Synopses & Reviews
Half of Hawaii's 8 million yearly tourists are first-timers, often unsure of which island to visit, where to stay, and what to choose to do. No Worries Hawaii, a companion book to the Sprout's adventure guides for each of the islands, is like hiring a personal tour guide and vacation planner. The book also works for repeat visitors or locals looking for new adventures.
Readers first take an armchair voyage, in which they nail down their vacation style (a scouting expedition, a romantic getaway, a solo or group adventure, invigorating, relaxing, healing). These likings are matched with what Hawaii has to offer. A clever but simple self-test allows readers to sort through Hawaii's assets: beaches, nightlife, trails, gardens, attractions, cultural sites, surfing, snorkeling — 36 categories in all — to determine which are important and which island is best.
In the second part of No Worries Hawaii, readers take their decisions from part one and receive all the practical and money-saving advice needed to book a vacation that makes the armchair voyage become a real one. Included also is a complete list of what to pack.
The third part of the book is full of tips on what to do, and what to avoid, after arriving in the islands. Readers will deplane as kama'aina (locals), having the benefit of the Sprout's 20 years of exploration.
Sections include how to plan days to maximize fun and avoid hassles, finding free entertainment, and money-saving tips on car rentals and accommodation bookings. Readers are advised on how to, and whether to, book tours (snorkeling, sailing, helicopter, horseback, etc.). The book's safety tips are a literal lifesaver, and the everyday advice on driving, hiking, and beachgoing are essential for getting the most out of every day.
The meat of No Worries Hawaii is its Best Of section, a listing of Hawaii's top attractions: museums, rainforest day hikes, snorkeling coves, walk-around beach towns, surfing spots, places to watch surfers, mountain bike trails, people-watching beaches, botanical gardens, short strolls to views, cultural sites, luxury resorts, volcano hikes, birdwatching forests, waterfalls, churches, remote beaches, family beach parks, golf courses, and more.
Taken together, the 36 categories neatly and specifically sum up the best of Hawaii. Readers can use these listings as a reference when they get to their chosen island.
No Worries Hawaii is beautifully designed, complimented by more than 100 color photographs, and also contains a "wikiwiki phonebook" with ALL the contact numbers needed to put a vacation together and then do it.