Rating: 
Summary: My Maui/Hawaii Trip
Review: I found Hawaii For Dummies very informative. I purchased the 1st edition in November in order to start planning our trip to Maui in June. One of the reasons I purchased this book (in addition to "Frommer's Maui") was because the cover of the book states "Updates at dummies.com". So, I figure this meant that up to date information would be provided on that website (as far as Hotel recommendations, restaurants, activities..etc..). Well, after reading the book and making many notes, I went to the website and perused the ENTIRE site..went to the travel section...located the book but could not find any reference to any "updates". All that was there was information on ordering books. So, I wrote 2 emails to them asking about the "updates" and have not received one word in response. So, has anyone out there actually been successful in getting updates or does this simply mean that we have the opportunity to purchase the 2nd and 3rd editions of Hawaii for Dummies online at dummies.com? The book is worth purchasing...but better if you can get it on sale...and forget any updates.
Rating: 
Summary: Where Are The Updates
Review: I found Hawaii For Dummies very informative. I purchased the 1st edition in November in order to start planning our trip to Maui in June. One of the reasons I purchased this book (in addition to "Frommer's Maui") was because the cover of the book states "Updates at dummies.com". So, I figure this meant that up to date information would be provided on that website (as far as Hotel recommendations, restaurants, activities..etc..). Well, after reading the book and making many notes, I went to the website and perused the ENTIRE site..went to the travel section...located the book but could not find any reference to any "updates". All that was there was information on ordering books. So, I wrote 2 emails to them asking about the "updates" and have not received one word in response. So, has anyone out there actually been successful in getting updates or does this simply mean that we have the opportunity to purchase the 2nd and 3rd editions of Hawaii for Dummies online at dummies.com? The book is worth purchasing...but better if you can get it on sale...and forget any updates.
Rating:
Summary: Where Are The Updates
Review: I found Hawaii For Dummies very informative. I purchased the 1st edition in November in order to start planning our trip to Maui in June. One of the reasons I purchased this book (in addition to "Frommer's Maui") was because the cover of the book states "Updates at dummies.com". So, I figure this meant that up to date information would be provided on that website (as far as Hotel recommendations, restaurants, activities..etc..). Well, after reading the book and making many notes, I went to the website and perused the ENTIRE site..went to the travel section...located the book but could not find any reference to any "updates". All that was there was information on ordering books. So, I wrote 2 emails to them asking about the "updates" and have not received one word in response. So, has anyone out there actually been successful in getting updates or does this simply mean that we have the opportunity to purchase the 2nd and 3rd editions of Hawaii for Dummies online at dummies.com? The book is worth purchasing...but better if you can get it on sale...and forget any updates.
Rating: 
Summary: Too many inconsistancies
Review: I have bought several guides to Hawaii and I find this one the worse. Not only does it pilfer much of the information from Frommer's Hawaii, but it has so many inconsistancies you really don't know which path to follow eg. The Bus fare is shown on some pages as $1 and other $1.50, but in fact The Bus fare is now $2. This was suppose to be the 2003 version, but much of the information was out of date, speaking about the Pleasant Hula Show (formally Kodak Hula Show) which is no longer is existance. If you want to travel on a tight budget, don't look for accommodation in this book, you won't find any.Save your money and buy Lonely Planet Guides as they have more details, are more current and cater to people on different budgets.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Helpful Guide to Hawaii!
Review: I purchased the first edition to plan our first trip to Hawaii - liked it, and used it. But that time, we only did a minimum of things on Maui. This year, we went to Oahu and Maui for a total of 2 weeks. I was only 14 years old, and I planned the entire trip with the sole help of this book. It gives you a phone number, address, and website (if applicable) for each place listed. I cannot stress enough the wealth of accurate information that's in this book. It starts out by telling you a little about each island, so you can decide which island(s) you want to visit. It then has a part on every island, including a "Before You Arrive," "Setting In On (Island)," "Fun On and Off the Beach," and more! Definitely a great buy - it has marginal icons for kid-friendly, romantic, bargain, and tips for each activity. My advice is BUY BUY BUY! :)
Rating:
Summary: The best travel book I've read so far!
Review: Normally, I try to avoid these "Dummies" guides, as I'm just the slightest bit offended by the idea that I'm a "dummy" just because I don't know EVERYTHING. But after flipping through books at the local bookstore looking for a good guidebook for my honeymoon trip to Oahu and Kauai next October, I finally decided on this one. It's got great maps, for one thing, as well as extensive lists of hotels, places to eat, and things to do. Because the descriptions are full of personal anecdotes, I really trust that Leas has seen and done it all herself and she's being straight with me about what she thinks -- traditional travel guides always make me nervous because they're written in the third person. If I'm going to spend ... on a vacation, I really want to know what things I should do and what things I shouldn't! Possibly the greatest feature, though, is the fact that at least 75% of the entries for places and activities have web site URLs. Even though the book is extremely detailed and I could easily plan my entire trip without a single tap on the keyboard, I definitely love the fact that I now have the option of logging on to learn more about some of the museums and restaurants she recommends. I probably would've done searches on many of them anyway, and Leas has just saved me a step. Since I've got about a million things to do between now and my trip, every step saved is a pretty great thing! I also have to say that after reading the book, I asked a friend who had been to Honolulu several times for some tips. Every single thing he said I'd already read in Leas' book. Right down to the "don't call it 'shaved' ice -- it's 'shave' ice" one. When the author knows enough to help you avoid making yourself look like a disgusting tourist, you know you've picked a good guide. Recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Helped us plan the perfect honeymoon
Review: This book helped us decide which islands to visit. It has all of the practial information to make these decisions. It helped us figure out where to stay. We took it with us on the trip. We looked at this several times a day. It was really the only book we needed. There was a great tip for the best picnic spot on the road to Hana. It was the most romantic afternoon we spent on Maui. This book is a must for anyone planning a trip to Hawaii. There is just too much to see and do.
Rating:
Summary: The place to start!
Review: This book was incredibly helpful for my first trip: I used it as a starting point for research. This book is easy and fast to read but very informative, which is exactly what I wanted. The book gives summary descriptions and helps you decide between the islands first, then goes more in depth on all each island has to offer. Add the internet to this to flesh out the author's information a bit more and you will be set. The maps were good here too for Waikiki: I never got lost as I drove around, amazingly enough, even though my Hawaiian born friend and her friends did!! The hardest part was just trying to decide between all the attractions/entertainment Hawaii had to offer: the author is thorough, and there was nothing I hadn't already been introduced to by the author when I got to the islands.
Rating:
Summary: My Maui/Hawaii Trip
Review: This is an AWESOME book. We used it extensively during our week in Maui. Great recommendations for tour guides, trip excursion companies, etc. I usually just use AAA guide books with good success and happened to see this book a couple of days before leaving for Hawaii with our family. It made our trip so much better and was right on mark!. Highly recommended! Only after I returned did I learn that there was an edition on Maui itself, which I did not use (obviously). Never knew the Dummies series included books on specific travel places like this.
Rating:
Summary: Too Cartoony
Review: This was my least favorite. I took three guides over, this one, the Maui for Dummies and a Lonely Planet guide. The Dummie guides assumed I was in search of a paradise island. Well, I'm not a cocktail toting romanticist and all I wanted the guidebook to reveal was uncommercial untouristy places to go. Zilcho. I'm sticking with Lonely Planet for real reporting of all the important and offbeat places.
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