Scott Richardson writes:

>Yet another vacation-planner advice post...
>Anybody have pointers for accomodations and must-do bird stuff
>on the Big Island of Hawai`i?

if you don't have it already, get the book "Enjoying Birds in Hawai'i"
by Pratt. It's very good for bird finding. Also, the Hawaii Audubon
Society has long published a very nice compact guide called "Birds of
Hawai'i".

Persistance can pay off when birding in Hawai'i. It think it's important
to be aware that there are not that many species of birds in Hawai'i, so
don't set high expectations for seeing a wide variety of new birds..
Many of the endemics are very hard to locate.

As for accomdations, I stayed at a bed&breakfst cottage in Honokaa on
the Hamakua coast. Quite nice. Expansive view of the North Pacific
(thunderstorms were magnificent, as was Hale-Bopp!). Honokaa is about 45
minutes north of Hilo and 30 minutes from Waimea (Parker Ranch). Just
down the road from Honokaa is Waipio valley which is good for
walking/hiking.

Enjoy,

Tom Benedict
tbenz at halcyon.com