Geography and Linguistics

This is a transcript of a typical conversation that I seemed to have over and over again over the last couple of months:

Them: "So, do you have any vacations coming up?"

Me: "yeah, we're going to Hawaii."

Them: "Oh really? Which island?"

Me: "Hawaii."

Them: (blank stare)

Me: "Hawaii. The Big Island."

Them: "Oh, you mean Oahu."

Me: "No, the Big Island of Hawaii."

Them: "oh, like Maui."

Me: "No, like the big island named Hawaii."

Them: "oh.......like the polynesian cultural center."

Me: "Yes, that is exactly (not) what I'm talking about."

So, the moral of this story is that we all need to learn a little more geography and linguistics. There are six islands: Kauai (the oldest), Oahu (home to the state capitol and the majority of Hawaii's the population. Pearl Harbor. Polynesian Cultural center), Molokai (half of the population is of Native Hawaiian ancestry), Lanai (not a single traffic light on this island!), Maui (second largest island and most popular beaches in the world), Hawaii (the Big Island. Bigger than all the other islands combined. Vast enough to hold 11 of the world's 13 climactic zones--sandy beaches to snow capped mountains to rain forests).

Liohi is the new island that is building on the seafloor southeast of Kilauea, however, it will not break the surface for another 10,000 years. I do not think I will allow Rick to sign up for a time share on this island.

That's enough on geography now for the linguistics lesson. Summer taught me that when you say you are staying in Hawaii, you are referring to the state and it is appropriate for someone to ask which island. However, when you stay you are staying on Hawaii, then it is assumed by those who know their geography that you mean the big island of Hawaii, and therefore you will look like a fool when you continue to ask which island.

And one last thing that I didn't know...there is a Mormon temple on the Big Island. It's the Kona Hawaii Temple and was dedicated exactly 10 years ago this week.

PS. All of this information was new to me in the last week, so I just thought I would pass on my new found knowledge to my mom who will probably be the only person who reads this...