A couple of newcomers

[JWFITZ]

I've only been here about 2 years, but I can't say I've experienced any "localism" personally at all. In fact, I've found people to be gracious and welcoming almost without exception, much much more so than many places I've been. If you're a white male you're at the top of the hate hill and you get the most of it and you just learn to live with all the blame for everything that every happened to anyone anywhere ever. Hawaii is very chill on that score. Still, people here are robust and if you're an ass to them, they're going to let you know about it. I have a suspicion that much if not most of what gets reported as "localism" is really just people full of themselves and used to throwing their weight around, perhaps in a polite but condescending manner--and then get called out on that. That's not localism, that's another issue entirely.

Just another take. Maybe I've just been lucky. Still, if you think Hilo is tough--try Butte, Montana, or some hellhole like that. Aloha is still here, it just may require a waiting period before it's extended.