Not in America, and yes I have three young adult kids. All still at home, for my sins (just kidding, I love it).
I believe that Crank was referring to how much different from, "mainland," U.S.A., is Hawaii (that's why he put, "country," in quotation marks). As someone who lived there for a year, I can attest that it is, in some ways, not like any other state. One, obvious, way is its island location, as opposed to being part of a wide open continent. Another clear difference is its racial composition (I thought it was, back then, very roughly, a third white, a third Asian, and a third native Hawaiian or Polynesian; not too many blacks). That said, nor would I say it was as different as a foreign country, but somewhere in between. But that was about 25 years ago. Anyone able to appraise us of how things have been evolving there, over any part of the last quarter-century? Has it become a little bit more like mainstream America? Or has the mainland become a little bit more island-like? P.S.-- I was on Oahu, but unfortunately never got to any of the other islands, which I'm sure have distinct personalities. Does your daughter live on the "big island," mswan?
That sounds like a lovely retirement. We plan to do something similar, if any of ours end up a distance away. If they all move to different places, we'll spend a month or so in each of their locations. We're fortunate to have the resources to continue being of service to them no matter where they are.
I would disagree with your use of 3 verys. I live in Connecticut, along the New York border, and not too far from NYC. And Republicanism is far from dead here, and even more apparent in more rural areas. Yes, NYC is very, very, very Blue (except Statement Island, right?). But my medium-sized city has just lost its Republican Mayor, who'd served here for 20 years, before taking a job in the administration of CT's Democratic Governor. And his father had been another of our long-time, liked mayors. But these are the "kinder, gentler," Republicans of the past, not the belligerent, more intemperate Republicans, fighting mask mandates, talking about election fraud, and so forth. As you probably know, it's a pragmatic New Englander kind of thing. In the last election, we chose another Republican, but by a margin of like 186 votes, in a city of 80k residents. But my point is that, as you go further upstate in New York State-- where I've also lived for several years-- the state turns more red though, again, in a Northeastern way. It never felt toxically partisan to me (we find it easy to agree to disagree, unless things have recently changed, but I would not expect that to be the case). And it is the loveliest landscape I have known.
Yes. Apologies. Not sure why I kept on like that. It's part of my condition. I'm trying to not let the nit-picky stuff weigh me down.
Having spent time in numerous states, I'd offer that Wyoming is a different country compared to New York as well, and there are numerous other states, when put side by side, are nothing like each other. However, his point is taken. Why does Hawaii have an interstate, anyway?
I didn't know we had another New Yorker, here (I was born in the Bronx). Howdy, neighbor! Crank says that this had actually not been his point. And I know that all states are a bit unique, but Hawaii is just more so, partly because native Hawaiians fared better than Amerindians. And, because it's addition to our country is relative recent, the culture is just not what one would expect in any other state. The example that comes to my mind is kind of a trivial thing, but maybe it will suffice. In any state-- probably even Alaska, which itself, must be extra-unique-- what is considered proper court attire, as for a lawyer, is a suit & tie. In Hawaii, it's an Aloha-shirt (with all the tropical prints, covering them), untucked.
I'm a native Chicagoan, but know enough about New York to know it's Mars compared to Wyoming! Your court attire analogy is well-put and understood.
My daughter lives on the big island, very northern point in the small town of Hawi. She lived for a few years in Kona, and a couple of years in Honolulu while getting her graduate degree in architecture. I have not yet seen their new place in Hawi, this will be our first visit there. I can tell you more about how Hawai’i has changed from your time there when we return if you’d like. Just ask me questions.
We lived in Connecticut near Hartford for 35 years raising our family before moving to our new place 2 years ago. I loved Connecticut and the rest of New England, but I’m happy to be back home in New York.
I’m happy to hear that. Almost all Hawaiians I’ve met have been welcoming, and notably religious, a trait I like very much.
Jersey born and bred, but I've lived in New York for a mixed number of years. City Island was 'home' for about 2 years. Greenwood Lake for another 3 years or so. Other than a sibling still in NJ, I don't venture far above the Mason Dixon anymore.
