http://www.life.com/images/logo.png http://www.life.com/image/first/in-gallery/23053/hawaii-before-it-was-hot http://www.life.com/image/50448895 August 21 marks the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood, the day when the islands' epic waterfalls, serene beaches, and levelheaded presidents came to be a part of these United States. A home away from home, Hawaii has always been a vintage travel spot for Americans looking to get (not too far) away from it all.]]> 50448895 Thu, 01 Jan 1948 03:00:00 EST August 21 marks the 50th anniversary of Hawaii's statehood, the day when the islands' epic waterfalls, serene beaches, and levelheaded presidents came to be a part of these United States. A home away from home, Hawaii has always been a vintage travel spot for Americans looking to get (not too far) away from it all.]]> Eliot Elisofon. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50671711 A low-key afternoon at Waikiki Beach, not yet crowded with high-rises and hotels. The white sand strip still offers tourists an easy introduction to island life. ]]> 50671711 Mon, 01 Feb 1954 03:00:00 EST A low-key afternoon at Waikiki Beach, not yet crowded with high-rises and hotels. The white sand strip still offers tourists an easy introduction to island life. ]]> George Silk 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/53375550 Nick Beck, a forefather to surfing giants such a Laird Hamilton, tried to keep the great surf on his native Kauai a secret. He didn't succeed, as evidenced by this LIFE spread. ]]> 53375550 Tue, 01 Jan 1963 03:00:00 EST Nick Beck, a forefather to surfing giants such a Laird Hamilton, tried to keep the great surf on his native Kauai a secret. He didn't succeed, as evidenced by this LIFE spread. ]]> George Silk 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50617712 A worker picks pineapples on a plantation. Though Dole has made the prickly fruit a major Hawaiian export, the plant is not native to the islands and was introduced in 1813.]]> 50617712 Wed, 01 Jan 1941 03:00:00 EST A worker picks pineapples on a plantation. Though Dole has made the prickly fruit a major Hawaiian export, the plant is not native to the islands and was introduced in 1813.]]> William C. Shrout. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50499603 Hawaii is a popular spot for sailors on shore leave and this soldier intends to take full advantage of his time there.]]> 50499603 Mon, 01 Jan 1945 03:00:00 EWT Hawaii is a popular spot for sailors on shore leave and this soldier intends to take full advantage of his time there.]]> Eliot Elisofon. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50591853 Through the palms at Waikiki, Diamond Head beckons. The TV show "Lost" is filmed in part on the volcanic crater and tourists can hike to the edge and peek in.]]> 50591853 Wed, 01 Jan 1941 03:00:00 EST Through the palms at Waikiki, Diamond Head beckons. The TV show "Lost" is filmed in part on the volcanic crater and tourists can hike to the edge and peek in.]]> William C. Shrout. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50670346 Leper colony patients at Molokai Island fish off the coast.]]> 50670346 Tue, 01 Mar 1955 03:00:00 EST Leper colony patients at Molokai Island fish off the coast.]]> Nat Farbman. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50542535 Makapuu, star attraction at Sea Life Park on Oahu, receives a snack.]]> 50542535 Sat, 01 Oct 1966 03:00:00 EDT Makapuu, star attraction at Sea Life Park on Oahu, receives a snack.]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50323789 Two water-skiiers cut a clean line in the water as the jagged peak of Diamond Head rises into the clouds behind them.]]> 50323789 Mon, 01 Oct 1956 04:00:00 EDT Two water-skiiers cut a clean line in the water as the jagged peak of Diamond Head rises into the clouds behind them.]]> Nat Farbman. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50571637 Given how many times this man has been lei'd, he must be pretty popular. The floral wreaths are a gift of affection given when someone is arriving or leaving. ]]> 50571637 Wed, 01 Jul 1959 03:00:00 EDT Given how many times this man has been lei'd, he must be pretty popular. The floral wreaths are a gift of affection given when someone is arriving or leaving. ]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50775710 A woman lies on a beach with black, volcanic sand.]]> 50775710 Sun, 01 Mar 1959 03:00:00 EST A woman lies on a beach with black, volcanic sand.]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50571379 Youv'e got to crawl before you can stand; the same is true in surfing.]]> 50571379 Sat, 01 Aug 1959 03:00:00 EDT Youv'e got to crawl before you can stand; the same is true in surfing.]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50394160 An American woman takes a hula lesson. Starting in the 1950s the mainland developed a fascination with all things Polynesian. ]]> 50394160 Mon, 01 Feb 1954 03:00:00 EST An American woman takes a hula lesson. Starting in the 1950s the mainland developed a fascination with all things Polynesian. ]]> George Silk. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50571366 In this respect, not much has changed.]]> 50571366 Sat, 01 Aug 1959 03:00:00 EDT In this respect, not much has changed.]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50662791 A census-taker crosses a footbridge over the Waimea River on Kauai. The river, one of Hawaii's longest, cuts a deep canyon through the island and is called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."]]> 50662791 Mon, 04 Apr 1960 03:00:00 EST A census-taker crosses a footbridge over the Waimea River on Kauai. The river, one of Hawaii's longest, cuts a deep canyon through the island and is called the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific."]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50671708 A shot of an open field displaying cattle eating from the grass under the mountains. ]]> 50671708 Mon, 01 Feb 1954 03:00:00 EST A shot of an open field displaying cattle eating from the grass under the mountains. ]]> George Silk. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50358342 Two brave souls study an active volcano. Each Hawaiian island is made up of one or more volcanoes, some of which still erupt. Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes is believed to be temperamental.]]> 50358342 Tue, 01 Mar 1955 03:00:00 EST Two brave souls study an active volcano. Each Hawaiian island is made up of one or more volcanoes, some of which still erupt. Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes is believed to be temperamental.]]> Nat Farbman. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50560237 Vice President Richard M. Nixon hits a luau while campaigning.]]> 50560237 Mon, 01 Aug 1960 03:00:00 EDT Vice President Richard M. Nixon hits a luau while campaigning.]]> Hank Walker. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50677492 Tahitian dancers at the Mormon-sponsored Polynesian Culture Center in Hawaii.]]> 50677492 Tue, 01 Oct 1963 03:00:00 EDT Tahitian dancers at the Mormon-sponsored Polynesian Culture Center in Hawaii.]]> Leonard McCombe 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50677503 Maoris from New Zealand, at the Mormon-sponsored Polynesian Culture Center.]]> 50677503 Tue, 01 Oct 1963 03:00:00 EDT Maoris from New Zealand, at the Mormon-sponsored Polynesian Culture Center.]]> Leonard McCombe 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50574740 Does this Hawaiian dog appreciate that his ordinary afternoon activity is what most folks in mainland cubicles dream of doing all day long? ]]> 50574740 Sun, 01 Mar 1959 03:00:00 EST Does this Hawaiian dog appreciate that his ordinary afternoon activity is what most folks in mainland cubicles dream of doing all day long? ]]> Ralph Crane. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50627455 Fishermen drag their net through the calm and shallow Kahana Bay as evening falls on Oahu.]]> 50627455 Sat, 01 Sep 1945 03:00:00 EPT Fishermen drag their net through the calm and shallow Kahana Bay as evening falls on Oahu.]]> Eliot Elisofon. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50452292 U.S. sailors take photographs of shipmates with a Hawaiian girl while on shore leave (well before statehood). ]]> 50452292 Mon, 01 Jan 1940 03:00:00 EST U.S. sailors take photographs of shipmates with a Hawaiian girl while on shore leave (well before statehood). ]]> Carl Mydans. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50500225 Morning mists rising from Koʻolau Range near Wong's Beach on Oahu.]]> 50500225 Sat, 01 Sep 1945 03:00:00 EPT Morning mists rising from Koʻolau Range near Wong's Beach on Oahu.]]> Eliot Elisofon. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50452848 A cruise wear fashion shoot on a Hawaiian beach.]]> 50452848 Mon, 01 Jan 1940 03:00:00 EST A cruise wear fashion shoot on a Hawaiian beach.]]> Peter Stackpole. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50671707 Traffic flows on both sides of the highway during the afternoon rush hour on Oahu.]]> 50671707 Mon, 01 Feb 1954 03:00:00 EST Traffic flows on both sides of the highway during the afternoon rush hour on Oahu.]]> George Silk. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50670345 A view of a church in Molokai. ]]> 50670345 Tue, 01 Mar 1955 03:00:00 EST A view of a church in Molokai. ]]> Nat Farbman. 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/3259499 A vehicle in Kapoho, Hawaii, is almost buried by pumice from the volcano erupting nearby. ]]> 3259499 Thu, 01 Jan 1959 03:00:00 EST A vehicle in Kapoho, Hawaii, is almost buried by pumice from the volcano erupting nearby. ]]> John Titchen 2009 gettyImages.com http://www.life.com/image/50692245 A beginner surfing at Waikiki Beach. ]]> 50692245 Mon, 01 Jan 1962 03:00:00 EST A beginner surfing at Waikiki Beach. ]]> John Dominis. 2009 gettyImages.com