Rating: 
Summary: I'd go elsewhere
Review: This isn't totally useless, but it's not all that great either. Allusions are tough to decipher and the writing is more "cute" than informative (or funny for that matter). No maps and disappointingly little of use for snorkelers, which is interesting given the man's business. It's not even as pointed as you would think, although it does get a bit vulgar and enviro-political (oh goodie) at points. Book is from 1997 so some reviews may be out of date. The guy has writing talent but generally misses the mark. You'll find better info on Hawaii in any number of other guides.
Rating: 
Summary: Transplanted "Local" Shares His Views
Review: We just rec'd this tour guide in anticipation of our trip and its a bit of a downer. According to Snorkel Bob: tourism is pressuring the reefs and they are "browning out". There is toxic runoff from the pineapple fields in the water after it rains. The large resorts are to be avoided.
The book does have a guide to snorkel sites on each island that is very helpful. There are also restaurant, boat tour, luau and other recommendations in the book. But they are a fraction of what you'll find in other guides and all of the businesses that are listed on Snorkel Bobs reservation service on his web site are recommended. I would take this section with a grain of salt as I think it is stealth advertising.
What is really telling is the 'Separate Reality' section of the lodging recommendations. The author takes on the large resorts, especially the Grand Wailea and Waikoloa as being "too perfect". More words are devoted to criticizing these two resorts than are devoted to recommending any others. The criticism does not seem objective and lacks a substance. The author does not mention spending the night at either and fails to describe his complaints. He jumps on the Waikoloa for having a fake stuffed Marlin on the wall and describes a exchange with a young hostess where he and a buddy challenge her assertion that it was real to the point of bringing her to tears - even if this is a joke, its not funny. Snorkel Bob also recounts taking a verbal shot at a "gondola" captain for driving a gondola on a cable in a concrete river in a resort. It was after I read this section - with great interest as we are staying at one of the resorts, that I realized Snorkel Bob has a disgruntled locals point of view.
My family is looking forward to our trip and this book brought us down for staying at a "too perfect" resort and pressuring the fish on the reefs.
Rating: 
Summary: Lighten up, mon. You're supposed to be on vacation.
Review: We stumbled into the Snorkel Bob phenomenon early in our first visit to the Kona Coast, and we were grateful for the no-poop attitude. We found a couple of lovely little restaurants, a terrific massage place, and even used some of the snorkel advice. No, it's not a complete guide, but it helped us to avoid some of the standard-tourist pitfalls and to enjoy the place, not the prefab experiences offered by some of the land sharks. And, yes--horrors--occasionally he mentions environmental and native-Hawaiian political issues. We think they're worth bringing up. It's a relaxed bunch of hints from someone who lives there. Take it for what it is and enjoy it.
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