Travelers' Tales Hawai'i: True Stories

I recently wrote a review of a guidebook that I thought was excellent for a first-time traveler to Kauai, and I commented that all the guidebooks I had read were good at telling me about good places to go but didn't give me a real sense of the place and the people. When I got back I found this book on my shelf. I had bought it before a trip to Oahu. I had forgotten about it before going to Kauai, and ever since my return I've been reading it again, skipping around the book, almost randomly, drawn in by the words, and then captivated by the story. I have the 1999 edition, but the 2005 edition does not appear to be so different. It is a wonderful collection of contemporary travel stories, mostly by travel writers, to expand your sense of Hawaii. Most are short, all are marvelously written.

This eclectic collection of essays written by an assortment of travel writers that include Paul Theroux who lives in Hawaii, Englishman, Jonathan Raban, who loves the ocean, but does not like the sand, and a host of lesser known authors captures the spirit of Hawai'i. Each author brings a different prospective and reflection upon the nuances of paradise. My personal favorite is, Travels with Bird, by Hawaiian Sally-Jo Keala-O-Anuenue Bowman who walks in the footsteps of Isabelle Bird an English travel writer who toured the Island horseback in the 1873. I read Bird's account and loved receiving a modern look at her adventure. Birdland: Lullaby of Midway written by editor, Marcie Carroll, lets us know there are much more to the 132 Hawaiian Islands than high end hotels and powdery sand beaches. This unique, thoughtful collection is a fine example of the Traveler's Tales tradition. A huge bonus is Rick Carroll's back of the book guide to his favorite places in the Islands. Linda Ballou

When I have been to Hawai'i, I've found it's good to go in the off- season (Feb.-thru-May), go to the Pro Bowl, AFC-NFC Conference Cham- pionship game, The Big Island; The Volcano(s), Moloka'i; Moloka'i Ranch, Ni'ihu is accessable only by helicop- ter, Ko'olawe must be gone to by ar- rangement by boat to help clean up; it was used by US Military as dumping ground, 1944-71; Maui has great Harbour and Luaus. Kaua'i also has great Luaus and Kilaea Lighthouse / Wildlife Refuge. Maui is also the burial place for the late, great Amer-I-can aviator Charles Lindbergh, Jr. NCAA Hula Bowl played there every year right before the Pro Bowl. Lana'i is the private Isle; only two placesa to stay, 2,700 people and one town Lana'i City; a great place to get away from hustle and bustle of Oah'u. See 'Em all. The Aloha State, 'No Ka Oi'!