Um... no, I'd pick the emerald coast with it's white sand before the frezzing Pacific! But I have been to Hawaii and I can't fight that one. I also used to live in Ohio so I know all about the Nasty Nati.
I don't think someone would clear coat then think to screw up their car but I was thinking about it and I would think there would be a build up around the edge of where the molding used to be, basically you should see a bump if they did indeed clear coat over the molding.
That is a little dark... you would have to see them next to/on the car to tell if it'd look good to you, I'm sure it will look okay but you know personal taste.