The Hawaiian Islands are home to world-class beaches and resorts, stunning mountains and picturesque views in every direction. But the islands are also home to landscapes that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find in a tropical paradise. From sunflower fields to vast deserts, here are 12 photos you wouldn’t guess were taken in Hawaii.

1. Hawaii isn’t all tropical rainforests – the Ka’u desert is an incredible expanse of lava flows, volcanic ash and sparse vegetation.
Josh Schwartzman/Flickr
2. It’s hard to believe this sunflower field is located on Oahu’s north shore.
Ryan Smith/Flickr
3. Most people probably wouldn’t guess that this snowy landscape can be found at the summit of Hawaii Island’s Mauna Kea.
Dennis Crabtree/Flickr
4. I don't think lavender fields are really something one expects to see while in Hawaii, but I have to admit that the landscape sure is gorgeous.
Kaiscapes LLC/Flickr
5. This Redwood forest in Upcountry Maui will transport you to another world.
Tim Szlachetka/Flickr
6. Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” Waimea Canyon doesn’t necessarily look as though it belongs in Hawaii upon first glance.
Geordie Mott/Flickr

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7. I bet you didn’t know that cacti are common throughout Hawaii, like these planted at the Kapiolani Community College Cactus Garden.
Shara Miller/Flickr
8. On the slopes of Mount Haleakala, you will find this hiking trail that will make you feel as though you’ve left Hawaii and entered the desert.
Jon Wiley/Flickr
9. I wonder if these tiny sea creatures were sent to Hawaii from an alien world.
Chris Lewis/Flickr
10. The first thing that comes to mind when you imagine Hawaii surely aren’t the lava fields that populate Hawaii Island.
Keppet/Flickr
11. This beautiful Japanese Buddhist temple doesn’t look like it belongs in Hawaii, probably because it is a replica of a 900-year old temple in Japan.
Anthony Dolce/Flickr
12. This coniferous forest on the slopes of Haleakala that could easily exist anywhere on the American mainland.
Ed Suominen/Flickr

What other vistas would you not expect to find in Hawaii? What is your favorite unusual Hawaiian landscapes?

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