5 comments about Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive.

1. I would say this is THE guide to take on your trip if you don't have much time and you need information presented in easy-to-follow format. All the listings are numbered so you don't have to dig out the information.....the trail descriptions are right there as is the mileage. The maps and photos and they way they are laid out is very appealing. The advantages don't stop there. The authors have added historical and cultural information, just enough so we could appreciate this place we had flown so far to see. For finding the hiking trails and all the beaches which were quite hidden, it was a jewel. The most beautiful were north of Kona unseen from the highway.
   
   As a tool for maximizing our family time and sticking to our budget, having this book paid off. The sense of freedom being our own tour guides was a huge advantage. Driving directions were key and knowing the lay of the land before arriving made everything seem friendly and familiar.



2. Reading this guide was truly a breath of fresh Hawaiian air. The authors passion and knowledge of this island jumps off the pages. For our family it delivered so many fun little sidetrips since our 3 kids love the water. What made it different from all the other travel guides was the intelligent way the sightseeing places were presented following along on the highway. It made picking and choosing the day's activities so easy.
   
   There was always something to discover around every corner. It is concise, to the point and took us through fields of lava to white sandy beaches and reef pools where it was safe to swim. Turtle watching became a favorite pastime.
   
   If you haven't yet been to the Big Island, you owe it yourself to get a copy before you go to see what's in store.



3. Lots of detailed info, good maps, great pics, best directions and extremely well laid out for picking out all the cool places everywhere on the island. We lucked out and got to see lava flowing down the mountain near the volcano. For driving directions and staying out of danger, it's full of dos and don'ts.
   
   This was this best thing we took with us on our honeymoon. It's so well organized and we used it as a tool to plan our daily escapades. I highly recommend this book for travelers who haven't been before and are looking for ideas and advice from authors who tell it like it is.



4. YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK. We have traveled to the big island many times, but still have not discovered or seen everything. This book reaches beyond of the general guide books and one of the other more popular reads about the island. Great for those who are into hiking and especailly for driving tours. Snorkelers will like some of the off the beaten path places to go.



5. Great book, I bought it after having figured out which islands to visit using the book by the same authors, no worries Hawaii, which is a must buy if you don't know where to go and what you want to do. Following input from the first book we picked 1 day Honlolu, 5 days big Island and 9 days Kauai.
   The big island trailblazer is unique in that the information on trailheads and how to find them is really really accurate, if you have to follow a dirt road for 2 miles and then stop next to a hidden bridge then that information is there. You rarely spend hours searching for stuff, the detail on where to look for something once you get to the end of the trail is less good, but that is because in the islands appear not to go in for signposts in a big way, so we were often looking at something and wondering whether or not this is it. Best ofs were generally good, didn't understand focus on Hilo, we went there on a Sunday and it felt like a run down sad little town, but maybe on a weekday there is a different vibe. The only negative is that restaurants mentioned a little more information on them to help you chose would help unless you like the sticky table-top ketchup bottle and drip coffee atmosphere and generic grub, this is fine if it is what you want, but you don't need a guidebook to discover such places, of course to be fair the book doesn't target the foodie population nevertheless a little more selectivity would help though or just a little more text on the restaurants. From personal experience if you are staying in Kapaa on Big Island try the restaurant Rapanui, a small hole in the wall joint run by a saturnine chef from New Zealand and his partner, its location is not attractive (in a mall when you enter Kapaa on the coastal road from the north on the left after the bend in the first mall), and it is BYOB but the food is really, really well cooked, from a European stand point, fresh, flavourful, beef melts in your mouth, rice/coconut nuttily satisfying, great, cooked but crunchy veggies, freshly made sauces, not a bottle or deep fryer in sight. Another great place to eat is Jays on the road towards southpoint, before the turn-off to Puuhoonuau (I forget the spelling) national park, two step snorkeling and the painted church from Kappaa, it is described in the guidebook, really spectacular and don't be put off by the appearance of the kitchen/living area. Oh and for sandwiches, a satisfying stop is Choicemart on the Highway 19 approximately in the area of the Manago Hotel, Choicemart is on the left, there is a great Vegan Cafe next to Choicemart and the sandwiches sold there and in Choicemart are spectacular. The locals recommend Choicemarts plate lunch especially on Lau Lau Friday. We tried to get it on Sat and it was all sold out. And the snorkeling at two step was the best we had on the island. Ok after all that digressing: if it is culture/food you are after then you need an additional book or to do some food research ahead of time online, for hiking, biking, walking and general reliable information then the trailblazer is a great book. Another option is to get the No worries Hawaii that has almost all information on all islands best ofs etc and then supplement that with a more foodie cultural guide for the islands depending on what you want. We did this for Kauai, although Fodors Kauai while better on culture etc really did badly for hiking and trails and was way less reliable than the Sprouts books.

5 comments about Map of Hawaii: The Big Island : Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawaii (Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawai'i).

1. This is a well defined map of the Big Island. It is also well made and sturdy. I will be taking it with me on my next trip to the island.



2. It was handy to look at the big picture to estimate how long it would take us to drive from one place to another. The topo features very interesting. Our map purchase was worth it for preplanning the trip.



3. As a former long-time resident of the Big Island, I can attest to the fact that this is very well done. It's a very good buy.
   
   Editor of former Oahu resident Laurie Birnsteel's Kahala



4. This map was not what I was expecting, so I returned it. Thanks anyway.



5. Purchased this map for our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and found it to be most helpful!

5 comments about No Worries Hawaii: A Vacation Planning Guide for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

1. The collaborative work of Jerry and Janine Sprout, "No Worries Hawaii: A Vacation Planning Guide For Kauai, Oahu, Maui, And The Big Island" is a single volume, superbly organized, beautifully illustrated, informed and informative guide for planning memorable trips throughout the Hawaiian islands whether for business or for pleasure, whether as a day trip, a week end getaway, or an extended vacation. Organized into five major sections (The Armchair Voyage; Da Plan! Da Plan!; The Elements of Island Style; The Best of Hawaii; and Wikiwiki Phonebook), "No Worries Hawaii" is enhanced with a section in which travelers can record their own notes, an index, and a listing of other Trailblazer Travel Books available from the Diamond Valley Company. Anyone planning a trip to Hawaii should begin with browsing through a copy of "No Worries Hawaii" to insure that their itinerary will provide them with the very best that Hawaii has to offer as their time and budgetary limitations will allow.



2. In my work at Guide to Travel Guides, we concentrate on finding excellent travel books from smaller publishers, books that travelers may not yet be familiar with. No Worries Hawaii, newly published in late 2007, is just such a book. Really a travel planning guide without peer. Its 160 pages are fabulous stuff, chocked full of helpful information and some of the loveliest color photos around. If you play ball with the Sprouts, they'll help you zero in on the greatest island vacation you've ever had. The Sprouts are veterans of the Hawaii guidebook scene. Their deservedly much-praised Trailblazer series includes four titles on the islands of Hawaii: Kauai Trailblazer, Maui Trailblazer, Oahu Trailblazer, and Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer, all of which focus on outdoor activities of every kind: walks, hikes, bicycle rides, snorkeling, driving tours and on and on. In No Worries Hawaii they use their expertise to help you decide the type of vacation you want, the setting you want, the activities you value most, and where best to find them. Moving from an armchair voyage in which you envision and clarify your wants and needs to a clever, simple self-test to help you prioritize your wish list, No Worries Hawaii then relates all this homework you've done to a highly detailed, 36-category Best of Hawaii section. If you spend the time, the system really works. If you are too lazy, just focusing on the Best of Hawaii section, plus a good look at the Best of Hawaii scoreboard to see which island ranks highest for your needs will take you a long way toward paradise. Practical information abounds, with lots of money saving advice and a wonderfully detailed "Wiki Wiki Phonebook" for all the contact information you'll ever need. This is one great travel planning guide--if only other travel destinations had something this good.



3. We've been to the islands twice and since our visits were short only touched the surface. We bought this book to delve deeper and decide which two for September 2008. This guide is a tool, a resource, a dreamy wishbook for planning daily adventures. We go because we love the perfect temperature and can swim everyday. No Worries has provided new ideas and booking tips we never thought to ask. The locations for the Best this and that are endless. Plenty of photos of every island will get you going.



4. This guide is the Real Deal and presents a Hawaiian Big Picture. I like to read travel guides and always put lots of time into choosing our destination. I'm the take charge one in the family and find it always pays to plan ahead.
   
   For Hawaii, I have to say this guidebook is at the top of my list for realistic answers to absolutely everything about every island. I was most impressed with the Best Of Hawaii section which categorizes all the choice locations on each island according to activities. Time after time it served as an indispensable checklist while we were out and about.
   
   The author's energetic writing style and sense of humor made the text upbeat and fun.
   
   I highly recommending following up by buying their Maui Trailblazer and Kauai Trailblazer books which go into more site detail with history and driving directions.



5. This book is the most informative book I have ever had or read. It would be nice if every destination had a book like this. I'm so impressed with the self-test that helps a person decide which island(s) one should stay at and visit. It is packed with info indetail.
   
   I was also impressed with the price and fast shipping! Highly recommend it!

5 comments about Kauai Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Bike, Paddle, Surf (.

1. A winner in every category. Our most fun Hawaiian escape so far. Truly recommended!!!



2. Excellent and thorough book about adventure in Kauai. It's amazing that for such a small island there are a plethora of things to do and see. I read the entire book before I left for Hawai'i and felt marginally intimidated by the specificity the authors spent on directions, but found, when I arrived, that there was nothing to worry about. It's an easy island to navigate. Great book. The authors are locals and give you thorough disclosure about everything from hiking, biking, kayaking and surfing to restaurants and B&Bs. It's my first choice for any Hawaiian guide.



3. A must to throw into your backpack when heading out to the trails. All of the information you will need to plan a day of hiking, biking, or paddeling is in this one little book.



4. Ordered this book before our Jan. trip to Kauai. We have been on this island many times, but this book gave us lots of info about trails. It tells you the difficult trails, the easy trails, how to get there, what to know before you start, etc. Really a very good buy for hikers who want to see more of this beautiful island.



5. Have only made it partially through the book and am very impressed with the outline and the depth of knowledge of the subject. My wife and i are returning to PoiPou on the south shore at the end of April, 2008 and we are making daily plans from this book.

5 comments about Frommer's Hawaii 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. I purchase Frommer Guides when I'm going someplace new, and I have always been happy with them. This one, however, is not up to their usual standards. I took it along on my recent trip, and it was less than helpful. Many towns and places in HI have native names, but the translation is not in the book, so asking for directions was harder than it needed to be. Several hotels and good local restaurants were not listed. Travel times (either by car or bus) between cities were mentioned in passing, if at all. Local landmarks might get a word or two in description, but there was a detailed listing of every mall and shopping plaza. Overall, I got the impression that this was written largely from an impression of HI that hadn't been updated in a while.



2. This is a bulky book but ideal for hotel selection and restaurant choices and comparisons. Frommers has always been a solid standby on all our vacations and we always buy their updated editions. Two other guides we had along were the "Lonely Planet Hawaii" (like the cover) and "No Worries Hawaii" (colourful) which were highly recommended on an internet travel site. LP was carefree and offbeat and NW was our sturdy "go-to" resource. The Frommer's approach was friendly but plowing through the pages took up time and we were glad we brought all three.



3. As one who grew up in Hawaii, I was asked by a friend who was going to go there for the first time what I thought of this guide. It is fine. I could recommend it.
   
   Laurie Birnsteel, author of Kahala



4. I relied on this book heavily for advice while I honeymooned in Hawaii and it delivered. It was comprehensive and informative. I would recommend it to all vacationers who like a packed, encompassing, and active vacation



5. This is the first book I bought when I began planning my husband and I's weeklong honeymoon trip to Oahu at the end of this year when he comes back from Iraq. It's packed full of information on all five Islands and I thoroughly read the "Where to Stay" portion of the Oahu section first to plan out the details of our lodging first so reservations could be made well in advance. The descriptions are very thorough as to what hotels offer, where they are located, how to contact them and how much they cost (they are categorized by location and lumped into "Very Expensive, Expensive, Moderate, and Inexpensive" categories), and even has information on lesser-known hotels, bed and breakfasts, and beach cottages for rental that you won't find on many travel Web sites. However, since the book was only written by one person, the impressions and reviews of the hotels, dining places and activities is a bit more objective than a book written by several reviewers would be. I went online and read many, many reviews from other people who had stayed in the hotels before I made my decision. However, I DID find the best link for guest reviews (tripadvisor.com) from a suggestion in the book.
   
   Overall, this is a good starting point purchase in planning a Hawaiian vacation. I will definitely be taking it with me.

5 comments about High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House 28).

1. My seven year old loves reading these books over and over again. While she is enjoying the books, she is learning about different places and times in history. She's learned about the Amazon, the wild west, hawaii, the civil and revolutionary wars, the middle ages, ocean mammals, and so much more. I highly recommend the whole series.



2. While I appreciate that this is a popular series, as an elementary educator from Hawai'i I would like Amazon customers to consider not buying this particular installment of the Tree House books. It perpetuates the most ridiculous stereotypes of Hawai'i and Hawaiians. It makes Native Hawaiians out to be ignorant and indebted to a boy for his superior knowledge -- this is simply a repetition of the old story that Pacific Islanders needed to be saved by the West. At the risk of being cynical, how about a book that explains how the kids did not save Native Hawaiians from the near genocide that followed contact with the West? There are many good books for kids set in Hawai'i, written by people who know the Islands, its history and traditions. Please look for books like these -- The Fish and Its Gifts/Na Makana a Na I'a, Bon Dance in Hawai'i, To Find the Way, or Mr. Miyataki's Wonderful Machine.



3. My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!



4. My children have several books in this series (Magic Tree House). I bought this one for my 9 year old. This one is about going back in time and learning about friendship. It's a nice story.
   
   The only part I didn't like was the peer pressure for one character to surf (a child who was afraid to surf) with no lessons or safety info. At least they did show some danger in doing so later on in the story. (I don't think you should stop kids from learning new sports but there should be parental supervision, "how to" lessons and safety instructions.)
   
   Overall, I feel this is a great book.



5. I read a story that will take you to Hawaii! If you want to go to Hawaii, Magic Tree House book #28, High Tide in Hawaii is waiting for you.
   
   Jack and Annie are solving rhymes and this book is the last rhyme. Jack and Annie will learn how to surf and dance.
   
   The rhyme from Morgan le Fay (the long ago Librarian) is to "build a special kind of ship that rides the waves, both high and low, on every kind of trip".
   
   There is trouble by tsunami, but you have to find out in this book!
   
   I love this book because it makes me laugh. Just like this, Jack was trying to stand and surf but he kept fell down. Hawaiian friends ( Kumu and Boka) will help him stand.
   
   I recommend this book to people who love Magic Tree House series and people who have been to Hawaii before. Go ahead and check this book out!

5 comments about Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed).

1. In planning a trip to the Big Island, I have read several books and information sources; Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook is the best source of information on the Big Island. They give detailed inside information that even long time residents are unaware of. They rate restaurants independently and are not afraid to tell you which ones are bad and not worth your money. This book has saved me a lot of money, I went from feeling I needed to spend a lot of money on tours of areas, to feeling confident I could explore on my own with the information provided with such detail, it was like having my own personal guide right in your pocket.



2. With the purchase of Hawaii The Big Island Revealed I now have the entire set of "Revealed" books about Hawaii. I just LOVE all of them. To my thinking these books offer you an honest opinion of what to expect. The writer's opinion is fresh, honest, well written, and not biased by the hotels and/or travel companies. If you are going to visit Hawaii, and you want information that will absolutely make a difference in what you do - this book is a must!



3. I love this book! It's so thoroughly researched and detailed and covers everything you need to know about the Big Island, including what to do and how to get there. Find yourself in a tiny, tiny town on the Big Island and wondering where is the best place to eat? Ask the book. Want to know the history of and the kind of food served at a luau? Ask the book. Need to know the closest way to get from point A to B? Ask the book. Wondering why there are wild goats on the side of the road? Ask the book. Not only is the author thorough, detailed and incredibly knowledgeable about Hawaii, he's witty. I appreciated the humor and personal tidbits the author threw in. When he advises you to buy mosquitoes or risk the "bloodletting of your life", he's not kidding - he knows from experience! We took this book everywhere with us on this trip and it never disappointed. By the end of the trip I felt like the author was a good friend - just one that I've never actually met in person. I will definitely be buying the other Hawaiian island books for our next trips!



4. Best guide to the big island by far. None even come close. Not only details available nowhere else, but updates on line. This feature was very valuable as our trip included three days at the volcano and the eastern areas of Hawaii including Puna and the northern coast. Suggestions about restaurants and stops were consistently accurate and informative. Very helpful in planning a trip as well. Organization of t he book is supberb! If I were to plan a trip to Mars, Venus or the moon, I would search for a guidebook by these authors



5. Purchased this guide book for our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and found it to be extremely helpful!!

5 comments about Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond (Oahu Revisited).

1. This book made our trip to Oahu fantastic. This book really let us utilize our time efficiently and make the most out of our trip. I like how you could follow along in the book as you drive along the coast and identify things to stop and see as you go.



2. Our family just returned from a wonderful trip to Hawaii, and can't say enough good things about this guide. We bought three others as well, and abandoned them not far into the planning process. We covered a lot of territory, and saw things we never would have known about otherwise. We did not encounter any problems (or many,if any, other people) accessing these "hidden" treasures. The directions and maps were exactly right, and we found that we nearly always agreed with the assessment of the sites and the restaurants. (We found beautiful homes at great values via the internet and didn't rely on the book for lodging.) Our advice is to buy this guide, and forget the others.



3. With my trip to Hawaii coming soon, Ohau Revealed helped tremendously in finding accomodations and activities. Would recommend this to anyone going to Hawaii.



4. We spent a week on the North Shore, and wanted to really get around the whole island. First, the maps were very neccessary, accurate, and helpful. We'd drive around the coast and the book provided information on almost every stop along the way. The book mentions things that you'd have no clue of, especially cultural information (the birthing rocks, the way a chief used to be buried in sea cliffs, etc). Some of the off the beaten track "gems" they mention, like Hidden Beach on the far north west shore, were not all they cracked up to be, but they were adventures. Anyway, a very useful book!



5. I never do reviews, but this book was so helpful that I thought I would pass on the word. If you are looking to lay on the beach in Waikiki and not leave the city then don't bother, but if you want to see the entire island and really enjoy yourself then this is a must have. I had the book open 3-4 times per day, descriptions and instructions were spot on! This book made our trip 100% more enjoyable than it would have been.

5 comments about The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook).

1. This book literally walks you around the island and tells you where the best places to eat, swim, and photograph. It is well worth every dollar and I will be keeping it in hand when we go there for our honeymoon this August. I work with people who frequent Kauai a couple times a year, and they all told me not to leave without this book. An excellent and entertaining read!



2. Excellent book by any standard. Very well written, with a splash of humor interjected throughout. I have not read from cover to cover yet as i want to enjoy the experience over time. Will be leaving back to Poipou on the south shore within the next two weeks and have made many day trip plans utilizing the info contained in this wonderfully written and knowledgeable book.



3. I had borrowed an older edition of this book from a friend for our last trip to Kauai. I just bought the latest edition for our trip this year. We found the book to be very accurate and easy to follow. Lots of my own research online (and from Hawaiian residents) I found later to be all compiled on this book. We liked it so much that didn't want to chance buying a different one.



4. Yes he is corny and self aggrandizing at times, but his are hands down the best guidebooks I have ever purchased - more like having an amusing friend share his intimate insight about the place he loves and knows like few other people. Several years ago when in Maui, we puchased his book "Maui Revealed" and it made all the difference in the world in our enjoyment of that island - the sights, the hikes, the food. When we decided to come to Kauai this year, the first thing I did was purchase "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" (available at Amazon). It has been our constant companion on our trip (we are currently in the middle of our 1 week in paradise). Kauai is an amazing place (we are staying on the gorgeous and lush north shore) and I would encourage anyone who loves nature and friendly people to come here - but be sure and get this book first! His knowlege is indispensible on the beaches and hikes - their characteristics and how to get to them. Likewise, his no-holds-barred reviews of restaurants, shopping, and activity concessionaires, have really helped us have some terrific experiences here (and we are only half done!)



5. This is my 2nd trip to Kauai, and really did find this book very helpful in many respects. The hikes are great, although I did find the book was organized in a very scattered manner. We followed the off road routes near Anahola, south to Donkey's Beach, and it was a disaster. For one thing, the roads were not accurately drawn for their description and quantity. Although we had a brand new Jeep 4WD, we were met with with huge boulders, narrow and bushy roads that scratched our car to no end. The worst part, however, was going to the wonderful smaller beaches only accessed by these roads. Although there was no doubt the beaches themselves were absolutely phenomenal, the "locals" attempted to intimidate us by standing by their jacked up trucks, starring until we left, ready to dial "911" on our cell phones. We asked a local about this later, to which they replied that the area is known to be "Angryhole-a" territory--all the angry locals tend to meander that way, especially on the weekends. No where in the book did it mention the true nature of this small town, the local attitude toward tourists, and the confusing and dangerous nature of off-roading, especially when their maps were really off!

5 comments about Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Maui Revealed).

1. This is the book that you will want for your visit to Maui. Plenty of information. You need to read it before you go. Loaded with tips and secret places that not many people know about. Highly recommended.



2. I bought this book based on all the positive reviews on Amazon. The book did not disappoint. I used it every day on our trip to Maui last week and consulted it on everything from directions to where to go and where to eat.
   
   We were stuck on the island an extra day due to the Aloha, ATA airlines mess and the hotel section in the back was convenient in being able to call up different hotels for availability that last night.
   
   We pretty much followed their restaurant recommendations and advice on whale watching companies and Hana sights.
   
   I really appreciated their honest feedback and I highly recommend this book. I heard other tourists on the island who also recommended the book.



3. This book was so helpful in finding the best spots on Maui!!! It gives excellent tips for the most beautiful beaches. I wouldn't go to Maui without it!



4. Maui Revealed is a great book with lots of important information for any one planning a trip or just wanting to more about the Island of Maui.
   We loved it and will take it with us when we visit!



5. This is the best book on Maui by far!! I've gone through many others and they were not nearly as informative or entertaining.