REVIEWS

”Trailblazer guides are tops in their field, and with their Big Island book the Sprouts have done it again!”
— Guide to the Guides

"This is another winner in the Trailblazer series. For travelers to the Big Island who don't want to be limited to the fancypants resort areas, the Sprouts have clearly laid out hikes, bike rides, water sport spots, drives, campgrounds, historic sites, and adventures galore all around this most fascinating and diverse of all the islands. My wife and I had the guidebook in hand for hikes to Pololu and Waipio Valleys, a wonderful excursion to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a drive to historical sites on the north end of the island, and an architectural walking tour of Hilo. Along with clear trail guides and maps for active adventures, the guidebook also helped us find magnificent and not overcrowded public beaches for catching some sun, art galleries, bakeries, public markets, restaurants, and two of the best B & B's we've ever stayed in anywhere--Acacia Palms and Shipman House. As all the guidebooks in this series, the writing is clear and helpful and the design is stunning; this one has a particular richness of black and white photos. All the practical stuff, from what to pack to ideas for kids to resource links, is included. The authors are always respectful of local history and customs, and this volume—with its Hawaiian glossary and brief history—is particularly infused with that aloha spirit. And we always enjoy the 'Free Advice and Opinion' sections: "Never walk downhill with your hands in your pockets." This is one useful guide to the rich delights of the Big Island."
—a reader from Portland, OR


"We selected this to take along because we had enjoyed using the Trailblazer Maui and Kauai books so much. We had a terrific time exploring the area and became very confident that what we read in this book would actually be the way it was described. Its logically and geographically organized into six regional sections, each with its own large map. The island is BIG and knowing the drive times played a big part in planning out our days. Believe it or not, there are still long stretches of beach that the resorts haven't gobbled up, but you need this book to find them. All people who travel to the Big Island, have this book with you!"
—Tyler and Sammie, Ogden, UT


"A must have resource for anyone living here and a must read for anyone thinking of hiking our Big Big Island. Happy trails and aloha from Waimea!"
—Serge E, Hawaii

"Initially we selected this guidebook for it's publication date and reputation. Their other books for Maui and Kauai have been some of the best we've used for finding our way around Hawaii. Locating sandy beaches would have been pretty tough without this book along as most of the island on the Kona side is lava field, or at least it seems that way from the highway. The pockets that are still natural and not part of megaresorts are way off the beaten track. Without good directions we would have whizzed right by the inconspicuous turnoffs. For swimming and hiking we rate this book a five and a must have."
—Brownie, Venice, CA

"My wife and I took this, hot off the shelf, to use as our guide. The volcano on the cover grabbed our attention. We had always wanted to visit to see just that. It's a phenomenal piece of work. Every trail seems to be in here, all the little haunts and backroads. It made the island a wonderland of cool discoveries and gave us so much freedom."
—Tim and Patty

"Hike, bike, and snorkel in Hawaii's prime spots, and then relax on one of the island's best driving tours, visit a coffee or macadamia nut farm, and take in a local art gallery. Campsites, B&Bs, and resorts, plus tons of photos and details on Hawaiian culture and history."
—Wilderness Press, Berkeley

"A energetically presented and highly recommended resource guide, Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer by Jerry and Janine Sprout is a thoroughly "user friendly" travel guide. Specifically for families wanting shared recreational experiences, and ideal for solitary vacationers seeking memorable do-it-yourself adventures, Hawaii The Big Island Trailblazer is enhanced with 9 maps and over 200 black-and-white photographs; a "Kids Only" section; driving tours; safety trips; resource links; information on Hawaiian culture and history, and a great deal more."
— Midwest Book Review, January 2004

 

Back