Air tour accidents are down according to a bizarre measurement. For the current decade, crashes are down from the 1990s. However you stack it up, though, this can only be seen as a positive development. For the past 10 years, there has been an average of 2.5 accidents per year. The decade before, it was 3.6 a year.

Last year was a below-average year (a good thing), with only two accidents. A plane crash on Mauna Loa killed three, and a forced helicopter landing in Hilo in February 2008 led to five minor injuries.

The improvement shows that a solid track record can still get better. Hawaii's 2.5 accidents/year is well below the national average 13 (down from 18). Stricter FAA rules, technological advancements and a "better dialogue between tour firms and regulators" are credited with the success.

Gallery: Galley Gossip: Waikiki Hawaii

Filed under: North America, United States