Big Island
Books & Maps
Hawaii; The Big Island Revealed - Often mentioned on the KONAWEB forums as an excellent source for in-depth information about the Big Island. Highly recommended by many forum readers!
Map of Hawaii - Big and beautiful, James A. Bier includes all the old Hawaiian names of places on the island. Shirley and I hung one on our kitchen wall, and it helped keep our dream alive until we moved here! - Konabob. 
Beaches of the Big Island - A fascinating book with lots of information and lore about the Big Island's many beaches - small and large. Also directions for finding some of the less obvious beaches.
Atlas of Hawaii - This title is a comprehensive look at Hawaii - its physical environment from geology to earthquakes; its biotic environment from animals to plants; its culture, from archaeology and history to religion and architecture; its social environment, from land use to communications, and more. It is complete with appropriate tables and statistics. A must have for people who love Hawaii.
So You Want to Live in Hawaii Mentioned on the Forum from time to time, this book gives basic information about what it's like to actually live on each island, and includes some valuable - but seldom printed - negatives. The reviews of each island assist you in deciding upon which island, exactly, you'd be most comfortable. It also tells you what types of businesses are prominent for each island, pet quarantine information as well as comments from people who have "taken the plunge". An excellent resource guide for people who are seriously considering the move!
Hawaii Trails - Listing every imaginable trail on the Big Island, as well as information about the them, and the kind of problems you are likely to encounter. A good source for serious hikers.
Kona On My Plate
A treasury of more than 690 kitchen-tested recipes, this cookbook from the Kona Outdoor Circle showcases simple as well as elegant dishes that rely primarily on the exceptional fresh produce, seafood and meats readily available in Hawaii. Original, time-honored, borrowed and adapted recipes are offered from nearly 400 donors whose personal comments introduce each dish. Wonderful quotes from writers such as Isabella Bird and Mark Twain are dotted throughout. There's an excellent, well-researched introduction to the evolution of Kona cookery, plus an easy-to-use cross-referenced Index and glossaries of Hawaiian seafood, tropical fruits and relevant culinary terms.
What Bit Me? - Once in a while the Forums turn to the subject of "bugs" on the Big Island. Get to know your new neighbors before you relocate!
Hiking Hawaii - details 40 hiking trails in 18 hiking areas, including trails to the summit of Mauna Loa volcano and to snowcapped Mauna Kea, trails that crisscross Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and trails that follow the cliffs of the Big Island's dramatic northeast coast. Detailed camping and cabin rental information is also included.
Snorkel Hawaii -
From a colorful cover, to dozens of detailed maps of snorkeling sites, this book draws you into the fascinating underwater world that shouldn't be missed by anyone visiting the Big Island.As Dave Barry says, "When you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean--it's like going to the circus and staring at the outside of the tent."
Shoal of Time - An excellent writing style by a knowledgable author gives the reader a grasp of how and why Hawai'i moved from isolation to its current status as a state. "Rights and wrongs" along the way are well presented, leaving one to form one's own conclusions as to what motivated the move toward statehood. This book is not just the story of that event, but of many events, starting from the time Hawai'i was discovered by the Europeans. Highly recommended by the Kona Historical Society.
Exalted Sits The Chief - Several KONAWEB members have highly recommeded this to me. One reviewer says; "Mr. Cordy does an excellent job of providing an overview of the history of the island of Hawaii. He does this will a rich blend of written and oral historical, and archaeological data. I especially enjoyed the way that the author compared and contrasted various reported historical accounts to leave the reader with the most likely version of what actually happened."
A Guide to Old Kona - Very thorough discussion of the local history of Kona, Hawaii, with interesting references to local ethnic life. It will make your big Island experience that much more interesting. We recommend this book to anyone who plans to visit Hawaii. Published by our very own Kona Historical Society.
Ancient Sites of Hawaii - This informative and easy-to-follow guidebook makes the ancient sites of the Big Island of Hawaii reachable to the general public for the first time. It groups the sites by location and characterizes the cultural background of five main types of sites. 
Hawaiian Lomilomi - captures the traditional massage of the Hawaiian elders of the Big Island of Hawai'i.
Chameleons in the Garden - This hardcover, coffee-table book, written by Mary Lovein, owner of Holualoa Gallery, is about Jackson's chameleons wild in Hawaii, and more specifically, the ones whose lives she followed at her mauka home. The book contains over 160 full color photos of these amazing creatures, rarely seen by humans. A very enjoyable book.If we missed one of your favorites, please let us know!