Hawai'i, 4th Edition: Making the Most of Your Family Vacation (Paradise Family Guides)

I found this book to be lacking in many areas. The maps are only adequate, and in many cases do not provide enough detail for the average tourist. Family activities were not detailed enough. One example would be the Dolphin Quest program in the Hilton Waikoloa Village. There is no mention of the fact that you can actually get into the lagoon and interact with the dolphins or even arrange a private session with the dolphins. While the beach section does have information on many of the popular local beaches, many beautiful and more private ones were left out.

I guess my greatest criticism of this book is that Hawaii Volcanoes National Park only receives a mention. People of all ages can enjoy and learn how this island was created and actually see that creation in action.

Pictures are worth a thousand words, and this book contains none.

If you want a book with the most up to date maps, must see sites not mentioned in other books, detailed activities and adventures, then get the book "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed." It is the best I have seen, and I have seen many books on Hawaii.


Best guide to lodging and eating- improving with age.   July 12, 1999
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The sixth edition of this book is an invaluable assist to anyone planning a stay- or many!- on the Big Island. No-nonsense, no-hype information with prices. Recommendations that make sense to the traveler.

One unfortunate attribute is the author lists all this by "District"- but omits any general map of the districts in the introduction, making the reader thumb and fumble through the book, wasting considerable time finding information pertinent to the destination in mind. If you are seeking lodging near Kilauea, you need to look at TWO districts, Puna and Ka'u... but those of us not familiar with the districts will not find this out without some work.

In spite of the orientation difficulties, unimaginative and terse and the very so-so typefaces, this book is the source of essential information to the independent traveler not buying a prepackaged trip to the Big Island, when combined with another general guidebook, like Moon's.


Big Island resident loves new guide   March 21, 1999
2 out of 4 found this review helpful

How big is the Big Island? So big to one 20-year resident writer and photojournalist says that "I'm still learning new things everyday about this wonderful place."

And luckily, John Penisten chooses to share those findings in a new edition of "Hawai`i -- The Big Island: Making the Most of Your Family Vacation," a delightful volume for visitors and a great reference for residents.

"Of the six million visitors to the Aloha State in the last year, a million or so of them spent all or part of their stay on the Big Island," Penisten said. "They are drawn by the Big Island's friendly multi-cultural population, variety of lodging facilities, its diverse scenic and cultural sites and attractions, numerous sporting events and recreational activities and much more.

"Visitors from all over the globe continue to experience and enjoy the special grandeur of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the verdant tropical rain forests of the Puna, Hilo and Hamakua Coast areas, the start deserts and lava flows of Ka`u and Kohala, and the pastoral beauty of upcountry Waimea and its rolling ranch lands and wide-open spaces. Enjoyment also is found in the pristine beauty of historic Waipio Valley, majestic volcanic peaks of Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai and the Kohala Mountains.

The first edition of Penisten's book was published in 1989. Ten years later, the sixth edition arrives with a revised section on accommodations including an expanded listing of bed & breakfast operations around the island as well as a guide to "the plush world-class resorts and luxury condos of the Big Island's fabulous Kona and Kohala Coasts."

Research for the family guide was accomplished with the assistance of Penisten's wife Susan and their two daughters Janelle and Joelle. Special sections of interest to families include traveling with children, grocery and gift shopping, camping, water safety, and Hawaiiana reading lists for children and adults.

Each section, whether it is food, fishing or fun, has a selection of the author's personal "best bets." Under beaches, for example, Penisten lists Anaeho`omalu, Hapuna and Kauna`oa, all on the Kohala Coast, under most beautiful beaches. Safest playing and swimming beaches for youngsters include Spencer, Onekahakaha, Kamakahonu and Kahalu`u. Other categories are shelling and tidepooling beaches, snorkeling beaches and sunbathing beaches.

The maps are clear. There's a short history of Hawai`i and a guide to pronunciation of Hawaiian words. A listing of selected Hawai`i Internet sites includes the Big Island Visitors Bureau, Hawai`i County, Planet Hawai`i, the Hawai`i Island Bed & Breakfast Association and the Hawai`i State Vacation Planner among others. Information on Big Island newspapers, radio, resort associations and visitor publications also is provided.

My favorite is a five-page partial listing of annual social, community, cultural and sporting events. It is up-to-date enough to have Merrie Monarch Festival in April (the date changes every year as Merrie Monarch week always begins on Easter Sunday) and International Festival of the Pacific in August. Travelwriter Marketletter said, "The Big Island is a huge subject, but travel writer John Penisten does it full justice. It would be a shame to visit Hawai`i without this book."

Hawai`i: The Big Island is one of several Paradise Family Guides to our island state. The guides to Maui & Lana`i and Kaua`i were written by Dona Early and Christie Stilson.

Penisten's 344-page soft cover book includes information on more than 270 restaurants ranging from casual to luxury resort dining. More than 170 hotels, condominiums, bed & breakfast, and vacation rentals are mentioned including basic rates and toll-free telephone numbers.

Penisten is an independent photojournalist and writer based in Hilo. He is the owner of Pacific Pictures, a photo agency specializing in images of Hawai`i and Pacific Rim destinations. His photographic experience leads to a detailed section on tropical photography in the Big Island guide. Penisten touches on equipment, film, accessories, shooting on location and special factors such as rain, sand and ocean spray.

He is a contributor to Tropi-Ties, an online magazine. In addition, he is on the faculty of Hawai`i Community College.