People run into the sea at the beach of Scheveningen on New Year's Day, Scheveningen, Netherlands, 01 January 2023. The traditional New Year's dive was resumed after the two previous editions were canceled due to the corona crisis. (Photo by Remko de Waal/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Hawaii has long been known as a tropical paradise, but in recent years another image has intruded into the state's carefully crafted one of idyllic beaches and relaxing resorts: homelessness. The number of homeless people has grown in recent years, leaving the state with 487 homeless per 100,000 people, the nation's highest rate per capita, above New York and Nevada, according to federal statistics. Many of the homeless, however, defy the stereotype of the mentally ill or drug addicted. They are families, with men and women who work full-time jobs. They are struggling to get a foothold in a place with a high cost of living and low wages. Here: in this Thursday, August 27, 2015 photo, a homeless man drinks water while sitting on the beach at Ala Moana Beach Park located near Waikiki in Honolulu. (Photo by Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

Andrew Ling's inspiring photographs showcase the splendor of the natural world, using people to highlight the beauty and scale of these epic landscapes. Each image features a person photographed from hundreds of feet away, seemingly insignificant in comparison to the breathtaking landscape that surrounds them – whether beneath gushing waterfalls, under millions of glittering stars or atop of gigantic cliffs. Andrew, 22, said, “I hope these images will help remind people how beautiful the world we live in is”. Here: Second Beach, La Push, Washington, March, 2015. (Photo by Andrew Ling/Caters News)

A member of the 324 Squadron during the Anzac Day dawn service at Coogee Beach in Sydney, Australia on 23 April 2019. Anzac Day, held annually on 25 April, is a national day of remembrance across Australia and New Zealand, which commemorates the people who lost their lives or served in wars and conflicts. The day coincides with the first landing of the Anzacs at Gallipoli, Turkey, in World War One. (Photo by Steven Saphore/Australian Associated Press)

A dog wears “The Flash” costume for a carnival pet parade in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, January 31, 2016. People dressed their pets up for the annual block parade held near Copacabana beach. (Photo by Leo Correa/AP Photo)

Sea lion is seen among people on a beach in San Cristobal island, part of Galapagos archipelago on February 11, 2025. Located in Ecuadorone of South America's most fascinating countriesthe Galapagos National Park spans 13 main islands and numerous islets, captivating biologists, environmental scientists, and tourists with its rich ecology. (Photo by Ozge Elif Kizil/Anadolu via Getty Images)

The Azerbaijan-based artist’s mixed-media installations include pieces entitled “Looking at two cities from one point of view”, “Plastik portret” and “Crisis haha”. Alakbarov carefully positions multicolored acrylic planes, packaging materials, and other objects of assorted shapes and then projects light upon then to create shadow images of beautiful beaches, cities, people, and even words.

People search for shells on a beach in Sittwe, Rakhine State, Myanmar, 17 September 2020. International Coastal Cleanup Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of September and will occur on 19 September this year. (Photo by Nyunt Win/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)