I continue to be impressed by the thorough information in these travel books on Hawaii. The conversational tone makes this a pleasant, relaxing read, even as I get excited about the thought of seeing sites for myself. This book covers the major tourist areas around Waikiki and Honolulu but also goes into detail about beaches and hiking opportunities around the island, including lots of relevant information on safety. A section at the back discusses restaurants and hotels; I know their website will have updates to this data. ( )

This is what a guidebook should be, and it has definitely added a lot to our visit to Oahu -- if you are going, get it. Unlike too many guidebooks, this one seems thoroughly researched, is helpfully organized, and is easy to use. To go through the checklist, let's start with orientation. The book gives a bit of history, and then explains the topography and weather patterns of Oahu, which are really important to the visitor. Next, what to see. The book starts with Honolulu, describing neighborhoods, beaches, and cultural/historical sites in detail. It then goes around the island and does the same -- and all of this is illustrated by well drawn and easy to follow maps. And "what to see" is often "what to do", especially in Hawaii. There are separate sections on beaches, on activities, and on adventures and attractions. You may find that something you want to do is mentioned at least twice -- once in the regional section, and again under (for example) beaches. Sounds complex, but the organization works really well. We didn't use the section on lodging, because we had reserved before we came to Oahu, but the section on dining was comprehensive and, we found, impressively accurate. We are going to Kauai next week, and will certainly get the Wizard guide. I wish there were more guidebooks this good! ( )

If you're planning a trip to Hawaii and want the straight scoop on what to do, where to stay and what to eat, I highly recommend the 'Revealed' books (There is one for every island). They're written by someone who lives there and they give a no-nonsense approach to what's good and what's overrated and overpriced. Their slightly snarky style is an added plus. Another plus is that the authors do their reviews anonymously and don't take any honorariums or royalties from the companies that they are reviewing. If they do have a close affiliation with a company, they tell you. They're also good about telling you the 'Hidden Gems' or things that the tour companies ignore. Bottom line, if you want an authentic Hawaiian experience and go where the locals go, get a "Revealed" book. ( )