5 comments about The Hikers Guide to Oahu.

1. This book has taken us thorugh tropical rain forests, dense valleys, and sun-parched craters. The variety of hikes is wonderful. There is something for everyone in here, well, everyone except the beginner hiker. It seems even beginning hikes in the book are a bit challenging. This is because Oahu has such a varity of terrain. However, if you are looking to take a relaxing stroll through the woods this book will be of no use to you. We have children so we only do the novice hikes and even those are challenging, but fun and dirty! This is probalby for more serious hikers and some of the hikes mentioned are 12 miles long! That takes a long time in Oahu's terrain! The author always write in interesting tidbits of info in his hike description which I like. Things such as the where the strawberry guava trees are, where the WWII tunnel is, etc...The one negative to this book is that many of the hikes the author writes about are closed to the public and you have to write for permission to hike them. To me, this is a pain and I am not organized enough to plan ahead and do this. If you are better organized than I, I am sure you would enjoy them. We are just a bit more spontaneous. Enjoy!



2. Working as an outdoor guide in Hawaii for a summer gave me a chance to discover the island of Oahu. It also helped me realize the that is the ONLY guide to hiking on Oahu that is worth buying. Not only do you get VERY accurate trail descriptions, you also get driving directions, directions from TheBus and information on flora and fauna in the area. I dare you to try and get lost!



3. This book is very well researched and wonderfully descriptive. Yes, the vegetation does change over time so the red berries may not be in the same location the author describes, but one gets a sense of the hike before deciding whether or not to do it. I'm puzzled by some other reviewers who complain about the length or difficulty of some of the hikes. There's always the Diamond Head lookout with 3000 of your closest friends.
   Yes, there are places on O'ahu where you can die if you fall (e.g. Waikiki on Saturday night) but don't blame the author for telling you about them.
   This book is clearly in a class by itself; if you're serious about hiking O'ahu, then this is the only book you'll need.



4. This book provides useful data on each trail: type, elevation gain, danger, difficulty and access. Each trail has a map.
   
   Practical use of this book presents some problems which could be solved with a good edit.
   
   One problem is that the information can be lost in the details. For instance, for some trails, the book says "At Punchbowl St. get on Lunalilo Fwy (H-1) heading 'ewa (west)." This is better said for tourists, "From Waikiki or downtown Honolulu take Highway 1 west." (Now the tourist does not have to find Punchbowl St., and wonder if "'eva" is some kind of choice that might be on a sign).
   
   The trail maps are labeled with A, B, C, etc. designations. Unfortunately, you have to read the narrative to find out what the letters mean and the text may be confusing. For instance, for one of my favorite trails on p. 56, Judd-Nuuano, there are 5 letters. Letter A is not mentioned in the text. Letter C says it's the top of a ridge, "turn left" (does this mean there is an intersecting trail?). The text at point E implies that there are no options but to turn around and go back (is this strictly the case?) It would be handy, especially on the trail, to have next to these maps a legend for instance A- Judd Trail trailhead, Nuuano Drive. B - Nuuano Trail intersection.... (etc.) and letters showing the main intersecting trails. This way, hikers could know the options and have additional markers for determining their location.
   
   We met a family looking for Maunawili Falls. They were headed away from the falls. I am not sure how they made their decisions, but they were using this book. The text was probably right, but its circuituous lack of clarity was the most likely culprit.
   
   The book's strengths are the data that introduces each trail and the assembly of a lot of information. A good editor could put this in great shape.



5. i found myself sitting at home on my days off playing computer games or watching tv too much, so i decided to get out and go have some fun!! Dont wanna end up being a couch potato!!
   
   i did the web searches for hikes and found a bunch but wanted something i could bring to work and read so...
   
   After reading all the review , i picked this book because it always rated as the best book on hiking on Oahu...and it is! It shows almost all the hikes for Oahu, how to get there, what the trails like and a ton of information about how hard or easy, how long and the plants you will see on the hike.
   
   i bought a few other books on hiking, Oahu Hikes: The Best Hikes and Walks on the Island (Lone Pine Guide) (lotsa nice pictures but not much info), Day Hikes on Oahu, 3rd 57 hikes but each on one page so again, not much information.
   
   So, if you want to try your hand errr feet at hiking on Oahu, save yourself some time and money and buy this book!!

5 comments about Hawaii: Honolulu Oahu (Nelles Maps).

1. Having never been to Honolulu or Oahu the map was invaluable. We became completely confident because of the helpful map.



2. Thank goodness I finally found this Nelles Map a month before my trip to Oahu! It honestly was the only thorough map I found for this island in 8 months of searching both Hawaii visitor sites and book companies. This map gave great detail and was not so miniscule that I had to squint to read it. The only drawback (I felt) was the too large hard cover. The firmness of the cover was fine-it was just too large to squeeze into compact luggage pieces or vehicle cubbies. (This was my lone reason for withholding a star.)
   
   side note-I had located the Kauai and Big Island sister maps months before and used all 3 maps daily on our trip. The only map I found to offer better detailing of downtown areas was the Hawaiian airlines map-and they only offered ones for Kauai and the Big Island. All that said, my Nelles maps are the ones I have kept for return trips to Hawaii.



3. I always buy a map of where ever I am vacationing before I plan to leave. It helps to plan the vacation better! This was a very good map for my trip, and it was easy to fold and unfold in the car if I wanted to find certian places or go somewhere I wasnt planning. Yes a GPS is a great thing, but having a map to lay on the table the morning you are driving around, to look over with your coffee, well that makes a trip more fun.



4. Shows the major routes around Oahu and has detailed inset maps of Honolulu, Kaneohe, and Lai'ie. The map of Honolulu in particular is very detailed. The print is real small though, so you need a magnifying glass (or really good eyesight) to read it.



5. On one side, this map has very detailed information regarding the areas surrounding Honolulu and Waikiki that is very useful. On the opposite side it contains a map of the whole island that shows all the major roads and highways. We were able to use it to drive around the coast without having to make too many guesses as to where to turn at local roads (which are not listed). It would have been nice if there was an inset for other parts of the island with more detail. Also the map has a cardstock cover which makes it easy to fold but is too large to fit in most purses.

5 comments about Frommer's Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu (Frommer's Complete).

1. We just returned from visiting Oahu in August 2006. We found that the "new edition" is at least 3 years out of date. It is clear that the author has not set foot on Oahu or visited Waikiki in quite a while as many of her resturant picks have changed hands, hotels don't offer services listed and the parks have all changed prices and hours of operation. We laughingly called it "The Book of Lies," for its inept and incorrect information. You would be better off seeking information from the local cabbies and street vendors. Find another book and use this one for compost.



2. My sister is moving there and it has everything you need as far as bus routes, prices, restaurants, and the listings are mostly price oriented such as least expensive to top dollar and includes a ton of phone numbers. Not so much history or mountains to climb but it can plan your trip for you all around the island whether a week trip or more.



3. Early in December, when the cold cutting winds were blowing on the mainland, I headed over to Waikiki for a week of surf and sun. I took with me three guides but surprisingly I never got to use the other guides because Frommer's answered my questions and covered the angles. Kudos!
   
   I found the accommodations and restaurants in this guide to be reliable and fairly extensive. It is logical that no printed guide will be 100% current. Thus, you should cross-check any listing with tripadvior (or similar) on the internet. We stayed at the Coconut Waikiki Hotel (a very good hotel and good value). We were minutes from the Waikiki beach and we were surrounded by good restaurants, many mentioned in this guide.
   
   In the world of travel guides there are basically two types: those that are written for the wandering/explorer/backpacker people (i.e., Footprint, Let's Go and Lonely Planet) and those written for the traveler who like comfort and has money (i.e., Fodor's and Frommer's). Thus, in Frommer's their listing under inexpensive accommodations start at $125 a night for Waikiki.
   
   Frommer's recommendations of restaurants are reliable. The list is large, but those recommended are not inexpensive. One of Frommer's inexpensive restaurants, Cha-Cha-Cha (not recommended), cost $40 ( lunch for 2 with tip no drinks). Not inexpensive in my world.
   
   If you are going to explore Oahu or just vacation in Honolulu then this is a great guide. There are a few sections that worth the purchase alone: `The Best of Oahu' and `Suggested . . . Itineraries'. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars



4. This book is so helpful for newcomers to Hawaii. It is a good starting off place so you have some idea of what to expect from your move or visit to Hawaii.



5. I purchased this on a reccomendation-everthing I`ve read so far I`d already read on the web-so my opinoin is-save your $ and look it up online.

5 comments about Hawaii For Dummies.

1. The Dummies series is known for providing practical, easy to understand information to get you started on any topic. The Dummies book for Hawaii does this same thing - black and white, highlights, with short descriptions.
   
   It's important to understand this. This book has quality information - and they are helped out by the Frommer's team, so you are getting Frommer's advice here in the book. However, there are no lush full-color photos to help you absorb the beauty of Hawaii. There are not turn by turn directions to get to those secret locations like the Southernmost Point in the United States.
   
   The book does shine at what it provides. If you're looking for hotels, other travel books often skim over this information. The dummies book provides price ranges, 'best' choices and explains exactly what to look for based on your needs. You get phone numbers, website URLs and details about parking and specials.
   
   The same is true for restaurants. You're told what items on the menu are worth ordering, what seats give the best views and what is great for romantic couples vs for families. Often you are just on a given island for a day or two and don't have time to figure these things out for yourself. Following the advice can make the difference between a so-so dinner and an evening you will remember for a lifetime.
   
   The book in general is a great reference for people who are going to stay on land, with its heavy emphasis on hotels and restaurants. People who are cruising will find it far less helpful. It's description of the famous black sand beach on the big island of Hawaii is super short. The Southernmost Point gets 2 sentences and you aren't even told how to get there. The book is thick - but all in black and white, so you miss out on the gorgeous atmosphere of Hawaii. You learn how to find a good taco, but not the meaning behind the location you are visiting.
   
   So I'd suggest this book primarily for people who are staying on land, and make sure this isn't the only book you get. Go through this book to choose your hotels and restaurants, but get another book or two to go into the background of the location and to map out the sights you wish to see.



2. I bought this book in anticipation of going to Oahu for a week. I have read everything in it about getting to the islands, Oahu, and Waikiki. I also read other guide books on the islands and this one has been the best. It gives pretty much any information that you might need to get there and back.



3. This is the best travel book I have ever used. Very complete and easy to use. The recommendations are flawless. If you are going to Hawaii,especially for the firt time, make your trip better and get this book.



4. I bought this book from Amazon because I had borrowed several from the library and thought this one was one of the best.



5. We are planning a June 2010 Hawaii trip and didn't want to go into it blind. Saw the positive reviews for this book and purchased it. It lives up to the reviews. The author provides an indepth description of each island, complete with maps, etc. Each island has its own chapter so it is easy to find the info you are looking for. She provides resort and lodging information (she then provides a map showing all the locations of the lodgings she's provided) for each island along with a dining guide and activities to do. She also provides info on how to get there, pros and cons, tourist traps; you name it and it is in there! An excellent resource and very easy to read and understand. We did a lot of highlighting in our book and will definitely bring it with us when we head to Hawaii.

5 comments about Frommer's Kauai (Frommer's Complete).

1. This particular book is the typical Frommer's edition. It gives the places that the staff have visited and reviewed. I wish it would delve into more of what the restaurant, hotel, or tourist attraction has to offer.



2. I got this before going to Hawaii and it is a great book. You don't realize how valuable it is until you get to Kauai and then wish you had it with you. Be sure to take it with you when you go. There is no way to remember all the things you want to see and do when you get there.



3. I was very happy with this book and found it very helpful on my trip. I referred to it a great deal and glad I had it before I left.



4. Item was as described and arrived quickly. Have not used it yet so cannot comment on the quality of the information.



5. We love all of the Frommer's travel guides. We buy one for every place we travel and we haven't been guided in the wrong direction yet. Everything we've done that was recommended in these books are great. We don't travel to kauai for another month, but we've already book a few of the activities recommended.

1 comments about Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawaii: Maui, The Valley Isle.

1. If your wish list includes visiting seldom seen backwaters be sure to get a copy of this University of Hawaii map. It only costs a few bucks and makes a great addition to your travel planning kit.

5 comments about Hawaii By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising Hawaii with Giant color pull-out map.

1. We really loved this book. It had alot of very helpful suggestions in it. A few things had already changed but overall it was a nice guideline to go by.



2. This is the good book for cruising Hawaii. My only concern is that the Map should be more detailed. Many times the place she is talking about, but I have hard time to find where it is..



3. Thousands of people cruise around the Hawaiian Islands every week. Anne Vipond speaks directly to this group of visitors, explaining how to get the best experience out of your Hawaiian cruise vacation.
   
   The book begins with a very nice reference area helping you understand the basics of a cruise ship and the background of the culture and history of Hawaii. Both of these are things you might normally overlook in a Hawaii travel book - but both are really important to helping you really enjoy your vacation by cruise. The more you are prepared for how a cruise ship works - and the more you understand the background of the peoples and landscapes of Hawaii - the more meaningful your trip is.
   
   The book goes island by island, allowing you to quickly page to whichever island you're interested in and scan through the attractions. That way you can bring the book with you on the ship, bookmark whichever island is coming up next, and scan to see what you should watch out for. There are nice color photos so you can see exactly what the lava tubes look like, what the sea arch looks like, and so on. As I visited the locations, I was impressed that the book did a great job of showing me exactly what to watch for.
   
   The book keeps a variety of visitors in mind. It talks about which golf courses are nearby, what hiking trails are available, what the beaches are like. It indicates when you should rent a car in advance and when shuttles are available.
   
   There is a very nice pull-out map that has an overview of Hawaii on one side, and up close detailed maps on the other side of the main islands and locations. The book has even more detailed maps of specific areas, like Volcano National Park on the Big Island.
   
   The book is definitely not as bulky as some other Hawaii books out there - but I found this a good thing. This was something I could easily carry with me and thumb through to figure out what seemed most interesting. Then if I wanted really in depth information about one detail, I could go to my specific book to get all the full information. For example, I have the Big Island Revealed which is an entire book just on the "Big Island" of Hawaii since I really wanted to explore there. But I used this book as a guide to figure out which attractions I wanted to see, and then went to the Revealed book to get the mile marker and location and other details.
   
   A great reference book for the cruiser to Hawaii!



4. We were planning a cruise to Hawaii and were looking for more information than contained on the cruise ship web sites. This book is the perfect compliment. It gives you detailed information on all the shore excrusions as well as other activities available, maps of the islands and tips on what to see and do. It really helps you plan your shore days to the maximum extent. This book is essential for those cruising the Hawaiian Islands.



5. We just took a cruise around the Hawaiian Islands on the Holand America cruise line. We saved sooo much many thanks to this book! Instead of spending lots on the excursions, (Such as Pearl Harbor, Volcanos National Park, Snorkling), we just rented a car and got to see a whole lot more than we would have if we had signed up for just one excursion. Plus, as the book will tell you, a lot of the excursions that you pay $100 (or more) for are actually free (or at least half that price). Thanks to this book, our family made the most of our time on the Islands. I highly recommend this book for anyone visitting any of the Islands!

5 comments about Frommer's Maui Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day - Pocket).

1. Maui Day by Day is the one guide you should put in your travel bag while in Maui. It has a great map along with all the information you could possibly want as you spend your time vacationing. There is no need to wade thru pages as it is well indexed. Time in paradice is short no need to spend all your time reading about it....BE THERE!



2. This was a great lil guide to throw in your bag. The foldout map was AWESOME and worth the purchase. We used this item daily on our 2 week honeymoon. This book and the 50 Thrifty Maui Restaurants were such a great resource; one to get you around, the other to get you well fed. I highly recommend both since everytime we used them we had a better time for it :)



3. Having never been to Maui, I grabbed this book to gain some insight into the places I needed to see and things I needed to do while on vacation. The book is fantastic, notes the best "hole in the wall" cafes and restaurants, lists the GREAT farmers markets and fruit stands along your route, and even breaks down the things you can do/see if you're on the island for 3-days, 4-days, 5-days, etc. That way, you maximize your time on the island, without running around "wasting" time on not-so-exciting activities (not that not-so-exciting activities can even be considered a "waste" while on a beautiful tropical island, but you know what I mean!)



4. I bought this book because we are vacationing in Maui this summer. It is very good with all the pictures and informative text.



5. I bought Frommer's "Maui Day by Day" because I really liked their "San Francisco Day by Day". I also have "Maui Revealed" by Andrew Doughty and "Driving and Discovering Hawaii: Maui and Molokai" by Richard Sullivan. Because of the latter two books, I discovered that Frommer's "Maui Day by Day"'s description of the Road to Hana does not include a big chunk of waterfall stops and swimming stops. A BIG CHUNK...like, the majority of waterfall stops. I also did not find the pull out map to be helpful at all, except for very basic orientation of where you might be on the island as a whole. The chapter maps are better, but the maps in "Driving and Discovering Hawaii: Maui and Molokai" are even better. "Maui Day by Day" also describes the Seven Sacred Pools by saying that it's an HOUR hike uphill to the author's favorite falls, Waimoku Falls...but "Maui Day by Day" says the Seven Sacred Pools are reached by a loop trail that is 1/2 mile. The Driving Maui book reveals that Waimoku Falls is a 4 mile, 2 hour hike ONE WAY; the "Seven Sacred Pools" that most people are looking for are right there on the 1/2 mile loop. "Day by Day" does not even mention that. ("Seven Pools" is a misnomer...it's a series of many falls in that area.)
   
   I still plan on using "Day by Day" as a small guidebook that will fit in my purse, but will DEFINITELY be using the other two books for detailed information.

5 comments about Map of Hawaii: The Big Island : Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawaii (Reference Maps of the Islands of Hawai'i).

1. Great resource. If you plan to run around the island, don't do it without this map!



2. For our recent trip to The Big Island we ended up with several maps from various sources. This one was my favorite and the most useful overall. It could be more durable as mentioned by others but it suited my needs fine for a one week visit.



3. Great reference tool affording great detail in order to find all the hard to get to areas



4. I always study a map before I go anywhere. This one is very detailed and shows the elevations. Combined with the guidebook Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer I was all set for hiking. My advice is study both before you go. There's alot of country to enjoy and I had no trouble locating the bays, lagoons and beaches.



5. We go to Kona every other year and I never, repeat never go there without the most updated version of this map. The detail is essential sometimes to find those hard to find, yet gloriously perfect attractions. It has been the difference between making a five minute hike from a little known, local trail; and a half-hour kahole-buster hike from the more notable access points.

3 comments about Frommer's Hawaii 2010 (Frommer's Color Complete Guides).

1. I confess - I didn't read this whole book. Well, I didn't start at the front and read all the way to the end at any rate. First, I looked through the pictures and ooh-ed and aah-ed appropriately. Then I started reading some of the things about the various islands. Then I looked up the volcano - Kilauea. Then I turned to the front and read parts of the "Best of Hawaii". I paged through until I got to Part 4 - Suggested Hawaiian Itineraries - and read that entire chapter closely. It has weekly itineraries for each of the main islands. For every activity it suggests, it gives a page number to go to for more details. And then I played around looking at various chapters that go more in depth on each main island.
   
   This book is presented in a logical manner. There's some good intro stuff (example: don't act like the locals aren't in the US. Hawaii IS United States!) that's good to know. There's a bit about time difference (neither Hawaii or Arizona, where I live, practice Daylight Savings - good to know). There's stuff about safety and driving and something called a "gold card", which offers discounts - important info there. And then you get to the fun stuff - the beaches, activities, shopping, lodging, culture, FOOD! (I can't wait to go to a fancy restaurant that proudly serves spam.)
   
   No, I haven't been to Hawaii (yet!!) in order to make sure that all the information presented is correct. But the more I read, the closer that day gets. In fact, I might have to go a few times 'cause Oahu looks to be at least a week, and Maui is at least a week, and I want to see Kilauea while it's still going off! I mean, how many other "safe" volcanoes do you know about? (I mean the lava ones, not Yellowstone.)
   
   *sigh* stupid recession. But until my bank account comes back, this book (and the Travel Channel) are a great source of information and imagination. And if those 6 lottery numbers ever come up my way, you can be sure that I'll be on a flight within a week, the Frommer's Hawaii guide firmly gripped.
   
   This is a beautiful book laid out in an easy to understand format. Highly recommended, whether you have a vacation planned or not.



2. Having traveled to Hawaii, this book outlines many of the hotspots and day trips that my wife and I took from island hopping. This book is as close to having a tour guide than other books by the competition. Filled with full color photos and maps, as well as inserts highlighting cultural information and travel ideas, this book is one of the best guides that I have ever used for the State of Hawaii.
   
   One of the most useful chapters is the first chapter, which covers the Best of Hawaii. However, this book suits users of any budget (economy, midgrade and high-end restaurants/destinations/shopping/resorts). Contact information, addresses and relevant cost information is outlined. A section for culture, language, and ideas for any type of tourist (i.e. singles, newlyweds, golfers, surfers, explorers, etc) will give the reader great insight. A pull out map is helpful for those road trips, whereas the book as a whole is a relatively compact book to carry in the beach bag or store in the rental car/limousine.
   
   This guide has a little bit of everything, and enough to make you enjoy your stay.
   
   Highly recommend.



3. I found the Frommer's Hawaii 2010 guide to be comprehensive and filled with enough photos, maps, and information to satisfy most anyone's guide book requirements.
   
   This 1.25" thick guide may be too much information for someone going to Oahu for just a few days but if you plan on exploring Hawaii in-depth take this guide along and your days will be filled with enough sights and activities that you'll be limited only by the number of hours in a day and the amount of energy you have to keep going.
   
   The guide is organized nicely with color "tabs" printed on the pages for each of the major topics:
   
   01 - The Best of Hawaii (Tourist info)
   02 - Hawaii In Depth (History)
   03 - Planning Your Trip
   04 - Suggested Itineraries
   05 - Oahu
   06 - Big Island
   07 - Maui
   08 - Molokai
   09 - Lanai
   10 - Kauai
   11 - Fast Facts
   
   I found this to be a very nice guide but there are a few things that could be improved :
   
   * The pull out map is a nice addition but needs to be a bit more detailed to make it really useful. To use the map it has to be detached from the guide making it easy to lose. A foldout map or pocket attached to the back cover would be very useful.
   
   * The binding right at the center of the book (Volcanoes National Park Map) is splitting and starting to become unglued after a few uses.
   
   * Specific sections in each chapter are set up for Dining, Shopping, Sightseeing, Lodging, etc., however, the guide is large and I found myself wishing that the guide was organized locally such that if I found myself in Downtown Hilo all of the Hilo information would be available within a few pages.
   
   Overall this is a very nice and useful guide. The amount of information is enormous and is written in a factual style as opposed to feeling as if you're flipping through someone's vacation journal.
   
   Read the Frommer's Hawaii 2010 guide and use it to plan out your trip ahead of time. Just be aware that this book is thick and is not the easiest to flip through while you're cruising the North Shore on 83 and looking for that little restaurant you remember reading about that has the best plate lunch around.