Quality of life is a term that has a diverse meaning to many people. To some, it is a concrete term, used to describe the collective feelings toward themselves and their surroundings. This could mean that their life is simply described as "good", "bad", or somewhere in between. To others, it is something that is expressed in varying ways according to the different aspects of their life. This could mean that they use more abstract terms in order to describe how it is they feel that their life is like.

Every person has ways to describe their well-being. Hawaiians are no different. There are many different aspects of life that comprise satisfaction. They range from health, to family, to environment, to safety, and more. Hawaiians are reputed as having a very high quality of life according to surveys. This is due to several different factors. These are not standard across the board, as every person is different, however it is shown that due to several factors, Hawaii seems to be higher in livability than other areas of the United States.

Hawaiian Environment and Recreation
Part of the reason why Hawaiians have such a high livability is because of their environment. The islands that make up Hawaii are in an area of the Pacific that remains at a comfortable temperature year-round. With the weather staying between 78 degrees and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it is perfect for making people comfortable. This type of climate also makes vegetation abundant all throughout the year. The flora and fauna that are native to Hawaii also help add to the well-being due to their bright colors and constant bloom. The greenery does not only pertain to the natural forests and plants of the islands. Hawaii is also home to a myriad of golf courses. The comfortable climate makes recreational activities such as golfing, biking, swimming, running, etc. pleasurable all year round.

Being able to partake in recreational and healthy activities also contribute to a high quality of life because it allows people to feel better about themselves, both mentally and physically. Studies have shown that people tend to be less happy if they are unable to live a healthy lifestyle.

Another benefit of the environment being so temperate is the fact that the growing season lasts much longer than in other locations. This means that fresh fruits and vegetables are available much more readily to people. This fact goes hand in hand with the ability to partake in outdoor activities that contribute to a higher sense of well-being.

Ohana Quality of Life
Another highly important factor to Hawaiians is the sense of Ohana. Ohana means family and the bonds shared on the islands are very strong. This comes from the fact that the islands are very sparsely populated (and this was even more so before they attracted much tourism). The people, therefore, had to rely on one another for their wellbeing and livelihood. Family ties are very strong and because of that, people tend to have a higher quality of life when surrounded by those who are close to them. Because this is a root characteristic of the Hawaiian culture, it is easy to see how this contributes to their well-being.

Spirit of Aloha
A term that is commonly associated with Hawaii is the term "aloha". It is not simply a word to mean "hello" or "goodbye", but it is a term that encompasses an entire ideology. Aloha is used to define the hard working mentality of the natives of Hawaii. As mentioned before, the location of the islands made it very difficult for other travelers to venture to the islands. Therefore, the natives had to learn to be self-sufficient in every way possible. This meant making boats from trees, weaving rope from coconut husks, learning to farm and survive off the land, and assembling everything that they needed from the resources that were provided on the island.

This mentality is expressed even today within different areas. Even the professional and medical field in Hawaii express that they still operate based on an Aloha mentality. This way of thinking means that the people work together to achieve their goals and appreciate everyone around them and treat everyone as their family. Having a sense of workmanship and accomplishment is something that also contributes to a high quality of life amongst the Hawaiian people.

Even though there is a high level of work ethic in the Hawaiians, this does not mean that they are focused solely on that aspect of life. There is a sense of ease and restfulness within the culture. Balance is an important aspect of life and it is no different to Hawaiians.

Meaning of Honu
Honu is a part of Hawaiian custom that gives the people of Hawaii a sense of heritage and connection to their ancestors. Honu is the Hawaiian name for the sea turtle and it is a highly revered animal to the islanders. All parts of the animal were used for tools, food, and clothing. Their numbers had decreased for years until recent protection had helped them to being abundant in the area again and contribute to the Hawaiian's lives once more.

There are many different aspects of life that affect everyone throughout the world. This is no different in Hawaii. On that chain of islands, however, there are certain environmental influences as well as cultural aspects that determine the livability for the Islanders. The factors of weather, environment, family, work, and play all combine together in order to determine how one perceives and describes their life. While many things have changed since the initial settling of the Islands and not everyone who lives there is a native it does not mean that native Hawaiian principles do not still apply. Therefore, many who inhabit the islands can say that they have a high quality of life thanks to the root principles of Hawaii that are still prevalent today.

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