I tried to like this book. But the more I tried, the more disappointed I was.

I've gone back and forth with myself over whether this book ought to describe more trails. After all, ten backpacking trips, four of which are in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, seems a bit spare. I decided not to give this book a lower rating since I did buy it because it says "backpackers" in the title, and looking at other guide books and maps has convinced me that there are probably a limited number of multi-day trips available on the islands. Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that it's a bit thin for its price tag. Looking at similarly priced titles on my bookshelf, I would expect twice as many trips and more descriptions of branch trails and day hikes beyond the destination campsites.

The trail descriptions themselves are good. The overviews are enjoyable and include major landmarks along the way. The overviews are then followed by overly detailed route descriptions. They go so far as to tell you to "Pass a mango tree on the right," and they count the number of switchbacks you ascend or descend. This is useful for unmarked or unmaintained trails, such as the dayhike to Pu'u 'O'o, but unnecessary filler for many of the other trails.

Most disappointing were the maps. The book has island-level locator maps that show you the general area each trip can be found. But there are no overview maps to give you a feel for what each trip looks like from start to finish. And the detail maps are themselves problematic. They have no color coding, so the reader is left to decipher a map showing gray text on top of gray topographical features on top of gray contour lines. And like a AAA trip planner, the maps are oriented so that the trail runs up-and-down the page without regard for the cardinal directions. For the Mauna Loa trip, North rotates over four maps from the bottom left of the page to the top of the page.

The book's one saving grace is it's photography. 16 pages of beautiful pictures will help you decide which trails appeal to you. Halape, on the beach in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, looks like heaven on earth. And after looking at the pictures, I'm pretty sure that I'd like to dayhike the barren Mauna Loa or Haleakala, but I don't want to camp there.

I have taken this book (or photocopies of relavant information) on all my backpackings throughout the Hawaiian islands. This includes hikes and backpackings on Oahu, Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii and have hiked in parks such as Kokee, Kalalau, Haleakala, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Parks. Fabulous information regarding trail routes, how to get to the trailheads, and what permit and important information any experienced backpacker needs to know. I've led backpacking groups, too, with this information. Stuart Ball has been there and knows his stuff. Highly recommended by the Backyard Oahu website!!

Anyone thinking of overnight stays in the Hawaii backcountry should have this book. In it is info about getting to the trailhead, negotiating the trail itself, and more. I've used it for trips across Haleakala, to Halape, and up Mauna Loa. Don't leave home without it. [g]

Elvis had an affinity for Hawaii: he made three films there, did six concerts (including the historic 'Aloha' satallelite broadcast, and had many longtime friends. This loving assemblage of pictures and anecdotes, by one of Presley's first biographers, is full of the kind of critical judgment and eye for local detail that is often lost in fan-oriented books of this sort. There's pictures of him being casual with local people, accepting local awards, hanging out at the local radio station, and having a good time all around. Profusely illustrated with photos from private collections as well as official documents, this is a lovely keepsake.

All Elvis fans will recognize this title as a line from the song Blue Hawaii sung by Elvis in the movie with the same title.
However it's not only that it's also what Jerry Hopkins new book is all about; Telling the story of Elvis, following his dreams and having fun in paradise surroundings. Elvis visited the Hawaiian Islands many times, sometimes for business when filming on location or for one of the six live performances on the islands but also for a (well-deserved) vacation.

Jerry takes the reader on a stroll through the 50's, 60's and 70's as we follow Elvis from his first visit to the Islands in 1957 till his last visit 20 years later. Besides the obvious close-up look at the 3 "Hawaiian movies" ( Blue Hawaii / Girls Girls Girls / Paradise Hawaiian Style) the reader also gets to "hear" such funny stories as how the first concert in Hawaii (1957) was finalized (Colonel Tom Parker is supposed to have made a deal with an Australian promoter by winning a "game of dice" !!) and the story about a hilarious concert promotion by an Elvis impersonator
(No, this time there was no involvement by The Colonel). Not only do we get to know more about Elvis' activities in Hawaii, we also get to learn a bit more about Hawaii' natives with an Elvis connection, such as Karate teacher Ed Parker and James Shigeta (co-star in Paradise Hawaiian Style).

However, to me the highlight of this book must be the sections where we get to hear the stories of people who where actually there at the time.
People like country comedian Minnie Pearl, Velma Fisher (passenger on the SS Matsonia that sailed Elvis to Hawaii on his first trip in 1957), Tom Moffatt (Hawaiian D.J.) and Marty Pasetta (producer of the Aloha from Hawaii special). All have an interesting story to tell about their time with Elvis.

To me this book is a welcome addition to Jerry' previous two Elvis-biographies (Elvis: A Biography & Elvis: The Final Years). The book also features about 100 photos of which some are rare or never seen before. Quality of the photos varies from fair to very clear but the majority of them are interesting to see.

This leaves us with one big question: "Why did Elvis love Hawaii so much ?" I think the answer to this question can be found all-over in this book but is best described by Tom Moffatt when he says: "In Hawaii he could relax and wander more freely ...... people here respect his privacy"
Guess that alone was enough for Elvis to make Hawaii his paradise...............

Elvis In Hawai'i is a unique look at the life of the legendary rock singer Elvis Presley, focusing especially on his love of the Hawai'ian islands and the people who lived there. Elvis' fondness of his favorite vacation spot is brought to life with over 100 black-and-white and color photographs, some never before published, and an upbeat yet adroitly narrated text by Jerry Hopkins. Elvis In Hawai'i is especially recommended reading for the legions of fans and admirers of "The King" of rock 'n roll.

Scott Cunningham was one of the FEW Llewellyn authors who actually traveled to the spot he was writing about. Rare for Llewellyn who will publish any book that was researched from other Llewellyn books....As a result of Scott's research, this book is accurate & interesting. Although the Wiccan connection is not valid at all.
AND BY THE WAY, a little note to the New York, NY reviewer below, who wrote a review in 1999: For someone who supposedly was so touched by Scott Cunnigham in person & through his books, WHY DON'T YOU KNOW THAT SCOTT DIED IN 1993???? Hhmm....

I like this volume more that the later release "Hawaiian Magic And Spirituality" because of the 25+ color photos in the section between pages 82 and 83.

Mr. Cunningham OBVIOUSLY did his homework. This has one of the most complete picture of HUNA and Deities I have seen.

Unfortunately; Mr. Cunningham allowed his Wiccan beliefs to influence his perceptions of HUNA.

It is true that BOTH HUNA and Wicca are Shamanic religions, but they are RADICALY different.

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments about this review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

HE AMAZES ME WITH HIS LOVING KNOWLEDGE THAT HE SHARES WITH US IN ORDER TO CREATE A FINER PLACE TO LIVE AND NURTURE OF FAMLIES. i MEET SCOTT MANY YEARS AGO AT THE CHELSEA HOTEL..I WOULD LOVE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH HIM AGAIN..JUST TO CATCH UP...HE SENT ME BOOKS AND POEMS AND CALLED ME FROM TENN. THE NIGHT DUANE ALLMAN DIED. WE BOTH CRIED AND CRIED. SPECIAL MAN, SORRY I LOST TOUCH. HE HAS CERTAINLY CARVED A PLACE IN THE LITERARY WORLD AND IT COUND'T OF HAPPENED TO A FINER MAN WHO'S TIME HAS COME. . MARGUERITE NYC

What a supremely great vacation. Lonely Planet reigns for this island. Their off the wall advice took us to places where we unbelievably found ourselves alone. The places they recommended to stay were just perfect and so cheap compared to the big hotels. Every morning at breakfast we had a chance to meet other travelers and exchange information. You will only need one guidebook for this island and this is it. The only thing they could improve on is the size of the book. A little bigger would be nice.

I used this book and especially liked the writing style. It was witty and intriguing and led me to corners I would have never explored. The authors are opinionated but know how to keep their descriptions in check. Many helpful tips and facts kept it interesting. There are very few good guidebooks for this area. This one outclasses all the rest.

This book is a nice companion to 'Hawaii the Big Island Revealed'. It's contents had been thoroughly researched, very up to date. The section on finding places to stay are especially helpful. Another excellent book coming from Lonely Planet.

Having lived in both Hawaii & the Sacramento area, I enjoyed the local history through the experiences of a Chinese immigrant family struggling to build a better life in the Western states. Will view the levees around Sacramento with new eyes!

This is a fine novel, in my opinion. The title is bland and can give one the impression that they are about to read an annotated atlas or something. Regardless, after reading the first dozen pages or so you will get a real feel for this book. As the published reviewer notes, it adheres to historical accounts exceptionally well. This novel could be read by both older adolescents with good command of language and adults. Its use of local color (California, Hawaii) is also exceptional and while some stock characterization is done, overall the effort is quite literary. I found it to be solid historical fiction of a sort. So ignore the knee-jerk PC reviewer who couldn't get past the cover (by the way, just where is that Yalie she's talking about?) and give it a try. If the plot doesn't hold you, you are likely to become better informed on Hawaii's colonial period.

very goo

H.P. Willmott's "Pearl Harbor" is for the most part a lavish, clear-headed and distilled view of the many aspects of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is marred only by the limitations of the author's expertise and some peculiarly low-quality art-work selections.

Where this volume is of tremendous value is its examination of the air organization and materiel of the attack. This is an area where Willmott and his co-authors have amassed a singular degree of detail, much of which is compiled in a wonderful series of appendices. This material particularly concerns the composition of the Japanese air groups and the targets they attacked.

Willmott also provides some concise, but extraordinarily cogent examinations of the controversies surrounding a potential follow-up strike by the Japanese and the conspiracy-theory obscured issues of what information was available to U.S. commanders, leaders and intelligence services. These both deserve careful reading.

Where this work falters is in the details of the damage done to the ships, and the too-ready acceptance of a questionable new theory. The details of the damage have been available for years in the shape of Homer Wallin's account of the salvage work, and the recent reconstructive work of Tony De Virgilio and his associates, so this oversight is surprising. The count of bomb hits on the Nevada is wrong, and the idea that torpedoes struck the Arizona has been discredited for years.

While Willmott appears to have missed those facts, he has all but swallowed a recent (and highly questionable) analysis of a photograph purporting to show one of the mini-submarines launched by the Japanese torpedoing two of the battleships. The impression one is left with is that Willmott and his co-authors were primarily concerned with the air aspects of the attack and neglected the surface and surbmarine elements, leading to detail errors about the hits obtained and damage suffered, and the efficacy of the mini-sub attack.

Although the book contains many lavish and large renderings of well-known photographs and several very nice charts, it also features some crude illustrations that were obviously computer generated. Some of the luster of a detailed illustration of the flight paths of the attacking aircraft is lost when those aircraft look like balsa toy gliders with two-dimensional fuselages. A detail of the harbor suffers massively when the ships are represented by rude, boxy renderings with no resemblance to the ships themselves. A diagram of the torpedo attack in profile is thoroughly marred by contrived head-on images that again are not those of the battleships themselves and would also only be correct for a torpedo attack against the ships' starboard sides.

Regardless of its--for the most part--minor flaws, this is a book well worth reading for what it does right.

This is a big, good-looking book on a familiar subject yet it contains a substantial amount of material new to this reader. Few would have thought that so much fresh research would appear on Pearl Harbor 60 years later.
I concur with most of the other review comments, but readers with a naval aviation orientation should know that Willmott has obtained a surprising amount of "nuts and bolts" material about the way the IJN worked its carriers. Tactical air ops, launch-recovery cycles, and other data will be relished by those of the tailhook persuasion. Similarly, the tables and appendices constitute a "one-stop shopping center" for IJN units and commanders in Operation Hawaii.
Willmott's forte' is analysis, and his insightful comments at the tactical and strategic levels are well worth considering. In carrier terms, "Pearl Harbor" is an OK-3.

This commentary appears in its second printing to receive renewed recognition and attention for new audiences. The author analyzes the move of Japan to bomb Pearl Harbor in a title packed with black and white photos and in-depth coverage. If only one memoir of Pearl Harbor were to be purchased, this should top the list.

World War Two is intensifying, America is devastated following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the lives of the Hayes sisters are anything but unadventurous. After a brief return to the U.S. to visit her ailing father, Cameron is back to Russia. She attempts to perform her journalism duties with excellence, yet thoughts of her fractured relationship with former boyfriend Alex and doubts about her need for God fill her mind. Blair is desperate to prove to Gary that she is sorry for deceiving him and still loves him, and travels to the dangerously war-torn Philippines with hopes of finding her soldier husband and repairing their relationship. Jackie is still in her native California, very much in love with a Japanese American man yet afraid of what continuing their relationship will mean in the face of anti-Japanese hysteria. On three different continents, handling three explosive situations, each sister must face what lies ahead and maybe even learn to rely on God.

My sentiments about "Somewhere a Song" are similar to my feelings about its prequel. Undoubtedly, certain areas of this book were extremely strong. Above all, I loved the parts of this book involving Jackie and Sam (her boyfriend) and found them unique, thought provoking, inspiring, and romantic. Really, all of the "romantic" parts of the book are well done. Pella also wrote with skill about Cameron's "wrestle" with Christianity and did not attempt to solve it simply and quickly. Furthermore, a few insights into Keagan Hayes's (the girls' father) personality were extremely interesting. Finally, some of the history woven into the story was compelling. Thus, there are certainly some reasons to consider reading "Somewhere A Song."

However, once again problem areas "surface" throughout the book. As I suspected, the main focus of this book was Blair. Unfortunately, I found a good deal of the sections about Blair's Philippine adventure flat and unexciting. Blair doesn't have the charisma or intelligence of Cameron, or the sweetness of Jackie, so she herself was not a particularly fascinating character and descriptions of her trek across the Philippines seemed very repetitive. Pella also attempted to describe the horrors faced by Blair's husband as he battled in the jungles of the Philippines; these were in my opinion some of the most boring, confusing, and just plain "flat" sections of the book. I cannot exactly explain why I disliked much of the "Philippines part" of the book, it just lacked a certain "something." Basically, Blair's domination of the story line was simply unsuccessful.

I don't know, I'll probably read Book 3 in this series just because Jackie will be the main character in that book and so far I have loved Jackie. Historical parts of this series just don't seem up to par; and that is a major flaw. I keep wishing for historical fiction as compelling as Pella's "The Russians" series, and I just haven't found it much of the time with the "Daughters of Fortune" series.

The bombing of Pearl Harbor had a profound effect on the United States. Not only had we been attacked on our soil for the first time, it also marked our entry into World War II. Somewhere a Song tells the stories of three sisters from California - Cameron, Blaire and Jackie - all in different places at the time of the attack, both spiritually and physically.

Jackie is a student at UCLA living at home with her parents. There had always been a hint of racial tensions between the Japanese and the whites. The Japanese seemed to stay with their own kind and as long as they didn't cause trouble, the whites tolerated them.

Jackie's father was no different. When Jackie met Sam Okuda, she knew he was her soul mate, no matter that his parents were both from Japan. Though different by race, they have a kindred spirit and believe God wants them together.

When the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor, Jackie and Sam were already in love, but they had been hiding their relationship from everyone, including friends and family. As racial tensions intensify after the attack, Jackie knows she and Sam will have to stand up for their relationship if it is to survive. She has seen discrimination and cruelty bestowed on the Japanese in California and she knows if she chooses to be with Sam, she must endure the same treatment.

Blair has a flair for the dramatics. She has dabbled at being an actress, but mostly so she can pretend to be other people and not face the reality of herself. Even when she's not playing a real role, she finds herself lapsing into whatever role suits the moment. This results in lies and deceit.

When she falls in love with Gary, a Christian man in the military, he is torn between his love for her and his love for God. But her lies push him away.

In the midst of Blair's turmoil with herself, Gary is sent to the Philippines before the US goes to war. Blair, in a most unusual decision, decides to find him there. Normally pampered and taken care of, Blair finds herself in the Philippines trying to make it on her own and reconcile with Gary when the Japanese invade.

She finds Gary, but the self-centered woman in her comes forth. She wants Gary to choose between fighting in the military and taking care of her. His duty is with his country and he leaves Blair with the names of people she can call on to help her if things get as hard as he anticipates.

The two families he gives her are the families of preachers. The story follows Blair through the jungles of the Philippines as the Japanese move closer and closer. Not only does Blair discover an inner strength she had no idea existed; she searches for the source that strength.

Cameron, the oldest, is a newspaper reporter in Russia covering the war. Her father owns one of the largest publications in the states, but as an act of defiance, Cameron works for his largest competitor. Like Blaire, she, too, is in love with a Christian man. Her love is a Russian doctor, Alex.

Cameron wants no part of turning her life over to anybody. Her father controlled her for so many years that she can't comprehend giving up control to God. This divide ultimately separates her from Alex.

She forces him to choose between her and God and he chooses God. With the war going on around her and Alex gone, Cameron is forced to question her own choices in life and whether or not she is indeed strong enough on her own.

Three sisters in three different parts of the world search for God and for love in a very ungodly and unloving time. Judith Pella weaves the horrors of war with the beauty of God's strength throughout. God has put specific men in the women's lives to help cultivate what He knows is there.

This is a truly remarkable book. While the reader becomes engrossed in the lives and struggles of the characters where God is concerned, he/she also finds himself/herself reflecting on life and God. Judith Pella does an exceptional job in combining historical fiction with the battles each Christian faces over faith and being able to trust completely in our Lord. Describing both the personal and preofessional struggles of threee women and their family during WWII, Pella brings God's ability to speak at aytime and unexpected places to life. When is the next sequal due out?!

While this is A great guide for beginners with lots of surfing tips, the author only seems to offer good detail and research about Oahu, and many of the other major well known breaks. For the most part, the other islands don't get very good coverage. The author only lists 4 surf spots for the Big Island! If going to one of the other islands, the Beaches Guide books to each of the Hawaiian Islands by John Clark is much more informative about finding surf spots, as well as giving snorkeling and local history of the places.

it was the best book of surfing Ihave ever read. I live in Colorado and I'm going to Kauai in a couple of days and now I am so stoked to go

FEW REALIZE THAT GREG IS A STAFF WRITER @HNA (HAWAII NEWSPAPER AGENCY). THE MAN KNOWS HOW TO WRITE AND HAS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT AND WHERE THINGS ARE HAPPENING. THE BOOK IS A VIRTUAL ROAD MAP OF OUR SURF SPOTS IN THE ISLANDS. IF A SURF TRIP TO HAWAII IS IN THE CARDS, BE SURE TO PICK IT UP. I ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL HAVE NO REGRETS.

Don't be fooled as I was into thinking that this is a Guidebook. It is actually a compilation of coupons to activities and restaurants, sort of an upscale version of what your Chamber of Commerce compiles for local merchants and the Lions Club sells door-to-door for five bucks. With its $35 price tag (with shipping), its only worthwhile if your planning to do some of the high-priced activities at the places listed in the book (e.g., helicopter ride). For these kinds of activities it does offer some good discounts that could easily more than pay for the cost of the book. However, the restaurant discounts are more typically a free dessert or something like that. I ordered the book because it sounded like a great guidebook and alternative to the typical Fodor's/Frommer's books. I am writing this review so that you don't make the same mistake I did and give your wife a coupon book for her birthday. Personally, I never felt the urge to fly in a helicopter, but I might change my mind if the discount is high enough so I guess we'll keep the book anyway.

i just go the book and while its not a big guide to hawaii, it is more like the entertainment book. there are no coupons you use the enclosed gold card. it is full of discounts and descriptions with pictures of restaurants and activities. we are planning our trip to hawaii now and I think we will save some money with the use of the discounts in the book.

I shared this book and its "Fun 'N Food" card with friends visiting me in Hawaii. It saved them quite a bit of money and guided them to all the best places for the things they wanted to do. They were thrilled that I gave this to them. I'm making it a staple item for all of my visiting friends and family, in fact I'm ordering another to have for my next guest! Excellent source!

Until Andrew Doughty's "Maui Revealed" was released, this Moon handbook was the best you could get. We used it on our first trip to Maui. Like other Moon Handbooks, it is rich in history and background info, but the practical detail can't compare to "Maui Revealed." We now use this Moon Handbook mainly as a supplement for historical background -- still useful but not our first source. (Most other Maui guides are superficial rubbish.)

You're spending 1,000-2,000 bucks to go to Maui -- go ahead and spend 20 bucks to have your own in-depth personal tourguide.

This handbook helped make for one of the best vacations of my life. The "insider" information is absolutely indispensible. For instance, there are many, many beaches on Maui, but there are many, many different kinds of beaches. Some with murky water. Some with huge waves. Some not navigable unless you swim beyond volcanic rocks. But there are one or two absolutely perfect beachs. And the Moon Handbook explains it. My girlfriend and I found the beach in front of the Sheraton at Ka'anapali to be the best all-aorund beach. We waded out into the calm waters and swam with sea turtles, right there in front of the Sheraton. This handbook explains, though the "little" details like, parking is difficult near the Sheraton so where to park, what the rates are, even shortcuts between buildings and such. This kind of info is just completely impossible to get anywhere else.

There are discussions of the personalities of various snorkle tour boat crews -- from adventurous, to laid-back. Some snorkle boats provide lunch, others don't. All this info is in the Moon Handbook.

We checked out Haleakala Mountain and Red Hill. With the handbook, we found how to get to Iao Needle. We found which Luau Party was the best for us, etc. Which restaurants to go to. Where to shop in Lahaina. The Sugar Cane Train for an easy-going afternoon. A drive out by the blow-holes on the NW end of the island.

I highly recommend this book before going to Maui. If you don't feel like shelling out 20 bucks, another option is always looking into your local library. Most good public libraries carry Moon Handbooks and they're absolutely free. A must before traveling to Maui, the Valley Island! (the 6th edition also includes info on the islands of Lana'i across the Auau Channel and Moloka'i)

Happy vacationing!

Stacey

This book is written for intelligent and inquisitive tourists who want to really understand what Mauai is all about. It outshines Mauai Revealed by 100%. I found myself using it every day as it offered a far more indepth look at places not found in any other tourist publication. If flash and hype are not your style, buy this book. Good index, well written, excellent maps. It had plenty of things to do to keep me amazed every day of my two week vacation.