Oahu Trailblazer: Where to Hike, Snorkel, Surf from Waikiki to the North Shore

Expanded coverage of Waikiki and Honolulu, along with updates on the best trails and historic sites, make this second edition of Oahu Trailblazer the must-have guide for the adventurous and independent traveler. As usual, Jerry (writer) and Janine Sprout (designer, photographer) hit all the highlights—like Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay, North Shore surf sites, and the Polynesian Cultural Center—offering a wealth of photographs (about 200 black-and-white), precise driving directions and activity descriptions, and hot tips that give travelers the inside track.

But, as Trailblazer readers have come to expect, the book also shines by delivering the goods for dozens of mountain-ridge hikes and garden strolls, as well as beachcombing and all the island's best snorkeling spots. There's no doubt that this is the definitive title for visitors who want to explore places to call their own, since many of these land and sea adventures, and quirky attractions, don't find their way into other guidebooks. Like a fine piece of outdoor gear, Trailblazers are well made, thoughtfully organized, and easy to use.

Oahu Trailblazer is highly versatile, working well for visitors are looking to take scenic driving tours of major attractions and explore all the museums and parks of Honolulu and Waikiki, and also just the ticket for extreme sports nuts looking to strap on the boots and swim fins to sample the surprising wealth of Oahu's outdoor offerings.

A Trailblazer Kids section is available for families, and the Resource Links provide lots of planning information. Safety tips are throughout the book, as well as the historical and cultural backgroundthat adds meaning to a vacation. They also include visitor contact information, and handpicked accommodations and restaurants. This is an all-around guidebook. The Sprout's love and respect the islands, and it shows in their books.