Moon Handbooks Big Island of Hawai'i: Including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Softcover

Nilsen, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1566914884 ISBN 13: 9781566914888

Publisher: Moon Travel, 2003

Synopsis

In Moon Handbooks Big Island of Hawaii, Robert Nielsen provides travelers with all the details they need to plan the perfect Island adventure. The Big Island of Hawaii is an island of superlatives. Double the size of all the islands combined, the Big Island is the state's youngest -- just under a million years old. The island's diverse landscape possesses a wide variety of climate zones -- from tropical to snow-capped alpine to lava desert to rain forest. Covering outdoor recreation activities, accommodations, dining, and more, Moon Handbooks Big Island of Hawaii will help travelers immerse themselves in the island's natural and cultural riches. Included are tips on exploring the spectacular Waipi'o Valley, discovering the "Gold Coast" in Kailua-Kona on the island's west side, and hiking the immense Kilauea Caldera.

About this title

Review:

If you're keen on delving into Hawaiian culture and history, you'll do well with the Moon Handbooks' guide to the Big Island (which also includes a chapter on Hawaii Volcanoes National Park). Moon offers an amazingly thorough look at this Polynesian island--from the arrival of the first settlers to Captain James Cook's landing, all the way up to Pearl Harbor and statehood in 1959. The body of the book discusses what to do and see, and where to stay and eat in the major tourist areas, including Kona (with its vast coffee plantations and palm-studded beaches), Hilo (with lush botanical gardens), and Puna (rich in lava fields spewed from the still-active Kilauea Volcano). Throughout, you'll find descriptions of Hawaiian hallmarks (hula dances, leis, luaus) as well as a chapter on sports and recreation, including where to hike, canoe, snorkel, surf--even ski (Mauna Kea is snow-capped in winter). The "Flora & Fauna" chapter identifies indigenous animals such as the Hawaiian thrush and the endangered monk seal. There are also plenty of tips to make your trip as seamless as possible, from a list of common Hawaiian words (think lots of vowels) to favorite tropical drinks such as the Chi Chi (vodka with pineapple juice and coconut syrup). --Jill Fergus

Review:

"America's finest travel guidebook series . . . extensively researched, engagingly written, intelligently indexed, and packed with helpful maps and sidebars." "The most complete, most trustworthy, least gushy guide to Hawaii. If you take only one book, take this one."

About this edition

• Publisher: Moon Travel
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1566914884
• ISBN 13: 9781566914888
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 432