Lonely Planet Hawaii: The Big Island (Regional Travel Guide)
by Conner Gorry, Luci Yamamoto
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Book Reviews of Lonely Planet Hawaii: The Big Island (Regional Travel Guide)
Book Review: A visitor's guide to the big island of Hawaii
Summary: 2 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
This is a useful book to have if you want to visit the state or explore the possibility of living there. In the age of internet, lot of information may be obtained from the state of Hawaii (government web sources), AAA and many other sources on the web, but this book is good for a quick reference.
The introductory chapter, "Outdoor activities and adventures" describe a variety of activities you could experience and enjoy at the nine geographical locations in the big island of Hawaii. Activities and adventures to explore at Kailua-Kona (Midwest Cost; mid-Kona coast, page 51), Kona coast (West Coast, page 79), Kohala and Waineea (Northwest coast, page 103), Mann Kea and Saddle Road (mid-central region, page 137), Hanukua Coast (Northeast cost, page 151), Hilo Coast (mid-pacific east coast, page 167), Puna Coast (East coast, page 191), Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Southeast Coast, page 205), and finally Ka'u (Southwest Coast, page 205). On page 40 a brief summary of the island includes; the land and environment, wild-life, national, state and local parks.
Body surfing, dining, cycling, surfing, whale watching, and fishing activities could be exciting at Kalua Kona coast. There are useful information about dining, shopping and motels for this location. Pods of spinner dolphins that frequent Kealakekua Bay and Captain Cook monument are some of the places of interest on the south Kona coast. At the south Kohala, hiking at Kalhuipua historic trail and ancient lava carvings at Puako Petroglyph Preserve would be a wonderful experience (page 112). The main attractions at the Mann Kea and the Saddle Road are the Manna Kea summit observatories and the beautiful sunsets. Stargazing at the observatory are a great experience for all ages, and it has a variety of programs for general public (page 145). The Hula's main event (page 182) around Easter time is the Merrie Monarch festival that attracts top Hula troupes from all over the island. The chapter on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park provides information about Sulphur Banks, Helema'Uma'U overlooking the crater, steam vents and various trails that is spectacular to experience which is inherently Hawaiian. The last chapter on Ka'u region describes beautiful beaches such as, Green Sands Beach.
At the beginning of each chapter, there are itineraries of various activities grouped in terms of number of days each activity requires. This book is a useful guide for a new visitor to the big island of Hawaii.
1. Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed)
2. Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive
3. Map of Hawaii: The Big Island : Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawaii (Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawai'i)
4. Adventure Guide: Hawaii the Big Island (Adventure Guides Series)
5. Big Island Of Hawaii Restaurants And Dining With Hilo And The Kona Coast
6. Hidden Big Island of Hawaii: Including the Kona Coast, Hilo, Kailua, and Volcanoes National Park (Hidden Travel)
7. Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island Guide to the Beaches and Snorkeling of Hawaii
8. Hawaii Trails: Walks Strolls And Treks on the Big Island (Hawaii Trails: Walks, Strolls & Treks on the Big Island)
9. Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides)
10. Hawaii's Big Island: Great Destinations: A Complete Guide (Great Destinations)
Book Review: Reviewing: "Hawai'i: The Big Island"
Summary: 4 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
You may have heard that the Left Coast Crime Convention next month is in Hawaii. Going is out of the question for me, as much as I would like to do so, unless the Texas Lottery folks manage to select my numbers very soon. They have resisted all my efforts for years so I don't have much hope of that happening. In the meantime, all I can do is dream and look at the occasional travel book such as this one released by "Lonely Planet."
Like their other books, this one opens with a short chapter that is basically a "best of" whatever the location is chapter. For this book, it is the "Best Big Island Experiences." Suggestions for things such as the best scenic drive "Kohala Mountain Road" and the best multipurpose beach "Hapuna Beach" along with the best short hike "Pololu Valley" and numerous other best things and best places are listed. In each case there is a color photo, a very short description and a page number that will take readers to the longer listing and explanation found elsewhere in the book.
"Island Itineraries" begins on page eighteen with suggestions for various mileage lengths or days available for exploration of the big island. Color maps are included and there are references to the additional itineraries at the start of each regional section that are in more depth.
The third chapter is on "Outdoor Activities & Adventures." It covers where you can do what in alphabetical format. From "at sea" to "yoga" the book has got you covered with locations, types of activities, plenty of information and as always plenty of color photographs.
This leads to a ten page chapter on "Green Big Island." Environmental issues are important on the islands and this is where readers learn about steps being taken, options available, and what can be done by tourists and others to protect the fragile environment of the islands.
Beginning with page fifty-one, the book is divided into regional sections. "Kailua-Kona" begins this part of the guide book with a brief history on the culture, some maps, and suggested tours and things to do. This same format is used throughout the regional parts which are labeled as "Kona Coast" (page 79), "Kohala & Waimea" (page 103), Mauna Kea & Saddle Road" (page 137) "Hamakua Coast" (page 151) "Puna" (page 191), Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park" (page 205) and Ka'u (page 229). I am very interested in parks and the section in this book is detailed text wise but could have really used more pictures. The pictures used are often rather small and hard to see detail wise.
Short chapters on the "Big Island Myths and Legends" (which was very weak) "History & Culture" of the area, foods, "Festivals & Events" and planning your trip are near the end of the book. A directory of resources and general information along with an eight page index close out the travel guide.
Comprehensive and flashy, this book certainly creates the impression that it is outlining all the usual places and things and not covering real hidden gems that many tourists don't know about. Additionally, as in other "Lonely Planet" travel guides the type face is extremely small and as such is very hard to read. Both could be addressed simply by expanding the book somewhat. That won't solve the language issues some reviewers have with these books (a concern I don't share), but it would make them easier to read.
Despite those points, this is a good book. Written by Luci Yamamoto and Conner Gorry, this travel guide is a colorful and highly informative book sure to help you plan and enjoy your trip. It may not be the only book you want for the trip but it certainly is a strong start.
Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009
Book Review: I Was Guided by a Hawaii Local (former)
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
Having visited the big island of Hawaii on several occasions, guided by my father, who spent much of his childhood there, I scrutinize any tour book I get of the area with an eye of someone who enjoys seeing the roads less traveled. Most of the books I've seen fail to pass my litmus test of containing enough information on the history, of offering secluded and off beat attractions, of giving me a taste of the TRUE Hawaii.
This book passed the test with flying colors. It starts off with a selection of what the authors consider to be the "Best of the Best," and I must admit, the selections are outstanding. The "Best" section covers things for the adventurous, and for the not so adventurous. Included are best scenic drive, best refreshment (although I will differ in the choice for that one), best place to meet locals, best picnic spot, best snorkeling, best hike, best SHORT hike, best island view (and I agree wholeheartedly on this one), Best low impact experience, best land adventure, best ocean adventure (another AWESOME choice), and best multipurpose beach. This is followed by an index of suggested itineraries, which vary depending on your stay length, where you want to go, and the type of vacation you want to have (adventure, relaxation, culture, etc). This is followed by information about the more common activities you might wish to pursue during your stay on the island, including water and land adventure, wildlife and plant life, astronomy, and cultural attractions.
Then we get into the nitty gritty. The book is divided into color coded sections, and this part of the book is sectioned according to location on the island. Each of these sections contain an index of suggested itineraries, information about the cities and towns in that area, the available sights and activities available, beaches and other attractions, and detailed information about places to eat and where you can stay.
Once past the important info about the various places you can visit, there is what I'd call an Island Interest section in the back of the book. This includes island myths and legends, history and culture, and a food and drink section (which covers staples, specialties, native foods, insights into celebrations and customs, and a food glossary).
The book devotes its final pages (before the index) to information you might need when planning your trip. There is information about climate, what you can expect things to cost, a list of recommended baggage, information about accommodations of all types, a festivals and events calendar, and a directory of services (i.e. childcare, transportation, tourist info, international calling)
All in all, this is an excellent reference for the traveler to Hawaii, whether it's your first time, or you're a former local returning for a visit. It even includes safety information, and even the locations to watch out for scams (i.e. collections for pay parking where parking is actually free). The only thing I might suggest adding to it are master appendixes containing island-wide indexes of the two main travel basics... food and transportation.
Book Review: Not terrible, not great, too many silly mistakes
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
We visited the Big Island just three months ago, and plan to go back. I have purchased and enjoyed Lonely Planet guides before, so I had high expectations for this book. I was disappointed.
This book is little more than a list of activities, restaurants and places to stay in each area of the island.In an effort to keep the book short (304 pages), the editors have cut the magic. The lodging and restaurant lists barely scratch the surface, which is a real disappointment. In addition, they've made many errors. Some examples of why I've given only three stars:
Page 42: "How can you know which Maui businesses are genuinely eco-friendly?" If this was a book about Maui, we might care. Unfortunately, this is a book about the Big Island.
Page 43: "Symbolic of Hawaii, the green sea turtle is a protected species." Unfortunately, the half-page photo shows a large land tortoise, which does not fare well in the ocean. Whoever edited the book has never seen either. This is kind of funny, but also sad, given the effort the book makes to be eco-aware.
Page 60: Watching the Manta rays: Here is a good section recommending specific outfits to take you on a night dive with the manta rays. But nowhere in the book does it tell you that you can view them from dry land at the Sheraton Keauhau Bay (page 75), which has a huge terrace overlooking the water. And it's free, and there's a bar. Again, did the authors actually visit the island? Everybody in Kona knows about this, and a cool free activity like this would be a natural for a Lonely planet guide. We had a lovely time, talking with lots of new people, watching the manta's from an amazing vantage point that the people in the boats couldn't share.
Page 145: An accurate paragraph on the free stargazing at Onizuka Visitor Information Station says the map is on page 143. It is actually on page 140. This may seem like a nit, but combined with other errors, it is indicative of a general lack of care in the writing and editing process.
Page 103: Kohala section (starts on page 103) We stayed in this area for a week, and my memory is fresh. This section of the book is absolutely inadequate and incomplete. There is precious little information about the wonderful beaches and the amazing diving and snorkeling, and little to help you find the true Hawaii hidden among the heavily-built resort areas. The material looked suspiciously like the authors did not visit the area, as they covered so little of interest. If you stay in Mauna-lani as we did, you will have to look around to find non-resort activities. Not much here to help.
I could go on, but you get the idea. The book is a disappointment. I would have given it two and a half stars if Amazon allowed. Actually, I decided to switch from three stars to two as I was writing this review, but I cannot make the change.
Summary: buy one of the better books.
Book Review: Insightful, Inspiring, Responsible, Indispensable!
Summary: 5 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I recently took a trip to Oahu. And while it was a lovely vacation, I found the entire area painfully commercial. There is little chance of escaping the out-of-shape tourists who are clutching the sides of Diamond Head in a futile attempt to reach the top ... or the elderly slow-pokes puttering around USS Missouri. With the exception of Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu is for the "beginner" (or for people who would rather eat Cheesecake Factory reheats than local cuisine). Frustrated, I asked a resident where to begin a more authentic Hawaiian experience. He suggested an exploration of The Big Island and/or Molokai. So, two weeks ago I ordered Lonely Planet's "Hawaii: The Big Island" to help me plan my next Pacific odyssey ... and was wildly impressed with the diversity and helpfulness contained within this tiny (meaning "hand-bag sized") text.
Foremost, the guide offers suggestions for people of every level of fitness: from high-intensity surfing expeditions to tranquil socializing at lava-rock swimming-holes. This ensures that you will never be stuck in activity that is uncomfortably beyond your skill-range. Secondly, since all form of travel has an impact on the environment, this guide offers "greener" suggestions. An entire section of the guide provides lists of "nature opportunities." Much appreciated! And, a flower icon marks all "green" opportunities/businesses. Brilliant! Moreover, I was impressed with the interspersed "Island Voices" segments. These interviews with island residents (artists, business people, agriculturalists, shop owners etc...) lend the text a respectful tone and provide insight into Hawaiian culture.
The emphasis on volcanoes is welcome. Hours and hours of internet research can be averted by simply scanning a few succinct, authoritative pages. Likewise, the attention to walking-tours and hiking is extremely helpful!
Glossy and full-color, Lonely Planet's text is broken into specific (color-coded) areas. It is fantastic for pre-trip study and on-site quick-reference. It is compact enough to fit in a regular-sized handbag (not all guides are) and most importantly, it is up-to-date (every number I used for booking or questions was correct/operational).
I have amassed a ridiculous number of these travel texts over the years (Fodor, Frommer, Lonely Planet, even AAA), and I can honestly say that this one is indispensable and well-worth the price. Take it from someone who (short-sightedly) traveled Oahu without a guide-book ... twenty-dollars is minor investment in your four-thousand dollar trip!! Do not get on the plane without this guide ... I know I won't.