People often exaggerate their accomplishments (I'm sure you NEVER do), but where you come from is static. Again, I think you fail to see its not about the actual school you went to. It is about where you grew up and what values you were raised with. As you pointed out, in some ways Hawaii resembles a small Midwest town more than a major coastal city. And you have pointed out that clearly there is a different mindset here than a lot of other places. Do I trust someone I just met who I have mutual friends with more than someone who I don't. Absolutely. I went to Univ of Hawaii but got to go to a retreat of west coast schools at SDSU one weekend. I could not believe how 'crazy' everyone acted, but it dawned on me why at one point. Those students knew they wouldn't be seeing each other after college unless they chose to keep in contact (ala facebook), so who cares about their reputation? Hawaii was and is much, much different.....