Imagine sitting on a lava rock cliff, hearing the sound of the ocean pounding the rock face below. The salty sea spray refreshes the lips and the flavor tickles the tongue. Feeling the sun on your skin, you are refreshed by the mix of fog and breeze playing with the palm trees. You might say I grew up in a place most people can only daydream about. When most people hear about where I grew up, all they can imagine is paradise. There's much more to the "Aloha State" than old beach hotels covered in an abundance of hibiscus prints with pineapples on every corner. The people, the food and the land are the heart of the Hawaiian Islands. My Hawaiian family is amazing because they have the Aloha Spirit, our way of life. Everyone helps each other because we are “Ohana,” which means “family” in Hawaiian. I have so many multicultural adopted aunts and uncles of different nationalities who have influenced me; I honestly feel like a person who comes from many ethnic backgrounds. Life away from the close-knit community of the “Big Island” was a difficult adjustment. The warm smiles and caring mindset are a contagious philosophy and would change anyone lucky enough to observe the Aloha Spirit. A culture shock for me was driving on dry land. Here, people would cut me off and make a rude gesture, whereas in Hawaii, people would let me in and the gesture would be the “shaka” sign, also known as “let go,” and I would reciprocate the action. The exchange was a "thank you bra" and a "don't worry", similar to "thank you" and "you're welcome". These days I try to keep the same spirit when I drive in North Carolina; however, many times I find it difficult to remember my roots. Besides the people, the food of the islands is the most delicious cradles...... middle of paper......and see how many people don't care about the world they have the privilege of living in. You might say I'm passionate about the world we live in, and it's all thanks to a wonderful place called Hawaii. As you can see, I grew up in paradise. However, I think I have proven that Hawaii is much more than just a travel destination. It's a whole other world in and of itself. The spirit of the islands and the people is something that cannot be experienced anywhere else; the same can be said for the wide range of assorted cultural cuisines brought in from all over the world. Food is the glue that keeps everyone in harmony. I am proud to say that I come from a land that I love so much and would fight to keep it safe for as long as I live. The person I am today has been shaped by the rich Hawaiian heritage found only on the islands; everyone should experience it at least once in their life.