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Summary: The Hawaii Handbook was informative and thorough.
Review: I bought the Hawaii Handbook before my first trip to Hawaii in 1996. I found the accomodation, restaurant and general information invaluable. The feature I appreciated the most, however, was the the historical background given for Hawaii in general and for each island in particular. We stayed mostly on the island of Hawaii and had a memorable time. Knowing something about the history and geography of the island deepened our experience considerably.
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Summary: For those who really want to know Hawaii
Review: I got this book for Christmas from my son the month before we went to Hawaii. I would never have purchased such a (very) thick stodgy looking guide if I saw it in the bookstore. I devoured it during the thirteen hour flight to Hawaii and must say it was by far the very best travel guide that I have ever read and used to any destination. (And I have read them all.) It is so comprehensive and the writing is so well done that reading all of the information was almost like reading a page turner novel for me. I could not get enough. Once we were in Hawaii (three islands) we found it totally indispensible. We traveled with three other guides but with all of their color photograpy and fancy maps eventually this heavy one was the only one we eventually felt was worthwhile. After touring extensively on the islands I read it with even more interest on the long flight home. We plan to return to see more Hawaiian islands and this is the one we will bring. It is not glitzy it is the real thing. Enjoy.
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Summary: SO WHAT if it's over a thousand pages? BUY IT!
Review: If you want to take a G-rated Hawaii vacation with the spouse and kiddies, this book tells you how to do that. If you want to leave Wifey (or Hubby) back at the hotel and have an X-rated night in Hawaii, this book helps there, too. If you want to visit all the places that the locals know about but never mention to the tourists, then you definitely want this book. And if you read the first part of this book on the flight from the Mainland to the Islands, you'll know the basics about Hawaii, and you'll actually appreciate what the tour guide shows you and tells you.
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Summary: The Hawaii Handbook was informative and thorough.
Review: This book is outstanding! It goes far beyond the typical travel guide, covering such topics as the history, natural history, language, economy, and religion of Hawaii. Bisignani does not allow this to distract in any way from the purpose of the book, however. Quite the opposite; I used this book (almost exclusively) in planning an incredible--and incredibly diverse--trip to Hawaii. Everything from $20/night cabins in Volcanos National Park to $400+/night super-luxury resorts are covered in its many pages. A word of caution, though. If you are interested in a guide book to aid in finding a resort to escape to for your vacation, "Hawaii Handbook" may have too much information for you. Reading this book will allow and encourage travelers to get the most out of Hawaii's fantastically diverse offerings. You beach bums may discover that you are missing out on a great deal, and end up spending a lot less time sunning by the surf!
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent, comprehensive guide to Hawaii
Review: This book is outstanding! It goes far beyond the typical travel guide, covering such topics as the history, natural history, language, economy, and religion of Hawaii. Bisignani does not allow this to distract in any way from the purpose of the book, however. Quite the opposite; I used this book (almost exclusively) in planning an incredible--and incredibly diverse--trip to Hawaii. Everything from $20/night cabins in Volcanos National Park to $400+/night super-luxury resorts are covered in its many pages. A word of caution, though. If you are interested in a guide book to aid in finding a resort to escape to for your vacation, "Hawaii Handbook" may have too much information for you. Reading this book will allow and encourage travelers to get the most out of Hawaii's fantastically diverse offerings. You beach bums may discover that you are missing out on a great deal, and end up spending a lot less time sunning by the surf!
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Summary: An Absolutely Wonderful Guidebook
Review: This wonderful book absolutely made our recent vacation to Hawaii. It was our first trip to Hawaii, and our whole itinerary was devised from reading the Moon handbook. The handbook is completely comprehensive, giving everything from the history of each place, to where to get your photos processed. It provides detailed descriptions of every single hotel (or so it seemed), not just the selection of a few that most guidebooks provide. The detail of the hotel information encouraged me to make some nontraditional choices (a bed and breakfast, a condo) that turned out to be very pleasant and exactly as described. The book also got us to some corners of Hawaii that I would have never contemplated otherwise. The advice given to travelers goes the extra mile to identify many options for visitors to enjoy their stay in Hawaii. Its only drawbacks are no color pictures and it is a bit heavy to lug around in your suitcase (but don't leave home without it).
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Summary: hard to imagine a better book
Review: We lived in Hawaii for a year and used this book to find every nook and cranny on 4 of the islands. I had no idea what a WONDERFUL job this book did until we moved to Brazil and there was no Moon Handbook. Other guides just don't compare.
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Summary: Synopsis
Review: Winner of the Hawaii Visitor Bureau's "Best Guidebook" and "Overall Grand Excellence" awards, J.D. Bisignani's Hawaii Handbook points beyond the high-rise commercialism of modern Hawaii to roads less traveled. Snow ski down the face of a volcano in the morning and snorkel the tropical waters in the afternoon with the island chain's limitless recreational possibilities. This comprehensive Handbook is your essential guide to the natural paradise of underwater volcanoes, exotic fish, and primeval rainforests that is Hawaii
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