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Summary: The definitive guide to the Big Island--and funny, too!
Review: I have to say what I most enjoy about this guidebook is its dry sense of humor. Sure, it's the definitive guide to everything on the Big Island--history, culture, sports, nature, hiking, snorkeling, hotels, rentals, food...you name it. But there are so many funny remarks worked in here and there you'll find yourself reading it closely simply to laugh once and again, too. A lot of Hawai'i guides lack the cultural and historical information this guide offers--plus the photography is great. If you must take a single guidebook with you, let it be this one. I have used it for my annual trip to Hawai'i for the past three years in a row.
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Summary: Priceless!
Review: I recently made my first trip to Hawaii and used this book before I went as a planner, during my trip as a guide and information finder, and afterwards as a memory jogger when labeling my photos. A local scoffed at my book but when I gave him several facts and information I learned here, that opinion changed. The book is well illustrated and very informative. It made my trip even more memorable. Highly recommended. There's a ton of information here. I imagine the ones dedicated to the other islands are equally as valuable.
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Summary: More than your money's worth.......
Review: This book was an invaluable guide to be most popular and secluded beachs on the Big Island. From Hapuna Beach on the Kona coast to Green Sand Beach at South Point and all stops inbetween, you'll be amazed at the beauty and diversity of the Big Island. The guide to the state parks was right on too! The Big Island is so much more than volcanoes and this wonderful guide helps you get to things that should not be missed. The restaurant recommendations offered many excellant choices in all price ranges and tastes. This book is a MUST!!!!!!
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Summary: Great book!
Review: This book does read like a novel, as one reviewer suggested. It has useful information in a readable format, especially for travelers like us who eschew guided and group tours. This book covers the spectrum from low budget to upscale in a straightforward style. It will help make your trip a memorable one.
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Summary: The Best
Review: These people write the most useful guide books to the islands available. We go to Hawaii every year and have for at least 16 years. I found this series two years ago and I love it. They really write for almost every demographic, they tell about the hidden stuff but also don't put down the big resorts, they just take them at face value, lots of fun if you like that kind of thing. These books also cover the other side of the spectrum, all levels of cost and experience. They are locals and as such know some very cool places, restaurants, acitvities and activity providers like the most informed and freindly dive shops, great traditional local food, the best splurge restaurants, and coolest hidden historical sites. These folks take some pretty hard shots at tourist service providers with bad attitudes, everyone from rude restaurants, cattle car dive boats, Park Rangers who are misinformed and have lost the Aloha spirit or never had it, and they keep going back to give these establishments second and third chances to upgrade their reviews. They have a great deal of respect for the true local people and the native hawaiian culture and history. They give tips on how to experience it and how to respect it. The cool thing is they do not respect the squatters, mainland self proclaimed hippies, folks who have taken up residency in the wildnerness who never had any sense of aloha, and just want a free ride in paradise. To this end they tell you how to find the hidden places, how to get there, which bogus warning signs to ignore, how to respect the place when you get there and how to preserve it for the rest of us. If I was a local I don't think I could be that honest, the islands are a small place. I read guide books as a hobby, and buy new ones every year to keep current with the changes and come up with new things to do. I think I have a pretty good idea of the different styles of books, the most useful layouts, maps you can actually use, and the ones with the most useful and up to date info. If you're only going to buy one guide for the island you are going to this is the one, if you are going to buy another one buy one of the Moon publications, eg. Hawaii Handbook, Maui Handbook, but only after you have one of these.
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Summary: off the beautiful beaten path...
Review: This is a terrific guidebook for all the usual practical information, maps, restaurant reviews, etc., but more importantly, the authors tell you all the "hidden" jewels of this gorgeous island that you might not otherwise find. Steep hikes down to black sand beaches, where you literally have the beach to yourself--breathtaking waterfalls, etc.Rent a convertible, pack your sense of adventure and get this book.
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Summary: Hawaii The Big Island Revealed; The Ultimate Guidebook
Review: This book was excellent. It divided the Big Island into sections and we traveled the entire Island using just this book! Very simple to follow and found many unknown - unadvertised spots that would have been a shame to miss! We would highly recommend to anyone planning to see the Big Island! We plan to read the authors' other books on the other islands prior to traveling to Hawaiian Islands again! We will keep this book in our collection for future travel!
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Summary: Da Kine Guide Book
Review: I purchased this book after looking through several at a bookstore, and I could not have been more pleased. The attention to detail is IMPECCABLE. I rarely had the book out of my hands when we were driving around the island. I've traveled to and lived in Hawaii, and this series of books by Doughty and Friedman are the best references you'll find. Their honesty regarding the hotels and restaurants is uncommon for travel guides, but should be the standard to which others aspire. I'm planning a trip to Kauai this year, and look forward to reading their insights. Do not travel to any of the islands without this book -- even if you think you've seen it all.
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Summary: Great guide
Review: This is the best travel guide I've seen anywhere. One could only wish they did these for destinations all over the world. Vivid pictures, good maps, helpful advice, honest reviews (they even slam restaurants) and entertaining without being cloying or forced. The info on beaches is quite good. It's reasonably priced. And you don't have to page through info about stuff ...[that is not usefull to your particular needs.] It's just an excellent travel guide.
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Summary: LIKE HAVING YOUR BEST FRIENDS SHOWING YOU THEIR PLACE
Review: My wife and I have just returned from ten days enjoying Hawaii, the big island, as part of a family get-together. Her brother has a condo time-share at a fine Kona coast resort, has been going there for years, but all eight of us constantly used this book to make plans, for directions how to get there, where to eat, what to see and not miss. I cannot think of a single thing that would make this book better than it is--it is complete, easy to use and most dependable. Two restaurant updates: On the way to the volcanoes south on highway 11 we stopped at The Aloha Cafe. Half of us had ordered breakfast before one of our party noticed the many cockroaches crawling on the serving plates and back counter. We immediately left and using this book to find our next choice went down the road to The Coffee Shack in spite of reading that "service is often slow and sometimes surly." I am happy to report that the Shack has new owners and the service is now fast and cheerful. And the place is spotless.
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