Maui

This book contains a plethora of information about Hawaii. It has a break down of each part of the Island, activities to go do, and even lists shop names for making reservations or locating once you get to the island. My wife and I have found this book to be very helpful in our planning.

My wife and I have used the Moon: Maui book over three different editions from 1985 until relocating permanently in '99. One copy has been to the island three times, lent to friends. There is no part of the island left uncovered, and authors provide good insight on how to be pleasant guest and not get yourself into unpleasant situations. This is quite unlike "Maui Revealed", which is quickly becoming "Maui Reviled" for locals. This perception is driven by a considerable increase in trespassing on private property to and bodily waste at spots that used to be local favorites, caused in large part by masses of visitors cluching M.R. Stick with the Moon: Maui book, and you'll avoid a lot of unnecessary stink eye.

You're spending 1,000-2,000 bucks to go to Maui -- go ahead and spend 20 bucks to have your own in-depth personal tourguide.This handbook helped make for one of the best vacations of my life. The "insider" information is absolutely indispensible. For instance, there are many, many beaches on Maui, but there are many, many different kinds of beaches. Some with murky water. Some with huge waves. Some not navigable unless you swim beyond volcanic rocks. But there are one or two absolutely perfect beachs. And the Moon Handbook explains it. My girlfriend and I found the beach in front of the Sheraton at Ka'anapali to be the best all-aorund beach. We waded out into the calm waters and swam with sea turtles, right there in front of the Sheraton. This handbook explains, though the "little" details like, parking is difficult near the Sheraton so where to park, what the rates are, even shortcuts between buildings and such. This kind of info is just completely impossible to get anywhere else.There are discussions of the personalities of various snorkle tour boat crews -- from adventurous, to laid-back. Some snorkle boats provide lunch, others don't. All this info is in the Moon Handbook.We checked out Haleakala Mountain and Red Hill. With the handbook, we found how to get to Iao Needle. We found which Luau Party was the best for us, etc. Which restaurants to go to. Where to shop in Lahaina. The Sugar Cane Train for an easy-going afternoon. A drive out by the blow-holes on the NW end of the island.I highly recommend this book before going to Maui. If you don't feel like shelling out 20 bucks, another option is always looking into your local library. Most good public libraries carry Moon Handbooks and they're absolutely free. A must before traveling to Maui, the Valley Island! (the 6th edition also includes info on the islands of Lana'i across the Auau Channel and Moloka'i)Happy vacationing!Stacey

This book is written for intelligent and inquisitive tourists who want to really understand what Mauai is all about. It outshines Mauai Revealed by 100%. I found myself using it every day as it offered a far more indepth look at places not found in any other tourist publication. If flash and hype are not your style, buy this book. Good index, well written, excellent maps. It had plenty of things to do to keep me amazed every day of my two week vacation.

The Maui Handbook is the best guide to Maui that I have seen. It not only provides all the maps, restaurant and tourist attractions you'd expect, but also goes off the beaten track, describing the history, culture and personality of the island. The author is clearly someone who likes to spend time getting to know a place, and it shows here. It is the one essential guide for anyone who wants to get out of the hotel and experience the real Maui.As a bonus: the book is not too thick, so you can pack it in you pocket or backpack without weighing you down.