I left Hawaii for South Bend, Indiana

Well, I never really played cornhole. But that’s beside the point.

For many of us who grew up in Hawaii (actually spelled “Hawai`i” and pronounced huh-VY-ee in Hawaiian), we knew that we’d be leaving our beloved tiny haven for the Mainland, a term used by Hawaii natives to refer to the Continental United States.

Hawaii spoiled me for the first 18 years of my life, providing me with nothing but beautiful sunrises and sunsets, a skewed perception of “bad weather,” delicious food, and the convenience of wearing slippers–or as some like to call them, flip-flops–at any time of the year.

The lowest temperature I ever experienced in Honolulu was 65º at midnight in January earlier this year. I’ve heard rumors of it snowing in Hawaii, (only on the highest mountaintops, of course) but I’ve yet to witness this phenomenon. A windy 70º day prompts locals to wear jackets. The temperature warms up to the mid-90s in the summer time, but seldom does the temperature get much higher.

Good weather is nice, but Hawaii’s incredibly rich history is what makes it such a special place. It is hard to not feel gratification when being reminded of King Kamehameha’s unification of the islands, or slight dissatisfaction when thinking of Queen Liliuokalani being held at gunpoint to sign Hawaii over to the United States.

Learning about the raw, significant, un-superficial details of my homeland instills pride in anybody fortunate enough to call the 50th state his or her home.

Sandy Beach

So really, why would anyone leave? A lot of people know that Hawaii is an inaccurate representation of the rest of the United States, and most locals are okay with that.

However, for those who seek to gain a more worldly perspective, meet people of various backgrounds, and are blessed with the capability, leaving the islands for college is often suggested. I knew for as long as I can remember that I would be going to the Mainland for college, but I expected that I would attend a school in California, which is obviously closer to home. 

My friends from Hawaii and I all agree we love people’s reactions when they find out where we’re from. Their delightfully surprised responses make me so smug, that I’ve started to feel stating my hometown is a bit of a brag . I often get asked if I surf or dance hula, to which I sadly have to reply no. People tend to think that living in Hawaii is like being on vacation all the time. We still face the difficulties of everyday life, but admittedly they are sometimes assuaged by the beauty and laid-back spirit of Hawaii.

I’m now in South Bend, and it takes a half a day of travel to get to and from Honolulu. Being thousands of miles away from my family and friends is heartbreaking, but I have no qualms in saying that I love Notre Dame, and that this institution is worth leaving such a beautiful state. In addition to receiving a top-notch education, I’ve met amazing, diverse people in college. My closest college friends represent different parts of the world–how cool is that?

My roommates are from Wisconsin and Ohio, but we all have the same humor, similar interests, and we get along like we’ve been best friends for years.

I plan to move back to Hawaii after graduation, but I’m not in a rush.

Hawaii was the best place for me to grow up, and I do not think that I would be the same person had I not grown up in the same friendly, loving, sunny community. Though there’s no other place I could imagine spending the rest of my life, I’ve learned invaluable things since arriving in the Midwest. My first South Bend winter made me tough–I used to wear three layers in 60º weather, and now I wear sundresses in temperatures as low as 50º (which is sometimes a bad idea–it gets really windy). I have a new appreciation for Bean Boots, North Face, Steak ’n Shake, and Chicago.

For those who are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone, or hesitant to leave somewhere (or something) so seemingly perfect, I encourage you to take a leap of faith. Notre Dame was the best decision I ever made, no matter how much I miss Hawaii.

And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll find an Indianan sunset that is reminiscent of Hawaiian paradise.

A snowy evening’s beautiful sky