Topic Wiki

Please post your questions in the correct thread. This thread, as the title clearly states, is for general Hawaii questions only.

If you have any questions that pertains to a particular island, post it in the appropriate island thread. See below for links to all island threads.

You'd get far better answers there, and chances are that your issue was already discussed at length too.

DansMeals: Hawaii For The Kosher Traveler:
-Part 1: General Info And The Island Of Oahu
-Part 2: The Big Island of Hawaii
-Part 3: Maui
-Part 4: Kauai

Related DD Posts:
-Ultimate Hawaii Mileage Chart and Everything You Need to Know About the Hawaiian Islands (2015)
-Trip Notes: Maui No Ka ‘Oi (2014)
-Trip Notes Kauai: Heaven On Earth (2014)
-The Hawaiian Islands. (2011)
-Traveling To Hawaii…With A 5 Month Old (2011)
-View From The Room (2011)
-Pearl Harbor…70 Years (2011)
-Shaloha! (2011)
-Hawaii Trip Notes: Kauai (2009)
-Hawaii Trip Notes: Oahu (2009)
-Which Miles To Use To Fly To Hawaii?

Related DDF Destination Threads:
-Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
-Kauai Master Thread
-Maui Master Thread
-Oahu Master Thread
-Lanai, Molokai, and Niihau, Hawaii Master Thread

Background on Hawaiian Islands
You've probably heard of Honolulu. That's the state capital and is located on island of Oahu, the main island with the largest airport. Honolulu hosts the famous Waikiki Beach and if you look at pictures, it looks like Miami. One long beach with a strip of hotels. Most DDFers say to go to one of the other 3 main islands which are less touristy and the hotels are more spread out. In no particular order, the other islands are Maui, Kauai and Hawaii (yes, that's the name of one of the islands. It's also known as The Big Island - confusing because Big Island sounds like it's the "Main Island", but Oahu is the main island). Direct flights from NYC only go to HNL. You can get direct flights from other cities (LAX, SFO, OAK, SJC, SAN, DEN, DFW, PHX, SEA, ORD as examples) to the other islands. Hawaii is amazing - have fun! The main airport codes are:
Oahu: HNL
Maui: OGG
Kauai: LIH
The Big Island: KOA, ITO (2 airports on 2 different sides of the island)

Interisland flights:
Hawaiian is the main interisland carrier and flies HNL, LIH, OGG, KOA, and ITO. They have countless flights each day and are nearly always on time - often even early. Never book a tight connection hoping that the interisland flight will be delayed.

Go and Island Air fly from HNL. Mokulele flies from HNL and KOA, as well as to Kapalua (JHM), Hana (HNM), Molokai (MKK), Lanai (LNY), and Waimea-Kohala (MUE) on the Big Island. Hawaiian's subsidiary Ohana flies HNL to MKK and LNY.

You can also use 5k AA, 6k UA or 7.5k HA miles each way to fly interisland. You can use 15k DL pesos for a RT interisland. United allows a free stopover on a round-trip, so for instance you can fly HNL-LIH-OGG-HNL for just 12K miles.
HA has several tiers, similar to DL, the lowest tier is the only one that's available using partner miles, but with HA miles you can purchase tickets that are otherwise unavailable for additional miles.

@Yehuda's thoughts on deciding between Kauai and Maui:
Here's a list of the main activities on both islands. Decide what interests you, and then you'll know where to go.

Kauai has what many say to be one of the best hikes in the world - Kalalau Trail. Most people will only do the first part, but it's still very highly regarded. The views atop Waimea Canyon are breathtaking, yet Maui also has breathtaking views at Haleakala. Kauai also has some supposedly awesome off-roading on Miloli'i Ridge Road. Sunset at the 12-mile long Polihale Beach is supposed to be quite the sunset. A helicopter tour of Kauai is generally said to be much better than a heli tour of Maui. If the water is calm, Queen's Bath, which is a natural pool in the ocean you can swim in that's protected from the ocean's force by hardened lava, is SICK, but Maui has the same thing by the Olivine Pools. Kayaking down the Wailua River to "Secret Falls" is supposed to be great as well. Of course, the luxurious, tropical amazingness of the Grand Hyatt Kauai is a huge boost for Kauai, except for its beach, but the great Po'ipu Beach is 5 minutes away.

Maui has the Road to Hana, which is an incredible drive through what feels like a rainforest with tons of opportunities to take small hikes to waterfalls and pools. It's just wow wow wow. Sunrise at the top Haleakala is not to be missed. A boat trip to snorkel by Molokini Crater offers what is supposedly some of the best snorkeling visibility in the world. Warren & Annabelle's Magic Show is supposed to be a great night out. The hotels are also magical, perhaps to a lesser degree than GHK, but the beaches by the main hotels are a big plus over GHK's beach. EDIT: The Grand Wailea in Maui is a gorgeous hotel that rivals the GHK (and its lazy river actually moves as opposed to GHK's ). Add in the fact that its beach (Wailea Beach) is swimmable and doesn't require the albeit short drive to Po'ipu Beach that the GHK does, I'm not sure that the GHK should be a reason enough to tip the scales in favor of Kauai over Maui anymore.

So, pick the types of activities you'd want to do and then you'll have your island. I personally liked Maui better mostly because of the Road to Hana, but to be fair, I did miss out on the Kalalau Trail in Kauai due to weather.
« Last edited by jj1000 on December 25, 2023, 10:30:33 AM »

Author Topic: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?  (Read 484907 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2000 on: May 07, 2017, 06:18:58 PM »
Wash your fruit and veggies carefully and think twice about swimming in fresh water...
http://secondnexus.com/ecology-and-sustainability/rat-lungworm-parasite-in-hawaii/
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2002 on: May 11, 2017, 11:12:25 AM »
if there is no saver award to ogg or hnl with united or delta
will any other airline mileage system work?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2003 on: May 11, 2017, 11:46:29 AM »
if there is no saver award to ogg or hnl with united or delta
will any other airline mileage system work?
AA
but best bet recently has been amex BP 50% back

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2004 on: May 11, 2017, 12:30:09 PM »
if there is no saver award to ogg or hnl with united or delta
will any other airline mileage system work?


AA
but best bet recently has been amex BP 50% back

Also - B6 but its based on the cash price of hawaiian airlines. Availability is generally a non issue this way.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2005 on: May 11, 2017, 01:20:39 PM »
thanks
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2006 on: May 15, 2017, 09:16:29 AM »
I plan on visiting Kauai and Maui and would like to do scuba diving in one of those islands. (an introductory dive - I've gone before but I'm not licensed).

Which island would be better to do it on?

Also, any advice for how a frum women can go scuba diving? (hair covering, skirt)

TIA

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2007 on: May 15, 2017, 10:10:33 AM »


Also, any advice for how a frum women can go scuba diving? (hair covering, skirt)

TIA

I mutar it
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2008 on: May 15, 2017, 10:20:52 AM »
I plan on visiting Kauai and Maui and would like to do scuba diving in one of those islands. (an introductory dive - I've gone before but I'm not licensed).

Which island would be better to do it on?

Also, any advice for how a frum women can go scuba diving? (hair covering, skirt)

TIA
Why can't you scuba in a tichel and skirt?
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2009 on: May 15, 2017, 10:22:18 AM »
I plan on visiting Kauai and Maui and would like to do scuba diving in one of those islands. (an introductory dive - I've gone before but I'm not licensed).

Which island would be better to do it on?

Also, any advice for how a frum women can go scuba diving? (hair covering, skirt)

TIA
Definitely Maui, by Molokini.

Bathing cap (you know, like the pros), swim dress.
« Last Edit: May 15, 2017, 10:25:28 AM by SSLPhD »
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2010 on: May 15, 2017, 10:22:32 PM »
Why can't you scuba in a tichel and skirt?
Definitely Maui, by Molokini.

Bathing cap (you know, like the pros), swim dress.
Thanks,
So the bathing cap would work but DW can't see how a skirt would stay on. Guess a swim dress might work,

Also it seems that intro dives are not offered by molokini. That being said maui or kauai?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2011 on: May 16, 2017, 07:50:19 AM »
Also it seems that intro dives are not offered by molokini. That being said maui or kauai?
Still Maui.  Maui Revealed recommends Maui Dreams (808)874-5332 for intro dives.  If you decide to go on Kauai, Kauai Revealed recommends Fathom Five (808)742-6991.
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Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2012 on: May 16, 2017, 11:24:37 AM »

Also it seems that intro dives are not offered by molokini. That being said maui or kauai?

You should be able to depart from Maui for a dive off Molokai.

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2013 on: May 16, 2017, 01:38:41 PM »
Thanks,
So the bathing cap would work but DW can't see how a skirt would stay on. Guess a swim dress might work,

check out undercoverwaterwear.com, that should solve your issues

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2014 on: May 16, 2017, 01:44:26 PM »
Maui Revealed recommends Maui Dreams (808)874-5332 for intro dives.
Was NOT impressed with them at all.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2015 on: May 16, 2017, 03:37:49 PM »
Still Maui.  Maui Revealed recommends Maui Dreams (808)874-5332 for intro dives.  If you decide to go on Kauai, Kauai Revealed recommends Fathom Five (808)742-6991.

I loved fathom 5 but I'm certified. not sure how their beginner diving is.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2016 on: May 16, 2017, 04:03:49 PM »
Trying to start my planning for a trip in (a few days). Need to be back before Shabbos. Cant find any availibilty on direct business (from NY).
I really want to see the Volacanoes and then a nice beach area with activities.
I would Ideally like to fly (with a stop :() to one of the islands and leave from a different one. So was thinking of leaving Sun AM to the big island (volcanoes) spend the afternnon/night there and then Mon afternoon to Maui until Thursday?
does this make sense? or any better options?
TY

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2017 on: May 16, 2017, 04:12:10 PM »
Trying to start my planning for a trip in (a few days). Need to be back before Shabbos. Cant find any availibilty on direct business (from NY).
I really want to see the Volacanoes and then a nice beach area with activities.
I would Ideally like to fly (with a stop :() to one of the islands and leave from a different one. So was thinking of leaving Sun AM to the big island (volcanoes) spend the afternnon/night there and then Mon afternoon to Maui until Thursday?
does this make sense? or any better options?
TY
does not make sense if you are going for 4.5 days:
A: stick to 1 island
B: Dont go!

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2018 on: May 16, 2017, 04:16:12 PM »
+1
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2019 on: May 16, 2017, 04:24:34 PM »
As of most recent reports, I heard that there is a lot of steam by the ocean entry which is obscuring in large part a view of the lava flowing into the ocean.  Keep that in mind if you want to go to the BI right now.  There are, however, other ways to see the lava.
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