Big Island Books

Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Hawaii the Big Island Revealed)

Andrew Doughty

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wizard Publications Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $11.53

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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Pacific
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> Big Island
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 245 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Just Get It 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you are planning a trip to The Big Island you need to buy this book. We got 5 books from the library before purchasing this book, and this is the one we kept ging back to. Just get it.

great guidebook 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have nothing but good things to say about this series. The maps (so many of them!) are much easier to use than most others, because of the topographic shading. The trail maps are detailed, and mile markers on the road maps are a great help. The layout is very handy, with sights arranged in the order you would encounter them geographically. Lots of good photos, since so many places can't be adequately described with words.

excellent 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I just returned from the Big Island with a large group. We used this book extensively and there were no surprises - it was very accurate and enhanced our first trip to the Big Island, which is so beautiful. I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone traveling to the Big Island!

Editorial Review:

The finest guidebook ever written for the Big Island and the only one written by writers who anonymously review the island. They visit every beach, restaurant, activity and trail on the island. The result is this comprehensive, humorous and easy-to-read full color guide that will lead you to more adventures than any other book. A must for travelers.

No Worries Hawaii: A Vacation Planning Guide for Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island

Jerry Sprout, Janine Sprout

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Diamond Valley Company Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $10.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Get To The Heart of Your Destination
Half of Hawaii's 8 million yearly tourists are first-timers, often unsure of which island to visit, where to stay, and what to choose to do.
NO WORRIES HAWAII, a companion book to the Sprout's adventure guides for each of the islands, comes to the rescue. The book is also useful for repeat visitors or locals looking for new adventures.
Readers first take an armchair voyage, in which they nail down their vacation style (a scouting expedition, a romantic getaway, a solo or group adventure, invigorating, relaxing, healing). These likings are matched with what Hawaii has to offer. A clever but simple self-test allows readers to sort through Hawaii's assets: beaches, nightlife, trails, gardens, attractions, cultural sites, surfing, snorkeling, 36 categories in all, to determine which are important and which island is best.
In the second part of NO WORRIES HAWAII, readers take their decisions from part one and receive all the practical and money-saving advice needed to book a vacation that makes the armchair voyage become a real one. Included also is a complete list of what to pack.
The third part of the book is full of tips on what to do and what not to do after arriving in the islands. Readers will deplane as kama'aina (locals), having the benefit of the Sprout's 20 years of exploration.
Sections include how to plan days to maximize fun and avoid hassle, finding free entertainment, car rental and accommodation money-savers. Readers are advised on how to, and whether to, book tours (snorkeling, sailing, helicopter, horseback, etc.). The book's safety tips are a literal lifesaver, and the everyday advice on driving, hiking, and beach-going are essential forgetting the most fun out of every day.
The meat of NO WORRIES HAWAII is its Best Of section, a listing of Hawaii's top attractions: museums, rainforest dayhikes, snorkeling coves, walk-around beach towns, surfing spots, places to watch surfers, mountain bike trails, people-watching beaches, botanical gardens, short strolls to views, cultural sites, luxury resorts, volcano hikes, bird-watching forests, waterfalls, churches, remote beaches, family beach parks, golf courses, and more.
Taken together, the 50 categories neatly sum up the best of Hawaii. Readers can use these listings as a reference when they get to their chosen island.
NO WORRIES HAWAII is beautifully designed, complimented by more than 100 color photographs, and also contains a "wikiwiki phonebook" with all the contact numbers needed to put a vacation together.

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

James Allen Bier

Amazon Price: $4.95 List Price: $4.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: University of Hawaii Press Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $1.77

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Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> World
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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Big Island Map 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Purchased this map for our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and found it to be most helpful!

Had to return, not what I was looking for 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This map was not what I was expecting, so I returned it. Thanks anyway.

Better than expected 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Thank you Amazon.
I received my order(map of big is) quicker from Stateside than I get some
mail here in Australia . I received my map 2 and a half weeks quicker than promised , and to think I don't need it till Nov .
Thank You.
Regards
Patrick
Patrick Richardson

Good Map, but better ones on the island. 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

We moved here and I like it, but there are better ones that I've seen around.

excellent map 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Our first trip to the big Island of Hawaii and this map came in handy when we were plotting where to go and what was nearby and reference points. It's a good buy.

Editorial Review:

This is a reference map of Hawaii.

Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer: Where to hike, snorkel, surf, bike, drive

Jerry Sprout, Janine Sprout

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Diamond Valley Company Amazon Marketplace: 33 new & used starting at $8.00

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Subjects -> Sports -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 41 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

A guide for families and outdoor adventurers alike, the new and completely revised 2007 Trailblazer takes you to all of the Big Island's famous attractions, as well as its hidden spots. Nearly twice the size of the rest of Hawaii combined, the Big Island presents a challenge to adventure travelers with limited time. Trailblazer comes to the rescue with its trademark organization and clear directions for . . .

156 hikes and strolls: the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the shores of Waipio Valley and Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, rain forests and tropical gardens, waterfalls, petroglyph fields, and the Kona Coast
75 snorkeling and swimming spots including remote hike-to specials
39 surfing spots: boards, bodyboarding, and body surfing
24 bike trails for adventure cyclists: mountain, coastal, forest, pasture
25 campgrounds and rustic cabin hideaways

Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer also includes . . .

9 maps and more than 200 photographs
A Trailblazer Kids section for adventuring famiies
A Best Of section that lets you pick the right activity for the right day
Resource Links with hand-picked accommodations and restaurants,recreational outfitters, transportation, and visitor information
Hawaiian culture and history
Museums, attractions and shopping
Driving tours to the Parker Ranch and Kohala Coast, Hilo and the Heritage Coast, and Kona coffee country
Safety tips and trip-planning advice

Hawaii: The Big Island (Regional Guide)

Luci Yamamoto, Conner Gorry

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $6.41

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not terrible, not great, too many silly mistakes 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

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 two 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.

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 places to eat. Not much here to help.

Watching the Manta rays: On page 60 is a good section recommending specific outfits to take you on a night dive with the manta rays. Nowhere in the book does it tell you that you can view them from dry land at the Sheraton in Kona, which has a huge terrace overlooking the water. And it's free. 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.

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 switched from three stars to two as I was writing this review, but I cannot make the change. Buy one of the better books.

Editorial Review:

Featuring chapters on area activities and adventures, sustainable travel options, and Big Island myths and legends, this updated edition provides all the essential information for planning a perfect Hawaiian getaway.

Snorkel Hawaii The Big Island, Second Edition

Judy Malinowski, Mel Malinowski

Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Indigo Publications Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $10.00

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Subjects -> Science -> Nature & Ecology -> Oceans & Seas -> General
Subjects -> Science -> Nature & Ecology -> Oceans & Seas -> General AAS
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Scuba -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Maps Alone Make It Worth The Price 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

After three weeks of snorkeling the Big Island, our copy of Snorkel Hawaii - The Big Island, is dog-eared. The maps of snorkeling spots are worth every penny of the book. They are clear and show everything necessary: best water entry points, best snorkeling spots in a bay (differing between beginning, intermediate, and advanced snorkelers), landmarks, parking, and amenities such as showers and restrooms. The Sites at a Glance section presents all the sites in chart format with ratings, entry difficulty, amenities, and brief remarks. The book helped us target our snorkeling time and we swam with both dolphins and sea turtles, viewing a moray eel and more varieties of tropical fish than we were able to count!

Editorial Review:

Snorkel Hawaii: The Big Island was the first guidebook exclusively devoted to snorkeling on The Big Island of Hawaii. In this 50% longer expanded second edition, even more sites and maps are included, plus updated tips and excursions. From a colorful cover to 54 site descriptions and 38 detailed maps of snorkeling sites, it draws you into the fascinating underwater world that shouldn't be missed by anyone touring the Big Island.

As Dave Barry says: "When you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean--it's like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent."

It is the original in a series of guidebooks that provide more detailed snorkeling information than ever before available for each of the Hawaiian islands in an attractive, easy to carry package. Snorkel Maui and Lanai, and Snorkel Kauai, also available from Amazon.com, provides the same detailed coverage of these beautiful islands.

Hawaii Trails: Walks Strolls And Treks on the Big Island (Hawaii Trails: Walks, Strolls & Treks on the Big Island)

Kathy Morey

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wilderness Press Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $7.55

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Subjects -> Travel -> Specialty Travel -> Adventure -> General

Editorial Review:

Pele's magical haunt, the big island of Hawai'I encompasses spectacular and diverse landscapes, from shimmering bays to exhilarating 14,000-foot volcanoes. In this thoroughly updated new edition, choose from 58 hikes that explore Mauna Loa, Kilauea, Kaumana Caves, and Mauna Kea State Park, among other fabulous places. Discover black sand beaches, sea turtle coves, lava lanes, and rainforest valleys.

Big Island Of Hawaii Restaurants And Dining With Hilo And The Kona Coast

Robert Carpenter, Cindy Carpenter

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Holiday Publishing Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $8.42

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Hawaii -> Big Island

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Big Island of Hawaii Restaurants and Dining 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent guide for delectable dining on the Big Island. We were fortunate enough to visit both sides of the island and dine at several of the recommended establishments. After dining on excellent scampi at an Italian bistro in Hilo, we sampled dessert with the locals followed the next day by innovative pizza overlooking the bay. It all proved quite satisfying.

Editorial Review:

This inclusive guide to the "special" restaurants and dining spots on the Big Island of Hawaii is an essential for food enthusiasts, travel adventurers, and culinary vagabonds. Inside the authors take us on a tour of over 90 establishments ranging from posh formal dining venues to hole-in-the-walls. Each member of this personal A list gets a full page write-up loaded with information designed to empower the reader. Rounding things out enhancements appear covering interests like "Family Friendly" and "Old Haunts" with cultural background provided by "Island Cuisines" and "Hawaii Glossaries". Together this data rich collection covers the Big Island dining scene like nothing has done before. A positive approach combines with a travelogue style to produce a light, enjoyable read. Local residents and island visitors should all appreciate the comfortable calabash within.

Frommer's Portable Big Island of Hawaii (Frommer's Portable)

Jeanette Foster

Amazon Price: $10.39 List Price: $12.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frommers Amazon Marketplace: 45 new & used starting at $6.69

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Exploring the Big Island with Frommers 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I found the Frommers guide very helpful when on the Big Island. He is a bit opinionated, because a few places I found that Frommers didn't like, I liked. But overall, this pocket book was much more helpful in the exploring the Big Island for the first time. It is a must if it is your first time to go. Make sure to take time to read it, and not just on the airplane over. You may want to find a more detailed map once you get to the Big Island to navigate around, as Frommers did not have very detailed maps.

Editorial Review:

Frommer's Portable Guides offer all the detailed information and insider advice of a Frommer's Complete Guide--but in a concise, pocket-sized format.

Perfect for the short-term traveler who insists on value and doesn't want to wade through or carry a full-size guidebook, this series selects the very best choices in all price categories and takes you straight to the top sights. Get the latest on resorts, restaurants, sports, shopping, and nightlife in a nutshell in these lightweight, inexpensive guides.

Meticulously researched by an acclaimed local journalist, Frommer's Portable Big Island of Hawaii is a concise guide to the best of the state's namesake island. You'll rely on our top-notch coverage of the best beaches, golf courses, and adventure outings. Our candid and in-depth hotel reviews cover everything from luxury oceanfront resorts to family-friendly condos to B&Bs, and our dining coverage ensures that you'll enjoy a true taste of Hawaii.

Fodor's Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition (Full-Color Gold Guides)

Fodor's

Amazon Price: $12.21 List Price: $17.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Fodor's Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $10.59

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Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend on the Big Island!

•Your vacation never looked better. This Fodor’s full-color guide paints an unforgettable picture of the Big Island with vibrant maps, vividly illustrated features, and stunning color photos.

•Updated frequently, Fodor’s Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition, provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.

•Fodor’s Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places on the Big Island

Experience the Big Island like a local! Fodor’s Big Island of Hawaii, 2nd Edition includes unique photo-features that impart the island’s culture, covering Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the gorgeous white-sand beaches of the Kohala Coast, the rugged uplands of Waimea called “cowboy country,” and much more!

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

•Full-color pullout map

Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.