~140,000 people in Hawaiʻi deal with this

HONOLULU (KHON2) — It’s estimated that about 10% of the global population is left-handed; and this percentage is generally consistent across different regions, including Hawaiʻi.

Given Hawaiʻi’s population of approximately 1.4 million people, it’s estimated that around 140,000 individuals in the state are left-handed.

Monday, Aug. 13 is National Left-Handers Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the unique experiences of left-handed individuals.

For a long time, being left-handed was seen as unusual; and left-handed people often faced challenges in a world designed for right-handers.

However, over the past 30 years; society has become much more accepting, and left-handers now find it easier to navigate daily life.

Jennifer Brink, managing editor for KHON2 News and a proud left-hander, shared her experiences growing up left-handed and how things have changed over the years.

Growing up left-handed

Brink recalls that while growing up left-handed was somewhat unique, it wasn’t a significant issue for her.

“I think I’m probably at the time when it started to be a little bit more accepted but still a little bit unique,” she said.

However, she did face some challenges, like using tools designed for right-handers. “Scissors and things like that are made for right-handed people, and you couldn’t do things as easily.”

One of the most common struggles left-handers face is smudging their writing as they drag their hand across the page. Brink noted this as a minor inconvenience, saying,

“Writing on the piece of paper and getting your hand all cruddy with pen or pencil because you’re crossing the page, and everything gets smudged.”

Despite these challenges, Brink remembers feeling special because of her left-handedness.

“People thought it was interesting when you were left-handed,” she said. “People always, I think, thought that you were smart if you were left-handed.”

The shift in perception

For many years, left-handed people were often encouraged or even forced to use their right hand. Teachers would sometimes hand pencils to students’ right hands, discouraging them from using their left.

However, Brink was fortunate not to experience this. “Nobody tried to force me to be right-handed or anything like that,” she recalled.

This shift in perception has been significant over the past few decades. Society now recognizes that being left-handed is simply a natural variation and not something that needs to be corrected.

Brink even noted how her son, who is also left-handed, was allowed to naturally develop his left-handedness without any intervention.

“The teachers just noticed that he grabbed the pencil with his left hand, and that was that,” she said.

Finding left-handed supplies in Hawaiʻi

Today, left-handers have access to a variety of tools and supplies designed specifically for them, making life a bit easier. If you’re in Hawaiʻi and looking for left-handed supplies, there are several places where you can find what you need.

Oʻahu:

• Office Depot/OfficeMax : Located in Ala Moana, this store carries left-handed scissors, notebooks, and other office supplies.
• Fisher Hawaii : With locations in Kaimuki and Downtown, this local store offers a variety of office and school supplies, including left-handed options.
• Ben Franklin Crafts : In Mapunapuna, this store offers left-handed scissors and other art tools.
• Barnes & Noble : The Ala Moana location has a selection of left-handed notebooks and writing tools.
• da Shop Books + Curiosities : This independent bookstore in Kaimuki sometimes carries unique stationery and may have left-handed notebooks or tools.
• Apple Store at Ala Moana Center : If you’re looking for left-handed computer accessories, the Apple Store might have options like left-handed trackpads or ergonomic accessories.
• Hi-Tech Surf Sports : For left-handed sports equipment, like surfboards with left-handed fin setups, this store in Kailua could be a good place to check.

Hawaiʻi Island:

• OfficeMax/Office Depot : Located in Kailua-Kona, this store is a good place to find left-handed supplies.
• Ben Franklin Crafts : In Hilo, this store offers left-handed scissors and other craft supplies.
• Kona Stories Book Store : This independent bookstore in Kailua-Kona may have unique stationery items, including left-handed notebooks.

Maui:

• OfficeMax/Office Depot : Located in Kahului, this store carries a variety of left-handed supplies.
• Ben Franklin Crafts : Also in Kahului, this store is great for finding left-handed scissors and other crafting tools.
• Maui Friends of the Library : This bookstore has locations in Lahaina, Puʻunēnē, and Kahului, and may carry left-handed stationery items.

Kauaʻi:

• OfficeMax/Office Depot : Located in Lihue, this store offers left-handed scissors and notebooks.
• Ben Franklin Crafts : Also in Lihue, this store provides left-handed craft tools.
• Kauaʻi Bookstore : In Kapaʻa, this independent bookstore may have left-handed writing tools and notebooks.

The joys and challenges of being left-handed

Being left-handed can be both a blessing and a challenge. Brink shared how she sometimes struggled with sports, joking, “I equally bad at golfing left and right. You can’t tell the difference.”

However, she also noticed that her left side is stronger when practicing martial arts like Muay Thai.

Despite the minor inconveniences, Brink embraces her left-handedness and is proud to be part of the left-handed community.

She represents a generation that has seen a significant shift in how left-handers are treated, from being forced to conform to being celebrated for their uniqueness.

As National Left-Handers Day approaches, it’s a great time to recognize the contributions and experiences of left-handers.

Whether you’re left-handed or know someone who is, take a moment to appreciate the unique perspective they bring to the world.

And if you need supplies tailored for left-handed use, Hawaiʻi has plenty of options to make life a little easier for the left-handed among us.