Molokai, Hawaii

An image of simple tranquillity, the Ierusalema Hou Church perhaps underscores a prevailing desire of Molokai's about 7,000 residents: to keep the Hawaiian island's laid-back lifestyle as it is. Molokai, which boasts rural, unspoiled beauty and few hotels, has adopted a responsible-tourism initiative based on community input. What islanders don't want is for Molokai to become like nearby Maui, where high-rise hotels and condos have sprouted and Wal-Mart, Costco, KFC and the Hard Rock Cafe have arrived.