What is "island fever"?

[oldmansurfer]

a few things worked their way into "Hawaiian" diet because they have a long shelf life and don't require refrigeration such as canned tuna/salmon/sardines/baby clams/fishcake/corned beef/Vienna sausage. Just about no one eats Spam uncooked or unseasoned. It is eaten most popularly fried with some soy sauce wrapped in rice wrapped with seaweed (spam musubi) But for a lot of people it is eaten nearly every morning fried along with an egg and steamed rice. I think people who dislike spam eat it raw out of the can in which case it is like eating luncheon meat which tastes quite similar and luncheon meat is also fried for breakfast by some. Other things Hawaiians eat a lot of is salted salmon which is used to make lomi salmon (salt salmon, tomatoes and onions chopped up and mixed together) Saloon pilot crackers and Saltine crackers, Saimin and rice and poi and probably missing a lot here too.

[oldmansurfer]

An interesting thing about lomi salmon is that none of the ingredients except salt is Hawaiian yet it is at every traditional "Hawaiian" luau. Hawaii consumes about one fourth of the entire worlds supply of salt salmon.

[waikikikichan]

SPAM is so popular in Hawaii, that McDonald's has it on the menu.
Spam Musubi is the after-surf main stay. Also known as the "Hawaiian Power Bar". They sell them at 7-11 too. ( but not as good as my wife's ).

[oldmansurfer]

Has spam musubi caught on in Japan?

[waikikikichan]

Yes, like everything else "Hawaiian" like Ukulele, Hula dance, etc. , "Hawaiian" themed restaurants are everywhere. So Spam Musubi are sold there. But not cheap $1.50 grab-n-go like in Hawaii. SPAM is like $5-$6 a can here. ( sale is $4.00 ).
The sad thing that has erroneously caught on is shortboard surfers here think they're hard-core bad ass mini Sunny Garcia wanna-bee's. ( which they ain't ) They know nothing about true "aloha" in surfing . Just "Hey ! This is local only spot, get out of here".

[dtc]

I used to live in HK which is an island, or a very small 'country' at least (only part of it is an island although I was living on the island part of it). But living in a city of 7 million doesnt quite equate to living in Hawaii or the Caribbean. Some people in HK claimed they got island fever, but really that just meant they wanted somewhere a bit less built up and humid for a while (if you are english then that much good weather/warm weather just plays with your mind...). But wanting to escape is probably something that many people who live in a crowded major city feel from time to time, island or otherwise.

The equivalent in Australia is perhaps what has been termed a 'tree change' - moving into the country, buying a small farm or moving to a small town. Some people thrive, others suffer the equivalent of island fever (lack of variety, same people, restricted activities, something just not available etc). Should have done a 'sea change' - same thing but stay on the coast (not that this avoids many of the same issues - but waves!)

Australia is big enough so that a tree change could put you 4-6 or more hours away from any larger town, let alone city. Although not quite Hawaiian level (did you know the nearest US state to Hawaii is actually Alaska! But, more realistically, 2400 miles to California - it takes time and money to get away).

[oldmansurfer]

so just an example of how much houses cost here http://www.homeforsale.at/4536_MIKALA_PL_73ve5-qa4 Nice little surf shack for 439 k which is right around the price of similar homes elsewhere. However this is a leasehold property that has $755 monthly lease fee. Hey but it is close to some of the best waves on the island.

[RinkyDink]

so just an example of how much houses cost here http://www.homeforsale.at/4536_MIKALA_PL_73ve5-qa4 Nice little surf shack for 439 k which is right around the price of similar homes elsewhere. However this is a leasehold property that has $755 monthly lease fee. Hey but it is close to some of the best waves on the island.

That's a nice place, but I'm a bit of an elitist. It would have to be within walking distance of Pipeline for me to even consider it.

[dtc]

The Volcom houses are perfect for you.

[oldmansurfer]

If you can't understand why people like spam this would be a mind blower for you. http://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-spam-flavored-nuts-20131004-story.html