clean poke , crystallization clear waters , and warm temperature are just a few to name .

Hi, I’m Jen! I was born and raised in Honolulu,Hawaii. I lived there for the first 18 years of my life, until I moved to Los Angeles for college, and thenNew YorkCity for post-grad. Reflecting on it all, moving to the mainland was definitely a change of pace from what I was used to.

While I love living in the bustling city that is New York, there are definitely times I miss home. That being said, here are 10 things I miss most about the islands:

1.Poke is sold in grocery stores, and it’s delicious.

2.People are generally very friendly.

3.It’s warm all the time, even in the winter.

4.Beaches are oh so blue!

5.The dress code is always casual.

6.The rain is nearly always pleasant.

7.With the rain always comes a rainbow.

8.There are so many kinds of fruit available.

9.The state is a huge melting pot of cultures.

10.Everyone’s always on island time.

APAHM 2024 badge

Fresh poke, crystal clear waters, and warm temperatures are just a few to name.

Closeup of the author sitting at a table

Hand holding a bowl of poke at the beach with waves in the background

Three women holding hands raised in celebration

Beachgoers at a sandy beach with a mountain in the background and scattered clouds above

Beach with clear blue water meeting a sandy shore, no people in view

Dog on a skateboard wearing a floral garment and a lei around the neck

Golf course view with trees and buildings during heavy mist or rain

Rainbow arching over a cityscape with clouds in the background

Bowl of assorted fruit slices held over grass with leaves

Family with two adults and two children eating on a bench in a public place with others around

Person fishing at shoreline during sunset

Graphic celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with diverse illustrated figures