Hidden Big Island of Hawaii: Including the Kona Coast, Hilo, Kailua and Volcanos National Park (Paperback)

~ Ray Riegert (Author) "The Big Island, they call it, and even that is an understatement..." (more)
Key Phrases: sugar planters, Mamalahoa Highway, Mauna Kea, Alii Drive (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Hawaii remains as popular as ever, and this guide shows how to discover its least crowded island. Award-winning author and founder of the Hidden guidebooks series, Ray Riegert reveals how to best experience this magnificent island like a local. Hidden Big Island of Hawaii reviews the popular attractions -- such as diving coral reefs and scaling active volcanoes -- then invites readers to go further by exploring "hidden" spots other guides overlook, like an early morning fresh-fish auction, a rainforest zoo, and a secluded black-sand beach that has great surfing. From campgrounds and local burger joints to five-star resorts and gourmet restaurants, this comprehensive guide provides a broad selection of lodging and dining options, as well as information on outdoor adventures such as hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Each title in the Hidden series offers readers the comfort of detailed maps, internet information for each listing, suggested itineraries, and walking and driving tours.

About the Author

Ray Riegert founded the Hidden guidebook series over 20 years ago with his revolutionary guide, Hidden Hawaii. A breakthrough guide in the field of adventure travel, it was the first to describe the beaches and outdoor activities in Hawaii. (Does anyone go for hula shows anymore?) Now publisher of Ulysses Press, he oversees the publication of all Hidden guides and always makes sure that his hard-working authors (including himself) spend lots of time hanging out at the beach.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Ulysses Press; illustrated edition edition (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569753415
• ISBN-13: 978-1569753415
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,027,080 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight, May 4, 2004

By A Customer

I've used the Hidden series before and liked them but this one is not up to speed. I found the pages to be light on information and the places that they recommended were where all the tourists go. In other words, "Hidden" was misleading. Better books are on the market.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Dull and low on information, August 8, 2007

By	Marsha W. Maxwell "Miss Marsha" (Draper, UT United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Hidden Big Island of Hawaii: Including the Kona Coast, Hilo, Kailua, and Volcanoes National Park (Hidden Travel) (Paperback)

I recently took this book on a trip to the Big Island. While it was definitely better than not having a guidebook at all, this book provides only basic information. In fact, we referred to the free magazines from the rental car company at least as much as we referred to this book. The writing style is dull, and the book is not organized in a way that makes it easy to find information. Zero photographs other than the one on the cover. In addition, I found some of the recommended restaurants less than satisfactory. If I had a suggestion for the publishers of this book, it would be to add some specific discussion on seeing the lava flows. I think a lot of the visitors to the big island are there because they want to see the lava, but it's not always possible. When we were there, the volcano wasn't doing much and there was nothing to see. A month or so later, they had such a big flow that the Park Service had to shut down part of the park. Seeing the lava is a hit and miss thing, as I found out. I still enjoyed the island immensely, but only after adjusting my expectations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Big Island of Hawaii, February 21, 2009

By	Merry Weather "BevE" (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hidden Big Island of Hawaii: Including the Kona Coast, Hilo, Kailua, and Volcanoes National Park (Hidden Travel) (Paperback)

Ray Riegert the author of 8 travel books and Joan Conrow the update author have written the perfect companion for your dream vacation to The Big Island of Hawaii. Though other reviews here state that this book is lite on information I find that hard to believe. I am not a seasoned traveler but found this book to be complete in every imaginable scenario for a traveler's questions. I would definitely purchase this book, it is well organized and easy to use. I think this book would be perfect for any experienced traveler, first time vacationer or even the armchair dreamer.