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 485050 times)

Offline Shua

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2040 on: May 16, 2017, 10:26:18 PM »
On this topic I would love to hear what you guys think.
I'm landing in OGG thurs night. and I would like to be back for the following shabbos in NYC.
As I have no idea when the next time I'm going to visit HI is, I was thinking of going to LIH for the last two nights. My options are as follows:

A) stay in Maui the whole time and leave Wednesday night to NYC (skip LIH altogether)
B) fly to LIH Monday at 5 PM and out of LIH on thurs at 2 pm which sort of cuts alot out of maui but gives a full 2 days to at least see some of Kauai ( Dont know if that will ever happen otherwise).
C) fly to kauai on tues morning at 10 AM (and to NYC thurs afternoon) this gives me about 48 hrs on the ground in Kauai (not much) but again, maybe I'll see at least a little bit or even just relax at the GHK for 2 nights.

I am in middle of planning a similar trip. However, I am going from Sunday to Tuesday (9 nights) so I have a bit more time than you, However, I think you can do everything you want in Maui and some of Kauai but there might not be a lot of time to relax.

If you land thursday:
Friday: Sunrise, western Maui
Shabbos: Relax
Sunday: RTH
Monday: Morning snorkeling by crater
Monday at 5PM OGG to LIH
Tuesday: Helicopter ride, kayaking to secret falls
Wednesday: Waimea canyon/poipu beach OR Kalalau Trail
Thursday: Home

Offline SSLPhD

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2041 on: May 16, 2017, 11:16:04 PM »
Will it be ready shortly?  ;)
Posted part.  Hope some of it is useful.  If you need more detail, I'll try to expand.
44/50, 46/63

Offline JamesIV

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2042 on: May 17, 2017, 03:16:45 PM »
Does United ever open up any 1st Saver Awards NYC to Hawaii?
Been checking for the last 2 weeks nothing showing up.
Am I better off just going Alaskan or something else?

Offline nirc

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2043 on: May 21, 2017, 06:57:59 PM »
I'm thinking about going to OGG for a week at the end of March, there isn't any award space available and it's very unlikely that any will open up, is it worth flying in Y or should I plan another trip for now and save HI for another time where I can fly in J?

i have a similar predicament, and will likely just fly coach. can not seem to find even 1 "first saver award" for an entire 3 month window. looked into OGG & KOA & LIH
« Last Edit: May 21, 2017, 07:07:34 PM by nirc »

Online PlatinumGuy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2044 on: May 21, 2017, 07:35:30 PM »
Does United ever open up any 1st Saver Awards NYC to Hawaii?
Been checking for the last 2 weeks nothing showing up.
Am I better off just going Alaskan or something else?
Why would you rather UA over Hawaiian?
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline nirc

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2045 on: May 21, 2017, 07:50:23 PM »
@PlatinumGuy ---
my plan was to convert 90k spg into 132k of UA + 7 nights at marriot.
then i would add 28k UA, so i have enough points for 2 tickets (80k each) in first.

Offline JamesIV

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2046 on: May 21, 2017, 08:49:23 PM »
Why would you rather UA over Hawaiian?
I have United points readily available.
Don't have any Hawaiian points, and not sure how else to book Hawaiian.
Any tips?

Offline zagguru

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2047 on: May 22, 2017, 12:02:16 AM »
I have United points readily available.
Don't have any Hawaiian points, and not sure how else to book Hawaiian.
Any tips?

Transfer from Amex.

Offline JamesIV

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2048 on: May 22, 2017, 12:21:42 AM »
Transfer from Amex.
No availability on Hawaiian.

Any partners can book?

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2049 on: May 22, 2017, 07:18:30 AM »
No availability on Hawaiian.

Any partners can book?

b6 points and you don't need saver availability.

Offline meir123

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2050 on: June 13, 2017, 06:46:49 PM »
Which is a nicer hotel the ritz in maui or the ghk?

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2051 on: June 14, 2017, 04:46:28 AM »
Which is a nicer hotel the ritz in maui or the ghk?
GHK per reports of the Ritz being not so nice.

Offline 12HRS

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2052 on: June 14, 2017, 08:05:42 AM »
GHK per reports of the Ritz being not so nice.

ritz location also not ideal for Maui

Offline meir123

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2053 on: June 14, 2017, 06:57:11 PM »
Thank you how about the marriott in maui?

Offline efflpetzel

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2054 on: June 18, 2017, 01:29:58 AM »
Thank you how about the marriott in maui?
Nice hotel in a great area

Offline Emkay

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2055 on: June 18, 2017, 05:47:53 AM »
GHK per reports of the Ritz being not so nice.
The issue isn't the "nice" part. It's definitely nice.

Offline Geshmak25

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2056 on: June 19, 2017, 12:38:49 AM »
Is it shayach to do Sun AM - Thurs PM from NYC or is it just not enough time? With BP the flights from NYC to HNL are reasonable but would need to connect to one of the other islands so would basically lose all/most of sunday and thursday so it would only be 3 full days.
PUTPAC = PITA

Offline Emkay

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2057 on: June 19, 2017, 01:56:24 AM »


Is it shayach to do Sun AM - Thurs PM from NYC?

Yes.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2058 on: June 19, 2017, 02:27:59 AM »
Is it shayach to do Sun AM - Thurs PM from NYC or is it just not enough time? With BP the flights from NYC to HNL are reasonable but would need to connect to one of the other islands so would basically lose all/most of sunday and thursday so it would only be 3 full days.
See my TRs. I've done it several times.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2059 on: June 19, 2017, 05:54:32 AM »
Is it shayach to do Sun AM - Thurs PM from NYC or is it just not enough time? With BP the flights from NYC to HNL are reasonable but would need to connect to one of the other islands so would basically lose all/most of sunday and thursday so it would only be 3 full days.
no it isn't. It's not worth it. Your best bet is to spend Shabbat in La or sf and go early Sunday morning to hnl (you can even get a direct flight to your island) then fly direct back to ny on Thursday.