The time in Hawaii can be anywhere from three to six hours behind the Mainland. But the time on Hawaii itself? Well, that's a whole different time altogether, better known as "Hawaiian Time."
It's "Hawaiian Time" that keeps everything at a mellower pace
People from Hawaii get hassled with being on "Hawaii Time" – being late for everything. This may not be true for everyone, but it's definitely a reoccurring "issue" for most Hawaiians. So if you plan to meet a Hawaiian friend on your next visit, and you tell that person to be at a certain place (ex: hotel or restaurant) by 8 a.m., you might have to wait…five minutes? 10? No real guarantees, but your friend will most likely be there - at some point. Hawaiians love food and would never miss an opportunity to eat! (That's another stereotype, by the way). So if you truly want to meet someone, suggest a restaurant.
Do you know how to read a Hawaiian Time clock? Instead of numbers, there's Watevas (whatever, whenever), Bum-bye (by and by, to do later) and Laytahs (to be there later). To tell time with this kind of clock depends on the person and situation. These Pidgin-English words came from Hawaiian plantation workers and are still used by locals today.
Hawaii moves at a slower pace overall. This is not to give visitors the false impression that Hawaiians live on a secluded island in grass shacks and commute by canoe. Hawaii is a much developed place – you'll find concrete skyscrapers and traffic and face the same economical issues as everyone else. But when living on an island with such natural beauty, you can't help but get lost in the laid-back ways. Why be in a rush? It's a subtle nonchalance that translates through Hawaii's people and finds a home in the warm embrace of the culture.
OR maybe Hawaiian Time starts with the fact that Hawaii as a state is late for everything! We welcome in the New Year way after the ball drops at Times Square. And we avoid Twitter until after watching the latest episode of Hawaii 5-0, for fear we'll find out what happens. Darn this time difference! Maybe that's to blame? It's not the people in Hawaii who are slow-moving. It's just that everyone else is moving too fast!
