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 Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed) :: 0971727945
Description
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This all new fourth edition is the most comprehensive yet easy to use guidebook ever written for the Big Island. Best selling author, Andrew Doughty, unlocks the secrets of an island so big and diverse that many visitors never realize all that it has to offer. Hawaii The Big Island Revealed has more up to date information, the most useful maps and scores of hidden gems listed nowhere else. This book and a rental car are all you need to discover what makes the Big Island so exciting.
39 specially created maps include clear, concise directions to even the most remote beaches and other hard to find places, mile markers (so you always know where you are), hiking trails and numerous details in an easy to follow format.
Discover deserted black sand beaches, secluded freshwater lava pools (some volcanically heated), pristine rain forests, lava tubes, hidden waterfalls and the most dramatic part of the erupting volcano. Read fascinating stories and legends from all around the island.
Symbols quickly identify recommended sights and companies. Find out which companies really are the best…and which to avoid. Frank, honest opinions from anonymous reviews—No advertisements.
Special expanded sections on Beaches, Hiking and Adventures.
Web site with links to every business, last minute updates and more. Plus Web pages that expand on all accommodation reviews with aerial photos of all the resorts (so you'll know if oceanfront really means oceanfront).
Only book ever banned at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center for being "too honest" and "revealing too much."
"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 trip. Whether you are a first time visitor, or a long time 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".Editorial Descriptions are usually submitted by the manufacturers, publishers and authors. Contact us if you are one of them, and wish to change the above description. |
Reviews
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Author: Guest
Extremely conversational style so it reads well all by itself. It's even better if read aloud as drive, e.g. Saddle Road to Mauna Kea Observatory (which truly is just like riding a roller coaster in your rental car. It's even better if you take it fast as you try to get someone out of danger for Acute Altitude Sickness!)
Gives concise history to better understand what the island has gone through with the relative cultural upheavals. Gives Must Sees/Must Do's and how to not get taken. One caveat: may not always tell you when you really want a 4-wheel drive rather than that rental car.
Quite Enjoyable for just reading, too.
P.S. If you forget to get this before you go, just pick up a copy at Costco!
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Author: Guest
Invaluable as 1) a pre-visit resource for both background and depth of understanding on the what, where, who and how to best experience the Big Island: 2) for use on-the-move to guide you to the rich (and away from the wary) experiences, and help you get the most of your overall visit; 3) to help explain to others, upon your return home, just what you did, what you saw, what you felt during your visit - and why you will be going back; and 4) a gift of compass and wisdom, which is now combined with your own annotations and experiences, to pass on to the next person you know (and now convinced) who will now be visiting the Big Island too.
Oh yes, and it is entertaining as heck!
Glad I used it, glad I can tell you about it!
Enjoy on your own special journey!
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Author: Guest
Even the Locals we met on the trip use this book to find things to do when they have visitors. We were there during the 6.9 earthquake and it came in handy to find stores open and potential closed roads
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Author: Guest
I just returned from 9 days on the Big Island and found this "Revealed" book and the Moon Handbook to be my two best resources (I brought a total 5 guidebooks with me). I used the Moon Handbook predominantly on the windward side while I was staying in Volcanoes Nat'l Park and the "Revealed" book predominantly on the leeward side while I was staying in Kona. I used the dining recommendation from both books.
I had pre-booked my accommodations, so I did not use that section of the book, although I looked up my condo and found their review accurate.
Contrary to the comments of another reviewers (probably written a couple of editions ago) I did not find that the authors encouraged illegal or unethical activity, although they do emphasize that public beach access is the law in Hawaii. However, as noted, I did notice that many, many of the other tourists were carrying around copies of this book.
This book was particulary helpful when trying to find beaches to play & snorkel - they are listed in order as you drive up or down the coast and the "gems" are truly noteworthy, although all the beaches were crowded since the local schools had let out for the holidays.
The detailed maps were terrific. I used them quite a bit to get around. They also have a website that lists current updates and changes to their book, such as closures due to the earthquake last fall.
The only critique I would have is that I could have use a bit more description of the hiking/walking required to get to each of the sights. Distance, elevation change/steepness (or stairs), terrain descriptions would have been helpful since I had a mobility-impaired grandparent with me. (Rather than "15-20 min hike" because that's dependent on physical status).
Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you were only taking one with you to the Big Island.
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Author: Guest
We spent a week on the Big Island in November of 2006. This guidebook provided valuable information about everything from the natural history of the island to the best places to eat and shop - we really felt like we got all we could out of the trip thanks to this book. The authors were never wrong about anything - even the humorous commentary was right on. The pictures and maps were also invaluable. I wish all guidebooks were as good as this one.
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