Living on an Island in the middle of the Pacific ocean, there is no shortage of beautiful places to visit. Magnificent sunrises greet us as we wake up in the morning and in the evening an elegant sunset is there to end the day.

I encourage others to leave home and go out into nature. By going out into nature and experiencing natures magical phenomenon, one can truly escape reality.

Over the past year, my friends and I have trekked hundreds of miles around the island to experience nature and got away from reality. Though I’m an avid hiker and often try to push my limits, it is always important to remember to be safe while hiking. Hike only when the weather is good because rain can make a hike extremely dangerous and difficult.

As a photographer, I always found myself in shooting pictures of beautiful scenes that surrounded me. Photography enables us to experience nature in a way that allows me to greater appreciate the world we live in. Now that I feel that I have established myself as a landscape and nature photographer, I strive to share my experiences through the pictures that I take, in order that others may be encouraged to strap on a pair of boots and commune with the world around them.

Lanikai Pill Box (Kailua)

The Lanikai Pillbox hike leads to a group of old WW2 era pillboxes. This short trail features 2 military bunkers–artifacts from when Hawaii was at risk of foreign attack– and a magnificent panoramic view of Lanikai Beach. The hike is highly populated by locals and tourist at all times during the day, and hiking up early in the morning is always worth the extra effort if you catch the amazing island sunrise. Photography by Timothy Dixon (’20).

Kuliouou Ridge Trail (Hawaii Kai)

Kuliouou Ridge has a lot of scenery changes the higher people progress up the ridge. After about two miles in, hikers approach the final stairs that lead to the view of Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo and Kailua. Photography by Timothy Dixon (’20).

Lulumahu Falls (Nu’uanu)

Highly trafficked by locals and tourist, Lulumahu is one of the more popular falls to visit on Oahu. The short but busy hike leads to an amazing waterfall. Be careful to check the weather forecast before you head out, as the trail can get extremely slippery and muddy. Photograph by Timothy Dixon (’20).

Diamond Head Hike (Kaimuki)

Diamond Head Crater is one of the most important monuments in Hawaii, and though this hike is the easiest compared to the others, the scenery is still very rewarding. The story behind its name comes from the western settlers who came to Oahu hundreds of years ago. A long time ago, the explorers came to arrived at the crater and noticed sparkled like a diamond in the sunlight. This sparkle actually originated from the calcite crystal formations inside the crater. Thus, the crater was named Diamond Head. Ancient Hawaiians, however, had a different name that Diamond Head: Leahi, because to them, the crater resembled a tuna fish’s brow. Photograph by Timothy Dixon (’20).

China Walls (Hawaii Kai)

Even though there’s not a grain of sand to be found, people spend time at the wall as if it was any other beach. If you can swim well, you’ll find that China Walls is a great place to cliff jump and snorkel. But if you still need to brush up on your swimming skills, you’re still in luck. The sunsets at the wall are a great opportunity for pictures or simply just to revel in the sun’s dying light. Photograph by Micheal Garces (’20).

Maunawili falls (Kailua)

Maunawili Falls sits in the shadows of the towering Pali Cliffs. The hike is not very challenging, but on the day it was very muddy, which made the hike harder. People who manage reach the falls, however, are in for a treat. The waterfall empties into a deep pool of water, making it perfect for thrill seekers willing to jump into the refreshing, cool water. Photograph by Timothy Dixon (’20).

Wailupe Peninsula Pier (‘Āina Haina)

I personally would not recommend this location, as the pier is technically located on private property. However, I would be amiss if I didn’t share the absolutely breathtaking sunsets one can witness here–the explosion of fiery red, yellow, and orange that fills the sky truly feels surreal. Photograph by Timothy Dixon (’20).