Kauai Trailblazer 2025: “The Patagonia of Travel Books”

When Trailblazer Travel Books were first published in the 1990s, one reviewer (Midwest Book Review) called them “The Patagonia of travel books, well-written and designed, ingeniously organized, and produced by people who are experts in the field.” We are a small independent publisher, founded out of our love and experience, that has strived to maintain this comparison over the years. We are happy to release the 2025 Kauai Trailblazer.

Trailblazer guides truly are a must for independent, active visitors. You will see places on your own (like Fern Grotto up the Wailua River, above) that other people see by paying for tours.

Trailblazers are full of detailed information and directions, not fluff and happy talk. The entire island is covered. The book is organized geographically, so that attractions that are close together on the island are also close together in the book’s pages. When taking the fabled boardwalk through the Akamai Swamp (above), you will know about all the other trails in the vicinity.

Trailblazers focus on outdoor recreation, but also include cultural and historical sites, as well as fun stuff to do—like visiting one of Kauai’s Sunshine Markets or finding small fruit stands to bag some avocados, oranges, or starfruit.

Kauai is spectacular, but it’s not a tourist amusement park. Kauai Trailblazer has safety tips and precautions, both in general and for specific beaches and trails. You will know what the dangers are, and be safe—unlike the oblivious visitors pictured above who are toying with death at Queen Emmas baths in Princeville.

Some trails and places on Kauai, and elsewhere in the Islands, have seen a remarkable uptick in visitation, like the Kalalau Trail (above), which is now controlled by a permit process. Crowds can ruin an experience. Kauai has tons of other trails and beaches that are outside the TikTok world, and open to people who are willing to think for themselves.

The Kukui Trail into Waimea Canyon gets you away from the crowds and into nature.

Kauai has by far the most beaches in Hawaii that are reachable only by trail. Trailblazer has the specifics.

Trailblazer compares with Patagonia in another way: Our mission statement. We lead you to parks, beaches, gardens, nonprofits, ancient sites, museums, and Hawaiiana shops in order to support these places, and help them continue.

Over the years, we have talked to many hundreds of locals from all walks of life and gone every place that can be lawfully visited—multiple times. Kauai Trailblazer is chock full of photographs and content. Trailblazers (one for each island) are recreational and cultural field guides that function as a trusted item of gear that helps you find the real Hawaii.