COMMENTARY
Taking pride in lifestyle of North Shore

By Alee Thompson

Shocking? Not really.

Compare surfboards to board meetings, fruit stands to shopping malls, beach bonfires to nightclubs, beat-up trucks to air-conditioned sedans, and you're comparing the North Shore of O'ahu to the city of Honolulu.

Born on the North Shore, I've always been proud of my secluded little home town. Every time I travel out of state, I'm guaranteed a few "oohs" and "aahs" when I say I'm from Hawai'i, and even more when I mention the North Shore.

The close-knit community, world-renowned surf breaks and general beauty of the area have always been sources of pride for me.

In school one morning, a fellow Kahuku High School senior told the events of a party earlier this year.

"Some guys from town came down to a party at Old V-Land (a popular hangout), and somebody started yelling at them, 'Go back to town!' Then he went up to their SUV and tried to punch the windows out."

A teacher who had overheard this conversation was appalled by the story and told our class there was no reason for such obnoxious pride.

Reason for the obnoxiousness: none.

Reason for the pride: plenty.

For the most part, the pride the North Shore possesses and its exclusiveness are inevitable.

When dealing with an area of the island that is somewhat geographically isolated from Honolulu, possesses beautiful beaches and scenery (which, in turn, attract numerous visitors), and is world-renowned (thanks to TV shows, movie productions and surf contests), pride is unavoidable.

Many of my friends and fellow students say the "anti-outsider" feelings are largely due to lifestyle and attitude differences.

I agree.

In Honolulu, life is fast-paced (at least in comparison with the North Shore), busy, exciting and, in some cases, stressful.

With these conditions comes a busier person.

On the opposite end is the North Shore, the place metropolis dwellers come to relax.

It's laid back, easygoing, nonchalant (for the most part), with most of the inhabitants emulating the relaxed vibe.

I don't mean in any way to sound conceited when I say this, but the North Shore has a lot to be proud of.

Its exclusivity, while sometimes insensitive, is mainly just a healthy pride that people all over hold for their home towns.

So the next time you see 'GO HOME TOWNIES' scribbled on a rock wall, don't take it personally.

Just enjoy our beaches, mountains, farmer's markets or whatever it is you came up to see, and know we don't hate you.

We just love the North Shore.

Alee Thompson is a senior at Kahuku High. These columns are a chance for teens to speak out about issues, trends, pressures and perceptions they deal with each day.

If you would like to submit an article or suggest a topic, e-mail Island Life deputy editor Dave Dondoneau at ddondoneau@honoluluadvertiser.com.