23 classic photos of Hawaii during its '60s heyday

• Hawaii officially became a state in 1959, and soon after became one of the hottest vacation destinations  of the decade.
• Its rise in popularity coincided with the air travel boom of the 1960s. 
• Presidents, musicians, and ordinary vacationers alike flocked to the new and exotic state, seeking crystal blue waters and tropical temperatures. 

Simply put, Hawaii in the 1960s was the place to be. The newest addition to the US, Hawaii fascinated Americans with its tropical temperatures, crystal blue waters, and rich culture. 

Naturally, vacationers flocked to the state, as did many celebrities and politicians. Elvis Presley gave the island a popularity boost after filming "Blue Hawaii" in 1961, and as surf culture began to take the nation by storm, so did the state.

Keep scrolling to see some classic photos of Hawaii during its '60s heyday.

Hawaii was granted statehood in 1959, and vacationers began to flock.

Hawaii became a tourist hub in the 1960s and people flocked to the new and exotic state for vacation. According to the Smithsonian, "travel boomed in the subsequent decades" following World War II, especially "thanks to lower prices, new routes, more efficient aircraft."

Americans romanticized Hawaii and all it had to offer.

According to Huff Post, throughout the decade "a romanticized idea of Hawaii spread like wildfire, complete with tiki torches, bright aloha shirts and beautiful, tanned hula dancers." 

And surfing was the activity du jour.

Surfing has ancient Polynesian roots, but many Americans were unaware of the sport until the '60s. The surf culture explosion of the decade had a lot to do with the Beach Boys' 1962 hit "Surfin' Safari."