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 485135 times)

Offline Devorah

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #280 on: September 23, 2012, 04:21:07 AM »
I am considering stopping in Hawaii on our way back from Australia next summer.  We will be traveling with our 4 kids, ages 18 months, 4, 6 and 9.  Looking for suggestions on which Island is most kid-friendly, places to stay and things to do.  Will probably arrive in HNL on Sunday morning and depart Wednesday evening.

Thanx.

Offline Mocha

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #281 on: September 23, 2012, 09:50:23 PM »
I am considering stopping in Hawaii on our way back from Australia next summer.  We will be traveling with our 4 kids, ages 18 months, 4, 6 and 9.  Looking for suggestions on which Island is most kid-friendly, places to stay and things to do.  Will probably arrive in HNL on Sunday morning and depart Wednesday evening.

Thanx.
If your leaving Oahu I'd say Maui.

Offline Devorah

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #282 on: September 24, 2012, 02:01:16 AM »
If your leaving Oahu I'd say Maui.
Do you think we have enough time to enjoy Maui or should we just stay on Oahu - is there stuff to do on Oahu for kids? Thanks for your response.

Offline lfas25

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #283 on: September 27, 2012, 05:09:16 PM »
What do you recommend?
I am going to Hawaii for the 1st time, landing in HNL Thursday night approx 7:35, and leaving back to the mainland 10 days later Saturday night.
Should I fly the night I land to OGG and spend my time in Maui until Thursday and come back to Honolulu for Shabbat to catch my flight back or do I stay in Honolulu the 1st weekend and fly to OGG Saturday night / Sunday morning until Friday and come back to spend Shabbat in Honolulu?

My wife wants to visit Pearl Harbor and possibly something else in the Honolulu area, would 1 Friday morning be enough time to see that?

Thank you for your time
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #284 on: September 27, 2012, 05:17:51 PM »
Should I fly the night I land to OGG and spend my time in Maui until Thursday and come back to Honolulu for Shabbat to catch my flight back.
That.
My wife wants to visit Pearl Harbor and possibly something else in the Honolulu area, would 1 Friday morning be enough time to see that?
Yes.
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 lfas25

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #285 on: September 27, 2012, 07:27:14 PM »
That.Yes.
I am scheduled to land in HNL at 7:35 pm (on United from EWR), do you think I'll be able to make the 9:56 pm flight (last flight on Hawaiinair) that night or I might be pushing my luck there?
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Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #286 on: September 27, 2012, 07:48:21 PM »
I am scheduled to land in HNL at 7:35 pm (on United from EWR), do you think I'll be able to make the 9:56 pm flight (last flight on Hawaiinair) that night or I might be pushing my luck there?
You can make it with half that connection time.
Email me to book Hawaiian tickets with free baggage.
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 #287 on: October 17, 2012, 11:50:01 AM »
Hi,

trying to help a friend to book 2 tickets from HNL to LIH departing sun 11/25 & returning 11/28 
what's the cheapest way miles or $ & where should i search for availability?

Thanks in advance

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #288 on: November 07, 2012, 02:49:21 PM »
I am looking to go to Hawaii again for my 4th time. So far I went to Kauai twice for 3 days each. And Maui once for 3 days. I never made it to Hana or the south of the Island. I would like to go for another 3 days to an Island Should I do Maui again and make sure to see the South or should I try the big Island instead?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #289 on: November 07, 2012, 02:50:59 PM »
I am looking to go to Hawaii again for my 4th time. So far I went to Kauai twice for 3 days each. And Maui once for 3 days. I never made it to Hana or the south of the Island. I would like to go for another 3 days to an Island Should I do Maui again and make sure to see the South or should I try the big Island instead?

What month are you going in?
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #290 on: November 07, 2012, 02:51:49 PM »
I am looking to go to Hawaii again for my 4th time. So far I went to Kauai twice for 3 days each. And Maui once for 3 days. I never made it to Hana or the south of the Island. I would like to go for another 3 days to an Island Should I do Maui again and make sure to see the South or should I try the big Island instead?
It may just be me, but flying 2 days to be somewhere for 3 days seems like a form of torture, not vacation.
Why not stay at least 5 days somewhere?
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 #291 on: November 07, 2012, 02:54:12 PM »
It may just be me, but flying 2 days to be somewhere for 3 days seems like a form of torture, not vacation.
Why not stay at least 5 days somewhere?

Ill be flying from LA it will be a boys trip. Cant leave the wives and kids for too much longer.  Did it last summer in Kauai was amazing!

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #292 on: November 07, 2012, 02:54:35 PM »

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #293 on: November 07, 2012, 02:58:12 PM »
Ill be flying from LA it will be a boys trip. Cant leave the wives and kids for too much longer.  Did it last summer in Kauai was amazing!
Oh wow. Cool.
Thought you were coming from NYC with your wife or something.

In that case do Kauai's Kalalau trail for all 3 days!
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Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #294 on: November 07, 2012, 03:03:46 PM »
Oh wow. Cool.
Thought you were coming from NYC with your wife or something.

You could really pack in a lot with just boys! In 2.5 days in kauai we did one day chilling then hike with guide to guardian falls then scuba diving capt Andy's and zip lining!

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #295 on: November 07, 2012, 03:07:00 PM »
Oh wow. Cool.

In that case do Kauai's Kalalau trail for all 3 days!

We really want to see another Island or try something new e.g. (Hana South Maui) So what do you think is better?

Or we can do Sun night LAX-KOA fly to OGG on Tues night and leave Thursday noon for OGG. But I feel it will be too shleppy. Currently, I am reserved for OGG Sun night to Thursday 1PM

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #296 on: November 07, 2012, 03:09:30 PM »
We really want to see another Island or try something new e.g. (Hana South Maui) So what do you think is better?

Or we can do Sun night LAX-KOA fly to OGG on Tues night and leave Thursday noon for OGG. But I feel it will be too shleppy. Currently, I am reserved for OGG Sun night to Thursday 1PM
What did you do your last time in Maui?

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Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #297 on: November 07, 2012, 03:10:57 PM »
North and Wailea plus Helicopter

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #298 on: November 07, 2012, 03:15:20 PM »
If you're looking for another island then do the big island.  Plenty of awesome hiking and stuff there (Waipio Valley, Volcano Natl Park, etc) or even jeeping around Mauna Kea.

Though camping out for a couple nights while hiking the world famous Kalalau trail has been something of a fantasy of mine and I'd love to have a DDF'er do it so that I can experience it vicariously thought a TR.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #299 on: November 07, 2012, 03:17:33 PM »
North and Wailea plus Helicopter
u definitely have a lot that you can do besides Hana (I personally did it in one day, but some people can do it in 2 days or more if you are into hikes...) - but like Dan said, if u have that time for hikes, spend it on Kalalau trail...
You can snorkel/scuba around molokini (even if in july, it is YMMV if a boat will bring you there)
You can go for a day on Molokai island
Check out Black Rock at Ka'anapali beach (best snorkeling I have ever experienced)
and of course since i feel you guys are the adventurous type you can do the powered hang glider ;)