Arriving in Hawaii is a full-sensory tropical experience unmatched by anything you'll find on the mainland United States. From the mountains to the ocean, the Aloha State breathes life. The air is humid with a floral aroma as fragrant native plants like plumeria flowers adorn front yards and landscaping.
The deep blue sky is reflected in the tropical, expansive ocean. Puffy white clouds form in the mountains until they break into rain and rainbows throughout the day. Each night at sunset, the sky is filled with colorful clouds as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean.
Geographically, the Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated populated place on planet earth, according to the Western States Regional Genetics Network. While there, the feeling of being on an island is something that is never packed away and forgotten. Stepping onto one of the islands feels like disconnecting from the outside world and living in the here-and-now.
While you might not be able to experience Hawaii first hand today, queue up some slack key guitar and take a mind trip with this photo gallery of the Hawaiian Islands.
Click the arrow on the photo to flip through the gallery
Hawaii is a water-woman's paradise and it's here that the best surfers in the world hone their skills. The powerful swells meet one of the greatest and most expansive coral reef systems in the U.S. in Hawaii. This meeting forms barreling waves so perfect that for surfers, it's hard to believe that what they're seeing is real.
As the seasons change, the waves wake up on different sides of the islands, reaching their peak power in the winter. In this part of the world, the ocean provides tremendous reward with no shortage of consequences and lessons in respect. The year-round warm tropical water is a playground for outrigger canoes, surfers, bodyboarders, divers, body surfers, fisherwomen and more.
Hawaiian mythology believes that rainbows connect the heavens with the earth
Much of Hawaii is blanketed in green, with frequent tropical showers passing through the islands. The eastern side of the islands receive the most rainfall, claiming national records for rainfall on occasion, like when Kauai broke the record for the most rainfall within a 24-hour period April 14-15, 2018, according to Weather Underground.
Hawaiian mythology believes that rainbows connect the heavens with the earth. Folklore sees rainbows as pathways allowing Hawaiian gods to make contact, as well as sending souls of the deceased from the earth to the heavens, as described by Daniels Hawaii.
The land breathes with life in Hawaii. There are eight major Hawaiian islands with additional small islands, and more being created! An underwater volcano named Lo'ihi is brewing up a new Hawaiian island 20 miles southeast of the Big Island. It's been 400,000 years in the making and has grown to 10,000 feet tall. However, it has another 3,000 feet to go before reaching the water's surface.
Every angle of Hawaii has stunning natural beauty, including the sea cliffs. According to Covington Travel, the Hawaiian island of Molokai has the tallest sea cliffs on earth, standing at 3,315 feet.
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