Customer Reviews

Hawaii Trails : Walks, Strolls and Treks on the Big Island

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a handy guide with lots of good information and worth packing if you have a couple of weeks to spend on the Island. With less time, and wanting to get it all in one carry-on bag, I just took notes on a few walks with me. I really wanted to get to the birth place of Kamehameha the Great in Kohala. The directions almost got me there, but neglected to say that only 4 wheel drive vehicle should try to navigate the last stretch to the site which is a dirt road, and I had to turn around. The Mackenzie Beach Park trail was given a bad rap over the bathroom facilities. I thought it was incredible opportunity to stroll in solitude on a dramatic lava bluff with monster waves crashing below. This could just be a case of one woman's ceiling is another woman's floor. Many of the walks and hikes are concentrated in the Volcano National Park. I tried the bird walk and it was a delight. Next time, I hope to have more time to explore this lovely region and will take what is one of the best books about hikes on the Big Island available along with me.

Linda Ballou, Author of Wai-nani, High Chiefess of Hawaii

I regret having shelled out the $ for this guide and am trying to save others the expense by this warning. This book should be re-named 'Strolls of Hawaii' as content-wise the author steers readers away from anything resembling a true hike- steering readers away from anything even slightly difficult or rewarding. First, the maps and descriptions in this book are mediocre black and white while the general layout and organization of the hikes is confusing. Second, the author is not qualified to write this book as she obviously lacks common sense when on the trail. As an example, she got lost in easy-walking Kalopa State park. I did the hike she got lost on and thus didn't recommend in this great little Park and was flabbergasted as to how she got turned around. Only through true incompetence could someone get lost here. The general Lonely Planet Guide to the Big Island and the Blue Book (Big Island revealed) were far better at describing and guiding you to the best hikes on the Big Island- both through their maps and descriptions, than this ill-conceived attempt at a guide book.

It's got a few flaws, but this is the best hiking guide I could find for the Big Island. The author lays out 58 easy to tough hikes organized geographically. Each is clearly presented with consistent summary information and the text is generally well written. You can tell Morey has done most, if not all, of them. There is also a pleasant balance of information on everything from the Hawaiian language to local historic events. While she's opinionated at times, she lets you know that she's giving her opinion. As for improvements, the guide could use more detailed maps (many hikes have no map) and, I fear, will age too quickly given changes in roads, lava flows, and restrictions on 4WD vehicles. I'm not sure she can do much about the latter except keep putting out new editions.

By the way, everyone, including Morey, says the Kilauea Iki hike (#28 in the book) is the best on the island, I don't know about that but it is a darn good hike. Combine it with Thurston Lava Tube (#29) and that is a couple hours you'll remember for a very long time.

Excellent resource. We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and wanted to do some treks and visit spots that are not necessarily on the tourist map. The book opened up a whole aspect of Hawaii we would not have known about.

After reading this book, I am left to wonder if the author likes to hike, is even in moderately good shape, or has any desire to explore the Big Island. She seems to prefer hikes that are short and relatively easy with restrooms nearby. Many of the more interesting hikes on the Big Island require some effort and can be (but are not always) long.

She doesn't recommend any of the backcountry hikes in the Volcano Park and even goes as far as calling them "dull" and "boring." Many of these hikes are difficult, over 10+ miles, with significant elevation gain/loss but are truly beautiful, scenic, and unique hikes you will not find anywhere else. Yes, they might be hot (especially if you are dumb enough to start mid-day) and you might be exposed to the elements but this is what sunscreen and hats are for. Furthermore, the author talks about getting lost in Kalopa State Park - which is ridiculous. If the author is getting lost in Kalopa State Park she should not be writing a book on hiking and clearly has no orienteering skills whatsoever. Also, her distances can be quite off - her estimating is often much longer or shorter because she uses her personal pace as an estimator of distance which she doesn't seem to realize will change with elevation gain or loss.

If you are an experienced hiker you should definitely pass on this book. Pick up trail maps or get The Big Island Revealed - even that is a better guide for locating accurate trail information. If you know absolutely nothing about hiking this book would probably be a good fit.