Hmm... I'm new to the Islands, so I'll answer the best I can. The Big Island is pretty rustic with 2 Volcanos. Mauna Loa, and Mauna Kea. Mauna Loa is active, and I think Mauna Kkea is as well. I do not think the other islands have active volcanos...Mauna Loa is the worlds most active and took out a beautiful beach in the mid 90s. We also have black sand beaches. Again, not sure if the other islands do or not. We have the fewest beaches because of the newness of this island. So.... If you want lots of nature, I hear Kauai is very nice, Maui probably has the best beaches, Oahu has highways and lots of people, but has night life. If you want lots of open space with active volcanos then the Big Island might be best. Hope this helps.

I have not heard of any "Local" only islands. Personaly I hope there is... much has been lost in the ways of traditions. Unlike my reservation experiances, Hawaiians are incredably resourseful and smart and want to do things that will benifit future generations. I left Ojai because it was becoming LA-ified, its hard seeing that same mentality creeping into the island.