By Kathryn Drury Wagner

Few places roll out the red carpet for visitors as well as Hawai‘i does. The Islands offer world-class shopping. A vibrant arts and culture scene. Restaurants ranging from casual shrimp trucks and hole-in-the-wall noodle shops to luxurious Hawai‘i Regional Cuisine eateries. And let’s not forget the simple joy of lounging in a poolside cabana, with a mai tai and magazine in hand. But Hawai‘i is first and foremost a place of incomparable natural beauty. The wonders start at the shoreline, stirring from the reefs and cerulean waters and rising up all the way into the clouds surrounding Mauna Kea, at 13,800 above sea level. Between the two extremes you’ll find emerald forests, pounding waterfalls, and vast spreads of beach. Here are some of the best ways to experience the wonders of Hawai‘i’s natural beauty.