Grant - Explorers Guide Hawaii

Welcome to the second edition of this comprehensive guide to Hawaii. In choosing what to include, I have tried to be highly selective but broadly inclusive, based on years of repeated visits, cumulative research, and ongoing conversations with locals. All entriesattractions, resorts, and restaurantsare chosen on the basis of personal experience, not paid advertising. As such, listings are generally ordered by preference unless otherwise indicated.

I hope you find the organization of this guide easy to read and use. The layout has been kept simple; the following pointers will help you get started.

INTRODUCTION

When is an introduction more than an introduction? When it helps answer the most important questions of all: Who is this person whose advice I am basing my dream vacation on? What does she know? How do I choose the right island? Or the right lodging? Im a first-time visitor; what shouldnt I miss? Im a repeat visitor; please give me some ideas for things to do that I havent already explored.

WHATS WHERE

In the beginning of the book, youll find an alphabetical listing of special highlights and important information that you can refer to quickly. Think of them as broad best of lists riddled with Web sites for ease of use. These headings and their contents will give you a good overview of the opportunities for exploration. They should also help you decide which island best suits your interests on any given visit. (If youre attracted to more things on the North Shore than the South Shore of Kauai, for instance, base yourself on the North Shore.) I tend to think of it as the books collective wisdomit summarizes everything from where to find the best beaches and botanical gardens to where to find the best spas, shopping towns, and scenic drives to where to go hiking and horseback riding.

BUILDING BLOCKS FOR PERFECT DAYS IN PARADISE

These regional, hour-by-hour planners will get you started on how best to dip into the islands. But a word of caution: If you try to do everything mentioned in the time allotted, you might not feel like youre on a vacation. Use them merely as a guide.

LODGING

Prices : Please dont hold us or the respective resorts responsible for the rates listed as of press time in late 2008. Changes are inevitable. At the time of this writing, the state and local room tax was about 14 percent. Please also see Lodging in Whats Where in Hawaii.

Price Codes for Double Occupancy:

$ = $125 and under

$$ = $125$250

$$$ = $250$400

$$$$ = $400 and over

RESTAURANTS

In most sections, note the distinction between Dining Out and Eating Out . Restaurants listed under Eating Out are generally inexpensive and more casual; reservations are often suggested for restaurants in Dining Out . A range of prices for main dishes is included with each entry.

Price Codes for Entres:

$ = $110

$$ = $1020

$$$ = $2030

$$$$ = Over $30

KEY TO SYMBOLS

The special-value icon appears next to lodging entries, restaurants, and activities that combine exceptional quality with moderate prices.

The dont-miss-this icon appears next to places, activities, and sights that youll remember long after you return home.

The child and family interest icon appears next to lodging entries, restaurants, activities, and shops of special appeal to youngsters and families.

The rainy-day icon appears next to things to do and places of interest that are appropriate for foul-weather days (of which there are so few on the islands).

The martini-glass icon appears next to restaurants and entertainment venues with good bars.

The beach icon appears next to worthy beaches that youll pass along the way as you circle an island. Some are so worthy (for various reasons), theyre reviewed under the bona fide Beaches section in each chapter.

I appreciate comments and corrections about places you discover or know well. You may e-mail me at hawaii@kimgrant.com or write to Explorers Guide Editor, The Countryman Press, P.O. Box 748, Woodstock, VT 05091.

S ometimes I think the last thing the world needs is another travel guide to Hawaii. Then the phone rings. And I get some e-mails. Friends are having a tough time wading through all the information available about Hawaii. Should we island-hop or stick to one island? Should we believe all this marketing hype about that resort? Should we take our one indulgent helicopter trip on Kauai or save it for the Big Island? Were going to be on Maui for seven nights; what are the seven best restaurants? Or We really dont want to spend a fortune on dining; is that even possible? And then theres the big one: I really need to rest, but I dont have time to research every option and I cant afford to make a bad decision. What should I do?

And so Ive written this guide from a conversational point of view for all those friends. Somewhere along the way, Ive become a schizophrenic writer. I speak to a growing chorus of voices in my head as a project like this progresses. What does that mean? I hear my sister wondering where she can take her kids without having to raid their college savings plans, so I write with her in mind. My friends well-off parents are celebrating a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary, and I include them in my perspective. My Dutch friends muse about how to divvy up their six-week holiday, and I talk about camping and hiking with them in mind. My San Francisco friends deliberate on long weekend getaways, so I write for them (with a secret jealousy). My gay friends want places where they wont be given a sideways glance, and Im grateful to help make some lives a bit easier. If I wrote simply for myself, it would be a pretty skinny travel guide. But I write with a large circle in mind. Hopefully youll think I write with you in mind. See The Over-the-Top Life of a Travel Writer on Oahu ; p. 84/Oahu.