Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Religious Diversity & Sexual Orientation
The values of tolerance and acceptance extend beyond race - they apply also to religion
and sexual orientation. The overwhelming majority of locals are Christian, but there are
also substantial Buddhist communities as well as small populations of Jews, Muslims
and Hindus. Mutual respect and acceptance among islanders of different faiths is the rule,
not the exception. Even for devout Christians, religion often isn't a matter of rigid ortho-
doxy; many Hawaiians combine indigenous beliefs and ancient practices with modern
Christianity.
For many years Hawaii has been politically behind the curve in its treatment of gay,
lesbian and transgendered people (in part because so many residents are Christian, and
there's a powerful Mormon influence), but in practice there is little visible discrimina-
tion. In fact, in traditional Hawaiian culture, the
mahu
(a transgendered or cross-dressing
male) has been regarded as a figure of power and mystery. Already a premier destination
for weddings, Hawaii became the seventh US state to legally recognize civil unions for
same-sex couples in 2012.
Island Style
ʻOn the islands, we do it island style,' sings local musician John Cruz in his slack key
guitar anthem to life in Hawaii. While he doesn't say explicitly what ʻisland style'
means, he doesn't have to; every local understands. Island style is easygoing, low-key,
casual; even guitar strings are more relaxed. Islanders take pride in being laid-back - that
everything happens on ʻHawaii time' (a euphemism for taking things slow or being late),
that aloha shirts are preferred over suits and that a
tutu
(grandmother) will hold up a line
to chat with the checkout person at Longs Drugs (and no one waiting seems to mind).
ʻSlow down! This ain't da mainland!' reads one popular bumper sticker.
Even in urban Honolulu, the 55th largest US city with a population of over 335,000,
there's something of a small-town vibe. Shave ice, surfing, ʻtalking story,' ukulele, hula,
baby luau, pidgin, broken-down 'rubbah slippah' (flip-flops) and particularly
ʻohana
-
these are touchstones of everyday life, which is relatively simple and often family-orien-
ted. School sporting events are packed with eager parents, plus the gamut of aunties and
uncles (whether they're actual relatives or not). Working overtime is not common; week-
ends are for play and potlucks at the beach.
Hawaii leads the nation in shared housing: 32% of young adults live with parents or rel-
atives, compared with 19% nationally. So don't be surprised by how many pairs of rub-
bah slippah are left by the front door at the next island home you visit!
