Government

Centralization

Hawaii government tends to be more centralized than other states.  For instance, the state is made up of only four counties:  

Mayors are elected island-wide, rather than in each individual community.

The schools in Hawaii are managed by a state-wide board of education, rather than local school boards.    

Sign Waving

Sign waving is a uniquely Hawaiian form of campaigning.  There are few expensive t.v. ads run in Hawaii.  Instead armies of supporters stand on street corners waving their candidates signs and giving drivers the "shaka sign."

Unions

Labor unions, particularly public employee unions, are very strong in Hawaii.   

Sovereignty

There is a growing sovereignty movement in Hawaii, with native Hawaiians demanding compensation for the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy.