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The Hiker’s Guide to O’ahu: Revised Edition
BALL, Stuart Jr., The Hiker’s Guide to O’ahu: Rev. Edition. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2001. xxx, 336p. ISBN 0-8248-2305-2 (pa). $19.95. Index, Illus. Acid-free.
The Hiker’s Guide to O’ahu is the definitive guide to the hiking trails on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Although the area of the island is just under 600 sq. mi., there are 50 hikes listed in the book, ranging from 2 to 15 miles long. The author, Stuart Ball, Jr., has also published The Backpacker’s Guide to Hawaii and The Hiker’s Guide to the Hawaiian Islands. He has been hiking for many years and is an active member of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, helping to lead hikes and promote hiking in the state. He has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. He is now retired from the Bank of Hawaii.
The book serves as a broad-based guide to hiking on the island of Oahu. The introductory pages include tips on hiking in the state, explanations of hike categories, a basic island map which shows the hikes within specific geographic regions, and a 2-page summary chart of all of the hikes included in the book. The main content is organized by geographic regions and each hike entry is listed by name. Hike entries begin with quick overview information such as type, length, elevation gain, danger level (narrow trails, or flash flood potential), ability ranking (novice, intermediate, advanced), location, topographic map, and access information (some hikes have access limitations). The description expands with a brief overview of the highlights of the trail and then detailed instructions on getting to the trailhead either by car or city bus. There is a topographic map that shows the route, with letter codes that are referenced in the route description. The description objectively describes the route and what one should expect to see. Since many trails on the island are not consistently maintained, this helps to ensure that hikers know they are on the right trail.
A fairly lengthy notes section provides a more subjective description of the trail, pointing out particularly interesting plants, including many native plants, and explains how native Hawaiians used various plants. The author also points out any historical data relating to the trail and often includes stories from Hawaiian mythology and definitions for Hawaiian words. In this way, readers are enticed into exploring Hawaii’s hiking trails.
Appendix 1 provides a list of closed hikes with brief descriptions, but no explanation about the reason for closure. Appendix 2 contains a list of sources for hiking and camping information. There is also a list of references for further reading on hiking and peripheral topics such as birds, plants, geology, and more. An extensive index makes it easy to find specific hike entries and also includes mentions of particular terms, wildlife, and plants. There is also a selection of color pictures which, by the way, were taken by a local librarian.
Overall the book is highly effective in describing Oahu trails. It is updated regularly and the author is an avid hiker who keeps up on trail issues in the state. Similar books by Morey and Smith are not quite as readable or extensive in their descriptions. On a personal note however, Ball has told me that a favorite hike of his seems to be intentionally listed as closed in order to limit the number of people who use the trail so there is a little bit of bias in the book. However, due to its thoroughness and accuracy of information, I would recommend this title over other hiking books for the island. One online hiking resources is Back Yard Oahu (http://www.backyardoahu.com/) and the information is comparable, however the entries in Ball’s book offers quick, easy to read information that allows readers to quickly assess the trail in terms of length, danger, skill level and other criteria. Another site, Oahu Hiking Trails (http://www.oahuhikingtrails.com/), links to the same information but includes a useful interactive map. Both trails offer more pictures which can be helpful.
References and Other Works Mentioned:
Ball, Stuart (1996). The Backpacker’s Guide to Hawaii. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.
Ball, Stuart(1999). The Hiker’s Guide to the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.
Morey, Kathy (2005). Oahu trails: Walks, strolls, and treks on the Capital Isle (3rd ed). Berkeley, CA: Wilderness Press.
Smith, Robert (2004). Hawaii’s best hiking trails (6th ed.). Huntington, CA: Hawaiian Outdoor Adventures.
The Hiker’s Guide to O’ahu is the definitive guide to the hiking trails on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Although the area of the island is just under 600 sq. mi., there are 50 hikes listed in the book, ranging from 2 to 15 miles long. The author, Stuart Ball, Jr., has also published The Backpacker’s Guide to Hawaii and The Hiker’s Guide to the Hawaiian Islands. He has been hiking for many years and is an active member of the Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club, helping to lead hikes and promote hiking in the state. He has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and an M.B.A. from Stanford University. He is now retired from the Bank of Hawaii.
The book serves as a broad-based guide to hiking on the island of Oahu. The introductory pages include tips on hiking in the state, explanations of hike categories, a basic island map which shows the hikes within specific geographic regions, and a 2-page summary chart of all of the hikes included in the book. The main content is organized by geographic regions and each hike entry is listed by name. Hike entries begin with quick overview information such as type, length, elevation gain, danger level (narrow trails, or flash flood potential), ability ranking (novice, intermediate, advanced), location, topographic map, and access information (some hikes have access limitations). The description expands with a brief overview of the highlights of the trail and then detailed instructions on getting to the trailhead either by car or city bus. There is a topographic map that shows the route, with letter codes that are referenced in the route description. The description objectively describes the route and what one should expect to see. Since many trails on the island are not consistently maintained, this helps to ensure that hikers know they are on the right trail.
A fairly lengthy notes section provides a more subjective description of the trail, pointing out particularly interesting plants, including many native plants, and explains how native Hawaiians used various plants. The author also points out any historical data relating to the trail and often includes stories from Hawaiian mythology and definitions for Hawaiian words. In this way, readers are enticed into exploring Hawaii’s hiking trails.
Appendix 1 provides a list of closed hikes with brief descriptions, but no explanation about the reason for closure. Appendix 2 contains a list of sources for hiking and camping information. There is also a list of references for further reading on hiking and peripheral topics such as birds, plants, geology, and more. An extensive index makes it easy to find specific hike entries and also includes mentions of particular terms, wildlife, and plants. There is also a selection of color pictures which, by the way, were taken by a local librarian.
Overall the book is highly effective in describing Oahu trails. It is updated regularly and the author is an avid hiker who keeps up on trail issues in the state. Similar books by Morey and Smith are not quite as readable or extensive in their descriptions. On a personal note however, Ball has told me that a favorite hike of his seems to be intentionally listed as closed in order to limit the number of people who use the trail so there is a little bit of bias in the book. However, due to its thoroughness and accuracy of information, I would recommend this title over other hiking books for the island. One online hiking resources is Back Yard Oahu (http://www.backyardoahu.com/) and the information is comparable, however the entries in Ball’s book offers quick, easy to read information that allows readers to quickly assess the trail in terms of length, danger, skill level and other criteria. Another site, Oahu Hiking Trails (http://www.oahuhikingtrails.com/), links to the same information but includes a useful interactive map. Both trails offer more pictures which can be helpful.
Submitted in April 2008 by Pamela Scott, LIS Student, University of Hawaii at Manoa
References and Other Works Mentioned:
Ball, Stuart (1996). The Backpacker’s Guide to Hawaii. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.
Ball, Stuart(1999). The Hiker’s Guide to the Hawaiian Islands. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawaii Press.
Morey, Kathy (2005). Oahu trails: Walks, strolls, and treks on the Capital Isle (3rd ed). Berkeley, CA: Wilderness Press.
Smith, Robert (2004). Hawaii’s best hiking trails (6th ed.). Huntington, CA: Hawaiian Outdoor Adventures.
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