
Legally required merging doesn’t warrant a shaka. It’s a nice gesture, but shouldn’t agitate you if the person you “let in” doesn’t throw one.
If lanes are zipping together and someone doesn’t throw the Shaka, I’m not bothered at all, if they do, thanks kind stranger, I’ll throw one back. But if you just cut me off and no throw the Shaka?! Now I know you’re one inconsiderate asshole.
Also, cutting someone off and throwing the shaka doesn’t make it okay that they nearly caused an accident.
The weather isn't unpredictable. Some days it can be, sunshine, dumps rain for 5 minutes while the sun is still out is weird. But 95% of the time it's sunshine or rain when you expect it and the temperature is super stable.
The islands need development. Until we relax housing laws, zoning, and permitting, locals will continue to be displaced. And the job market will stay garbage too for similar reasons.
Plantation mindset still exist in the modern society as to why racism still exist.
Hey local knuckle head on Instagram. I know that you're a proud local and also hyper conservative. Tell me more about how terrible the mainlanders are who are here, even though chances are you're only second or third generation (insert something super not Hawaiian) and no more Hawaiian than my third generation polish ass. But no, please tell me more about how all the solar panels are giving people cancer. Please! Also, while you are posting on Instagram about how you don't like paying your taxes or vaccinations, I'm doing volunteer events or taking part cultural activities. But no no, tell me more about how I'm the f****** problem.
Waianae is a great place to go
The PF Changs is actually one of the best spots for (Americanized) Asian food on the island. Granted, it’s $$$, but go for lunch into Pau Hana, and you can get an ono meal for a good price… it’s their flagship restaurant!!
I agree, their food, while not authentic, is pretty good (though expensive). My two favorite Chinese on the Island (Lung Fung in Niu Valley) and Little Village Noodle House are long gone ☹️
I think lychee doesn’t taste good.
Oh and since we're talking. UH baseball is 50 times better than UH football. I know football brings in the dough, but that's because people are stupid. Hawaii baseball could become a goddamn powerhouse. Especially with all the local baseball talent. I wish the school would invest more money in the team.
Coconuts that aren’t ice cold taste like ass
have you been eating rotten coconuts ?
I just remembered another one I have that's definitely unpopular. Tourism is a good thing. Tourism wages are pretty high and tourism brings in a ton of tax revenue. It's an infinite money glitch. It's an industry that begets needs for other industries like telecom and construction. If anybody disagrees, why are we the only island chain in the pacific with a major city? Should we diversify more? Yes. But tourism is not the problem. Japan is also a heavily tourism driven economy as well, but they got other stuff going on and are able to preserve their culture just fine. Instead of bitching about how bad tourism is, we should be finding ways to integrate our culture into it more effectively. This is also why I think boycotting TMT seriously misses the point of where we should be going. If the google undersea cables say anything, we have an opportunity to have a pretty good technology economy here. Luckily that's already happening since we're seeing the rise of Hawaii-based datacenters.
Fixation on high school as the end all/be all. And that after HS, you go trades or military. I’ve seen local newscasters hammer college/masters degree holding professionals about what high school they went to just so they can hear “Punahou.” YIKES. Do better Hawaii! Want more for your kids and the next gen bc seeing all those posts about not finding jobs that pay well is partially bc people are willing to settle for less here.
someone speaking pidgin doesn't make them uneducated. maybe not the most unpopular opinion, but it pisses me off to no end whenever i'm treated with a clear bias by high maka maka fakaz just because of the vernacular i'm most comfortable with using. (especially since i've been able to qualify for mensa since elementary, which admittedly isn't the *most* difficult of accomplishments, but still. i'm sick of being treated as the "dumb kanak" just for the way i speak.)
The ewa beach haircut needs to GO
Zippys is garbage except for the chili
Uh oh, [fight](https://www.reddit.com/r/Oahu/s/1d7dU0xO1Y) in this thread.
New Zippy's is garbage. Pre 2015 Zippy's was OK at best.
Most of Oahu is a dump
Aloha is a lie
Not sure if unpopular, but I did not appreciate my interactions with HNL airport staff. No issues in SFO and OGG but HNL were super uptight and anal about rules.
The Hawaiian Airlines Lounge SHOULD be a showplace but it’s the worst Lounge at the Airport and I’ve encounter some nasty people there who really lack Aloha.
Costco pizza is far better than Bostons.
The driving around here. I mean don’t get me wrong there is issues driving everywhere. My concern is when people randomly are trying to be kind with people jaywalking, or someone making a turn. Too many times I see situations where it almost causes accidents or does cause them. Then we can’t forget the bikes and mopeds apparently they can do what they want, when they want, and how they want with no regard to the people driving behind them. Also, can we all please put the cell phones down when you drive? I had neck surgery because of someone paying more attention to their phones than driving.
Every state thinks they have the worst drivers… but maaaan Hawaii has the worst ones. It is like everyone is trying to live up to their stereotypes of bad drivers.
We moved here from DC years ago and the difference on the highways are polar opposites. Driving in DC is like being a nascar driver, nose to tail, as fast as possible, don’t give an inch, but at least everyone drives like that, so you know how people are going to react. I’ve called driving here ‘slow stupid’, because people do such unpredictable, dumb shit, but because it’s so much slower here (compared to DC), you can see them starting to do it a mile away. I can have a whole commentary while I’m driving about how shitty someone’s driving is, while it’s happening… that’s slow stupid driving.
I have never lived or been anywhere where they run red lights like they do here. Have seen two pedestrians hit crossing in crosswalks with a “Walk” sign.
People act like it’s the biggest inconvenience to actually *stop* before turning right on red. Don’t even get me started on stop signs. As a frequent pedestrian I’ve learned to expect the worst out of drivers and I’m usually right.
Hawaii has the slowest drivers but Atlanta hands down has the worst
I wish it was just slow… I’ve never seen people in other states drive with their headlights off at night like I see here, I have no idea why drivers don’t put on their turn signals BEFORE they start a left turn and not just at the last second so people have time to plan ahead and go around them, people here are always switching lanes when there is a solid line, people here couldn’t care less if their door scratches your car on tight parking spaces, etc etc. It is a perfect combination of rudeness and lack of driving skills.
I drive home at night (around 9pm ish) a couple nights a week, town to North Shore. Without fail, every single time I see at least one and sometimes multiple cars driving with no headlights on.
Atlanta is bad because the roads don’t help. Charleston SC, they just actively are hunting you down. I remember getting my brake pads inspected and the lady at the dealership was shocked at how good they looked. Yeah, lady, I’m not constantly up people’s butts and on my break the whole time.
Dude... I live next to two roundabouts, and my drive to work I take two other right turns on yields. I regularly, like minimum twice a week, see someone stop *inside* the roundabout and almost get rear-ended or t-boned trying to give up their own right-of-way for someone outside it. Same for the yields, people in front of me dead ass stopping for no reason. Not to mention nobody looks fucking left when they're turning right out onto a busy street, or if they do they'll turn out in front of you just for you to look in your rearview and see fuckin nothing and they could've waited half a second and not been an asshole. I've been all over the US. This happens everywhere, sometimes. This is *normal* here. Plus, there's so many fuckwits stopping multiple car lengths behind the car in front of them at lights and whatnot, braking short and/or backing up intersections unpredictably and idiotically. Hawaiian drivers are actual morons and pure chaos on the road regardless of how fucking slow they are.
white people experiencing some racism is good for them racism on the islands is exaggerated
License plate covers are illegal and you should be ticketed if you’re driving with them.
Hawaiians have more in common with Canadians then mainlanders
Lol locals want everyone gone but the economy of hawaii would collapse. Can’t support an island exporting pineapples.
Too many lifted tacomas on island 💀
Hawaiian food is not great. Loco moco is burger, rice, egg, and some gravy and they charge no less than 16$ for a plate 'island time' is not a real thing. it's called just being lazy and never having had to do anything in a timely manner Hawaiians are not friendly on the whole, they are forced to be out of necessity by doing their job or not trying to negatively impact their economy. But most Hawaiian people don't want us here
Loco moco is local food, not Hawaiian food.
No egg on my loco moco. Fer sure extra gravy though.
So hamburger steak?
Yup, but I get to sneak in the plate lunch during breakfast time.