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 484988 times)

Offline robi

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Re: which 2 islands in HI
« Reply #200 on: March 28, 2012, 12:58:30 PM »
Maui & kaui
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Offline JEWDA

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Re: which 2 islands in HI
« Reply #201 on: March 28, 2012, 12:59:07 PM »
Your Ad Can Be Here! PM For Lowest Rates.

Offline arid

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maui vs honolulu
« Reply #202 on: April 26, 2012, 09:04:41 PM »
was looking for some input.
im going to hawaii this summer for about 11 days
i definitely wanna see lava, so we are for sure gong to the big island.
the question becomes honolulu vs maui.
what does one have that the other doesnt? pros and cons? what does one have the the big island doesnt?
any and all input is appreciated  :)

Offline sky121

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Re: Re: maui vs honolulu
« Reply #203 on: April 26, 2012, 09:06:32 PM »
was looking for some input.
im going to hawaii this summer for about 11 days
i definitely wanna see lava, so we are for sure gong to the big island.
the question becomes honolulu vs maui.
what does one have that the other doesnt? pros and cons? what does one have the the big island doesnt?
any and all input is appreciated  :)

From what I've researched I'd say Maui.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Yossi.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #204 on: June 07, 2012, 05:50:08 PM »
http://www.oahukosher.com/  says they r closed. Does anyone know if this is for good or only now during the winter. Does that mean one cant get kosher food on kauai?

The restaurant is closed, but he still makes food on request and can send to other island AFAIK.

I sent them an email for my upcoming trip in July to Maui and Kauai and he told me he could ship to Maui and Kauai. Or only to Maui and I ll shlep the Kauai's portions myself. The delivery per their website is $75. And here is their menu and prices. Anyone had any experience with them? Or I should just prepare everything myself?

Offline Dan

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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 #206 on: June 07, 2012, 06:21:01 PM »
There's also:
http://jerusalemkosherdeli.com/index.html
http://www.facebook.com/falafelinparadise
Wow amazing!

Have u ever tried any of those or consider them for your next trip? Or u r sticking to your wife s cooking and Labriute meals?
Also, in Maui, do u think the hyatt's kosher food will be enough in addition to the groceries from costco?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #207 on: June 07, 2012, 06:23:09 PM »
Those places opened after our trip in December.

I don't think you'll want to eat at the Hyatt for more than a dinner or 2 max.
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 Yossi.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #208 on: June 07, 2012, 06:32:38 PM »
Those places opened after our trip in December.

I don't think you'll want to eat at the Hyatt for more than a dinner or 2 max.
I think i ll go with costco for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, ~$500 worth of dinners from one of those places for 8 days and shabbos food from chabbad maui...

Offline Yordai Dooma

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #209 on: June 07, 2012, 07:28:53 PM »
Has anyone here had from any food from any of these places? what about delivered to Kauai?

Offline robi

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #210 on: June 07, 2012, 08:18:08 PM »
I had from Oahu kosher, was a great sandwich, and yudi is a great guy. The Hyatt in Maui has airline milchig and fleishig, so as Dan said, doubt you wanna eat more than a meal or 2
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #211 on: June 07, 2012, 08:52:08 PM »
I had from Oahu kosher, was a great sandwich, and yudi is a great guy. The Hyatt in Maui has airline milchig and fleishig, so as Dan said, doubt you wanna eat more than a meal or 2

Yeah Yudi is the one who sent me the email. Did u get everything delivered at the hotel? did u try anything besides sandwiches?

Offline robi

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #212 on: June 07, 2012, 09:23:22 PM »
Yeah Yudi is the one who sent me the email. Did u get everything delivered at the hotel? did u try anything besides sandwiches?
yes he delivered to the Hyatt, was waiting when I arrived. I might of had fries as well, can't remember.was a good sandwich, up to par with any take out place imo
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I'm not"

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #213 on: June 07, 2012, 09:31:05 PM »
yes he delivered to the Hyatt, was waiting when I arrived. I might of had fries as well, can't remember.was a good sandwich, up to par with any take out place imo
I guess i am missing something. U ordered one sandwich and fries from oahu to maui? And paid the $75 delivery lol?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #214 on: June 07, 2012, 11:01:34 PM »
um, no. was answering your 2 questions, had sandwiches in oahu, and airline food in hyatt maui
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #215 on: June 07, 2012, 11:05:18 PM »
um, no. was answering your 2 questions, had sandwiches in oahu, and airline food in hyatt maui
So u dont have real experience of the whole delivery to other island thing right? Thx for the input

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #216 on: June 07, 2012, 11:40:35 PM »
So u dont have real experience of the whole delivery to other island thing right? Thx for the input
no, sorry, although i looked into it, IIRC it was expensive and involved hassle, like picking it up ay the terminal or something
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #217 on: June 08, 2012, 05:56:19 AM »
When going to Kauai, does one have 2 options now?

http://www.oahukosher.com/ and http://jerusalemkosherdeli.com/index.html   ??


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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #218 on: June 08, 2012, 10:37:51 AM »
When going to Kauai, does one have 2 options now?

http://www.oahukosher.com/ and http://jerusalemkosherdeli.com/index.html   ??
Those are both Oahu based and there is this Hawaii based option: http://www.facebook.com/falafelinparadise

Plus of course there's kosher food at Costco, Safeway, and Walmart on Maui and Kauai and there's Whole Foods, Lahaina Farms, and Mana Foods on Maui with lots of kosher foods.
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 #219 on: June 12, 2012, 12:37:19 PM »
for a 7-8 night stay what is the best option 1 or 2 islands ?

looking for quiet relax quieter beach.

i have spg points.

is it worth going to hilo for a day ? can you drive up and see the volcano or do you need to take the helicopter ride ?

thanks