One of my biggest beefs with Hawaii is how transient so many people are here. People tend to largely fall into one of two categories. Either you're born and raised here in the islands, and therefore because of family ties, you plan on living in Hawaii for the rest of your life. Or you move from the mainland, and despite how engrossed you become with the culture and the lifestyle, you eventually move back (some more willingly than others) home, or within some vicinity of home. There are other instances, but when you're surrounded by these situations constantly it seems a bit...well, constant.
This attributes to my desire to move. I hate to fall into one of the two stereotypes, but it's difficult making close connections only to come in second best to an extended ohana or, worse, witness close friends moving after just discovering a kindred spirit.
When someone declares they're moving back to the mainland we initially tend to berate them for ditching the island, when in reality the rest of us mainlanders will readily admit to planning the same move at some point. Although it seems hypocritical, it's not really. Just proves how torn we all are.
In the last month I've found it increasingly harder to leave Hawaii. Whether this is because August is looming a little closer or because I have a different perspective after getting out of a shitty and burdensome relationship...I don't know. Maybe both? I've reverted back to tourist mode, taking cheesy up-close pictures of a hibiscus flower or two. I suppose I would be concerned if I was indifferent about leaving, but it gives me reason to pause. My reasons for leaving are resolute, but I still wonder if I'm not yet done here.
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