Hawai`i was my home for 5.5 years. The Aloha State is abundantly gorgeous, the weather is nearly perfect, and the aloha spirit is truly unique. 

My nieces are visiting Hawai`i for the first time next month so I'm finally gathering my thoughts and photos to create something useful for them, and for you, if you're planning a visit to Hawai`i. Enjoy this post on Hawai`i {What to Say} and keep an eye out for the accompanying posts: Hawai`i {What to See} and Hawai`i {What to Eat}.

Aloha! A visit to Hawai`i is something remarkable regardless of if it's your first trip or your 50th. When you arrive to the islands, some words you'll hear won't be what you're used to. Some things that you may have learned to say from Hawai`i via TV shows and movies may not be just right once you're there. There will be a few phrases and words on this list that you won't know you need until you're in Hawaii, with your day to day life across the ocean behind you! 

Four years ago today my husband and I got married! Our ceremony was inside a beautiful church in Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. 

The reception was on the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor. She's the ship on which the documents ending WWII were signed and also known as the Battleship Missouri or Mighty Mo. 

She, as ships are always female, was also a star in Cher's "Turn Back Time" video, the movies Battleship, Under Seige, and more. 

Poke (pronounced POH-kay) is a popular meal in Hawaii. Freshly caught ahi tuna is cut into cubes, seasoned with shoyu (soy sauce), garlic, onions, and maybe another ingredient or two at most, then served over sticky white rice. That's right, raw fish and rice. It sounds very simple and it is, simplicity at its most delicious.

Of course, you can have other types of poke: octopus, tofu, and shrimp, just to name a few. Do you like things spicy? You got it! Poke is lunchtime perfection and makes a great beach snack. Swing by your local Foodland and don't forget the chop sticks, you're ready to go beach! 

Poke used to be unheard of in Seattle, but it is now rapidly taking over Seattle and other parts of the mainland. There are poke restaurants opening here almost every month and we've even got a poke food truck, thanks to Sam Choy! Shoooots. 

Last Saturday I was perusing Instagram when I discovered Go Poke in Seattle's International District. Not only did they serve poke, they also have Dole Whip! I had to go. My girl, Lilah, is from the Big Island and we went to Go Poke dinner on that very same day.