Hawaii in 50 postcard-perfect images

Sun and surf, beaches and volcanoes, pineapple and perfect weather ... this is Hawaii.

The Hawaiian archipelago was formed by volcanic activity, and many of the state's volcanoes remain active. The Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island glows under a starry sky.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of seven national parks in the state and one of the most popular. It's one of the few places in the world where you can witness volcanic action firsthand.

Hawaii's volcanic geology means that many o the island's beaches are covered in black sand. Punaluu Black Sand Beach on Hawaii's Kua coast is one of the most famous.

Retrace the flow of Hawaii Island's lava by taking a walk through the Thurston Lava Tube, a 500-year-old formation that once held a river of lava.

Hawaii's volcanic past (and present) is evident all over the Big Island. Some of the island's roads have even been rendered impassable by lava flows.

Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui is home to the island's highest peak of the same name, jutting 10,023 feet above sea level. Many visitors wake up early to catch a sunset from the summit of the volcanic peak.

Located east of Waikiki Beach sits Diamond Head Crater, and perched on its cliffs is the Diamond Head Lighthouse, built in the late nineteenth century.

Kauai, the oldest of Hawaii's main islands, is a land of lush valleys, soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Manawaiopuna Falls, one of the most spectacular, is typically reached by helicopter.

Hawaii isn't typically associated with snow, but when you head to the top of Mauna Kea -- the world's tallest mountain if measured from the ocean floor -- you might find some. It's home to the world's biggest telescope and a favorite locale among star gazers.

The island of Lanai remains one of Hawaii's most pristine inhabited islands -- home to some of the state's best beaches and natural scenery, like the Kaholo Cliffs.

Hawaii's largest metropolitan area is on Oahu. The capital city, Honolulu blends Hawaii's natural beauty with all the modern luxuries of a city.

At the heart of Honolulu sits Waikiki Beach, former playground to Hawaiian royalty and home of a beautiful beach and some of the state's best nightlife.

One of Hawaii's most renowned cultural pastimes is that of hula dancing -- a uniquely Hawaiian dance you can learn (or just watch) on many of the islands.

Not all of Hawaii's activities involve the water. The Kalalau trail on Kauai often ranks among the world's most beautiful hiking trails, but it's also one of the most dangerous.

Those who brave the 11-mile Kalalau trail beginning at Kee Beach (pictured), with its crumbly trail bed and sheer drop offs, are rewarded with the chance to experience one of the state's most remote stretches of sand, Kalalua Beach.

Hawaii is one of the nation's most multicultural states. The state's Asian heritage can be seen at The Great Buddha statue at Lahaina on Maui -- the largest Buddha statue of its kind outside of Japan.

Kohola is the Hawaiian word for humpback whale, and an estimated two thirds of the Northern Pacific humpback whale population come to the waters of Hawaii to breed and raise their young.

Even when it's not whale season, the waters off Hawaii's islands teem with life. Some of the state's best diving and snorkeling can be found in Molokini crater, a crescent-shaped marine sanctuary off the coast of Maui.

The clear, blue waters of Hawaii make the perfect playground for divers and snorkelers of all levels.

In the biologically rich waters off the coast of Hawaii, it's possible to spot Hawaiian green sea turtles, manta rays and dolphins.

The seven-mile-long stretch of sand known as Polihale sits within Polihale State Park on the island of Kauai. Journeying to the beach via a bumpy dirt road is worth it for the sunset views alone.

For leisurely hiking on the Big Island, head to Akaka Falls State Park, where it's possible to see two waterfalls on the short half-mile hike.

Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island, is the state's youngest, largest and still-growing island. On this island, you can laze on a beach and walk through the snow in a single day.

Hawaii is a veritable playground for water sports enthusiasts. Each year, the world's best windsurfers come to Hookipa Beach Park on Maui to compete.

It's hard to beat a Hawaiian sunset, and it's equally hard deciding which island (or part of an island) enjoys the best ones.

The 17-mile stretch of emerald cliffs on Kauai's coast has become one of Hawaii's most famous sights. The Napali Coast can only be accessed on land by the Kalalau Trail.

Anyone who's seen the hit TV series Lost will recognize Mokuleia Beach Park in North Shore, Oahu. The beaches here are remote enough that you could easily spend a day without seeing another human being.

Hike to Rainbow Falls in Wailuku River State Park on the Big Island on a sunny day, and you'll quickly see how the falls got its name.

For a road trip, island-style, hop in the car, turn on some tunes and drive the road to Hana -- a three hour drive from from Lahaina or Kihei with plenty to see and do along the way.

One of the many stops on the scenic Road to Hana is the Keanae Congregational Church, built from lava rocks and coral mortar in 1860.

Hawaii has long been a favorite destination for honeymooners, and for a romantic sunset, try aptly named Sweetheart Rock on Lanai.

Waimea Canyon on Kauai, nicknamed "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific," stretches for 14 miles and is at points more than 3,600 feet deep.

Waipio Valley, or the Valley of Kings, sits on the northern coast of Hawaii Island and has one of the state's most breathtaking scenic overlooks.

Life on Oahu's North Shore, famed the world over for its excellent surfing, centers on the charming town of Haleiwa, the artistic and cultural hub of the area.

Surfing is believed to have originated in Polynesia and was once a sport of only Hawaiian royalty. Today, surfers from around the globe come to catch Hawaii's world-class waves.

Along Hawaii's Hamakua Coast, visitors will find lush jungles, waterfalls and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

Hawaii's cultural history dates back centuries, and you can learn about it at sites like Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, a once sacred place of worship for native Hawaiians.

The Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park was the site of first significant contact between native Hawaiians and Westerners. Here, visitors can see kii, sacred carvings of deities or ancestral spirits.

Saint Peter's By-the-Sea Catholic Church sits right on the water on the island of Hawaii's Kona coast.

Hawaii is a golfer's heaven with more than 70 courses to choose from.

Kapaa on the east side of Kauai is a great destination for shopping, biking and water sports of all kinds.

Drive through Central Oahu, and you'll likely see vast expanses of Pineapple fields. Visit the Dole Plantation to brave the 1.7-mile pineapple maze.

The Dole Plantation in Hawaii is one of the world's largest pineapple producers, and you can sample the juicy fruits from markets throughout the islands.

Hawaii's biodiversity is astounding, and one of the more unusual species is the painted eucalyptus, which sheds its bark to reveal a rainbow of color underneath.

Kii pohaku -- Hawaiian petroglyphs -- can be found at more than 100 sites scattered throughout the islands.

Visiting Molokai is like stepping back in time. One of the island's most charming experiences occurs each Friday night when the island's elders gather for an evening of live music and hula at Hotel Molokai.

Built in 1923 by James Dole, Hotel Lanai was the first hotel on Lanai Island and remains one of the most intimate, with only 11 guest rooms.