I spent some time in Hawaii in the 70s and again in the 90s; the difference between the two was like night and day (the same can be said for the Panhandle). It's difficult to put a positive spin on how places are "now" compared to how they "used to be" especially if the improvements over the years include shoehorning in more concrete towers, parking lots, and shopping malls.
In the 70s Waikiki was quirky and fun, driving around the island was a snap with stops now and again to take a quick swim on the beaches or the waterfalls and stopping to enjoy scenic overlooks; I used to keep snorkeling gear and a "beach setup" in the trunk of my car and pop out to Hanauma Bay from time-to-time (no parking problems, water crystal clear, with large populations of topical fish and sea turtles).
Maui's Kaanapali beach had only a few low-rise hotels and lots of beach and natural beauty, Lahaina was a great little town with lots of good food and drink overlooking the sea--no parking problems; Molokai was pretty much unknown and a place for quiet contemplation; Kauai was heaven on earth.
Went back in the 90s and was shocked

. Waikiki was stripped of it's charm and the main drag was lined with T-shirt salesmen, "upscale" shopping and street walkers (who used to relegated to Hotel St back in the 70s). Hanauma Bay was wall-to-wall people dumped there by tourist buses. They had to close the park once a week so the bay could flush itself of the oil slick (from suntan oil)--sea turtles were getting tumors from eating cigarette butts so they banned smoking on the beach (which was a good thing). It took hours and hours to get around the island--the North Shore was bumper to bumper traffic. Maui's Kaanapali beach was wall-to-wall high-rise condos and Lahaina was essentially a parking lot lined with chichi art studios and crowded restaurants serving overpriced food and drink. While on Maui, we started staying at a neat little mom-and-pop low-rise condo just up the road in Napili Bay. Kauai was recovering from being hit with a hurricane so the "garden isle" was looking pretty tattered, but it was clear that the high-rise hotels and condos were moving in to take advantage while they could. Molokai was still quiet (their beaches aren't the greatest) so it was a nice place to get away. Went to the Big Island for the first time and absolutely loved it! Stayed up in Volcano Nt'l park--the stars at night are like diamonds! Found a great hotel (Keauhou Beach Hotel) near an awesome snorkeling beach of black and white sand just down the road from Kona. Live Hawaiian music in an open lanai bar every night overlooking the ocean sunset--heaven on earth. Went back to the same place about a year later, snorkeling still great, but they moved the music from the bar to the dining room--bummer!
It's been over 10 years since we've been back to Hawaii. I shudder to think what this RE boom has done to that beautiful place. I'd still say seeing Oahu is OK--the view of Diamondhead from the beach, the surfers on the North Shore, Pearl Harbor and some great tourist watching are worth one's time. I would recommend the Big Island for a trip to Hawaii but I understand the RE boom hit that place too and they've carved out a bunch of land to throw up more condos, townhouses and such--so I don't know how much they've ruined the place in the last few years. If you're a golfer, take the clubs, there are some beautiful courses throughout the islands you'll be sure to enjoy.