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The publisher says: Where vacations meet adventures! First, Hidden Big Island of Hawaii reviews the destination's famed attractions. Then (more importantly!) it invites the reader to go further to "Hidden" spots other guides overlook, including small inns and local restaurants. The guide also focuses on outdoor adventures with detailed information on beaches, parks and outdoor activities. Special traveler-friendly features include hidden spots, author's favorite picks, getaway itineraries, driving and walking tours, websites and e-mail addresses, and multiple scaled maps that zoom in on each area. Hidden Big Island of Hawaii leads to tropical gardens in Hilo, upcountry hiking in Waimea, and diving spots along the Kona coast. The author offers recommendations and opinionated reviews for over 100 restaurants and over 70 hotels. This updated edition includes about a dozen maps and includes the Kona Coast, Hilo, Kailua, and Volcanoes National Park.

Details:
Title: Big Island of Hawaii (3rd edition)
Publisher: Ulysses Press (Hidden Travel)
Pub. date: Jan. 28, 2008
Author: Ray Riegert
Paperback; 232 pages
List price: $14.95
ISBN-10: 1569756422
ISBN-13: 978-1569756423

The publisher says: The top 10 ways The Unofficial Guide to Hawai'i can help you have the perfect trip: information that's candid, critical and totally objective; major hotels and resorts rated and ranked for value and quality of rooms -- plus proven strategies for getting the best rates; more than 80 restaurants reviewed in detail and rated, with tips on Hawai'i Regional Cuisine; the inside story on the top attractions: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Polynesian Cultural Center, the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Haleakala National Park, and more; a complete guide to exploring the islands, including the best beaches, scenic drives and rain forest walks; tips on enjoying Hawai'i with the kids; the inside story on shopping for aloha shirts, local art and Hawaiian music; all the details on nightlife, from luaus to the legendary Don Ho; the best places to golf, hike, dive, snorkel and surf; how to discover truly authentic Hawaiian culture. Get the unbiased truth on hundreds of hotels, restaurants, attractions and more in The Unofficial Guide to Hawai'i -- the resource that helps you save money, save time and make your trip the best it can be.

Details:
Title: The Unofficial Guide to Hawaii (5th edition)
Publisher: Wiley
Pub. date: March 24, 2008
Authors: Marcie Carroll, Rick Carroll
Paperback; 512 pages
List price: $19.99
ISBN-10: 0470229012
ISBN-13: 978-0470229019

The publisher says: Meticulously researched by one of Hawaii's most noted journalists, this is hands-down the most reliable, up-to-date, and comprehensive guide to Kauai. Each of our candid hotel reviews is based on a detailed personal inspection. You'll find lavish beachfront resorts, intimate rain-forest B&Bs, family-friendly condos and more. Our dining reviews are the best in the business, whether you crave cutting-edge Asian-fusion cuisine or a hearty, affordable plate lunch. Our author makes sure that you'll truly experience the spirit of aloha, and she'll help you steer clear of anything that's overpriced, touristy or inauthentic. With Frommer's in hand, you'll know where to find secluded beaches; secret spots for snorkeling; the best outfitters to choose for everything from diving to deep-sea fishing; and where to find the top galleries and shops. Inside you'll find extensive coverage of family-friendly accommodations and activities; tips on how to get married in the islands; recommendations for the best honeymoon resorts; and valuable advice on finding the best airfares and package deals.

Details:
Title: Kauai (3rd edition)
Publisher: Frommer's
Pub. date: Feb. 26, 2008
Author: Jeanette Foster
Paperback; 256 pages
List price: $17.99
ISBN-10: 0470189843
ISBN-13: 978-0470189849

The publisher says: Including all the best sights in Honolulu and Waikiki to the best beaches to the best places for Hawaiian and Pacific Rim cuisine -- this guide is packed with useful tips to make the most of your time.

Details:
Title: Top 10 Honolulu & Oahu
Publisher: DK Publishing
Pub. date: March 17, 2008
Paperback; 128 pages
List price: $12.00
ISBN-10: 0756632382
ISBN-13: 978-0756632380

The publisher says: The Out Traveler volumes strive to inspire sophisticated travelers by showcasing thoughtful and transformative travel experiences that set the standard of gay travel. These new and information-packed books emphasize the long-overlooked but incredibly powerful cultural and historical traditions of the LGBT community throughout the world. Hawaii travel expert and former Big Island resident, author Matthew Link gives you the insider information on one of the world's top LGBT travel destinations. From the hula's great gay teachers to the openly gay beaches, Link reveals the queer history that you never get. Hand-picked, in-the-know listings for gay and non-gay lodging, dining and activities portray the spirit of each varied isle. Included are maps, illustrations, gay-friendly ratings and travel tips.

Details:
Title: Hawaii (The Out Traveler Series)
Publisher: Alyson Books
Pub. date: April 1, 2008
Author: Matthew Link
Paperback: 296 pages
Price: Unlisted
ISBN-10: 1593500734
ISBN-13: 978-1593500733

THE HONOLULU ADVERTISER reports that protests and a court order have (at least temporarily) stopped the Hawaii Superferry, which I wrote about earlier this week on Furthermore. According to the Advertiser, Superferry executives are confident that they can survive the crisis. "We have the financial wherewithal to weather this storm," a member of the Superferry board told the paper.

I have my doubts. The kind of environmental review that protesters are seeking can take years, and it seems unlikely that the Superferry's owners can cover payroll and financing costs for that long, however deep their pockets are.

Whether or not the company survives, this episode should serve as a warning to new businesses in environmentally sensitive areas. Just because your company has been granted an exception from environmental rules doesn't mean you're off scot-free. There's still public opinion to worry about. Even a small number of protesters can shut down a multi-million-dollar business. The truth is that Superferry was stupid to avoid an environmental study that could have given them greater legitimacy and wider public support.

Imagine if Superferry executives had received their exemption and then said: "Well, we care about Hawaii, so we're going to do an environmental impact assessment anyway." Sure, the study would probably have exposed that the Superferry could pose a danger to some marine life. But most Hawaiians travel island-to-island by plane, which is incredibly unfriendly to the environment in a different way. An environmental impact assessment would have made the trade-offs involved in any environmental debate clear. On balance, Superferry would probably have come out on top: After all, many other archipelagos are served by similar systems.

Instead, the company decided, with the state's blessing, to avoid a time-consuming environmental review. Now their rush to get up and running them is costing them dearly, and some people in the company are probably wishing they had just gone ahead and done the impact assessment. It would have insulated them from exactly the kinds of criticisms they're facing now. And it's too bad, because those $5 introductory fares were a really great deal.