Synopses & Reviews
Most travel titles are put together in a few weeks by visiting travel writers. Wizard guidebooks take over a year to compile and the writers are residents who personally and anonymously review every facet of the island. Their maps are the best you'll find. From restaurants to helicopter companies to scuba to beaches to trails. They see it all and show you the best the island has to offer. They also reveal who's the worst and who to stay away from. All told in a frank, humorous way that keeps the reading fun.
Review
"Succeeded in telling us everything there is to know about traveling on the island of Hawaii...this book is essential reading..." Library Journal
Review
This all new fourth edition is the most comprehensive yet easy to use guidebook ever written for the Big Island. Best selling author, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so big and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Hawaii The Big Island Revealed has more up to date information, the most useful maps and scores of hidden gems listed nowhere else. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes the Big Island so exciting.
39 specially created maps include clear, concise directions to even the most remote beaches and other hard to find places, mile markers (so you always know where you are), hiking trails and numerous details in an easy to follow format.
Discover deserted black sand beaches, secluded freshwater lava pools (some volcanically heated), pristine rain forests, lava tubes, hidden waterfalls and the most dramatic part of the erupting volcano. Read fascinating stories and legends from all around the island.
Symbols quickly identify recommended sights and companies. Find out which companies really are the bestàand which to avoid. Frank, honest opinions from anonymous reviews—No advertisements.
Special expanded sections on Beaches, Hiking and Adventures.
Web site with links to every business, last minute updates and more. Plus Web pages that expand on all accommodation reviews with aerial photos of all the resorts (so you'll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront).
Only book ever banned at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center for being "too honest" and "revealing too much."
"Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" covers it all—from the snow-covered top of Mauna Kea, to the sparkling underwater reefs. This is the best investment you can make for your Big Island trip. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a long time kama[aina, you will find out more about the Big Island from this book than from any other source. Discover the island of your dreams with "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed".
Review
"A colorful bookàcovers it allàI was pleased by the numerous little tips that can make a trip more pleasant." The San Diego Union-Tribune
Synopsis
'The finest guidebook ever written for the Big Island and the only one written by writers who anonymously review the island. They visit every beach, restaurant, activity and trail on the island. The result is this comprehensive, humorous and easy-to-read full color guide that will lead you to more adventures than any other book. A must for travelers.'
Synopsis
'ABOUT THIS BOOK
INTRODUCTION
How it Began
The First Settlers
Outside World Discovers Hawaii
Kamehameha the Great
Modern Hawaii
THE BASICS
Getting Here
What to Bring
Getting Around
Getting Married on the Big Island
Weather
Planning Your Trip
Geography
So is Hawaii an Island or a State?
Hazards
Traveling With Children (Keiki)
The People
The Hawaiian Language
Music
The Hula
A Note on Personal Responsibility
Miscellaneous Information
A Word About Driving Tours
Farmers Markets
Books
The Internet
KOHALA SIGHTS
Up Highway 190 from Kailua-Kona
Kohala Mountain Road
North Shore of Kohala
Pololu Valley
Mookini Heiau
Lapakahi State Historical Park
Kawaihae
Kohala Resort Area
Kohala Lava Desert Area
Kohala Shopping
Kohalas Best Bets
KAILUA-KONA SIGHTS
Around Downtown Kailua-Kona
Elsewhere Along Alii Drive
Up Mauka of Kailua-Kona
South of Kailua-Kona
Kealakekua Bay and Place of Refuge
Kailua-Kona Shopping
Kailua-Konas Best Bets
SOUTH ISLAND SIGHTS
South Point
VOLCANO SIGHTS
Will I Get to See Lava Flowing?
The Scene
A Few Basics
Around Kilauea Crater
Down Chain of Craters Road
Hiking in the Park
Outside the Park Entrance
The Town of Volcano
HILO and PUNA SIGHTS
Around Hilo Town
Heading South on Highway 11
Exploring Puna
Hilo Shopping
Hilo and Punas Best Bets
HAMAKUA and WAIMEA SIGHTS
Leaving Hilo Behind
Honokaa
Waipio Valley
Old Mamalahoa Highway
Waimea
Parker Ranch
Hamakua and Waimea Shopping
Hamakua and Waimeas Best Bets
SADDLE ROAD SIGHTS
Mauna Kea
Driving up to Mauna Kea
Mauna Loa
Approaching Hilo
BEACHES
Beach Safety
Kohala Beaches
Near Kona Beaches
South Island Beaches
East Side Beaches
ACTIVITIES
ATVs
Biking
Boogie Boarding
Camping
Caving
Fishing
Golfing
(Powered) Hang Gliders
Helicopters / Airplanes
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Jet Skiing
Kayaking
Ocean Tours
Parasailing
SCUBA
Snorkeling
Snow Skiing
SNUBA
Spas
Stargazing
Submarines
Surfing
Tennis
Whale Watching
Windsurfing / Kitesurfing
ADVENTURES
Mauna Ulu Crater
Manta Ray Night Dive
Explore a Mile-Long Cave
Rain Forest Hike to Puu Oo Vent
Jump Off the End of the World
Close Encounter With a Dolphin
Hiilawe Falls
Command Your Own Boat
Four Wheelin Big Island Style
Lose Yourself in Waimanu Valley
Hike to Flowing Lava
ISLAND DINING
Island Dining Index
Island Fish and Seafood
Luau Foods
Other Island Foods
Kailua-Kona Dining
Kohala Dining
Waimea Dining
Hilo Dining
Dining Elsewhere
Island Nightlife
Luaus
Dinner Cruises
Island Dining Best Bets
WHERE TO STAY
Where to Stay Index
Rental Agents
Hotels
Condos
Bed and Breakfasts
Where Should I Stay?
Where are the Rest?
Kohala
Kailua-Kona
Hilo
Volcano Village
Waimea
Northern Tip of the Island
Southeast Part of the Island
Honokaa
INDEX
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Table of Contents
ABOUT THIS BOOK
INTRODUCTION
How it Began
The First Settlers
Outside World Discovers Hawai[i
Kamehameha the Great
Modern Hawai[i
THE BASICS
Getting Here
What to Bring
Getting Around
Getting Married on the Big Island
Weather
Planning Your Trip
Geography
So is Hawai[i an Island or a State?
Hazards
Traveling With Children
The People
The Hawaiian Language
Music
The Hula
A Note on Personal Responsibility
Miscellaneous Information
A Word About Driving Tours
Books
The Internet
KOHALA SIGHTS
Up Highway 190 from Kailua-Kona
Kohala Mountain Road
North Shore of Kohala
Pololu Valley
Mo[okini Heiau
Lapakahi State Historical Park
Kawaihae
Kohala Resort Area
Kohala Lava Desert Area
Kohala Shopping
Kohala's Best Bets
KAILUA-KONA SIGHTS
Around Downtown Kailua-Kona
Elsewhere Along Alii Drive
Up Mauka of Kailua-Kona
South of Kailua-Kona
Kealakekua Bay & Place of Refuge
Kona Shopping
Kona's Best Bets
SOUTH ISLAND SIGHTS
South Point
VOLCANO SIGHTS
Will I Get to See Lava Flowing?
The Scene
A Few Basics
Around Kilauea Crater
Down Chain of Craters Road
Hiking in the Park
Outside the Park Entrance
The Town of Volcano
HILO & PUNA SIGHTS
Around Hilo Town
Heading South on Highway 11
Exploring Puna
Hilo Shopping
Hilo & Puna's Best Bets
HAMAKUA & WAIMEA SIGHTS
Leaving Hilo Behind
Honoka[a
Waipi[o Valley
Old Mamalahoa Highway
Waimea
Parker Ranch
Hamakua & Waimea Shopping
Hamakua & Waimea's Best Bets
SADDLE ROADSIGHTS
Mauna Kea
Driving up to Mauna Kea
Mauna Loa
Approaching Hilo
BEACHES
Beach Safety
Beaches in Kohala
Beaches Near Kona
Beaches South Island
Beaches East Side
ACTIVITIES
ATV
Biking
Boogie Boarding
Camping
Caving
Fishing
Golfing
(Powered) Hang Gliders
Helicopters / Airplanes
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Jet Skiing
Kayaking
Ocean Tours
Parasailing
SCUBA
Snorkeling
Snow Skiing
SNUBA
Spas
Stargazing
Submarines
Surfing
Tennis
Whale Watching
Windsurfing / Kitesurfing
ADVENTURES
Mauna Ulu Crater
Manta Ray Night Dive
Explore a Mile Long Cave
Rain Forest Hike to Pu[u [O[o Vent
Honokane Nui Hike
Jump Off the End of the World
Close Encounter With a Dolphin
Hi[ilawe Falls
Command Your Own Boat
Four Wheelin' Big Island Style
Hike to Flowing Lava
ISLAND DINING
Restaurant Index
Island Fish & Seafood
Lu[au Foods
Other Island Foods
Kailua-Kona Dining
Kohala Dining
Waimea Dining
Hilo Dining
Dining Elsewhere
Island Nightlife
Lu[aus
Dinner Cruises
Dining Best Bets
WHERE TO STAY
Where to Stay Index
Rental Agents
Where are the Rest?
Hotels
Condos
Bed & Breakfasts
Kohala
Kailua-Kona
Hilo
Volcano Village
Waimea
Northern Tip of the Island
Southeast Part of the Island
Honoka[a
Bed & Breakfasts
INDEX