Waikiki, celebrated tourist area in Honolulu. [Photo / China Daily]

Hawaiian tourism officials have an eye on newly booming markets as travelers from Japan, the largest source of international visitors, have dropped from a peak of 2.1 million in 2006. Twenty-eight percent fewer Japanese tourists came to Hawaii this April compared with April 2010, in part a reflection of a decline in Japanese tourism after this year's devastating earthquake and tsunami. Though HTA believes that the number will recover by the end of this year, McCartney would like to diversify the sources of international visitors.

"The early Chinese immigrants in the 19th-century created modern-day Hawaiian culture," says an emotional McCartney, who also has Chinese blood. "For them, Hawaii, a bridge connecting China and America, is a home far away from home."

Apart from their psychological attachment, Chinese tourists' bulging purses also challenge the cumbersome status quo.

According to statistics of HTA in January released on the Honolulu Star Advertiser, the largest daily newspaper in Hawaii, "Chinese visitors are expected to spend an average of $368 per person per day this year, compared to just $275 per day for every Japanese tourist." In addition, the average daily spending for all Hawaii tourists is $178.

As China CYTS Tour mentioned in its brochure, Hawaii is a "high-end destination."

In addition to the famed Waikiki Beach and the historical site of Pearl Harbor, Chinese tourists will probably not hesitate to step into luxury retailers like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Coach, Chanel and some other labels that are well-known in China.

"All of these brands are available in Beijing but not available for many white-collars like me because of the prices," says Xu, who bought a Coach handbag in Honolulu. "However, they are really a bargain in Hawaii."

Related readings:  Hawaii wants more visitors from China  Mainland tourists flock to popular US destinations  More routes to start between China and US  'Hawaii of China' lures tourists with rebates

In May 2010, Bank of Hawaii, the largest locally owned bank in Hawaii, signed a joint marketing agreement with China's Union Pay to allow credit- and debit-card holders to use their cards at the Hawaii bank's automated teller machines and merchant terminals.

Former governor Linda Lingle, who was in office until last December, went to China for four times during her eight-year tenure to create more Chinese business and tourism presence in Hawaii.

Approximately 90 officials and representatives of travel business groups from China and the United States will gather at the US-China Travel Summit on Hawaii Island. The biggest isle in the archipelago will host the meeting this September to draw a blueprint for future development of tourism.

"It took more than a decade to set up today's Japanese market," said McCartney. "It will be a process for China also."