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 485272 times)

Offline sky121

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1260 on: February 08, 2015, 11:59:00 PM »

Frankly, I still don't understand why people think Hawaii is the prettiest place on earth, but maybe I'm just an outlier, or I missed the best parts?, dunno.
So you'll probably tell me I didn't spend your "minimum" time "required" to spend on an island?! Eh. I'm not running back.
Don't get me wrong, it's very pretty, but... there is prettier.

If you wanted to see the prettiest place on earth Hawaii may not be it. Neither is the Caribbean though. Hawaii is a lot more than just about a pretty place.

One of my favorite things about Hawaii is the calm and peacefulness that creeps into you while you're there. Laid back, slow paced yet still exciting and exhilarating.

While I definitely believe it's ok to not get it all in if that's what your schedule permits there is a balance to that.  Going for 5 days to Kauai alone would have been a good example of getting a taste but not seeing it all.
But if you weren't even there long enough to get a taste of the place, it's no wonder you weren't left wanting more.
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1261 on: February 09, 2015, 10:05:23 AM »
@galitzyaner
Honestly, I'm baffled by just about everything you're saying. Everybody's different, and of course it's possible some people just don't enjoy what HI has to offer, but you'd definitely be in the minority (like small, infinitesimal minority ;)). Why don't you post your full itinerary? Or a list of places you'd rate higher? Maybe we'd get a better idea of where you're coming from. I don't know why we're all so obsessed with explaining why you didn't enjoy it - it's like we have this collective itch to scratch. ;D

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1262 on: February 10, 2015, 03:00:39 PM »
Any recommendations for one night stay in HNL?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1263 on: February 10, 2015, 03:21:32 PM »
Any recommendations for one night stay in HNL?

Hilton and Hyatt Diamond.
I know you'll likely get your answer here, but technically, this is the proper thread.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1264 on: February 11, 2015, 12:52:53 PM »
So now that it looks like i have a ticket here, where should i be going/staying.

Landing 6/29/15 in HNL at 9:45 PM and leaving from HNL 7/5/15 at 1:30 PM.

I would probably be staying in HNL the first night as it will have been a crazy day of traveling. Should i fly to another island for the rest of the stay and come back to HNL for the weekend before i go back?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1265 on: February 11, 2015, 02:06:13 PM »
So now that it looks like i have a ticket here, where should i be going/staying.

Landing 6/29/15 in HNL at 9:45 PM and leaving from HNL 7/5/15 at 1:30 PM.

I would probably be staying in HNL the first night as it will have been a crazy day of traveling. Should i fly to another island for the rest of the stay and come back to HNL for the weekend before i go back?
Have you every been to HI? Most of the people here say Oahu is not the island to stay on. Jumping on another <1 hour flight to your destination island might be worth it that night just to be done with ALL the travelling that day.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1266 on: February 11, 2015, 02:10:58 PM »
Have you every been to HI? Most of the people here say Oahu is not the island to stay on. Jumping on another <1 hour flight to your destination island might be worth it that night just to be done with ALL the travelling that day.
If the flights make sense, i would do it. Just need an idea and wait for full confirmation that UA is honoring the tickets.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1267 on: February 11, 2015, 02:11:54 PM »
It's not quite an hour... Between the time between flights, possible checking checking in luggage again, etc. it'll add a couple of hours to the travel time.

Another idea might be to stay in HNL overnight, check out Pearl Harbor in the morning, and then head to LIH or OGG.
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Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1268 on: February 11, 2015, 02:12:59 PM »
It's not quite an hour... Between the time between flights, possible checking checking in luggage again, etc. it'll add a couple of hours to the travel time.

Another idea might be to stay in HNL overnight, check out Pearl Harbor in the morning, and then head to LIH or OGG.
The wife will probably like that idea better.

Any preference between LIH or OGG if i can only do one?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1269 on: February 11, 2015, 02:17:50 PM »
The wife will probably like that idea better.

Any preference between LIH or OGG if i can only do one?
I did both ideas. I went straight to OGG when we arrived in HNL. It was earlier in the day than your situation (~5-6pm IIRC), but I still think it's fine. OTOH, I did Pearl Harbor on the way back and that was great too.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1270 on: February 11, 2015, 02:19:52 PM »
I did both ideas. I went straight to OGG when we arrived in HNL. It was earlier in the day than your situation (~5-6pm IIRC), but I still think it's fine. OTOH, I did Pearl Harbor on the way back and that was great too.
I guess i can do it either way, as long as UA honors the deal.

Would also need to find out from the wife.

Our flight in will be LHR-FRA-LAX-HNL and may even have flights going into LHR earlier that day. So maybe a night in HNL will be better idea.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1271 on: February 11, 2015, 02:23:04 PM »
This is a waste of breath until you hear it's getting honored.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1272 on: February 11, 2015, 02:23:57 PM »
This is a waste of breath until you hear it's getting honored.
+1
I think I'm sitting out DDF the rest of the day
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1273 on: February 11, 2015, 02:24:49 PM »
This is a waste of breath until you hear it's getting honored.
Your optimism is truly remarkable.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1274 on: February 11, 2015, 02:30:13 PM »
This is a waste of breath until you hear it's getting honored.
On the contrary, once he starts planning it out, he'll get sucked in and make sure to find another way to get to HI if/when the tickets get canceld  ;D

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1275 on: February 11, 2015, 02:31:32 PM »
Your optimism is truly remarkable.

Put your money where you optimism is, huh?

By all means, start planning extravagant vacations, non-refundable hotel rooms, and buying POM meals for a trip which by tomorrow may be gone like the dinosaurs.

Please, go on.

And I'll continue being a realist.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2015, 02:37:03 PM by AJK »
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1276 on: February 11, 2015, 02:31:38 PM »
On the contrary, once he starts planning it out, he'll get sucked in and make sure to find another way to get to HI if/when the tickets get canceld  ;D
Well my initial summer trip was/is Singapore and Bali. This may end up being it, if UA allows it.

If not, i'll go back to plan A and do this another time.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1277 on: February 11, 2015, 02:31:58 PM »
On the contrary, once he starts planning it out, he'll get sucked in and make sure to find another way to get to HI if/when the tickets get canceld  ;D

You know me too well ;)
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1278 on: February 11, 2015, 02:35:32 PM »
You know me too well ;)
I can't imagine what percentage of your trips germinated in some mistake/glitch or other.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1279 on: February 11, 2015, 02:36:55 PM »
Put your money where you optimism is, huh?

By all means, start planning extravagant vacations, non-refundable hotel rooms, and buying POM meals for a trip which by tomorrow may be gone like the dinosaurs.

Please, go on.
Oh dear, did I forget a winky/smiley/tongue face? My bad.

I'm not booking my flights to LHR yet, or planning any other extravagant vacations. If this is how I get home from a wedding I was planning to go to anyways, then great. If not, we all know there are plenty of other options.

And on that note, anyone have POM's number?