Key takeaways
What this check tells you
Concentration
In Best Local Experiences, if AI recommended all tracked picks equally the top 3 would get about 1.6% of mentions, but Helena's Hawaiian Food, Polynesian Cultural Center or Bishop Museum, and Hilo Farmers Market together capture 13.3%.
Concentration
Best Historical Attractions shows the widest gap between even distribution and reality: three picks (Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park) draw 29.4% of mentions versus an expected 6.4%.
Movement
Best Local Experiences is the most unstable category tracked, with all 188 tracked entities changing position between checks.
Movement
Best Hidden Gems also shows complete turnover, with all 161 tracked entities moving between the August 26 and September 3 checks.
Lead finding
Hawaii's 'Adventure travelers' theme is underrepresented in AI answers even though the destination's distinctiveness score of 40% nearly doubles the network average of 25%.
Hawaii stands out in AI-generated travel content, scoring 40% distinctiveness versus a 25% network average, yet the 'Adventure travelers' theme remains a notable gap in how AI assistants describe the destination. Sentiment around Hawaii is overwhelmingly positive, with 93% of 412 rated mentions skewing favorable and none negative. AI assistants currently anchor Hawaii's identity in snorkeling, Farmers Markets, Local Food, and luxury, supported by cultural experiences, dramatic landscapes, and family-friendly appeal. This leaves an opportunity to strengthen Hawaii's presence among adventure-seeking travelers, a theme currently underrepresented despite the destination's strong overall distinctiveness.
How AI sees Hawaii
Across the prompts we've tracked, AI most consistently associates Hawaii with:
local cuisineCultural ExperiencessnorkelingBudget-Friendlydramatic landscapesFarmers Marketsfine diningFood TrucksAuthentic Experiencecultural eventscultural significancedramatic sceneryFamily-FriendlyFarm-to-Tablefarm-to-table diningkid-friendly
How Hawaii benchmarks
Confirmed-open rate
Hawaii
76%
Network average
81%
Distinctiveness
Hawaii
10%
Network average
11%
Presence rate
Hawaii
17%
Network average
11%
Hawaii's AI benchmark numbers compared to the network average across all tracked destinations.
Each metric shows two bars: Hawaii's rate and the network average for that metric, so you can see how it compares. See how these scores are calculated.
Presence beyond Hawaii-specific questions
How often Hawaii comes up in regional and national AI questions that aren't specifically about it (out of 12 tracked questions, as of Sep 15, 2026):
See all questions
Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Direct
Not mentioned
Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Conversational
Not mentioned
Two-Week Must-See Itinerary in the United States — Recommendation
Not mentioned
Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Direct
Recommendation
Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Conversational
Not mentioned
Best Winter Destinations in the United States — Recommendation
Recommendation
Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Direct
Not mentioned
Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Conversational
Not mentioned
Best Foodie Cities in the United States — Recommendation
Not mentioned
Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Direct
Not mentioned
Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Conversational
Not mentioned
Best Romantic Weekend Destinations in the United States — Recommendation
Not mentioned
Where AI might be wrong
Alan Wong's
— Best Fine-Dining Restaurants(+1 more)
Closed
Flagged closed by 1 source, still recommended by Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o.
Alan Wong’s flagship King Street restaurant permanently closed in November 2020; the official site also says, “after over 25 years, it’s time to retire the restaurant.”
SourceOno Hawaiian Foods
— Best Local or Traditional Restaurants
Closed
Flagged closed by 1 source, still recommended by Claude Sonnet 5 and GPT-4o and Perplexity Sonar.
Honolulu Magazine reported that ‘Ono Hawaiian Foods’ was closing for good in the final week of August 2017. A listing also marks it as permanently closed.
SourceHostelling International Waikiki
— Best Budget Hotels
Closed
Flagged closed by 1 source, still recommended by Claude Sonnet 5 and Perplexity Sonar.
Yelp lists “HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL - WAIKIKI - CLOSED” at 2417 Prince Edward St., Honolulu; TripAdvisor’s listing states: “Hostelling International - Waikiki, closed October 1, 2019.”
Source
Top picks by traveler intent
Rankings: Volatile
42 places moved rank this check
21 new6 returning4 in & out
Mama's Fish House
35 of 39
rank #1–#6
Merriman's
34 of 39
rank #1–#15
Helena's Hawaiian Food
25 of 39
rank #1–#6
The Beach House
23 of 39
rank #4–#14
Senia
17 of 39
rank #1–#5
Bar Acuda
15 of 39
rank #7–#12
La Mer↔
12 of 39
rank #2–#16
Alan Wong'sNew
11 of 39
rank #1–#4
Rankings: Volatile
24 places moved rank this check
14 new2 in & out
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
37 of 38
rank #1–#13
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
35 of 38
rank #1–#7
Halekulani
31 of 38
rank #2–#11
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
24 of 38
rank #3–#9
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
22 of 38
rank #2–#12
Montage Kapalua Bay
22 of 38
rank #2–#8
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
19 of 38
rank #2–#14
Andaz Maui at Wailea ResortNew
16 of 38
rank #2–#8
Rankings: Volatile
39 places moved rank this check
27 new1 in & out
Haleakala National Park
29 of 31
rank #1–#7
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
28 of 31
rank #1–#11
Na Pali Coast
28 of 31
rank #2–#16
Waimea Canyon
27 of 31
rank #4–#17
Pearl Harbor
26 of 31
rank #1–#9
Road to Hana
26 of 31
rank #4–#13
Diamond Head↔
24 of 31
rank #1–#16
Waikiki Beach
23 of 31
rank #1–#15
Rankings: Volatile
19 places moved rank this check
11 new2 returning1 in & out
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
31 of 36
rank #1–#13
Halekulani
27 of 36
rank #1–#9
Hotel Wailea
27 of 36
rank #1–#10
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
25 of 36
rank #1–#5
Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
19 of 36
rank #4–#7
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
16 of 36
rank #3–#5
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts CollectionBack
16 of 36
rank #2–#9
Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
13 of 36
rank #1–#8
Rankings: Volatile
57 places moved rank this check
35 new7 in & out
Polynesian Cultural Center or Bishop Museum
23 of 30
rank #1–#14
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
22 of 30
rank #4–#16
Maui Ocean Center
22 of 30
rank #4–#11
Poipu Beach
18 of 30
rank #1–#18
Waikiki Beach
18 of 30
rank #1–#4
Dole Plantation↔
17 of 30
rank #1–#12
Honolulu Zoo↔
17 of 30
rank #1–#12
Whale Watching
14 of 30
rank #7–#16
Rankings: Volatile
64 places moved rank this check
31 new5 returning9 in & out6 classics
Rainbow Drive-In
64 of 67
rank #1–#6
Marukame Udon
54 of 67
rank #1–#9
Helena's Hawaiian Food
52 of 67
rank #2–#7
Tin Roof
50 of 67
rank #1–#12
Hamura Saimin
41 of 67
rank #9–#19
Sam Sato's
41 of 67
rank #2–#11
Ono Seafood
32 of 67
rank #1–#6
Da Poke Shack
28 of 67
rank #5–#15
See more categories
Rankings: Volatile
161 places moved rank this check
91 new15 returning33 in & out4 classics
Polihale State Park
58 of 98
rank #1–#19
Ka’ena Point State Park
57 of 98
rank #1–#14
Waihee Ridge Trail
53 of 98
rank #3–#12
Maha'ulepu Heritage Trail
45 of 98
rank #2–#14
Pololu Valley Lookout
40 of 98
rank #1–#12
Kaūmana Caves
33 of 98
rank #1–#13
Kaʻena Point State Natural Area
28 of 98
rank #1–#12
Halawa Valley
26 of 98
rank #1–#29
Rankings: Volatile
188 places moved rank this check
106 new24 returning34 in & out2 classics
Polynesian Cultural Center or Bishop Museum
49 of 76
rank #1–#22
Helena's Hawaiian Food
42 of 76
rank #1–#15
Hilo Farmers MarketBack
38 of 76
rank #1–#20
Iolani Palace
26 of 76
rank #2–#17
KCC Farmers Market
26 of 76
rank #1–#22
Merrie Monarch Festival
26 of 76
rank #3–#28
Lūʻau
23 of 76
rank #1–#20
Rainbow Drive-In
22 of 76
rank #1–#14
Rankings: Volatile
115 places moved rank this check
56 new16 returning21 in & out6 classics
Leonard's Bakery
61 of 72
rank #1–#21
Merriman's
50 of 72
rank #2–#28
Mama's Fish House
48 of 72
rank #1–#20
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
48 of 72
rank #3–#22
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
45 of 72
rank #2–#15
Helena's Hawaiian Food
41 of 72
rank #1–#17
Lūʻau
32 of 72
rank #1–#20
Rainbow Drive-In
31 of 72
rank #1–#25
Rankings: Volatile
64 places moved rank this check
34 new11 returning10 in & out6 classics
Helena's Hawaiian Food
50 of 57
#1 every time
Highway InnBack
43 of 57
rank #1–#4
Tin Roof
37 of 57
rank #5–#10
Waiahole Poi Factory
36 of 57
rank #2–#8
Rainbow Drive-In
35 of 57
rank #1–#5
Hamura SaiminBack
31 of 57
rank #6–#14
Kaaloa's Super J's
29 of 57
rank #4–#10
Sam Sato's
29 of 57
rank #5–#8
Rankings: Volatile
44 places moved rank this check
29 new2 returning6 in & out5 classics
Iolani Palace
45 of 48
rank #1–#5
Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park
45 of 48
rank #1–#8
Pearl Harbor
43 of 48
rank #1–#9
Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
38 of 48
rank #2–#10
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
29 of 48
rank #4–#15
Kealakekua Bay
29 of 48
rank #3–#11
Lahaina Historic DistrictBack
23 of 48
rank #5–#15
Polynesian Cultural Center or Bishop Museum
21 of 48
rank #3–#16
Rankings: Volatile
63 places moved rank this check
33 new18 returning5 in & out
Maui Seaside Hotel
21 of 47
rank #4–#9
White Sands Hotel
21 of 47
rank #1–#4
Kona Seaside Hotel
19 of 47
rank #3–#9
Vive Hotel Waikiki↔
17 of 47
rank #1–#4
The ISOBack
15 of 47
rank #7–#11
The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club
13 of 47
rank #1–#8
Maui Coast Hotel↔
12 of 47
rank #4–#8
Kauai Shores HotelBack
11 of 47
rank #1–#17
Rankings: Volatile
35 places moved rank this check
21 new3 returning3 in & out6 classics
La Mer
43 of 47
rank #1–#3
Merriman's
42 of 47
rank #2–#13
Mama's Fish House
39 of 47
rank #3–#9
Hotel Wailea↔
30 of 47
rank #3–#8
Senia
29 of 47
rank #2–#4
Sushi Sho
25 of 47
rank #1–#5
CanoeHouse
23 of 47
rank #6–#10
The Beach HouseBack
19 of 47
rank #7–#12
Rankings: Volatile
48 places moved rank this check
30 new3 returning8 in & out
Waimea Canyon
30 of 35
rank #1–#18
Nuuanu Pali Lookout
29 of 35
rank #1–#8
Mauna KeaBack
26 of 35
rank #5–#15
Diamond Head
24 of 35
rank #1–#10
Haleakala Summit
24 of 35
rank #3–#10
Kalalau Lookout
22 of 35
rank #1–#16
Waipio Valley↔
20 of 35
rank #4–#14
Na Pali CoastNew
15 of 35
rank #1–#20
Rankings: Volatile
36 places moved rank this check
26 new2 in & out
Hotel Wailea
28 of 31
rank #1–#5
The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club
21 of 31
rank #1–#5
Koa Kea Hotel and Resort
19 of 31
rank #2–#10
Holualoa Inn
17 of 31
rank #1–#10
Volcano House
16 of 31
rank #3–#10
HalekulaniNew
10 of 31
rank #2–#9
Paia Inn
10 of 31
rank #1–#8
Waimea Plantation Cottages↔
10 of 31
rank #4–#12
Rankings: Volatile
42 places moved rank this check
20 new14 in & out
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
27 of 31
rank #1–#11
Waimea Canyon
22 of 31
rank #2–#15
Haleakala National Park
20 of 31
rank #1–#13
North Shore↔
20 of 31
rank #1–#16
Road to HanaNew
17 of 31
rank #1–#17
Pearl Harbor↔
16 of 31
rank #1–#14
Na Pali Coast↔
15 of 31
rank #6–#15
Waipio Valley↔
13 of 31
rank #5–#13
Rankings: Volatile
28 places moved rank this check
18 new
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
29 of 31
rank #2–#5
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
24 of 31
rank #1–#13
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
22 of 31
rank #1–#2
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
21 of 31
rank #3–#10
Hilton Waikoloa Village
21 of 31
rank #5–#12
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
18 of 31
rank #4–#8
Hilton Hawaiian Village
17 of 31
rank #2–#8
Waikiki BeachNew
10 of 31
rank #2–#6
Rankings: Volatile
38 places moved rank this check
14 new
Polynesian Cultural Center or Bishop Museum
27 of 30
rank #1–#11
Maui Ocean Center
23 of 30
rank #3–#14
Iolani Palace
22 of 30
rank #2–#10
Pearl Harbor
19 of 30
rank #1–#11
Ala Moana Center
18 of 30
rank #5–#30
Honolulu Museum of Art
17 of 30
rank #2–#13
Waikiki AquariumNew
16 of 30
rank #4–#11
Hawaii State Art MuseumNew
13 of 30
rank #2–#7
Rankings: Volatile
30 places moved rank this check
21 new
Merriman's
24 of 30
rank #1–#18
Mama's Fish House
23 of 30
rank #1–#8
La Mer
21 of 30
rank #1–#4
The Beach House
19 of 30
rank #1–#12
Michel’s at the Colony Surf
14 of 30
rank #1–#5
Brown’s Beach House
11 of 30
rank #2–#16
Hotel Wailea
11 of 30
rank #2–#8
Tidepools
10 of 30
rank #1–#11
Rankings: Volatile
51 places moved rank this check
35 new4 in & out
Whale Watching↔
24 of 30
rank #1–#2
Mauna Kea
23 of 30
rank #3–#11
Honolulu City Lights
17 of 30
rank #3–#15
Hawaii Volcanoes National ParkNew
14 of 30
rank #1–#9
North Shore
10 of 30
rank #2–#11
Big Wave Surfing↔
7 of 30
rank #1–#4
HikingNew
7 of 30
rank #3–#9
Pipeline↔
7 of 30
rank #2–#5
Where Perplexity's answers about Hawaii come from
The web domains Perplexity's live search pulled most while answering tracked travel questions about
Hawaii (last 90 days). ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini aren't grounded in our tracking yet.
See the network-wide ranking.
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Other U.S. destinations TakeScout tracks