Here's an article about the indictment for manslaughter of a former Hawaii high school football star in the unprovoked beating death of a visitor who had been accepted to the University of Hawaii's Law School. Granted, this beating happened in a rough part of Oahu. But the unprovoked and fatal nature of this attack gives one pause. I know that, statistically, Hawaii is safe. But are things changing?

Has the message gotten out that its OK to attack people? Is it just more media coverage of these attacks? Is the level of violence rising? It's something that you won't hear considered amidst the relentless drumbeat of positive news coverage and glossy island panoramas ginned up by mainstream media and fueled by Hawaii's expensive and everpresent PR blitz courtesy of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.This also seems to fly in the face of efforts to pump up West Oahu as a visitor destination. The moral to visitors? Stay safely esconced in Ko Olina and don't venture west, folks. Which is tragic because I personally know a ton of very nice people who live in Waianae / Nanakuli. And Makaha Beach is one of Oahu's true gems.

—Alex, 05/04/07