Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook [Paperback]

The good: Being our first time on the island, we didn't want to fall into the typical traps and we weren't disappointed. The restaurant reviews were very helpful in avoiding bad service, value and food. The infinity pool over the falls was one of the most exciting and exhilerating places I've ever had the privilege to visit. While everyone was going left at the fork to the bamboo forest (we went there after), we took the right. Lo and behold a paradise within paradise. That experience paid for the book in itself!

The bad: Not much really, except that we almost got ARRESTED at the Aquarium at La Perouse Bay! Little did we know that 15 days before our visit the entire La Parouse sanctuary was changed from a park to a reserve...with rangers/wardens. We did actually make it all the way to the Aquarium bay and chose NOT to go in the water even though we had our snorkeling stuff with us as we did not feel right destroying the coral to get in. Second to only the Infinity Pool for excitement, the bays near the Aquarium were unbelievable and LOADED with fish. Crabs were actually scattering away as we were walking in that lava wasteland and if you put your hand in the water you could probably touch 5 fish in one swipe they were so plentiful. 5 minutes later the ranger showed up in camo pants(pretty sure the only guy I saw on the entire island with pants) and floppy hat to whisk us away! After a very stern warning, taking our picture, etc, he let us go. Supposedly up to a $1000 fine each and up to a year in jail, so don't mess around at the site people, unless you are very stealthy. I'm pretty sure they/he saw us from La Perouse point itself across to where we were at the first bay, so plan accordingly if you're feeling brave or go the back route, further north.

My advice after 12 days of paradise with this book? Buy it now, but THINK before following the advice, especially when your life could be in the balance(infinity pool with high flow conditions, swimming out in certain spots like the black sand beach, etc). Ultimately, it's always the user of any device or place that needs to be aware of dangerous surroundings and plan accordingly.

Maui Revealed was our guide on a 15 day trip to the island only a few weeks ago. The latest edition was up to date, informative and accurate. It led us to some amazing tidal pools near Kapalua that we would never have found on our own.

The book is definitely worth the price for the collection of facts that it, well, reveals. It is thoroughly researched, honest and generally interesting to read.

When it comes to editorial commentary however, caveat emptor. Be wary of suggestions that may make you unpopular with the locals or that may even be legally questionable. For example, the lava rock formation called "Dragon's Teeth" in West Maui is highlighted as an attraction near Kapalua. What is glossed over in the book is that to get there you must park in a private parking lot owned by the Ritz-Carlton, walk across a private golf course (watch out for errant tee-shots, no joke!), and then encounter a sign indicating that the area is actually known as Makaluapuna and is cultural preserve containing an ancient burial ground. (See this article [...].)

Similarly, the section outlining the stops along the road to Hana suggests that you climb over fences on private property to access the "publicly owned" property on the other side. Many of these fences are labelled "No Entry" or "No Trespassing". Since my guess is that most travelers to Maui do not pick up a copy of the county's land and parcel records, it is not clear if Maui Revealed is to be trusted in these instances.

On multiple occasions we had locals ask us if we had "The Blue Book" or just "The Book". Their opinions were generally neutral or negative, for a variety of reasons. The controversy surrounding the book is nicely summarized by an article by Chris Hamilton on the Maui News website: [...].

Ultimately, I must recommend this book because it is so thorough and informative, but do not let it be an excuse to travel without any respect for the place you are visiting.

This book is simply the best travel guide available. The author is honest and lets you know of any and all amazing areas the he has found. None of this saving the special spots for only a special selected few. He allows everyone the opportunity to experience unique and beautiful spots on Maui. If they get popular, well then thats great as it means that more people will leave Maui happy for the amazing experience they have had. I don't agree with any review that says that it is a negative thing that these authors reveal many hidden spots or out of the way locations. Its about time that someone leveled the playing field and if you are adventurous enough to try some of the trails and unique locations, you should be able to. So in short, this book is the only book you need when traveling to any of the islands...