Celebrating the States: Alaska and Hawaii

When I was 14, I wrote an essay about my dream holiday. It was a two-stop trip to two states that haven’t ceased to intrigue me — Alaska and Hawaii. When I began working on this story for our Celebrating the States column it became clear to me that these states, which I’ve always considered to be polar opposites in most aspects, actually have much more in common than I thought.

Geographically speaking, Alaska and Hawaii are indeed a study in contrast. One is nature’s playground of vast wilderness and frosty landscapes, the other a blossoming tropical paradise framed with golden beaches and supreme surf. While reaching out to creatives who call these two breathtakingly beautiful states home, one thing stood out to me. The words community, support, encouragement, and appreciation were the common thread, along with a deep connection to the surrounding land. It seems that the remoteness of these non-contiguous states is partly to thank for the close-knit sense of community and culture that both nourish and support creativity and artistic expression. The different ways that Alaskan and Hawaiian creatives have been inspired by their home states have left me even more inspired to make the 14-year-old me’s dream holiday come true. Scroll down to see what inspires these Alaskan and Hawaiian creatives, and let us know how these two states have inspired you! —Sofia

from Design*Sponge https://www.designsponge.com/2018/08/celebrating-the-states-alaska-and-hawaii.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/177059182179