20 Best Books About Hawaii (2023 Update)

Hawaii is part of the rookie read-about geography. in hawaii, pulitzer prize-winning author james michener weaves the classic saga that brought hawaii's epic history vividly alive to the american public on its initial publication in 1959, and continues to mesmerize even today. the volcanic processes by which the hawaiian islands grew from the ocean floor were inconceivably slow, and the land remained untouched by man for countless centuries until, little more than a thousand years ago, polynesian seafarers made the perilous journey across the pacific and discovered their new home. they lived and flourished in this tropical paradise according to their ancient traditions and beliefs until, in the early nineteenth century, american missionaries arrived, bringing a new creed and a new way of life to a stone age society. the impact of the missionaries had only begun to be absorbed when other national groups, with equally different customs, began to migrate in great numbers to the islands. the story of modern hawaii, and of this novel, is one of how disparate peoples, struggling to keep their identity yet live with one another in harmony, ultimately joined together to build america's strong and vital fiftieth state.

Best-kept secrets of hawaii presents this stunning american state, which sits in splendid isolation in the middle of the pacific, well over 3,000 km (2,000 miles) from its nearest neighbour, in easily digestible sections, taking you on a trip around the key windward islands of the group – from verdant kauai (‘the garden isle’), mountainous maui (‘the valley isle’) and the big island of hawaii (‘the orchid isle’), to sublime o‘ahu (‘the gathering place’), and the little gems of lāna‘i and moloka‘i. discover the superabundance of waterfalls, from haleakalā national park’s striking waimoku falls to wailuku river state park’s picture-postcard rainbow falls; contrast the rocky red waimea canyon with the shimmering rain-drenched greenery of the state’s highest peak, mount wai‘ale‘ale; imagine yourself hiking among the steaming lushness of the iao valley or riding the rollers at top surfing spot hamoa beach; experience the peaceful beauty of hawaii tropical botanical garden or the stark and volatile side of nature evinced by the active shield volcano kīlauea, one of many volcanoes that created the islands; soak up the cultural history of the pu‘uhonua o hōnaunau national historical park or revel in the modern yet idyllic city of honolulu – the list is endless. the sheer variety inherent in these beautiful islands offers something for everyone.

"as beautiful as hawaii itself, this novel approaches epic magnitude. the narrator is hiram nihoa, through whom the author pours his love for hawaii. nihoa tells the story of his travels around the island of oahu a century ago, evoking the scene and the people as he saw and loved them. nihoa's narrative is taken up by a strange new englander in the second half of the book. saul bristol, a sad and bitter man, reveals hawaii through the eyes of a newcomer. the two narratives embody the conflict between the old and the new which has had so much to do with the way hawaii has developed…. in some ways … a lament, but overall a mele aloha, a song of love." –publisher's weekly

Comprehensive and fully updated after the pandemic lockdowns, frommer's hawaii covers all the major hawaiian islands, and takes you from world-famous beaches to secluded rain-forests to authentic luaus and everywhere in between. frommer's only works with expert, seasoned journalists, and on this title both know every inch of the islands and they're not afraid to tell the truth. with their reliable, straight-shooting advice, you'll be snorkeling in palm-fringed lagoons, catching the sunrise over a soaring volcano, relaxing on postcard-ready beaches, and experiencing hawaii's rich cultural traditions and innovative regional cuisine―everything you need for an unforgettable trip. frommer's hawaii contains: color maps and photos, including a handy pullout map. detailed itineraries for planning a trip to suit your interests and make the most of your time. authentic experiences honoring hawaii's diverse topography, cultural traditions, food, and customs. outdoor adventures for travelers of all ages and skill levels to explore the islands' jungles, beaches, seas and mountains, plus information on the best outfitters to help on some of those excursions. reliable, impartial reviews with star ratings of the best restaurants, tours, shops, attractions and hotels―and the ones to avoid. no entity has paid to be in this guide–or any frommer's guide. accurate, up-to-date info on transportation, useful websites, telephone numbers, and other resources you'll need. money-saving tips and exact pricing for travelers on any budget―from backpacker to luxury. planning advice for getting there, getting around, saving money, and getting the most from your trip. about frommer's: there's a reason that frommer's has been the most trusted name in travel for more than 60 years. arthur frommer created the bestselling guide series in 1957 to help american service members fulfill their dreams of travel in europe. travel is easy with frommer's.

How much do you know about the aloha state? there's so much to learn about hawaii that even residents of the state don't know! in this trivia book, you'll learn more about hawaii's history, pop culture, folklore, sports, and so much more! in the great book of hawaii, you'll find the answers to the following questions: how did hawaii get its name? why is it called the aloha state? why was it once called "the kingdom of hawaii"? which sport was invented in hawaii? which movies have been filmed in the state? what legends from the hawaiian culture haunt the state? what's hawaii's most famous unsolved mystery? and so much more! as an added bonus, you'll learn words from the hawaiian language throughout the book. this book is packed with trivia facts about hawaii. some of the facts in this book are surprising, while others are sad or creepy. the one thing they have in common is that all of them are interesting! whether you're just learning about hawaii or you already think you're an expert on the state, you'll learn something you didn't know in every chapters. your history teacher will be interesting at all of your newfound knowledge. so, what are you waiting for? get started to learn more about hawaii!

A concise history of the hawaiian islands covers the major events and personalities in hawaiian history from the first human landfall in the islands to the arrival of captain cook, through the sovereignty movement of the late 1990's to the administration of the current governor, linda lingle. included are accounts of missionaries and whalers, ali'i and kahuna, the hawaiian monarchy, the attack on pearl harbor, and the rise and fall of the sugar industry. the history comes to life through illustrations and interesting anecdotes. by investing a couple of hours the casual reader can greatly increase the depth of his or her understanding of the events that have shaped and continue to shape these magical islands.

Lonely planet's hawaii, the big island is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. experience island culture, stargaze on mauna kea and snorkel in kealakekua bay; all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of hawaii, the big island and begin your journey now!

Pulitzer prize–winning author james a. michener brings hawaii’s epic history vividly to life in a classic saga that has captivated readers since its initial publication in 1959. as the volcanic hawaiian islands sprout from the ocean floor, the land remains untouched for centuries—until, little more than a thousand years ago, polynesian seafarers make the perilous journey across the pacific, flourishing in this tropical paradise according to their ancient traditions. then, in the early nineteenth century, american missionaries arrive, bringing with them a new creed and a new way of life. based on exhaustive research and told in michener’s immersive prose, hawaii is the story of disparate peoples struggling to keep their identity, live in harmony, and, ultimately, join together. bonus: this edition includes an excerpt from james a. michener's centennial. praise for hawaii “wonderful . . . [a] mammoth epic of the islands.”—the baltimore sun “one novel you must not miss! a tremendous work from every point of view—thrilling, exciting, lusty, vivid, stupendous.”—chicago tribune “from michener’s devotion to the islands, he has written a monumental chronicle of hawaii, an extraordinary and fascinating novel.”—saturday review “memorable . . . a superb biography of a people.”—houston chronicle

"goddess of hawai'i's volcanoes, pele lives in hawaiian hearts and minds as the supreme personification of volcanic majesty and power. within the hawaiian cosmos all natural forces are regarded as life forces, related to human life. possessing the power to create new land, pele also has a volcanic personality – an impetuous, lusty nature, jealous, unpredictable, capable of sudden fury and great violence. yet she can also be gentle, loving, and as serene as her forests of ferns and flowering trees. here are myths, legends, romances, and folktales of the most fascinating goddess of old hawai'i"–back cover

Hawaii has the most unique christmas, celebrated in nature's tropical setting by a multicultural population of people whose various traditions come together in harmony. families decorate their homes with competing light shows. tree ornaments and decorations are handmade and designed to reflect island culture with iconic images such as surfboards, palm trees, and hula dancers using tradition material such as lauhala, kapa, flowers, and plants. a bounty of food is shared featuring not just traditional hawaiian lu'au fare but dishes from a variety of cultures. and families spend time together outside, at the beach, in the water, playing or competing in sports tournaments such as triathlons and marathons. the spirit of christmas in hawaii also includes lokahi–unity and harmony–where communities come together to help those in need. here is a portrait of christmas in hawaii with a brief narrative of its history.

A practical guide to every-day life in hawaii designed to answer the question. would you be happy in the islands? can you support yourself here? will your family be happy? included 30 stories from people who have made the more and 18 jobs an scarch of workers now; starting a business; 8 good reason to retire to hawaii and 8 good reasons not to; awarding the pitfalls and grasping opportunities.

Hawaii is one of the most beautiful places i've ever had the opportunity to photograph! it is exceptionally stunning and reminds me of fantasy place of "never never land" from disney story peter pan. this coffee table book includes images from the big island, maui and kauai. of the islands i visited, i enjoyed photographing the island of kauai the most. it's known as the "garden isle" since the majority of the island is covered with tropical rainforest. i had the luxury of photographing the famous "na pali coastline" from two perspectives. one from a zodiac in the water and then another hiking the 35.4km trail.

One of expertly researched and designed, national geographic's most visually stunning maps, the hawai'i map shows all eight of the major islands and includes an inset of the entire chain of reefs stretching nearly 3,000 miles across the central pacific. in addition to showing all of the major land features, the map also shows the hawaiian ridge that runs under the islands, providing a wonderful perspective on how they were formed.the map is packaged in a two inch diameter tube with a label showing a thumbnail of the map with dimensions and other pertinent information.map scale = 1:819,000sheet size = 34.75" x 22.75"

Lonely planet's experience hawaii travel guide reveals exciting new ways to explore this iconic destination with one-of-a-kind adventures at every turn. stargaze with wine in maui, search for earth's rarest birds in kalalau valley, find tranquillity on moloka'i's beaches – using our local experts and planning tools to create your own unique trip. inside lonely planet's experience hawaii: – local experts share their love for the real hawaii, offering fresh perspectives into the state's traditions, values and modern trends to make your travel experience even more meaningful- in the knowtips to help you build on your experiences when visiting well-known sights and landmarks- fun insights that will pique your curiosity and take you to the heart of the place – visit mo'omeheu at the royal hawaiian center for ukulele and lei making classes; join wildlife ecologists to track turtles off the wai'anae coast; give back to the land and help restore loko i'a (hawaiian fishponds)- insider scoop on the best festivals, secret hangouts, hidden locations, tantalising local food scene and photo-worthy views- handy seasonal trip planner to guide you on where to go, when to travel and what to pack- practical information on money, getting around, unique and local ways to stay, and responsible travel- comprehensive selection of maps throughout and beautiful full-colour photography to inspire you as you plan your unforgettable journey-covers honolulu, o'ahu, kaua'i, maui, moloka'ilonely planet's experience hawaii is an essential travel guide for all explorers looking to immerse themselves in the state's culture. each book within the experience series contains handy trip building tools so that you can take your pick of the must-see attractions and activities as suggested by our local experts – and create your own dream travel itinerary to get away from the everyday. unlock even more travel secrets using the qr codes throughout each guide and discover story-worthy travel moments that you'll never forget. about lonely planet: lonely planet, a red ventures company, is the world's number one travel guidebook brand. providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973, lonely planet reaches hundreds of millions of travellers each year online and in print and helps them unlock amazing experiences. it's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveller's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media (australia)

Jack and annie travel in their magic tree house back to a hawaiian island of long ago where they make friends, learn how to surf, and encounter a tsunami.

Jack and annie travel in their magic tree house back to a hawaiian island of long ago where they make friends, learn how to surf, and encounter a tsunami.

Lonely planet: the world's leading travel guide publisher – hawaii the big islandis your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. hike trails through smoking craters at hawaii volcanoes national park, stargaze at the clear skies from mauna kea, and snorkel in kealakekua bay -all with your trusted travel companion. get to the heart of hawaii, the big island and begin your journey now! inside lonely planet – hawaii the big island travel guide: full-color maps and images throughout highlightsand itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots essential infoat your fingertips – hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices honest reviews for all budgets – eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience – history, people, lifestyle, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics over40color maps – covers kailua-kona, kohala, waimea, mauna kea, saddle road, hamakua coast, waipio valley, hilo, puna, hawaii volcanoes national park, kilauea caldera, kau and more the perfect choice: lonely planet hawaii the big island, our most comprehensive guide to hawaii, the big island, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. looking for a guide focused on hawaii? about lonely planet: since 1973, lonely planet has become the world's leading travel media company with guidebooks to every destination, an award-winning website, mobile and digital travel products, and a dedicated traveller community. lonely planet covers must-see spots but also enables curious travellers to get off beaten paths to understand more of the culture of the places in which they find themselves. the world awaits! lonely planet guides have won the trip – advisor traveler's choice award in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.' it's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. it's on mobile phones. it's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – fairfax media 'lonely planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – new york times

With elegance and authority, buildings of hawaii presents the architecture of the six major islands in the hawaii chain. hibbard delves into the development of the state's distinct blending of the building traditions of the east and west within a subtropical island context. the first in-depth examination of the architecture of the islands, buildings of hawaii covers structures from the early nineteenth century through the first decade of the new millennium. included are japanese temples, chinese society halls, the only royal palaces in the united states, the earliest known reinforced concrete public buildings in the country, and the only nineteenth-century british-made iron bridge in the nation. not only are masterworks of such mainland architects as bertram goodhue, julia morgan, ralph adams cram, skidmore, owings and merril llp, edward killingsworth, and i. m. pei considered, but vernacular single-wall building traditions of the plantation period abound. in addition, hibbard's entries examine the various distinct regional designs developed over the course of the twentieth century, and includes brief biographies of hawaii's major architects. more than 250 illustrations–including photographs, maps, and drawings–give further detail to the more than 400 entries. a volume in the buildings of the united states series of the society of architectural historians

Ever wonder what it's like to actually live in hawai'i? ever thought about moving to hawai'i? or maybe you want to visit? or just maybe even you're an experienced traveler who has visited hawai'i many times. regardless, this guide is for you! the author, his wife, two dogs and a cat finally realized their long-held dream of moving to hawai'i in 2012. six hours, minimum, away from friends and family, unchanging weather, an unfamiliar language and exotic food, and a rich cultural heritage all its own; hawai'i is not just another state. it's paradise with wrinkles, a foreign country that just happens to use dollars and has the highest nice guy-to-butthead ratio anywhere. written in a light and entertaining style, packed with useful information and spectacular photos, this book helps you make critical decisions and walks you through the experience of traveling to or living in hawai'i. there are things the guide books won't tell you, things you won't see staying in a resort complex. this guide is a must for anyone with hawai'i on their mind. it may be the best single investment you make for your move or visit.

People all over the world travel to the hawaiian islands to feel a sense of peace and happiness. with the aloha state of mind, hawaii is never far. using examples from the hawaiian language, culture, history, and ecosystem, as well as personal stories, leialoha humpherys brings 24 hawaiian values to life. these universal values teach us how to: -bring aloha home-endure challenges with grace-develop inner peace -elevate self confidence and compassion-heal, strengthen, and create meaningful relationships -increase trust in god-and more! our hope, happiness, and healing is available to us right now.