Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
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.
Synopsis
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 (Keiki)
The People
Some Terms
Hawaiian Time
Shaka
The Hawaiian Language
Music
The Hula
A Note About Access
A Note on Personal Responsibility
Miscellaneous Information
A Word About Driving Tours
Farmers' Markets
Books
iPhone App
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 and Place of Refuge
Kailua-Kona Shopping
Kailua-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
HIL0 and PUNA SIGHTS
Around Hilo Town
Heading South on Highway 11
Exploring Puna
Hilo Shopping
Hilo and Puna's Best Bets
HAMAKUA and WAIMEA SIGHTS
Leaving Hilo Behind
Honoka'a
Waipi'o Valley
Old Mamalahoa Highway
Waimea
Parker Ranch
Hamakua and Waimea Shopping
Hamakua and Waimea's 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
Ziplines
ADVENTURES
Manta Ray Night Dive
Mauna Ulu Crater
Explore a Mile-Long Cave
Rain Forest Hike to Pu'u 'O'o Vent
Jump Off the End of the World
Close Encounter With a Dolphin
Boulder-hop to a Waterfall
Command Your Own Boat
Lose Yourself in Waimanu Valley
Hike to Flowing Lava
Honokane Nui Hike
ISLAND DINING
Island Fish and Seafood
Lu'au Foods
Other Island Foods
Kailua-Kona Dining
Kohala Dining
Waimea Dining
Hilo Dining
Dining Elsewhere
Island Nightlife
Lu'au
Dinner Cruises
Island Dining Best Bets
WHERE TO STAY
Rental Agents
Hotels
Condos
Bed and Breakfasts
Where Should I Stay?
Where are the Rest?
Kohala
Kailua-Kona
Hilo Area
Volcano Village
Waimea
Northern Tip of the Island
Southeast Part of the Island
Honoka'a
INDEX
Table of Contents
The finest guidebook ever written for the Big Island. Now you can plan your best vacation--ever. This all new sixth edition is a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the Big Island. Best-selling author and longtime Hawai'i resident, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so vast and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to dine, relaxing resorts, an active volcano and so much more. Every restaurant, activity provider, business and resort is reviewed personally and anonymously. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes the Big Island so exciting.
' The most up-to-date and accurate information available anyplace with up-to-the-minute changes posted to our website
' Frank, brutally honest reviews of restaurants, hotels and activities show you which companies really are the best'and which to avoid--no advertisements
' Driving tours let you structure your trip your way, point out sights not to be missed along the way and are complemented by 120 spectacular color photographs
' 38 specially-created maps in an easy-to-follow format with mile markers--so you'll always know where you are on the island
' Clear, concise directions to those hard-to-find places such as deserted black sand beaches, tropical rain forests, hidden waterfalls, the most dramatic part of the erupting volcano, freshwater lava pools (some volcanically heated) and scores of other hidden gems listed nowhere else
' 28 pages on Big Island's beaches with detailed descriptions including ocean safety
' Over 65 pages of exciting adventures and activities
' Fascinating sections on Hawai'i's history, culture, language and legends
' Companion website with links to every business, events calendar, over 90 resort reviews complete with aerial photos--so you'll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront
"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 visit. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a longtime 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."
"Succeeded in telling us everything there is to know about traveling on the island of Hawaii...this book is essential reading..." Library Journal "A colorful book--covers it all. I was pleased by the numerous little tips that can make a trip more pleasant." The San Diego Union-Tribune "Superbly researched and easy-to-read reference... It's jammed with details and maps." Houston Chronicle "The best guidebook [to the Big Island]. Every nook and cranny is explored by a longtime resident." Conde Nast Traveler