9780764541926

The Unofficial Guides? are the Consumer Reports of travel guides, offering candid evaluations of their destinations' attractions, hotels, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, sports, and more, all rated and ranked by a team of unbiased inspectors so even the most compulsive planners can be sure they're spending their time and money wisely. Each guide addresses the needs of everyone from families to business travelers, with handy charts that demonstrate how each place stacks up against the competition. Plus, all the details are pulled out so they're extremely easy to scan.In The Unofficial Guide? to Hawaii you'll get the inside story on the islands' top attractions, such as Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, and more, plus tips on travel packages, beaches, adventure outings, and golf. All the major hotels, resorts, and restaurants are rated and ranked for value and quality, and we've explored all the details of Hawaiian nightlife, from luaus to the legendary Don Ho.The Top 5 Ways The Unofficial Guide? to Hawaii Can Help You Have the Perfect Trip: A complete guide to exploring the islands, including the best beaches, scenic drives, and rain forest walks The inside story on shopping for aloha shirts, local art, and Hawaiian music How to discover truly authentic Hawaiian culture, with tips on enjoying Hawaiian regional cuisine The best places to golf, hike, dive, snorkel, and surf Proven strategies for getting the best hotel rates, plus tips on enjoying Hawaii with kids

List of Maps

vii

About the Authors and Contributors

viii

Introduction

1

(23)

Making the Most of Your Hawaiian Dream

1

(2)

About This Guide

3

(21)

Part One Getting Acquainted with Hawaii

24

(33)

About the Aloha State

24

(1)

Choosing Your Island

25

(6)

The Islands by Zone

31

(18)

A Brief History

49

(5)

Hawaii's Diverse Population

54

(2)

Local Customs and Protocol

56

(1)

Part Two Planning Your Visit to Hawaii

57

(26)

Best Time to Go

57

(1)

Gathering Information Before You Leave

58

(3)

Packing Wisely

61

(1)

Getting to Hawaii

61

(4)

Car Rentals

65

(3)

So Many Islands, So Little Time

68

(2)

Suggestions for Special Travelers

70

(10)

Tying the Knot

80

(3)

Part Three Accommodations

83

(64)

Where to Stay

83

(6)

Getting a Good Deal on a Room

89

(3)

Other Ways to Stay

92

(4)

Hotels Rated and Ranked

96

(5)

Hotel Profiles

101

(46)

Part Four Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii

147

(14)

When You Arrive

147

(4)

Things the Locals Already Know

151

(10)

Part Five Getting Around Hawaii

161

(9)

Transportation Considerations

161

(4)

Public Transportation

165

(5)

Part Six Excursions

170

(26)

Adventures on Your Own

170

(5)

Cruising Hawaii

175

(3)

Other Touring Suggestions

178

(17)

Tour Companies

195

(1)

Part Seven Hawaii's Attractions

196

(53)

Attraction Profiles

202

(47)

Part Eight Great Outdoors

249

(73)

Hawaii by Sea: Get Wet

249

(3)

Hawaii's Top Beaches

252

(8)

Kayaking: Different Strokes

260

(2)

Scuba: Dive, Dive, Dive

262

(2)

Snorkeling: Exploring the Undersea World

264

(3)

Surfing: Catch a Wave

267

(2)

Windsurfing: Ride the Wind

269

(1)

Charter Sportfishing: Reely Big Ones

269

(3)

Whale Watching

272

(2)

Shark Watching

274

(1)

Hawaii by Land

274

(2)

National and State Parks

276

(8)

Camping in the Wilds

284

(6)

Bicycling: Pedal Power

290

(2)

Horseback Riding: Back in the Saddle

292

(2)

Hawaii by Sky

294

(1)

Spas: For Your Health

295

(4)

Golf: Tee Time

299

(20)

Spectator Sports

319

(3)

Part Nine Dining in Hawaii

322

(106)

Experiencing Hawaii's Multicultural Cuisine

322

(6)

The Restaurants

328

(9)

More Recommendations

337

(9)

Restaurant Profiles

346

(82)

Part Ten Shopping

428

(11)

Specialty Shopping

430

(4)

Shopping Centers

434

(4)

Swap Meets and Flea Markets

438

(1)

Part Eleven Entertainment and Nightlife

439

(12)

Hawaii Nightlife

439

(1)

Performing Arts

440

(1)

Dinner Shows

440

(3)

Before- and After-Dinner Lounges

443

(1)

Dance Clubs and Nightspots

444

(6)

Adult Entertainment

450

(1)

Subject Index

451

(17)

Accommodations Index

468

(2)

Restaurant Index

470

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