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 485143 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2160 on: April 30, 2018, 12:43:49 PM »
In other news, water is wet.

Wake me up when the actual routes are announced. Announcing you're serving the 4 major islands is what we've known all along.
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.

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2161 on: April 30, 2018, 02:21:01 PM »
https://dealswelike.boardingarea.com/2018/04/30/southwest-flying-to-4-different-hawaiian-islands/

Southwest- Hawaii

No idea why that article asserts that people "won't fly SW to Hawaii." What's not to like about no change fees, and 2 bags? The only downside to SW is not assigned seating, but for many, that's upside, especially considering that if you pay a few dollars extra for early-bird checkin, you'll have less of a hard time getting good seats/seats together, as you would on a legacy carrier where they block off half of Y as "preferred seats." Wanting premium cabins and lack of status are the only real downsides to SW.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2162 on: May 01, 2018, 01:28:17 PM »
Hi shaulyaakov! I am the write of the Deals We Like blog so just wanted to help clarify. I am personally beyond excited that Southwest is flying to Hawaii. I am a huge Southwest fan and fly them all the time. However, there are many folks out there that do not like flying Southwest. They do not like not having a seat assignment and not knowing ahead of time if they are going to get aisle, middle, or window seat or if they are going to be able to sit with family members. Those folks, in my opinion, are ones that haven't truly spent time understanding Southwest and realizing that if that is important to you then you can pay for the Early Bird check-in and there is a good chance you'll get an A boarding pass.

There is also an entirely other group of people that wouldn't fly Southwest because there is not business/first class or at least premium economy with extra leg room. That means nothing to me, but I know of many people that will only fly business class on flights of 4+ hours. My main goal is to get to my location cheap (and of course safe) and am not picky about the type of seat I have.

Hope this helps!

Offline davidrotts63

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2163 on: May 01, 2018, 01:57:24 PM »
Hi shaulyaakov! I am the write of the Deals We Like blog so just wanted to help clarify. I am personally beyond excited that Southwest is flying to Hawaii. I am a huge Southwest fan and fly them all the time. However, there are many folks out there that do not like flying Southwest. They do not like not having a seat assignment and not knowing ahead of time if they are going to get aisle, middle, or window seat or if they are going to be able to sit with family members. Those folks, in my opinion, are ones that haven't truly spent time understanding Southwest and realizing that if that is important to you then you can pay for the Early Bird check-in and there is a good chance you'll get an A boarding pass.

There is also an entirely other group of people that wouldn't fly Southwest because there is not business/first class or at least premium economy with extra leg room. That means nothing to me, but I know of many people that will only fly business class on flights of 4+ hours. My main goal is to get to my location cheap (and of course safe) and am not picky about the type of seat I have.

Hope this helps!
Well I guess, welcome to posting on DDF!
« Last Edit: May 01, 2018, 02:21:13 PM by davidrotts63 »
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Offline 12HRS

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2164 on: May 01, 2018, 02:17:08 PM »
Well I guess, welcome to -ddf!

been here longer then you  ;D

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2165 on: May 01, 2018, 02:20:52 PM »
been here longer then you  ;D
First post🤷
That's what my introduction was for. But I edited it now.
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Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2166 on: May 01, 2018, 02:51:47 PM »
First post🤷
That's what my introduction was for. But I edited it now.
Why do you have an obsession with editing your posts every time someone comments or corrects you?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2167 on: May 01, 2018, 02:58:21 PM »
Why do you have an obsession with editing your posts every time someone comments or corrects you?
If there is genuinely something wrong, I don't see why not to.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2168 on: May 03, 2018, 04:26:39 PM »
https://www.swamedia.com/releases/southwest-airlines-intends-to-serve-hawaii-nonstop-from-california-airports-in-oakland-san-diego-san-jose-sacramento

Oddly, nothing from LAX. This would be tough for passengers to the east-coast especially, since it would be a 2 stopover flight on SW metal.

Offline shaulyaakov

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Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2170 on: May 03, 2018, 10:38:11 PM »
And Dan gave valid hypotheses why not from LAX.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2172 on: May 06, 2018, 01:55:41 AM »
You can't check even if you are a member as the flight is on United, and United doesn't show up on their site. You need to search on United.com and if you see availability at 22.5k, then it is bookable by Singapore (calling up) for 17.5k.
You can check (and possibly book, although I didn’t try all the way) with Singapore Airlines mobile app

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2173 on: May 09, 2018, 10:17:21 PM »
This mask has been discussed here in the past... Just came across this, not sure if it's hyperbole or something really worrisome, but it's definitely something to think about:

Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2174 on: May 14, 2018, 04:02:34 PM »
I'm trying to plan my trip for this August to Hawaii and the island hopper. I was going to do KOA for most of the time but now with the volcano being unpredictable, I'm thinking about switching to OGG. Does anyone have any thoughts? Do I still book KOA since the volcano is on the other side of the island or do I just skip it entirely and go with OGG and not really have to worry about it?
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Online Something Fishy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2175 on: May 14, 2018, 04:27:36 PM »
I'm trying to plan my trip for this August to Hawaii and the island hopper. I was going to do KOA for most of the time but now with the volcano being unpredictable, I'm thinking about switching to OGG. Does anyone have any thoughts? Do I still book KOA since the volcano is on the other side of the island or do I just skip it entirely and go with OGG and not really have to worry about it?

Nothing to worry about.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline mmgfarb

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2176 on: May 14, 2018, 08:17:30 PM »
Nothing to worry about.
Thanks, I guess I'll stick with KOA then.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2178 on: May 15, 2018, 12:02:59 AM »
Even vog?

There isn't necessarily any more vog now. Even if there's a catastrophic explosion, it'll be a steam explosion and won't last long.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2179 on: May 15, 2018, 12:12:21 PM »
This mask has been discussed here in the past... Just came across this, not sure if it's hyperbole or something really worrisome, but it's definitely something to think about:



Biggest takeaway is that there really is a Bob