Tag Archive: hiking

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… Continue reading

HAWAII: WHOSE BEACH IS IT, ANYWAY?

All beaches in Hawaii are public. Put a big asterisk here. About 80 percent of the beaches in the islands are easily reached, but for many other gems getting to the beach can… Continue reading

Trailblazer’s Hawaii Guides: Adventure in your Pocket. Memories in the Bank.

Hawaii means different things for different people, offering a mind-boggling array of choices. With Trailblazer guides, no matter where you are, you can answer the question, “I wonder what’s down that road?” Some… Continue reading

The worst way to screw up on your Hawaiian vacation

For sure, lost luggage and sunburn can be a bummer, but we can all agree that the best (worst) way to ruin a vacation is dying. Sadly, about one person a month is lost to a fatal accident in Hawaii while recreating. Happily, virtually all of these deaths can be avoided.

Oahu’s Mt. Olympus: The Wild Green Yonder above Waikiki

Fifteen minutes after twirling a cocktail umbrella at Waikiki Beach, you can be embarking on one of the best tropical ridge hikes in Hawaii. The trek to Mt. Olympus (as students at the… Continue reading

A short trip to the Top of the World — TRAILBLAZER HAWAII

Mauna Kea on the Big Island is easily the highest mountain in the world—about 43,000 feet when measured from its base that lies about 5 miles below sea level. The next tallest is… Continue reading

This may be Kauai’s top hike:

Kauai has many hikes that score a perfect 10—and you just can’t get better than sublime. But the Awa’awapuhi Trail may get the top vote among many visitors. It’s freaking breathtaking.  Just the… Continue reading

“Tweeting” in Hawaii used to take many days

In ancient Hawaii (the first Polynesians arrived from Marquesa around 200 A.D.) the only way to send a message other than by speaking was to etch out a symbol in smooth lava rock.… Continue reading