"America's Living History — The Early Years" is a different kind of traveler's guide. Here are the stories behind America's national parks, the monuments, World Heritage sites and historic buildings. Text and photographs focus on U.S. events before the 1840s westward expansion, organizing destinations by chapters in history: America's Native Peoples, European Colonization, Religious and Secular Groups, Road to Independence, Opening the West. Hawai'i's entries include Mission Houses Museum, 'Iolani Palace and Pu'uhonua o Honaunau (City of Refuge). The book is awash in color photographs (covering most destinations), regional travel maps, historical perspectives, interesting sidebar features and tourist info, including what else to see nearby.

"Our goal is to stimulate Americans to explore their nation's heritage, to see in person what can only be imagined through books, lectures, museums and films," says author Suzanne Sheumaker, in the book's introduction.

"A Traveler's Guide: America's Living History" $29.95, www.AmericasLivingHistory.com

— Advertiser Staff

THE BIG ISLAND

HISTORIC HULIHE'E PALACE, THOUGH DAMAGED, IS OPEN AGAIN FOR TOURS

The funding is lined up, the restoration plan is complete and Hulihe'e Palace officials are hopeful work to repair damage from the Oct. 15 earthquakes can begin within months. It likely will take a year, and $1.5 million, to restore the state and national historic landmark, which sits on Kailua Bay on the Big Island and houses a collection of Hawaiian artifacts.

Glenn Mason, a historic architect and president of Honolulu-based Mason Architects Inc., said the building "was one of the very earliest in Hawai'i." The six-room building was built in 1838 of lava rock, coral mortar, stucco and plaster. When the walls were last replastered, sometime in the past century, the mixture contained cement, which was less forgiving than the original materials.

Almost every corner of the palace has extensive cracks, and other plaster and molding damage. The second floor, which includes the sitting room, Princess Ruth's Room and Kawananakoa Room, is closed to visitors, having received some of the worst damage.

The entry hall and the dining room have reopened for public tours, and a video shows the historical artifacts that usually are on display. Visitors also can view the south-side parlor to see the damage for themselves.

Information: www.huliheepalace.org.

— Associated Press

TOP 10

LARGE HOTELS

The highest-rated large (100-plus room) hotels in the world, from Zagat Survey's "2007/2008 World's Top Hotels, Resorts and Spas" guide:

1. Four Seasons George V, Paris

2. Peninsula, Chicago

3. Peninsula, Bangkok

4. Peninsula, Hong Kong

5. Oriental, Bangkok

6. Four Seasons, Chicago

7. Four Seasons, Budapest

8. Mandarin Oriental, Miami

9. Peninsula, Los Angeles

10. Four Seasons, Las Vegas

— Chicago Tribune