1 comments about Hawaii: the photography of David Muench: A collection of 30 postcards.

1. I used these postcards for invitations to my wedding reception. We had a hawaiian luau theme. The guests absolutely loved the postcards and most kept them as keepsakes from the wedding! And the pictures on the postcards are absolutely wonderful! Looking at these postcards is about as close as you'll ever get without actually going to Hawaii.

No comments about Vandam Oahu/Honolulu, Hawaii Pop Up Map.

1 comments about Art of the State: Hawaii (Art of the State).

1. Having lived in Hawai'i for 11 years, I am deeply impressed by the books content, which is complete, accurate, and includes a very perceptive view of Hawai'i for the reader. In this un presumptious book there exsists a quality which few other books on the subject can match.

No comments about Day Hikes in Hawaii (Day Hikes).

1 comments about Rand McNally Hawaii: State Map (Rand McNally Folded Map: States).

1. I was planning a trip to Kauai and purchased a copy of Rand McNally's Hawaii: State Map. I found the map to not suit my needs for details. It basically shows an aerial view of the Hawaiian Islands with just enough detail to give you the basics. The map of Kauai on this map is a tiny 6" x 5" where one inch equals 6.25 miles. The main island on the map is 10" x 12" with one inch equal to 9.0 miles. The map just does not show enough details. I found a much more detailed map of Kauai that can be ordered from University of Hawaii Press. It is titled Map of Kauai. They sell maps of the other islands too but I didn't order them to be able to comment on them. If they are as excellent as the Map of Kauai then you can't go wrong.
   
   Ed

No comments about Hawaii's Gathering Place: The Island of Oahu.

5 comments about I Myself Have Seen It: The Myth of Hawai'i.

1. The typical one-week trip to Hawaii involves an immersion in lovely sights and scents and leads to a vague realization that this is a very different place from the rest of the United States. If one is lucky enough to spend a month or more then you begin to get an inkling that this is a very complex place indeed. For those who want to have a deeper inderstanding of that complexity this book is highly recommended.
   Susanna Moore , who grew up in Hawaii, nicely blends a short history of the islands with her own experiences going to school there while slowly becoming aware of the "sociology" class going on all around her. For those who want to develop a Hawaiian sense of place this short straightforward book is a good place to begin.



2. Perhaps I had the wrong expectation. The brief amount I heard on NPR made me feel I was going to learn about Hawaiian culture and maybe hear stories. This book was written in the time-honored tradition of one American explaining why other Americans should feel bad about being American. Not that she is wrong or has any of her facts misplaced. But Susanna has written a disjointed, self-serving, whining account of Hawai'i. Maybe she is lamenting the loss of a childhood that she may or may not have ever had. But each chapter is kind of summed up the same way: the noble Hawai'ian, raped literally or figuratively by the Westerner in the name of progress or profit. I am hoping that she has a chance to spend time with her therapist (since she has found reason now to live in New York).



3. I Myself Have Seen It is more than just a travel book. Susanna Moore gives insightful impressions of the Hawaii she grew up in. Through her writing you can see the real and traditional Hawaii which is unfortunately vanishing.
   What is more is you can see the influence Hawaii and its people have had on her earlier novels especially My Old Sweetheart. If you want to understand Hawaii read Ms. Moore's account as she is a real Island Girl.



4. The book is thin fluff. One of the author's '64 Punahou classmates, Laurie Ames Birnsteel, has written a more authentic and satisfying memoir, *Kahala: Growing Up in Hawaii*



5. This book is not worth the effort or the price. The history is shallow and doesn't tie at all into the author's tales of her childhood. There is just this abrupt shift from history to personal life story with no linkage whatsoever. Wierd! Her descriptions of life growing up in Hawaii are even more shallow than her historical chapters. She gets facts wrong. (Okolehao is brewed from the ti plant, not pineapple, for example.)
   
   Moore exhibits limited knowledge of the islands and their people. Maybe she suffers from failing memory, given that she moved away from Hawaii so long ago. However, I suspect she wasn't really paying attention as she was growing up. (One of my friends tells me she was focused on being one of the cool kids in school.) I say all this as a life-long resident of Hawaii who grew up in Hawaii at about the same time she did. On top of everything else Moore's writing is contrived. Don't waste your money.

3 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Hawaii (National Geographic Traveler).

1. This book is GREAT!!! The color pictures are fantastic and are something that everyone can enjoy. This book also has detailed information about the history of Hawaii. Your travel agent probably could not give you this much info.



2. I bought this guidebook and some others. What this has is great pictures, and some highlights. If all you need is something to start your planning, this is good. But if you want a guidebook that recommends lots of hotels, restaurants, and other outings, look elsewhere as well.



3. After using the very thorough NG traveler guides for Boston and New York, I found this one to be a disappointment. Many of the attractions in Hawaii are overrated and not as large in scale as the prospective tourist is lead to believe. It was also disappointing to find megabuck admission fees at locations where there was no warning in the book. Of course everywhere you turn around in Hawaii, someone wants to relieve you of your money. There also appears to be a huge auto theft and theft from auto problem in Hawaii. Everywhere you turn you are warned not to leave valuables in your car. National Geographic has and should do better than this guide.

1 comments about Paradise: Road to Hana, Maui.

1. "Paradise: Road to Hana, Maui" is more than just a vacation guide, it is a crystal clear picture window into the exotic and beautiful destination that is Hana, Maui. This gentle travelogue reminds us all to slow down and take the time to appreciate the beauty and Aloha that surrounds us. Even if you have not been to Hawaii personally, this book captures the history, personality, and feelings of the islands which are obviously dear to the hearts of the authors. The clean design lends itself to relaxing enjoyment of the enchanting photographs and the meandering drive to Hana. Much more than just an ultimate destination or vacation spot, the inherent spirituality of Hana has been infused into the pages allowing the reader to enter and enjoy the experience from anywhere books can be read! Take this small book with you on your journey so you don't miss a single attraction, or better yet, keep it safely at home to share your wonderful vacation memories over and over again.

No comments about Hawaii: A Floral Paradise.