Rick Steves' Tour Guide Reveals The Unexpected Similarities Between Italy And Hawaii

Rick Steves is one of the world's most famous travel experts, particularly when it comes to visiting Europe. He's the go-to guide for so many places across the Old World, from interesting cities in Great Britain to traditional food markets in Spain. Steves has always been particularly hooked on the historic cities of Italy, and this love has led him and his team to go back to the country time after time.

The draw of Italy proved irresistible to one member of Steves' team of tour guides, who ended up moving there permanently after getting a job at Steves' travel company. Trina now lives in Italy full-time, except during the off-season when she moves back to Hawaii. And according to her, there aren't as many differences between the two places as you might expect!

In a recent interview on Steves' blog, Trina discussed how lucky she is to be able to spend plenty of time in two of her favorite places on the planet. She says that "while the geography and history of the two places are pretty different, culturally there are a lot of similarities", and while "you don't hear a lot of Italian spoken in Hawaii", there are a whole bunch of things that make the shift between the two popular destinations less jarring than you might imagine.

The glorious ancient sites for history lovers in Italy are world-famous. Icons like the Colosseum of Rome, the volcanic ruins of Pompeii, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa are instantly recognizable and spring to mind when you think of this fascinating, historic country. Similarly, the Italian Renaissance birthed some of the world's most remarkable artists, and masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and Michelangelo grace the walls of renowned galleries like the Uffizi, the Galleria Borghese, and the Pinacoteca di Brera.

By contrast, Hawaii is best known for its glorious sandy beaches and deep, lush jungles. Its surf breaks are some of the best in the world, while its tropical, volcanic landscape is filled with exotic wildlife, amazing birds, and stunning hiking trails. From snorkeling and scuba diving to immersing yourself in the rich cultural world of luaus, hula, oral storytelling, and spiritual connection to the land, Hawaii is vibrant and amazing, but feels a world away from the European sophistication of Italy.

But, according to Trina, there are plenty of things that unite the two places. She says that "in Hawaii, spending time with friends and family is a priority, and many people who are from the islands can't imagine living anywhere else — it's the same with Italians". This strong connection to family is a huge part of Italian society, and in Hawaii, the concept has its own name — ohana — meaning the fundamental principle emphasizing a strong family and community bond. Trina also points out that both cultures love the great outdoors, with the Italian love of cafes or beaches in summer being very similar to "the very outdoor-type of culture you'd imagine in Hawaii — people are always having beach-side picnics, taking hikes, and watching the sunset".

The history of Italians in Hawaii is surprisingly long and detailed. According to Thomas Gambino, the Vice President of the Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii, the first European visitor to the islands was Giovanni Gaetano, an Italian navigator, who arrived in 1542, over 200 years before Captain Cook. An Italian-American invented the pineapple-coring machine in 1913, which started the Hawaiian Pineapple export industry, and the longest-serving Mayor of Honolulu was Frank Fasi, a Sicilian!

Steves' tour guide Trina isn't the only person to have noted similarities between Hawaii and Italy. Hawaiian travel writer Trent Jonas says that "while the two places are a world apart, you can get a taste of Italy's rugged Amalfi Coast with a visit to the Island of Lanai in Hawaii". He states that although "Amalfi is more ... domesticated; and, given its higher latitude, it's also much less temperate than Lanai ... the way the resort area around Manele Bay marches mauka, from a crescent beach up the gradual slope of Lanai's ancient volcano, is also reminiscent of the way Positano and other Amalfi Coast towns rise up the cliff sides of the peninsula."

It might sound unlikely, but there's definitely something to the idea. Southern Italy, with its rugged coastlines, and Sicily, with its dramatic volcanic landscapes, share a certain aura with Hawaiian islands. Quiana, a Hawaiian-Italian restaurateur, discusses how Sicily and Hawaii "share a similar soul" in terms of natural beauty, stark volcanic scenery, and island vibes. So while the most famous Italian/Hawaiian crossover might be the Hawaiian pizza, if you look a little closer, there's more that connects these two gorgeous vacation destinations than you might imagine!