Here Are 12 Things You Can Only Find In Hawaii

Hawaii could be easily classified as the most unique state in the United States. From Kona coffee to one of the most active volcanoes in the world, there are things you will find in Hawaii that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States – and maybe even the world.

According to Forbes, Waimanalo Bay Beach Park on Oahu’s windward coast is the best beach in America. Plus, more than 100 Hawaiian beaches made the list of the world’s best beaches.

Sean Munson/Flickr

Mauna Kea, on Hawaii’s Big Island, is the highest mountain in the world, when measured from the ocean floor to its top-most part – a total of 33,476 feet from ocean floor to peak.

Wolfram Burner/Flickr

And Sitting atop Mauna Kea, at 13,796 feet above sea level is the world’s largest telescope, at the Mauna Kea Observatory.

Gregory Williams/Flickr

Iolani Palace, once home to King Kamehameha, is the only royal palace on United States soil.

Daniel Ramirez/Flickr

Oahu is also home to Pearl Harbor, including a series of historic sites that will teach you not only about WWII, but also about American Naval history.

Christopher Chan/Flickr

Real Kona coffee is only grown in a small section of fertile volcanic soil on Hawaii’s Big Island, and is definitely a cut above any coffee you can find, well, pretty much anywhere.

Mike Petrucci/Flickr

Hawaii is the location for several major surfing competitions each year, including the Vans World Cup of Surfing and the Quick Silver In Memory of Eddie Aikau competitions.

Karendesuyo/Flickr

You won’t find a real Hawaiian luau anywhere else.

Joe Parks/Flickr

Thanks to Kilauea Volcano, which has been erupting for more than 30 years, the Big Island is actually getting bigger – by more than 42 acres each year.

U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr

The Hawaiian Islands are the only place you will be in Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time, except of course in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

Leadfoot/Flickr

Located on an isolated peninsula on the northern side of Molokai is Kalaupapa, the site of a leper colony. From 1866 to 1969, thousands of men, women and children diagnosed with leprosy were exiled to the colony by the Hawaiian government and legally declared dead.

David Holt/Flickr

Speaking of Kalaupapa, the area is home to the tallest sea cliffs in the world, boasting heights of up to 1,010 meters.

Ed Suominen/Flickr

Hawaii is absolutely magnificent, and you should be proud of your state.