ScubaSeanMaui
Contributor
I found this article on Nationalgeographic traveler section. here's what they say about Hawaii:
Hawaii (Big Island)
Score: 67
"My favorite of the Hawaiian chainlive volcanoes, rare birds, forest and waterfall hikes, well-presented Hawaiian and settler history, high standard of agritourism, and a wide range of small-scale, locally owned historic and contemporary accommodations achieve near-perfection on much of the island outside Kona." "Variety of tourist landscapes: chic in Kona, rustic in Hilo, and down home in Waimea. Many beautiful facilities, but in danger of becoming too touristy." "Growth in the Kailua-Kona area getting out of hand. Development threatens coastal areas, marine habitat, and historic Hawaiian cultural sites.""It is difficult to find out much about native Hawaiians, They seem to have been marginalized." "Far from the crowded Oahu, the development of a more authentic and sustainable tourism is becoming a reality."
Kauai, Hawaii
Score: 64
"One of the most beautiful places in the United States. High ecological quality, historic plantation towns, mission churches, and tremendous scenic beauty, but in danger of being 'loved to death.' " "Locals are being priced out of existence. Uninformed tourists show lack of respect for sacred heiaus, private land, and traditional family salt ponds and farms." "Little interpretation of Hawaiian culture except in terms of luaus and hulas. Major massacres, labor problems, and the domination by United States interests important, but hushed up." "Nowhere prettier, but 'Kauai mosquitoes,' i.e., sightseeing helicopters, spoil hikes on the Na Pali coast with their industrial noise."
Maui, Hawaii
Score: 57
"Attractive physical landscapes, including Haleakala and beautiful white-sand beaches. Highest quality resorts in the Hawaiian chain. It is also a cultural center with high-quality cultural and arts performances." "An undervalued historical and cultural destination. Great natural beauty. However, hotel development and consequent traffic are a serious problem." "Much of Maui remains environmentally sound, however, the resort destinations and related beaches are severely impacted. Coral reefs have been damaged beyond repair. Preservation has been too little, too late. Maui was a spectacular island that has been overrun with excessive tourism development in a matter of just 30 years." "A pity more reasonable accommodation is not available for the Hana region. It's the most Polynesian part of the island and could do with some community-based tourism to help an economically depressed region."
Molokai, Hawaii
Score: 79
"Hiking in fabulous forests and ocean kayaking in the protection of cliffs and coral reefsdefinitely an island for the physically active. The leper colony site is a challenge to visit, but a great piece of the island's history." "A step back to the real Hawaii. The pace was slow and locals would sit and chat with the tourists. Open to telling their story." "More than 60 percent of the population are native Hawaiians interested in preserving their heritage, homesteads, and family values. Many prefer to live on a subsistence level. Under these circumstances, they are resentful of and oppose tourist developments. Better to just leave the island alone."
Oahu, Hawaii
Score: 46
"With one million inhabitants and five million tourists a year, Oahu is a small island of very intense human occupation. Outside Honolulu, the island landscape is more authentic, with mountains, agriculture, small communities, nice beaches, and tremendous waves." "Greater Honolulu is jam-packed with people, traffic jams, and smog. The revamping of Waikiki is a big improvement, but something needs to be done about the mega-hotels30-story high-rises are a blight on the Hawaiian landscape." "Experiences of 'true' Hawaiian culture are lacking. Tourist experiences are part of well-oiled, commercialized machine." "Oahu is heavily built and commercialized. Remaining natural areas are superb and well maintained. Although the ambience of Waikiki area is great, the beach itself is a disaster and one of the world's great tourist anticlimaxes. Diamond Head is excellent. The big negative of Oahu is that indigenous culture has been trivialized and commercialized. Hawaii and its tourist authority are to their great credit well aware of the problem and working to ensure that the outlook will be positive."
here is the full article:
Destinations Rated: Islands @ National Geographic Traveler
Sean
Hawaii (Big Island)
Score: 67
"My favorite of the Hawaiian chainlive volcanoes, rare birds, forest and waterfall hikes, well-presented Hawaiian and settler history, high standard of agritourism, and a wide range of small-scale, locally owned historic and contemporary accommodations achieve near-perfection on much of the island outside Kona." "Variety of tourist landscapes: chic in Kona, rustic in Hilo, and down home in Waimea. Many beautiful facilities, but in danger of becoming too touristy." "Growth in the Kailua-Kona area getting out of hand. Development threatens coastal areas, marine habitat, and historic Hawaiian cultural sites.""It is difficult to find out much about native Hawaiians, They seem to have been marginalized." "Far from the crowded Oahu, the development of a more authentic and sustainable tourism is becoming a reality."
Kauai, Hawaii
Score: 64
"One of the most beautiful places in the United States. High ecological quality, historic plantation towns, mission churches, and tremendous scenic beauty, but in danger of being 'loved to death.' " "Locals are being priced out of existence. Uninformed tourists show lack of respect for sacred heiaus, private land, and traditional family salt ponds and farms." "Little interpretation of Hawaiian culture except in terms of luaus and hulas. Major massacres, labor problems, and the domination by United States interests important, but hushed up." "Nowhere prettier, but 'Kauai mosquitoes,' i.e., sightseeing helicopters, spoil hikes on the Na Pali coast with their industrial noise."
Maui, Hawaii
Score: 57
"Attractive physical landscapes, including Haleakala and beautiful white-sand beaches. Highest quality resorts in the Hawaiian chain. It is also a cultural center with high-quality cultural and arts performances." "An undervalued historical and cultural destination. Great natural beauty. However, hotel development and consequent traffic are a serious problem." "Much of Maui remains environmentally sound, however, the resort destinations and related beaches are severely impacted. Coral reefs have been damaged beyond repair. Preservation has been too little, too late. Maui was a spectacular island that has been overrun with excessive tourism development in a matter of just 30 years." "A pity more reasonable accommodation is not available for the Hana region. It's the most Polynesian part of the island and could do with some community-based tourism to help an economically depressed region."
Molokai, Hawaii
Score: 79
"Hiking in fabulous forests and ocean kayaking in the protection of cliffs and coral reefsdefinitely an island for the physically active. The leper colony site is a challenge to visit, but a great piece of the island's history." "A step back to the real Hawaii. The pace was slow and locals would sit and chat with the tourists. Open to telling their story." "More than 60 percent of the population are native Hawaiians interested in preserving their heritage, homesteads, and family values. Many prefer to live on a subsistence level. Under these circumstances, they are resentful of and oppose tourist developments. Better to just leave the island alone."
Oahu, Hawaii
Score: 46
"With one million inhabitants and five million tourists a year, Oahu is a small island of very intense human occupation. Outside Honolulu, the island landscape is more authentic, with mountains, agriculture, small communities, nice beaches, and tremendous waves." "Greater Honolulu is jam-packed with people, traffic jams, and smog. The revamping of Waikiki is a big improvement, but something needs to be done about the mega-hotels30-story high-rises are a blight on the Hawaiian landscape." "Experiences of 'true' Hawaiian culture are lacking. Tourist experiences are part of well-oiled, commercialized machine." "Oahu is heavily built and commercialized. Remaining natural areas are superb and well maintained. Although the ambience of Waikiki area is great, the beach itself is a disaster and one of the world's great tourist anticlimaxes. Diamond Head is excellent. The big negative of Oahu is that indigenous culture has been trivialized and commercialized. Hawaii and its tourist authority are to their great credit well aware of the problem and working to ensure that the outlook will be positive."
here is the full article:
Destinations Rated: Islands @ National Geographic Traveler
Sean
