Submitted by Quinn Curro on the 2022 winter session program in Hawaii sponsored by the Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics…
After being in Honolulu for about a week now, I have met new classmates and locals while doing various activities around Oahu. I have already done fun activities like going to a waterfall, going on a boat tour, and climbing Diamond Head. Although, Honolulu is not quite what I had imagined before coming here. Some of the culture shocks that I have been exposed to include the increased strictness of COVID protocol and the abundance of trash left on the streets around the city. Regarding COVID, almost every restaurant I have been in requires ID and proof of vaccination. This was unusual for me at first since back in Delaware no one requires this. The second thing that I never would of expected in Honolulu would be bags of trash and just litter everywhere on the streets of the city. Hawaii is known to promote sustainability and being resourceful in their efforts to help preserve their nature and environment. So, for there to be so much litter everywhere surprises me and makes me wonder why the government of the city hasn’t done anything to help clean it up. Although, once you leave Honolulu and get into Waikiki there is almost no trash anywhere on the streets. This week I am busy with my coursework and getting into the flow of things, while also making plenty of trips to the beach! I’ll update next week!
