# Why are so many things "not available" in Alaska and Hawaii?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-things-not-available-in-alaska-and-hawaii/219917>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 19, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-things-not-available-in-alaska-and-hawaii/219917 "2003-12-19T05:20:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-things-not-available-in-alaska-and-hawaii/219917/21 "2003-12-19T16:47:21Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by radar ralf \*  
> \*\ ***Why are so many things “not available” in Alaska and Hawaii?**
> 
> Huh? \*\*

I don’t even know where to begin to debunk the misinformation and misconceptions in this thread, and am not willing to try today (suffering from salmonella poisoning).

But in reply to **radar ralf** : ditto

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**Author:** ![KP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a9adbd/32.png) [@KP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KP)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-things-not-available-in-alaska-and-hawaii/219917/22 "2003-12-19T18:48:40Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> It costs a company more to get a Big Mac to Waikiki than it does to Salina, KS

I realize this was only an example, but Big Macs are not shipped from Oak Grove, IL. They generally made with locally purchased meat. At one time it had to come from a approved distributor, but there were lawsuits over this. I don’t recall the outcomes

Hawaii happens to have a fairly large local beef industry, compared to its size and the general stereotype. Most people don’t realize how much of the islands are ranches. Locally produced beef may still be a bit pricier on the mainland, but not due to transportation.

I’m not criticizing, just pointing out some facts that may be of interest ot the general Doper readership.

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**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-so-many-things-not-available-in-alaska-and-hawaii/219917/23 "2003-12-19T20:13:50Z")

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[When Homer Simpson pretended to be an airline pilot and endangered lives. The airline says…]

"In exchange for your silence we will give you a free trip to anywhere in the United States, exculding Alaska and Hawaii,\* the freak states.\*

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