Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

After our visit to the Big Island in Jan ‘02, we planned another trip for Apr ‘02. Because we felt we had missed a lot, we searched Amazon for guide books and found “Hawaii, The Big Island Revealed” by Doughty & Friedman. It was amazing!

Just to begin with, one of their suggestions about where to buy gas paid for the book! Twice!!

A lot of their comments confirmed our feelings from the first trip so we knew they had great insight. After that, as we toured and decided on places to eat, places to visit, we used their guide and they never failed us! While driving down Hiway 11 and WE would look up places in the book to see what they said. It was a lot more than a guide book on shops and dining, but a guide to knowledge about the island and its hidden secret spots.

I can recommend this book for even the most knowledgeable locals! I know you will enjoy it!!
Rating: 2 / 5
Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

I purchased all 4 of the series by Doughty for a future family trip to the Hawaiian Islands. I also purchased two other well known guide books and a video, but they were not very helpful. The Doughty books are BY FAR the best guide books I have ever seen. The books begin with a thorough background of the island history, and then Doughty literally takes you on a tour of the island, one mile-marker at a time. He describes EVERYTHING. A friend of mine, who had spent a few weeks on Oahu with some locals, described a really obscure waterfall trail that only a handful of people knew about. He told me we would have to drive to the end of a residential street, go through a gate that said “private property” and then climb down the side of a steep hill to get there. I checked Doughty’s book. It was in there, including an explanation of the “private property” sign, and the advice that you may have to tip the property owner a buck or two if he objects to you being there.

With so much information, you might think that the book would make a terrible reference, but the opposite is true. Everything is arranged so well, and indexed so that you can find what you want easily.

These books include separate sections devoted to all the major excursions, and also a marvelous hotel/resort section that includes a satelite view of the hotel and grounds so that you can see for yourself what the place looks like. The hotels not listed in the book can be viewed, along with a full review, on Doughty’s website. The website also includes a list of things that have changed since the book was released. And if you still have questions, you can email Doughty. He lives on one of the islands. A password to the website is included in the book. If you are considering a trip to any of the Hawaiian Islands these books are a MUST HAVE. Don’t even bother with anything else.
Rating: 5 / 5
Hawaii The Big Island Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook