Google Street View is an immensely popular, though sometimes controversial, feature of its mapping products (like Google Maps and Google Earth). It allows you to go beyond "zooming in" on a map or aerial photo and get a driver's eye view of cities and neighborhoods. It's available all across the U.S., Japan, Australia and New Zealand, and recently, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

But, as Google enthusiasts and map users in the islands are well aware (and as the Wikipedia entry states matter-of-factly), "The only state as of this date that does not have coverage is Hawaii."

Well, that may change soon. Local geek Joe Segal says he spotted the Google Street View camera car in Honolulu. He writes on TechHui:

I was driving home from work yesterday when I saw this car ahead of me with this huge apparatus on the roof. I sped up to take a better look. When I saw the sticker on the side "Google!" I realized it must be the Google Street View Camera Car! I quickly whipped out my cheapo cell phone camera and snapped a pic. I wonder how long until they drive every road in town and we see it on Google Maps?

Someone quickly replied, "Oh man, I better go clean up my front yard, quick!"

Update: It looks like the same Google Street View car was spotted on Wednesday by local Twitter user @docrock. He got a much closer look in the Kahala Mall parking lot. Thanks, Derek!

Update 2: Also on Wednesday, renown internet entrepreneur and Hawaii resident Pierre Omidyar tweeted about being photographed by the Google Street View car: "Dang it, I just got passed by a Google camera car, riding my scooter, on my own block! Now I'm going to be in Google Maps. That's not cool." Known by most as the founder of eBay, Omidyar prefers to keep a low profile. Thanks, Bob!

Update 2: Google Street View imagery in Hawaii is now live.