What’s Correct In Hawaii: Mainland Or Continent, Neighbor Or Outer-Island?

Language and Hawaii are two of our passions at Beat of Hawaii. Not only are we language enthusiasts all, but chief editor Rob has degrees in both English and education while Jeff and Collin both love language albeit from a less lofty and more pragmatic viewpoint. A recent comment we received caused us to revisit an old topic about how we here in Hawaii travel, including you all, speak about the other 48 states.

For all the decades editor Jeff has been in Hawaii, he’s always referred to the 48 as the Mainland. And that’s the word that we all hear used the most by far, whether it be by visitors or residents. But the comment we received said it is now politically correct to use the term Continent instead. Fascinating.

The term continent seems bespoke if you will, harkens back to a time long ago.

Apparently, that term has for some years now been preferred by Native Hawaiians. Why?

While both terms relate to the geographic situation between Hawaii and the 48-states, Mainland also points to a political relationship between the two. It is believed by some that Mainland implies that the Hawaiian Islands are somehow less than the “Main” land.

While some had thought years ago that the term Continent would become more widely used, we don’t see that as having happened. Perhaps it is used more so by those who claim the U.S.’s role in Hawaii is illegitimate.

US Government chimes in on Content vs. Mainland.

In 1959, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names defined the continental United States as the 49 States other than Hawaii. They said, “Whenever the phrase ‘continental United States’ is used in any law of the United States enacted after the date of enactment of this Act [June 25, 1959], it shall mean the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia, unless otherwise expressly provided.”

“The Contiguous United States.”

Another less-used term that is only inclusive of the 48 states that touch, and excludes both Alaska and Hawaii. The phrase will be familiar to many Hawaii residents, often seen preceded by the words “Does not ship outside of…”

Another term some have questioned – neighbor island or outer island?

For as many years (decades) as we can recall, we’ve always used the term neighbor island when discussing everything beyond or should we say other than, Oahu. Some felt that saying outer island was a form of put-down, implying that the other islands are somehow less important than Oahu. And honestly, some people do have that sense, as we’ve been told directly. Oahu residents may feel that because they represent more than 3/4 of the state’s population, they are the main deal. But nonetheless, we at Beat of Hawaii prefer “Neighbor Island,” as our own style.

So, what’s your take on the term “Continent” vs. “Mainland.” We’re open to your suggestions and to changing which terms we rely on most. In any event, this has the potential for stimulating some fascinating conversations.

One question struck us. If we referred to those from the 48-states as mainlanders, would we instead call them continentals?