With stunning natural scenery — from crystalline turquoise waters and fine white sand to towering, verdant mountain peaks — as well as a unique culture, tropical weather, and so, so much more, Hawaii is an absolute paradise. Everyone dreams of visiting Hawaii, and it isn’t necessarily hard to convince anyone that a trip — or even a move — to the Aloha state is worth every second, but here are 18 things that make Hawaii so special.

1. Living Aloha
Taber Andrew Bain/Flickr
2. The Beaches
Kanaka Menehune/Flickr
When you live in, or visit, Hawaii, you are never very far from a good beach, whether you want to surf on Oahu’s North Shore, or relax on Lumahai Beach, pictured here.
3. The Climate
SgtGary/Flickr
While there are merits to having four distinct seasons, it is also pretty nice to never have to worry about the weather, because it is always approximately 70 to 90 degrees.
4. Slippahs
Bert Kimura/Flickr
That's what Hawaiians call flip-flops, and unless you are hiking up a mountain, they are the only shoes you will ever need.
5. Hiking
Marvin Chandra/Flickr
Speaking of hiking, Hawaii is a hiker's dream, with numerous trails of differing lengths, elevation and views — because running on a treadmill is boring.
6. Eternal Sunshine
Edmund Garman/Flickr
While it does rain quite frequently in Hawaii, all you need to do is either wait ten minutes, or drive to the other side of the island to experience sun, or rain. Plus, rainbows!
7. Kona Coffee
Mike Petrucci/Flickr
Need I say more? I will anyways, because Kona coffee is famous across the world, and it is grown right in our backyards.
8. Water Sports
Allan/Flickr
In Hawaii, we have it all — kayaking, surfing, fishing, SUP, snorkeling, scuba, etc.
9. Iolani Palace
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
Once home to King Kamehameha, Iolani is the only royal palace on U.S. soil, and that’s pretty cool.

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10. Volcanoes
Jeff Wallace/Flickr
Each state has their own unique terrain and even natural disasters, but nothing is more beautiful than a visit to one of Hawaii’s volcanoes — especially Volcano National Park on the Big Island.
11. We have snow, too.
Chris Lewis/Flickr
Yes, you read that right. Snow is possible on the summits of Hawaii’s three tallest volcanoes, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and Haleakala.
12. Pearl Harbor
Cliff/Flickr
An incredibly humbling experience, the historic sites at Pear Harbor give you a true glimpse of WWII history.
13) Luaus
Peter Liu/Flickr
A truly unique Hawaiian experience.
14. Sea Life
Steve Jurvetson/Flickr
Whether you are snorkeling at the famous Haunauma Bay or cage diving with sharks, incredible experiences in the Pacific Ocean are just a step away.
15. Island Hopping
Aero Icarus/Flickr
We may not get to take road trips, but we can always hop on a quick flight to a neighboring island for a weekend getaway.
16. H-3
Kevin McCarthy/Flickr
The H-3 highway cuts through the Ko’olau Mountains on Oahu and is positively surreal.
17. Locally Grown Fruit
Logan Sakai/Flickr
There is absolutely nothing better than fresh pineapple from the Dole Plantation, or a trip to your neighborhood farmer’s market.
18. Film Culture
Sam Carlquist/Flickr
They filmed Jurassic Park, Planet of the Apes, 50 First Dates — and countless other movies — in Hawaii. Enough said.

Whether you are a local, a transplant, or simply like visiting the Aloha State for a yearly vacation, Hawaii is an absolute paradise for adrenaline junkies and beach bums alike. So, why do you love Hawaii? Sound off in the comments.

And if you ever need more proof that Hawaii is the best state in America, here are 16 stunning photos sure to amaze you.

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More to Explore

Paradise Found In Hawaii

Megan Shute | August 24, 2020

What is it like living on a tropical island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?

Aside from the high cost of living and island fever, living in Hawaii is absolute paradise — and it shows: Hawaii locals are consistently ranked as some of the happiest and healthiest people in the country. That's not even mentioning the unique culture, food, and history you'll get to enjoy in Hawaii. If you didn't grow up in Hawaii, though, moving to the island chain can result in a bit of culture shock.

What are the most beautiful places in Hawaii?

The Hawaiian Islands are home to more beautiful destinations than we could ever count — from the lush, verdant waterfall-strewn Hana Highway that winds itself around Maui to the rugged, lava rock coastline of Hawaii Island and everywhere in between. Beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and more await you in the Aloha State. To start, though: here are 30 Places In Hawaii You Must See Before You Die.

Where can I find some of the best photos of Hawaii?

Well, you can start with the Only In Hawaii Instagram and Facebook pages, but we also suggest joining our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group. Not only will you get a glimpse into the real Hawaii through the eyes of our members, but you can share photographs of your own!

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