5 comments about Living and Retiring in Hawaii: The 50th State in the 21st Century.

1. Yes, say the Smiths, authors of this excellent resource to our 50th state, yes it IS possible to retire to Hawaii, but please be sure to do your homework first. Luckily, the Smiths give you a wealth of information in these pages to help you get a good start in making a decision that is truly right for you. They try to cover as many bases as possible: What its like to live on each island, what to expect in the way of nightlife, activities, medical resources, and senior resources. They also cover the question of buying and/or renting, both apartments and condos, and thankfully, their info INCLUDES PRICES (a few years out of date, to be sure, but at least they give you a ballpark idea of what to expect) and even gives sample budgets to show what a typical retired couple might expect to spend in a given month (Warning: Be sure to notice the Assumptions connected with each budget!). The Smith's Top Ten Places to Retire in Hawaii is also listed (with particular emphasis on Oahu and the Big Island). They even consider the possible impact of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement on tourism and politics. (This final chapter, Wither Hawaii, starts strong, but the ending is rather confusing: the Smiths don't make a definitive conclusion or even a conjecture about how much the Sovereignty movement may impact tourism. However, if you go back through the entire book, they really have made a very strong case that retirees in 21st Century Hawaii will form such a strong voting block that any official/unofficial movement to make the state less welcoming to Mainlanders will probably be thwarted at the polls.) In any case, this book is a must purchase for anyone (especially retirees) planning to make the big move to the Aloha State. Get it today! Such a move may not be easy or in everyone's best interest, but thanks to this wonderful book, a move to Hawaii may be in your future someday if not sooner!



2. If you are over 80 and prefer the large type Readers digest, this is the book for you. Really nothing new or informative in this book for a young person or family looking to move and work in hawaii. The Polancy book was more informative for someone more interested in getting a job versus finding a hospice.



3. What is the net worth required of a retiree couple in order to purchase the minimum 800 sq ft STARTER home in the volcano-prone zone of the Big Island? The STARTER homes there are listed at $500,000. How much of a multi-millionnaire must one be to move to Hawaii?



4. The authors of this book obviously conducted a lot of research and cared a great deal about their subject. As other reviewers have said, it does contain a lot of useful information for someone thinking about retiring to Islands. Unfortunately, however, the book suffers greatly from two serious flaws. First, it is incredibly poorly proofread; it is replete with distracting and annoying spelling and typographical errors. (One wonders what the publisher was doing!) Second, large portions of the book provide information about matters that change very quickly. In particular, the prices cited are already wildly out of date. I think it would be great if the authors, perhaps with some help from an editor, updated the information and cleaned up the text.



5. This book is worth reading for people seriously interested in moving to Hawaii for retirement. The authors provide lots of economic data on how much it costs to live in Hawaii but it is accurate for about the year 2000. It is a thoughtful book written like an academic paper (with footnotes all the way to clxxxv!).

5 comments about Hawaii Birds: An Introduction to Over 140 Species of the Most Common and Distinctive Hawaiian Birds.

1. I recently went on a trip to Hawaii, and, having an interest in birds, I wanted to be able to take an identification guide with me that wouldn't take up too much room. Being a fold-out, laminated thing made out of card-stock, this fit the bill perfectly. I was able to keep it in my purse and didn't have to worry about it getting crushed or ruined by spills. It does have pictures of all the most common birds, as well as their length and some (but not all, which was a bummer) have images of both sexes which is nice. I was lucky enough to spot zebra and spotted doves, a resplendent male red junglefowl (don't let the name fool you, it looks just like your garden-variety chicken), a red-crested cardinal, red-vented bulbul, house finch, common fairy tern, and several others. I didn't get into the rainforest while I was there, but if I did, this guide would come with me. It is a wonderful buy, and even if you don't agree, it's only six dollars. One thing I would like is that there was a little more information about the birds, but this is after all just a pocket guide.



2. This 22"x8.5" "Pocket Naturalist" card folds into six two-sided panels of about 3.5"x8.5". It's copyrighted 2003. Overall, I think it serves the purpose stated in its subtitle: "An Introduction to Familiar Species." The paintings are fairly easy to grasp, both common and scientific names are given, maximum lengths are indicated, and some birds have helpful notes (e.g., for ring-necked duck, "bill has a white ring"). I count 142 different species or subspecies. The last panel has 22 "birding hotspots and sanctuaries" on 4 islands. It's not intended for serious birding, but birdwatchers may wish to carry it to show non-birders what they are supposed to be seeing.

   If I could advise the author and Waterford Press, I would suggest: (1) Update the common names and species according to the "Checklist of the Birds of Hawaii - 2002" that is available on the Hawaii Audubon Society Web site. For example: "Warbling Silverbill (Lonchura malabarica) has been changed to African Silverbill (Lonchura cantans)." (2) Add more native Hawaiian names for the birds. (3) Delete birds that are fairly common all over the U.S. (e.g., mallards, rock doves [pigeons], and house sparrows). (4) Add a note or code to indicate which of the remaining species are endangered or threatened.* For example, Hawaiian Goose (Nene), Hawaiian Duck (Koloa), Hawaii Petrel ('Ua'u), Newell's Shearwater ('A'o), Hawaiian Coot ('Alae Ke'oke'o), Black-Necked Stilt (the subspecies listed is the Hawaiian Stilt, A'eo), Peregrine Falcon, Hawaiian Hawk ('Io), Hawaiian Crow ('Alala), 'Oloma'o, Kama'o, Puaiohi, Kauai 'O'o, 'O'u, Palila, Maui Parrotbill, Nukupu'u, 'Akepa, Hawaii Creeper, Oahu Creeper, 'Akohekohe, and Po'ouli are endemic birds that fall into this category. (5) Add the 'Oma'o (Hawai'i Thrush, Myadestes obscurus) and 'Akikiki (Kauai Creeper, Oreomystis bairdi), which are non-threatened endemic* Hawaiian birds found on the Big Island and Kauai respectively. Also add the endemic 'Elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis), whose Hawai'i and Kaua'i subspecies are not threatened.

   Buy this from Amazon.com!

   * BTW, it's sad that so few Hawaiian birds that are endemic (i.e., that evolved and breed in Hawaii but nowhere else) are neither threatened nor endangered. Besides the 'Oma'o, 'Akikiki, and 'Elepaio mentioned above, the ones on the card are: Hawaiian Noddy (Anous minutus melanogenys, native name Noio, a subspecies of Black Noddy); Hawaiian Owl (Pueo); 'Anianiau; various 'Amakihi's; Maui 'Alauahio (Paroreomyza montana newtoni, a.k.a. Maui Creeper); 'Akeke'e; 'I'iwi; and 'Apapane. The other birds neither threatened nor endangered are human-introduced "aliens," indigenous (i.e., arrived and established themselves on their own), or just visitors.




3. This is a great, small, fold out card for beginning bird enthusiasts who want a quick reference to birds in Hawaii. But if you are a bird watcher, or even close, this little pamphlet might not be for you. There are no details on the birds, their habitats, calls, etc. The pictures are good, but I expected more from this item.
   
   Don't buy this expecting a book; it's just a small pamphlet with photographs. Overall it'll be useful, but it could be better if used as a supplement with a real bird watchers book for Hawaii.



4. I kept this lightweight piece with me at all times while walking around. There were abundant birds and I liked knowing their names.



5. I assumed this would be more of a book. It is a fold out laminated card with birds. For each bird there is a picture, scientific name, and size. It is grouped by perching birds, water birds etc.
   
   I was hoping for some more text for a first time bird watcher going to Hawaii.

5 comments about Kaua'I Trails: Walks, Strolls, and Treks on the Garden Island (Kauai Trails: Walks, Strolls & Treks on the Garden Island).

1. I can't imagine the trip we took without this guide. It took us along trails that were stunning and amazingly little traveled. I felt like we saw the REAL Kauai. Surely it wasn't the hotels at the shore. Our only complaint is that some of the trails narrowed without warning at high altitudes and in places that seemed less than safe - especially along the Napoli coast. But all in all it made our trip the excellent journey that it was.



2. This was one of two books we used while hiking Kauai. The description of floral and birds one might see on certain trails was extremely good. Since we are birders this was very beneficial. Excellent text and very detailed.



3. This book may once have been useful, but we found it outdated to the point of uselessness. Some of the trails described no longer meaningfully existed as such, and one was a dirt road with a heavy 4wd traffic. After having been mislead one too many times, we abandoned this book completely and relied only on the trail descriptions in The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook). That said, we looked to this book only for hikes, not beach walks and the like. It may be that it is a very competent guide for strolls. This book doesn't describe that many more hikes than the Ultimate Guidebook does, but the way some trails are broken into several hikes makes it seem at first glance that it does.



4. This book was a great help in planning our relatively short one week stay in Hawaii. It showed us all of the things we could possibly see and we were able to pick from there. A great description of hike difficulty, what we would see along the way and how far it was to each destination.



5. If you're interested in seeing the "real" Kauai, get this guide. Dozens of wonderful hikes, with maps, from easy walks to challenging, are all covered.
   
   A MUST HAVE for the tourist that wants more than Poipu.

3 comments about Frommer's Portable Big Island of Hawaii (Frommer's Portable).

1. I have purchased other items about the Big Island and they don't hold a candle to this book.



2. This guide is excellent. The descriptions are accurate, practical, and useful.
   
   My husband and I read the review and drove to The Little Juice Shack wanting some healthy juice and it no longer existed :( BUT there was a Natural Food Store in the same shopping center (Parker Ranch Shopping Center) on the end near the post office. They had excellent juice at their juice bar and even more excellent home-made macaroons (available at the juice bar, but are sporadic). So it was worth the stop and we got our juice afterall.
   
   Thanks for helping us with our trip, Frommer's!



3. I found the Frommers guide very helpful when on the Big Island. He is a bit opinionated, because a few places I found that Frommers didn't like, I liked. But overall, this pocket book was much more helpful in the exploring the Big Island for the first time. It is a must if it is your first time to go. Make sure to take time to read it, and not just on the airplane over. You may want to find a more detailed map once you get to the Big Island to navigate around, as Frommers did not have very detailed maps.

5 comments about Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island, Second Edition.

1. After three weeks of snorkeling the Big Island, our copy of Snorkel Hawaii - The Big Island, is dog-eared. The maps of snorkeling spots are worth every penny of the book. They are clear and show everything necessary: best water entry points, best snorkeling spots in a bay (differing between beginning, intermediate, and advanced snorkelers), landmarks, parking, and amenities such as showers and restrooms. The Sites at a Glance section presents all the sites in chart format with ratings, entry difficulty, amenities, and brief remarks. The book helped us target our snorkeling time and we swam with both dolphins and sea turtles, viewing a moray eel and more varieties of tropical fish than we were able to count!



2. While a couple years old at this point, this book still pointed the way for me on a recent week of snorkeling on Hawaii. Excellent descriptions and maps of specific reefs and beaches. Good opening introduction to snorkeling for novices. If you are heading to the big island for snorkeling, spend time before your trip with this book and it will pay huge dividends.



3. This book was great for precise and concise information about where to snorkel on the Big Island. We used it daily to decide where we would go. It also gave information about where it was safe to take our 2 young and inexperienced snorkelers as well as where to park, the easiest place for entry, and which direction to head once you are in the water. I highly recommend this book.



4. We've used this guide over the past several years and have found it to be exceptionally comprehensive. The book includes general information about diving the big island and then proceeds to give detailed descriptions of the various beaches around the island. We've yet to discover a beach that is not documented in this book.
   
   The descriptions for of each beach include driving directions, parking information, and beach conditions. Whether you snorkel, dive, or just paly int he surf, this book will be helpful. As an experienced diver I enjoy the information about diving conditions, surge, clarity, and species that may be encountered at each site. Many of the beaches are known by several names. This guide includes local names as well as official state names.
   
   Whether you plan to snorkel, scuba dive from shore, or just explore some new beaches, this guide is indespensible. This book combined with "Big Island Revealed" and "Hawaii's Fishes : A Guide for Snorkelers, Divers, and Aquarists" by John Hoover and you'll be fully set for any ocean adventures.



5. Good info, but some of the information is outdated. As one example, one hotel is marked as the Kona Hilton, but it has not been a Hilton property since about 1994. The book contains some very basic how-to snorkeling information as well as descriptions of access areas.

4 comments about Frommer's Kauai (Frommer's Complete).

1. I over prepare for trips and in doing so I bought Fodor's guide to all the Hawaiian islands, Frommer's Kauai (the one you are thinking about buying), and the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook. This Frommer book is absolutely awful. It has no more detail in it than the Kauai section of the Fodor's book covering all of the islands. I have never been more disapointed with a travel book than I was with this one. The best Kauai book by far is the Ultimate Guidebook by Doughty and Friedman. Again, this book is nothing more than a waste of your money.



2. Frommer's desperately needs to expand this book in its second edition if it is going to be useful. Very brief descriptions on almost everything, no useful maps, limited in scope. Disappointing.



3. This particular book is the typical Frommer's edition. It gives the places that the staff have visited and reviewed. I wish it would delve into more of what the restaurant, hotel, or tourist attraction has to offer.



4. I got this before going to Hawaii and it is a great book. You don't realize how valuable it is until you get to Kauai and then wish you had it with you. Be sure to take it with you when you go. There is no way to remember all the things you want to see and do when you get there.

5 comments about Big Island Of Hawaii Restaurants And Dining With Hilo And The Kona Coast.

1. This book is an excellent guide for delectable dining on the Big Island. We were fortunate enough to visit both sides of the island and dine at several of the recommended establishments. After dining on excellent scampi at an Italian bistro in Hilo, we sampled dessert with the locals followed the next day by innovative pizza overlooking the bay. It all proved quite satisfying.



2. Being a frequent traveler in Asia and Eastern Europe I have come to rely on culinary guides like the Hawaii Restaurant Guide Series. My enjoyment of diverse culinary experiences is enhanced when I have good understanding of what I will partake in. The Carpenters are very knowledgeable and straight forward in presenting the cultures, cuisines and preparations involved in a wide variety of dining experiences. This latest offering, "Big Island of Hawaii" is an education in the dining practice and an invaluable guide to individuals with a taste for adventure and a discerning pallet. I highly recommend this guide.



3. Wow! Another great book from the Carpenters! I have received 2 of their VERY interesting books so far and I am lookig forward to reading more, by them, in the future. They are very straight-forward and full of very useful information. I highly recommend their books for the tourists as well as the locals. They have done the research for me.....WELL DONE!!!



4. I recently visited the Big Island and brought the usual guidebooks including this new restaurant guide. This volume is well-researched and provides visitors with an unbiased, and well-written guide to many Island restaurants. There are reviews on every type of restaurant from high cuisine (Merriman's in Waimea) to local diners with huge portions (Hawaiian Style Cafe with real people and friendly service ). I agreed with each review of all the places visited and feel that the authors have done an excellent job of helping sort out too many dining choices. Tako Taco is an obscure place in Waimea but has some of the best Mexican style food anywhere in the Islands, and this guide does an honest evaluation of a place that should not be missed.
   I look forward to using the authors' other books when visiting Kauai and other islands next year.
   I found other guidebooks with restaurant sections to be too generalized and not as comprehensive.



5. "Big Island Of Hawaii Restaurants and Dining" became a Bible, of a sort, for eating on a recent trip. Without it, selecting restaurants from the multitude of choices on the island would have been hit or miss. Every one of the places where we ate were listed in the book and fit their revues perfectly.

5 comments about Hawaii For Dummies (Dummies Travel).

1. The book is just what I was looking for. It met all my expectations.
   I am a conscientious shopper. I checked prices in Victoria. With the dollar at par I saved just under seven dollars buying through Amazon - this included the shipping. Until we start refusing to buy overpriced books in Canada we will be gouged by the retailers. Buy on line and save.
   
   Ron



2. I purchased this book about eight months before my husband and I went to Hawaii. I read it cover to cover, and felt very well-informed about all of our travel and accomodation choices. I suggest you really stick to the hotels and restaurants she reviews - the ones not in there are not mentioned for a reason - we stayed in a bad hotel in Waikiki that she didn't mention, and almost booked a terrible luau (Germaine's) that is also not mentioned in the book. Everything we did that she mentioned, however, was great! She offers a wealth of knowledge in a very easy to read book, we would have been lost without it. I bought several other books on Hawaii, but found myself returning to this one time and again.



3. The Dummies series is known for providing practical, easy to understand information to get you started on any topic. The Dummies book for Hawaii does this same thing - black and white, highlights, with short descriptions.
   
   It's important to understand this. This book has quality information - and they are helped out by the Frommer's team, so you are getting Frommer's advice here in the book. However, there are no lush full-color photos to help you absorb the beauty of Hawaii. There are not turn by turn directions to get to those secret locations like the Southernmost Point in the United States.
   
   The book does shine at what it provides. If you're looking for hotels, other travel books often skim over this information. The dummies book provides price ranges, 'best' choices and explains exactly what to look for based on your needs. You get phone numbers, website URLs and details about parking and specials.
   
   The same is true for restaurants. You're told what items on the menu are worth ordering, what seats give the best views and what is great for romantic couples vs for families. Often you are just on a given island for a day or two and don't have time to figure these things out for yourself. Following the advice can make the difference between a so-so dinner and an evening you will remember for a lifetime.
   
   The book in general is a great reference for people who are going to stay on land, with its heavy emphasis on hotels and restaurants. People who are cruising will find it far less helpful. It's description of the famous black sand beach on the big island of Hawaii is super short. The Southernmost Point gets 2 sentences and you aren't even told how to get there. The book is thick - but all in black and white, so you miss out on the gorgeous atmosphere of Hawaii. You learn how to find a good taco, but not the meaning behind the location you are visiting.
   
   So I'd suggest this book primarily for people who are staying on land, and make sure this isn't the only book you get. Go through this book to choose your hotels and restaurants, but get another book or two to go into the background of the location and to map out the sights you wish to see.



4. I bought this book in anticipation of going to Oahu for a week. I have read everything in it about getting to the islands, Oahu, and Waikiki. I also read other guide books on the islands and this one has been the best. It gives pretty much any information that you might need to get there and back.



5. This is the best travel book I have ever used. Very complete and easy to use. The recommendations are flawless. If you are going to Hawaii,especially for the firt time, make your trip better and get this book.

1 comments about Good Beer Guide West Coast USA: Including Las Vegas, Alaska and Hawaii (Good Beer Guides).

1. I run a small brewing web site (BS Brewing: the Champagne of Blogs) and consider myself extremely knowledgeable about Portland's brewing scene, and couldn't believe two Britons could nail it so soundly. Just about everything you could possibly want to know about Oregon beer is in this book, and I haven't even sampled the other states (Alaska, Hawaii, Las Vegas, California, Washington ...) yet. Sharp, witty writing with great background stories (the McMenamins empire, the Horse Brass, Bridgeport and Widmer) and very current reviews (Hopworks Urban Brewery).
   
   Sadly, a few favorites are missing, including the Green Dragon and Produce Row, but everything else you could want to know about beer in Portland is here. HIGHLY recommended.

5 comments about 50 Thrifty Maui Restaurants.

1. Wow ... every restaurant we tried was exceptional. We were staying at the Ritz Kapalua, so we were eager to go off campus for great meals at cheaper prices. Take this book with you when you go to Maui. It's right on target.



2. This book is not very in-depth, the reviews are short and not terribly accurate. There are plenty of cheap places to eat if that's what you want and it feels like they wrote this book to travel around Maui as a "critic" to get recognition and cheap food. Maui Revealed is much better.



3. My husband and I used this guide for a 5 day trip to Maui in January 08. We found the reviews to be up-to-date and accurate. Yes, the descriptions are brief, but this is meant to be a lightweight pocket guide that you can throw in your beach bag or keep in the glove box of your rental car, whether you use it on the fly to find a casual place to munch, or want to plan for something a little more upscale but still within a budget. Most of the places listed here are casual condo resort restaurants, "mom & pop" digs, or fall under the "fast food" category (but there's only one chain restaurant listed). But afterall, this is Maui and unless you are at the Four Seasons or other upscale resort area restaurant you are probably fine to roll in with your flip flops and a t-shirt. We liked the specifics like instructions on where to park and suggested menu items to try. If you like to stay at your resort and dine at the typical touristy restaurants in Lahaina and Kihei, you wont find this book very useful. But if you are like us and like to explore "out of the way" Maui when you go and are looking to spend less than $20 (or less than $10) per person on a meal, this book will be indespensible during your driving tours around the island. You can save money and eat at the less expensive breakfast and lunch spots listed in this book, and then splurge a night or two on dinner at Mama's Fish House, Roy's/Kimo's/Lahaina Fish Co., and a luau or dinner show. We ate at at least 5 places recommended by this book while we were there, from oceanfront restaurants to tiny taco stands on the Hana Hwy. By the way, we've used Maui Revealed for years (who doesn't these days?), and 50 Thrifty lists a lot of restaurants that Maui Revealed doesn't. So spend the few bucks for this book and have an even bigger selection of restaurants to choose from when you get there!



4. We brought this book on our trip and used it frequently. We were very pleased with the book. It was accurate regarding the restaurants, locations, menu selections, and especially pricing.



5. A first we thought that we will end up where there was OK food, but we tasted better food than some of the more expensive tourist locations. Gives you that great island living experience, you go to towns where no tourists hang out, restraunts with friendly people, mom and pop shops where people care about you and the food they are serving. I highly recommend this book, even if you are not on a budget.