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 484928 times)

Offline robi

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #340 on: January 01, 2013, 10:40:48 AM »
Not much to do in la. Much better off with three extra days in Hawaii so you can visit kuaui and Maui
+1. stay in Hawaii as much as you can, see as many isles as you can
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #341 on: January 01, 2013, 10:56:36 AM »
Not much to do in la. Much better off with three extra days in Hawaii so you can visit kuaui and Maui
+1 La is nice but Hawaii is probably nicer

Offline jmansour

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #342 on: January 01, 2013, 11:00:20 AM »
Awesome! Il probably do LA for a day just to make flights work out.
You guys are the best thanks for all your help. Seems like kauai is the place to go.
Bottom line 110k AA miles for lax-lih in economy, lih-jfk in business for 2 ppl not bad.
Plus the 22k per night at the hyatt. Hyatt is telling me my last night isnt available on points, i can leave after shabbat and stay at another hotel for a night no big deal. Any suggestions?

Offline Ergel

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #343 on: January 01, 2013, 11:13:43 AM »
If you're going for 10 days I think people would recommend cutting out two islands
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #344 on: January 01, 2013, 11:18:09 AM »
Hyatt is telling me my last night isnt available on points, i can leave after shabbat and stay at another hotel for a night no big deal. Any suggestions?
Maybe pay for the last night and use a suite upgrade if u have some... U can maybe even ask and they might put u in a suite the entire stay... YMMV of course and try to get an email confirmation in advance

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #345 on: January 01, 2013, 11:48:00 AM »
True i could probably pay for a night.. Not the end of the world. Bottom line im psyched over a week in kauai sounds awesome based on what im reading

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #346 on: January 01, 2013, 11:50:59 AM »
If you're going for 10 days I think people would recommend cutting out two islands
I'd recommend 4-7 days for Maui or Kauai, 1-7 days for the Big Island, and 1-4 days for Oahu.
I've never been to Lanai, Molokai, or Niihau.
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 #347 on: January 01, 2013, 11:53:44 AM »
So maybe i do 4 in maui and 4 in kauai

Offline avi h

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #348 on: January 01, 2013, 06:18:15 PM »
I posted about two Weeks ago about ideas for a vacation in the end of January. Most people wrote that Hawaii is definitely the best option. I understood from reading posts that Kauai is the best for a relaxing vacation.

However I still need lots of information and was wondering if anyone can help me.

First of all I have about 8 days for vacation I can start any day of the week. Should I stay on this island the entire time or is it too long. If so which other one should I visit.

Also should I spend a shabbos there (I don't mind the quiet at all) or should I rather spend it in the mainland.

Now about hotels I saw that the grand Hyatt is the best option. I have ultimate rewards with the sapphire so I can transfer to Hyatt. Do they transfer instantly or does it take time. Also how many points do I need for a night in a room with a ocean view (how much for a suite).

About airlines I have avios, aa, and could get continental.which one would be best to use (the less stops the better).

Also about a car I was wondering if i would be better off with a jeep or a convertible would be just fine (dont love jeeps).

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #349 on: January 01, 2013, 06:30:17 PM »
General forum tip.  Ask 1 question at a time or else you probably won't get a response.
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 #350 on: January 01, 2013, 06:34:29 PM »
General forum tip.  Ask 1 question at a time or else you probably won't get a response.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #351 on: January 01, 2013, 06:36:04 PM »
General forum tip.  Ask 1 question at a time or else you probably won't get a response.
OK Thank for the tip. Lets try again :) :)

I am planning to visit Hawaii by the end of the month. My time frame is 7-8 days (not including time for flight). It seems like Kauai fits my style. Should I stay there for the entire time or do I have time for more than one island.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #352 on: January 01, 2013, 06:38:58 PM »
With 7 days there I'd do Maui or Kauai.
If you can swing 9 days there then do Maui and Kauai.

With 8 days I'd probably do Kauai or Maui and 1 or 2 nights seeing the volcano erupting and/or sunset on Mauna Kea on the Big Island.
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 #353 on: January 01, 2013, 06:39:48 PM »
OK Thank for the tip. Lets try again :) :)

I am planning to visit Hawaii by the end of the month. My time frame is 7-8 days (not including time for flight). It seems like Kauai fits my style. Should I stay there for the entire time or do I have time for more than one island.

7-8 days total? That means you need to knock off 1-2 days for travel (assuming you're coming from NYC), which means you really have 5-6 days...
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #354 on: January 01, 2013, 06:43:24 PM »
With 7 days there I'd do Maui or Kauai.
If you can swing 9 days there then do Maui and Kauai.

With 8 days I'd probably do Kauai or Maui and 1 or 2 nights seeing the volcano erupting and/or sunset on Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

If I do Maui and Kauai do I split them evenly or one of them needs more time than the other. If I stay 8 days and do as you said do I do that before Kauai or after (or doesnt matter)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #355 on: January 01, 2013, 06:44:10 PM »
7-8 days total? That means you need to knock off 1-2 days for travel (assuming you're coming from NYC), which means you really have 5-6 days...

not including travel time. 7-8 days in Hawaii

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #356 on: January 01, 2013, 06:45:29 PM »
If I do Maui and Kauai do I split them evenly or one of them needs more time than the other. If I stay 8 days and do as you said do I do that before Kauai or after (or doesnt matter)
Evenly, though shabbos in Kauai.
Doesn't matter.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #357 on: January 01, 2013, 06:51:17 PM »
Thanks.

How many points do I need for a night in the Grand Hyatt Kauai (preferably a suite or else a ocean view room). Also is there any way I can see this information on the gold passport website, since I didn't transfer any points into my account there it won't let me see anything.

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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 #359 on: January 01, 2013, 06:57:38 PM »
Thanks

Forgive my ignorance. I see a lot of posts about taking a regular room and getting free upgrades???