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 485055 times)

Offline chuchem

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #220 on: June 12, 2012, 01:41:42 PM »
When going to Kauai, does one have 2 options now?

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



I emailed both twice and didnt get a reply, not very customer friendly.

Offline sruly

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #221 on: June 12, 2012, 01:59:14 PM »
is there anyway to get free back from ogg-lih

i am united platinum and booking for 5k miles

they can put me on Peninsula Airways or hawaiin airlines or island air,

if not free who charges the cheapest for baggage ?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #222 on: June 13, 2012, 09:33:58 AM »
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
I'd recommend Maui if it's your first visit.
Definitely worth going to Hilo for a day IMO, and yes you can drive, you don't need a helicopter.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #223 on: June 13, 2012, 11:30:19 AM »
I'd recommend Maui if it's your first visit.
Definitely worth going to Hilo for a day IMO, and yes you can drive, you don't need a helicopter.

+1 on Maui. Kauai is incredible also.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #224 on: June 13, 2012, 11:35:14 AM »
They're all incredible...it's Hawaii :D
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18475
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 dhalpern1

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #225 on: June 13, 2012, 11:37:40 AM »
They're all incredible...it's Hawaii :D
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18475

Yea, saw your thread on this. We stayed at the Fairmont in Maui also, my wife and I wanted to move there full time.

Offline sruly

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #226 on: June 13, 2012, 07:30:15 PM »
They're all incredible...it's Hawaii :D
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18475
so maui it is.

which hotel is better (spg gold member)
sheraton or westin ?

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #227 on: July 11, 2012, 01:27:10 PM »
If one only had 4 nights in HI, would Kauai be better or Maui?

Also, can someone suggest the best *W with C+P in either location?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #228 on: July 11, 2012, 01:29:45 PM »
If one only had 4 nights in HI, would Kauai be better or Maui?

Also, can someone suggest the best *W with C+P in either location?

I think Maui has better beaches with relaxation as well as active stuff, Kauai is much more active with more to explore (it is incredible). It depends on your personality type. For me, I like Maui better.

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Re: Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #229 on: July 11, 2012, 01:58:27 PM »
I'd pit kauais poipu or polihale beach up against any Maui beach.
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: Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #230 on: July 11, 2012, 02:01:49 PM »
I'd pit kauais poipu or polihale beach up against any Maui beach.

I didnt love the poipu beach, didnt see the other one. I feel like Maui can be geared towards relaxing while Kauai is more active.

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Re: Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #231 on: July 11, 2012, 02:06:49 PM »
@Dan - able to recommend any *W with good C+P?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #232 on: July 11, 2012, 03:25:40 PM »
I didnt love the poipu beach, didnt see the other one. I feel like Maui can be geared towards relaxing while Kauai is more active.
funny,I found the exact opposite to be true
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #233 on: July 11, 2012, 04:35:04 PM »
I didnt love the poipu beach, didnt see the other one. I feel like Maui can be geared towards relaxing while Kauai is more active.
Poipu beach has some of the best snorkeling anywhere, I always see turtles, whales, dolphins, and sea lions there.
Polihale Beach is 12 miles of empty beach framed by Na Pali at the end and Ni'ihau in the distance.

What's not to love?

@Dan - able to recommend any *W with good C+P?
SPG is generally a disappointment in HI.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #234 on: July 11, 2012, 05:08:22 PM »
Good to know.

If one is going to do either LIH or OGG, is it worth it to splurge on the direct EWR-HNL in F?

Pros: non-stop; F = lie flat on that route IIRC
Cons: must then get to LIH/OGG; can't stopover in LAX
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #235 on: July 11, 2012, 05:11:22 PM »
Good to know.

If one is going to do either LIH or OGG, is it worth it to splurge on the direct EWR-HNL in F?

Pros: non-stop; F = lie flat on that route IIRC
Cons: must then get to LIH/OGG; can't stopover in LAX
Definitely worth going F via EWR or IAH, but those are hard to come by.
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 #236 on: July 11, 2012, 05:28:03 PM »
Definitely worth going F via EWR or IAH, but those are hard to come by.

Yeah, I'm seeing what you mean. There isn't one date with saver J, let alone saver F, in the next month EWR-HNL.

Worth it to splurge on F NYC-LAX-HNL?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #237 on: July 11, 2012, 05:30:59 PM »
Yeah, I'm seeing what you mean. There isn't one date with saver J, let alone saver F, in the next month EWR-HNL.

Worth it to splurge on F NYC-LAX-HNL?
NIMHO.
Did you look for IAH-HNL and for return flights to IAH and EWR?

Too bad you missed this:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18429
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 #238 on: July 11, 2012, 05:32:42 PM »
NIMHO.
Did you look for IAH-HNL and for return flights to IAH and EWR?

Too bad you missed this:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18429

I recall fondly... and regret. Just like I regret not pulling the trigger on the SQ glitch.

While I appreciate having a job, it's time like the above when I feel like I should just work for myself.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #239 on: July 11, 2012, 05:36:13 PM »
NIMHO.
Did you look for IAH-HNL and for return flights to IAH and EWR?

Too bad you missed this:
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18429

Yeah, I looked IAH-HNL - there is def more availability there. Thanks for the thought.

If it isn't worth for F on the other route, is it even worth J?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper