Fodor's Hawaii 2004

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

Ancient ruins and sleepy towns with melodic names punctuate a landscape of tropical forests, pasturelands and barren lava fields. Every day you'll have to choose between embarking on high adventure or simply heading for the nearest crescent of palm-shaded sand to do nothing at all. Before leaving on your journey to Paradise, be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing!

The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up "Fodor's Gold Guides are saturated with information."

- New two-color interiors make it easier to find the information you need.
- Fodor's Choice ratings tell what not to miss.
- Hotel and restaurant reviews cover all budgets.
- New ¢ sign category flags the best budget options.
- Multi-day itineraries help readers build the right trip for them.
- Smart Travel Tips, a complete chapter packed with contacts and great advice

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Fodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.

Reviews

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extensively researched book. Due to its age the costs are way off for everything. I suggest that either you phone first or check websites for updated prices.

[Donny Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the book in 2017 so I understand some of the data may be out of date (like a park fee was $25 instead of the $10 listed in the book). However, you really need to look at another book or do a lot of online research in addition to this. For example, there was no mention that a monument required a two hour hike each way to get to. Drove all the way there and couldn't even see it (and the monument even had a fodor's star next to it). Also didn't like that each island's categories are grouped by type of entertainment rather than region. If I'm in Kona, my preference would be to everything in kona in one section rather than have to flip to the entertainment, food, lodgjng, and recreation sections to find everything. Really disappointed by the book.

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually get one of those "insider guides" or a lonely planet travel guide when I am heading somewhere. I grabbed this one because it was the most current guidebook. I visited three islands and it was actually more helpful than I thought it would be - especially since I had already been on two of those islands.

A great book for a first timer to Hawaii - but only if you are visiting multiple islands. I'd stick with the lonely planet version of the particular island you are visiting otherwise.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving the 2011 edition 4 or 5 stars. My library got this version, so I thought I'd upgrade. Not so much. I generally respect fodor's, but it doesn't seem like they even tried. The prices for every attraction I knew of were wrong; they suggested you go to Honolulu's Borders store; and without looking for problems, three blatant contradictions jumped out where they listed different times or prices for the same event or attraction. Save your money and get a cheaper 2011 guide for now. 2011 is much longer as well--they've cut a lot.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently planning a vacation to Hawaii, and this book was great from the very beginning. Up front it offers a handy table to choose your island: are you interested in beaches, nightclubs, golf, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, etc.? Each island is rated for how much of each activity it has. That helped me immediately narrow my focus to Kauai and the Big Island.

Lots of useful, practical information from people who have been there. This is invaluable.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid guide with great historical and cultural information on the islands. If you're going for a guide that covers the whole state, this is a good one. I trust their recommendations, and they didn't lead me wrong. However, if you're looking for more of a deep-dive for each island and are an independent, slightly adventurous traveler looking for authenticity, I'd highly recommend supplementing this guide with the Ultimate series of guides.

[Yiota · Rating 4 out of 5]

2015 edition - Read sections for Maui and Kauai.

Good restaurants that they selected for where we stayed in Lahaina and Poipu. Enough pictures to hold your attention and the sites selected were great. Only wished for Kauai that there were a little more details for hidden gem beaches - you need to read Kauai Revealed for that.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fodor's is your typical vacation destination overview and this edition featuring some information about each island was a great way to see them at a glance and narrow down some of our choices as first time visitors.

[Sonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

so far, i'm finding that fodor's is better than other guide books i've read. the voice is dry and there aren't many pictures, but everything i read is immediately relevant and useful, and something about it instills confidence that i'll pick the best place to eat or the best kayak rental...

[Misty Farias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fodor's produces beautiful travel books and their pictures of Hawaii are stunning. The only drawback to Fodors's is that they really focus on upscale "older" people travel. They do throw in a few budget options but it always feels thrown in, not as well researched for the budget areas.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah Hawaii. Fodor's is like Let's Go for grownups.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marlene and I are headed to The Big Island next month, I have to do my research, even though Marlene and I both agreed that we weren't going to have a schedule.....don't tell her.....lol

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just read sections on Oahu and the Big Island...before our trip to Hawaii.

[Karen Pirrung · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read (truthfully - scanned) this book to find out information about different hotels on the islands. I will more than like re-read it in a different light when I actually go to Hawaii.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oahu is going to be fantastic. Waikiki here we come!!

[Ilovekona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as good as Hawaii Revealed but similar

[Wyma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mine is 2009. It is huge, covers all the islands, and has information on tours. It's a good reference but too big to take with.

[Shiloh · Rating 3 out of 5]

going to hawaii for our honeymoon!!
update: I bought this book to help us decide which island we should visit, and we chose Maui! There were lots of helpful hints, and now we can't wait to go!!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this to help plan my trip to Oahu. As usual, very helpful book. I highly recommend Fodor's for trip planning.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fodor's never let's me down when it comes to understanding an area ahead of my exploration.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic guide book for Hawaii. Great information to help someone plan out their trip to specific islands.

[Meredith]

Can I go now?

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the recommendations matched up with locals on the ground. Well written, easy to use, and up to date.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again an amazing guidebook by Fodor's, perfect for picking out stops on our honeymoon.

[Michelle Chahine Sinno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide, very helpful in finding restaurants and details during our trip. Would recommend to travelers.

[Pixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good guidebook. It definitely helps to make our trip easier to plan/execute.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having the 2016 edition was clutch, particularly in their recommendations for what's possible to do around the volcano.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

No I didn't read every page, but I did spend 10 days in the paradise that is Hawaii. Highly recommended experience.

[Cora Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidebook. Really well done and informative; I used it to plan our entire trip!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with wonderful information when planning a trip to Hawaii. You can always count on Fodor's to be great information when planning a trip.