n the Hawaiian Islands there is something called “Hawaiian time.” This concept is comparable to “cabin time” or “Filipino time.” This means to the people living in Hawaii there is no ETA or rush shipping. Since the islands are in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things happen when they are bound to happen. In other words, nothing happens when you want it to. My first encounter into island life became the understanding that we do not control time but are just mere onlookers.

Thus, bringing me to my initial arrival in the Hilo International Airport as a NSE participant. We were on schedule, perhaps twenty minutes early, but for an unknown reason my bags weren’t on the airplane I rode in on. I searched in vain for my two bags starting from the designated claim to the far end of the airport.

A note to keep in mind: locals are very fond of parties, and love to celebrate in the middle of the afternoon. So, maybe they were on break while I was frantically searching for my bags.

A stressful five hours later, I realized how slow and relaxed island culture truly is. 

Most imagine the islands to be a tropical escape, or a place where life is continually better. Though these are true for some, Hawaii is much more complex than what the tourist industry and the media promote. The mention of Queen Liliokalani touches the hearts of the people who reside there, and many locals still believe Hawaii to be a monarchy.

Having had no formal instruction about Hawaii’s past, I was flabbergasted to learn the extent of American intervention in Hawaiian sovereignty. The overthrow of Queen Liliokalani in 1893 was a revolution that largely impacted Native Hawaiians and continues to impact them today.

On a lighter note: I’d like to discuss the renowned greeting “aloha.” It is one of my favorite pieces of knowledge I’ve learned while on academic exchange. For many of us, this greeting translates to “hello” “goodbye” or “love.” But in fact, Hawaiians traditionally said aloha to acknowledge the spirit that all beings share. Its original meaning loosely translates to mean, “My breath is your breath.” We are of the same spirit. Aloha recognizes that we all need air to live, and that we are connected by this need.

It  didn’t take long to realize that Hilo was a very welcoming place for all people. The locals are laidback and rural. Most speak pidgin a blended Creole language of Portuguese, English, Japanese, Chinese, and Hawaiian. When out to a barbeque the words “Es ono!” or “Broke da mouf!” mean the food is incredibly delicious.

While in school, I met many friends in my Hawaiian studies classes: Ethnobotany & Ethnnozoology. Together we chanted in Hawaiian for permission to enter class, and practiced olelo no`eau (Hawaiian proverbs). My friends convinced me to join a halau which is a group for hula dancers. The girls would not take no for an answer, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

The halau consisted of other University of Hawai`i Hilo students who were majoring in Hawaiian Language & Culture, Agriculture, and Music. We traded recipes for poi (kalo), uala (purple sweet potatoes), and nui (coconut). We even picked lilikoi (passion fruit) off the UH campus vines to make lilikoi butter.

But mostly, I remember the first time I was lei’d. While learning beginner’s hula, I was completely amazed at the grace the halau exuded. Each step they took unfolded parts of a story that seemed to flicker from their hearts. Luckily, they allowed me to join! One of the songs we learned was written for Oueen Liliokalani. It relates the protection that the inactive volcano, Mauna Kea, provides along with the rain that produces life.

Our kumu (literally: tree trunk, source of knowledge, hula teacher) told us we were to perform for UHH, and that we were to make our own leis for costume! Thirty of us wove ti and kukui leaves into five strand leis and flowered hairpieces. We were proud of our work and of each other.

While getting to know myself through Hawaiian culture, I had lost all concept of time and eaten Spam musubi from a popular 7Eleven. These are things that are not readily available in Juneau.

Academic exchange allowed me to explore an area of the world and gain credit for my BLA degree in English and Art. The exchange made the year in another state very affordable. I felt “no worries, bra!” Participating in NSE has been an opportunity of a lifetime, and now I am planning for a study abroad.