JOHN PENISTEN
1 a guide with the local touch
The best thing about this book is that it's written by someone who has lived in Hilo most of his life, eaten at the restaurants, shopped in the shops, hiked the trails, swum off the beaches - not once but dozens of times. I was enchanted to encounter little tidbits like grocery prices, recipes for island dishes, lists of bicycle rental outlets, etc. The fact that this book isn't from some huge mainstream publisher is a plus as the element of surprise is there. It's the sort of guide you take with you on a long sojourn and dip into all the time. For us off islanders, the detailed accommodations listings are a boon and the exact prices an occasional lifesaver. I'd recommend getting Penisten's book even if you already have a more weighty tome like Moon's Big Island of Hawaii Handbook. For the nuts and bolts of travel I give this guide ten out of ten.
2 An excellent, comprehensive guide of the Big Island
I found this book to be full of good, well organized information. I have a collection of Hawaiian tour guides & do not make this statement lightly.
The hotel descriptions were particularly useful in assisting me to decide which hotel to stay in. I am sure I will find the restaurant & "what to see" section to be just as helpful.
My own minor complaint is that the largest spaces between the different parts of the book were doubled spaced. There were no chapters, and I found it a little hard to read.
Mr. Penisten will soon come out with his 6th edition & I am sure it will be eagerly received by those planning a trip to the largest of the Hawaiian islands.
