Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond (Oahu Revisited)

Without telling our Oahu dwelling friend what the recommendations were in this book, he ended up picking hikes and places to eat for us that were listed in this book as things to do. So, I'd regard this book as the real deal - these are the cool things you should do and see while you are on Oahu. We even taught our friend (who has lived there for 15 years) a thing or two based on what was written in the book. The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the writing style - it reminded me of one of those goofy tour guides who tries to inject comedy as much as possible. I'm all for a good laugh, but when I'm reading a guide book, I really just want to know the facts. I'd definitely buy this book for someone who was looking to vacation on Oahu if they don't already have a local contact.

Just got back from Oahu, the info in the book was right on the money. I wish I had read it much earlier though, several things I wanted to see - like Pearl Harbor and ShagriLa - have advance reservations. By the time I read the book it was too late to get reservations to either. I would recommend this book as the only one you would need to enjoy Oahu.

I recently returned from my first, hopely not my last, trip to Oahu and I found Oahu Revealed to be invaluable. In the ten days I was there, I think I referred to it at least 50 times. The maps were so helpful as the highways are absolutely as confusing as described in the book. I stayed with my nephew at Scofield barracks. He's been there 2 years and I was able to take him to places described in Oahu Revealed that he had never been to and didn't know about. For instance, he had never even heard about The Valley of the Temples in Kane'Ohe and we loved it so much, we went there twice! The map in Oahu Revealed led us straight there.

My only disappointment is that the 4th edition leaves out the review of my favorite place to eat, Maui Mikes in Waihaiwa. Definitely a must do!! I'm hoping to go back next year and take a side trip to either Maui or Kauai and I can guarantee you that I will be purchasing his guidebooks for both before I go. Highly entertaining and highly recommended!

I recently returned from my first, hopely not my last, trip to Oahu and I found Oahu Revealed to be invaluable. In the ten days I was there, I think I referred to it at least 50 times. The maps were so helpful as the highways are absolutely as confusing as described in the book. I stayed with my nephew at Scofield barracks. He's been there 2 years and I was able to take him to places described in Oahu Revealed that he had never been to and didn't know about. For instance, he had never even heard about The Valley of the Temples in Kane'Ohe and we loved it so much, we went there twice! The map in Oahu Revealed led us straight there.

My only disappointment is that the 4th edition leaves out the review of my favorite place to eat, Maui Mikes in Waihaiwa. Definitely a must do!! I'm hoping to go back next year and take a side trip to either Maui or Kauai and I can guarantee you that I will be purchasing his guidebooks for both before I go. Highly entertaining and highly recommended!

The pictures are pretty but that's about it. I was looking for a really great drive guide but found this to be sort of a regular guide. There were so many stops with tourists all over. I guess I expected too much.

These books rock and have been vital to our trips to the islands. Having said this though we found this one to be the weakest of them all. Still utilized and worthwhile purchase for sure.

I love these books. A friend had recommended we get one the second time we went to Hawaii, so I figured what the heck. I was so packed full of great things to see and tips to find "Hidden Gems" I can't begin to explain.

I found the 1st one so helpful (The Big Island) we bought our second one the minute the trip was booked (Maui). Well, Heading there for a fourth trip and you guessed it I wouldn't be caught without my book. This is actually the 2nd time we will be on Oahu, the first time we didn't have the guide. I am looking forward to all the sights we probably missed! We are even taking a 4 day trip to Kauai after Oahu and I have that guide book already too!

You can't go wrong with these books, Sights, beaches, directions, restaurants....the list is endless!

We live on Oahu and I highly recommend this before any other tourist style book. It's good info, maps, funny, & honest!

If you are planning on going to one of the islands in Hawaii, I strongly suggest you take a look at Andrew Doughty’s books on Hawaii. The books are well written by someone who lives on the island of Hawaii. Andrew writing style is if friend was telling what to see and do in Hawaii
I will tell straight up this book is like a multi-tool. maps, photos, advice, places to see, places not to waste your time. The book takes most of the guess work on what to do and see. The books are organized by towns. There is an index which can help your search. Andrew injects humor in his books and he pretty upfront if seeing a attraction is a good, great, or just avoid the site. He does not pull any punches.
There is much to see in the islands and you have a limited time there so naturally you want to make the most of your visit. We are on the Big Island and my wife was looking for a place to eat for lunch and she saw in the book a place called Café 100 in Hilo. The place had picnic tables and was not fancy but the food was awesome and reasonable. My wife and I would have driven past it had it not been for his book.
The books give some history and insight on the state. Did you know that there is a law that allows you access to the beaches? Andrew lists all the beaches and has photos of them. My wife and I stopped at numerous beaches and frankly could not remember all their names. Scrolling thru the book you can see where you visited on the map and the accompanying photos..
Andrew humor comes thru many times especially when he writes about the interstate highways in Oahu. You just take it for granted there are interstate high ways. You then realize that Hawaii is not connected to any state. Andrew tells you that was how Hawaii was able to get federal tax dollars to build the highways by calling them interstate.
He gives times to locations not miles. My only suggestions would be to put gps coordinates next to the attraction. Hawaii has their own way of giving directions. An example is go down this road for 20 miles long and then turn left at the light (the only light) and then make a right a mile way down the road.
My wife and I flew 5,000 miles to get to Hawaii and it is a little bewildering in what to see. We were both afraid that we would miss something. Thou we didn’t see everything on the two islands we visited we certainly saw some of the best sites in Oahu and the Big Island in Hawaii. Out of the three different guides books we brought ,Andrew books were the most informative and the most helpful. If you are planning on going to Hawaii, I strongly recommend his books.
My only regrets are that my wife and I wish we had the two books prior to read them cover to cover. I did not realize there is also a app for your smartphone, which downloads the book to your phone. The app uses your gps and can you navigate to attractions as well as make suggestions based on your location.
Aloha

I lived on Oahu for four years, and my wife was born and lived there until she was 23. Every year we travel to Honolulu to visit family, and this year we're also celebrating our 20th anniversary. I bought Oahu guide books (for the first time) to really plan the trip with some new things to do. This book was far better than the others with insightful and honest reviews of every aspect of a trip. The reviews and tips coincided with what we already knew, and we learned a lot, too.

I've already recommended it to others that are traveling to Hawaii this year. I also got the app for my phone in case the book isn't handy before or during the trip.