When meeting new people in college, people typically bombard you with the same set of questions: “What’s your name? What’s your major? Where are you from?”

As an out-of-state student from Hawaii, I am always hesitant to answer this third question. Why? This is because unlike the in-state students who do not have a predictable set of questions following the aforementioned set, Hawaii-kids receive a quite extensive set.

Note: These are all questions that people have asked me in the past year. Although I'm sometimes sarcastic in my answers, I promise that I try to be as patient as possible. I'm mainly just astounded that people would ask certain questions.

1. Do you surf?

This is always the first question that people ask me. Yes, I live near the ocean. Yes, I know how to surf. No, that doesn't mean that I own a board, or am even cool enough to tackle the huge waves up at the North Shore during the winter time.

2. Do you speak Hawaiian/Are you Hawaiian?

As a half-Japanese, half-Caucasian girl, I am always stunned when people ask me if I'm Hawaiian. Flattered, because oh my goodness I think Hawaiians are beautiful, but always stunned. To top it off, I always find it hilarious that people believe that the primary language of Hawaii is Hawaiian. One of my friends even pretends he partakes in ancient Hawaiian chants by saying street names in a really deep tone of voice. (Kaaaaaamehamehaaaaaaa). Pretty entertaining stuff.

3. Where is that?

Once, someone asked me if Hawaii was a Tongan island. Granted, I say Hawaii (hah-wah-ee) differently than most people on the mainland (hah-whyyyyy-eeeee), but it's kind of hard to believe that people don't know where Hawaii is....I mean...

4. Is Hawaii exactly like Lilo and Stitch?

I honestly didn't know how to respond to this question.

5. What is it like to live in the States now?

It always blows my mind that people forget Hawaii is a state. Sure, it has an exceedingly unique culture and a diverse population of people. However, it's called the "Aloha State" for a reason.

6. Do you live in a grass hut?

I convinced my roommate that I lived in a grass hut by showing her the above picture. She thought she was living with a scary cave woman for a little bit.

7. Do you ride dolphins to places?

Why yes, I rode my dolphin every day to school. I'm saving up my puka shells and sand dollars for a sea turtle in the future. They're steadier and more reliable rides.

8. Do they have cars in Hawaii?

No, I ride my dolphin. (Just kidding, at least look at the cars in Hawaii Five-0).

9. Do you go to the beach, like, everyday?

I mean, beach every day during summer is a different story. However, I got into college because I had to study really hard during the school year.

10. Why did you even want to leave?

This is the hardest question to answer because most people don't realize that although I love Hawaii with all my heart, I just had to escape the island fever of being trapped.