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 484975 times)

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #400 on: January 13, 2013, 11:38:56 PM »
No
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 Flying Fish

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 217
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #401 on: January 14, 2013, 12:21:56 AM »
Sorry Dan I'm confused, so are there other hotels that you recommend? Also I see now the Hyatt is $800 only midweek (Feb. 10th) for some reason (Lincoln/Valentines?) but $450 for the previous weekend. People are reporting sub-$200 wins on priceline in Jan., but seems like a stretch for that week.

Offline Chai

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 28
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn NY
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #402 on: January 14, 2013, 12:51:03 AM »
Im also confused. I have about 100,000 spg and prob 120000 ur. Ive never used points to book a hotel. I wanted a really nice hotel in both places. How can i get the ghk for the dates i mentioned? And if i cant get that what else do you recommend?

Offline Chai

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 28
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn NY
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #403 on: January 14, 2013, 12:54:08 AM »
Also. While looking for alternative hotels. What area do i want to stay in Maui? And what area in kauai? What are two or three other gorgeous hotel options if i cant get ghk? Thanks

Offline AJK

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 20K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2011
  • Posts: 25419
  • Total likes: 721
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 15
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: United Concierge Key; Delta Global Services; American Chairman; US Airways 1K; Hilton Sapphire; Hyatt Tritium; Marriott Californium; Starwood Kryptonium; Hertz Plutonium; National Adamantium, Avis Executive Proactanium
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #404 on: January 14, 2013, 10:30:33 AM »
2)The card has a 79 fee the first year but entitles you to diamond platinum (worth it IMO)

FTFY
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

Offline jmansour

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 710
  • Total likes: 2
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 34
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn, New York
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #405 on: January 15, 2013, 07:14:37 AM »
Wow im happy i booked when i did i got 6 days for 22k pts a night last week of jan

Offline Londoner Rebbe

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 48
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #406 on: January 23, 2013, 07:30:13 PM »
Anyone going to be in the Hyatt Kauai mid Feb?

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #407 on: January 27, 2013, 12:30:39 PM »
So I've decided that It's about time I check our Hawaii but I need some help.

One big factor of this trip is a mileage run. I need another 7k by end of march to keep status with AA for another year, so I've decided that LAX - HI - LAX will get me real close and not too expensive and then a one way to jfk will top it off.
Here's the question: the only days I can go are from 2/20 toward evening until 2/25 to land back in La on 26th morning.
Those days are around purim and the 21st is a fast day and 24th is purim

Based on that, how should I route out the trip which islands should I go to first, for shabbos, and purim? (preferably chabad for purim)
Should I only go to one or 2?
where is ideal to spend a fast day?

OR is this a waste of time and I should find somewhere else cheap to fly to hit the miles

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #408 on: January 27, 2013, 12:37:04 PM »
It seems to me from what I read that Maui, the big Island and little bit of HNL would interest me but I'm not sure how to work it out. Or which I should skip

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #409 on: January 27, 2013, 09:05:45 PM »
So I've decided that It's about time I check our Hawaii but I need some help.

One big factor of this trip is a mileage run. I need another 7k by end of march to keep status with AA for another year, so I've decided that LAX - HI - LAX will get me real close and not too expensive and then a one way to jfk will top it off.
Here's the question: the only days I can go are from 2/20 toward evening until 2/25 to land back in La on 26th morning.
Those days are around purim and the 21st is a fast day and 24th is purim

Based on that, how should I route out the trip which islands should I go to first, for shabbos, and purim? (preferably chabad for purim)
Should I only go to one or 2?
where is ideal to spend a fast day?

OR is this a waste of time and I should find somewhere else cheap to fly to hit the miles
Bump?
Am I asking too many q?

Offline robi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1617
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #410 on: January 27, 2013, 09:08:15 PM »
Bump?
Am I asking too many q?
if you want somewhere with minyan and megillah, then its honolulu for shabbos
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I'm not"

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #411 on: January 27, 2013, 10:05:20 PM »
if you want somewhere with minyan and megillah, then its honolulu for shabbos
well not specifically for shabbos but for purim megilla i do so i guess that means for shabbos i should stay there. that leaves me with wed. night -friday afternoon for an island and monday morning  weither somewhere else or stay on Oahu (and maybe catch a stopover on way back to lax)

is that pushing too much?

Offline robi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1617
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #412 on: January 27, 2013, 10:43:35 PM »
well not specifically for shabbos but for purim megilla i do so i guess that means for shabbos i should stay there. that leaves me with wed. night -friday afternoon for an island and monday morning  weither somewhere else or stay on Oahu (and maybe catch a stopover on way back to lax)

is that pushing too much?
personally I think that's pushing it, especially if you're gonna wanna do activities on the other islands, just do them in Oahu.
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I'm not"

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #413 on: January 27, 2013, 10:51:55 PM »
Not trying to be the religous police but just wanted to point out that Parshas Zachar is the Shabbos before Purim. Again just mentioning it if that will help factor where to stay etc.

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #414 on: January 27, 2013, 10:57:20 PM »
personally I think that's pushing it, especially if you're gonna wanna do activities on the other islands, just do them in Oahu.
so ur saying to go straight to Oahu and stay thru monday and do activities there? and if i can get a stopover for a few hours on way out do that  but not more?
anyone disagree?

Not trying to be the religous police but just wanted to point out that Parshas Zachar is the Shabbos before Purim. Again just mentioning it if that will help factor where to stay etc.
thank you, i appreciate your concern :)

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #415 on: January 27, 2013, 11:11:16 PM »
so ur saying to go straight to Oahu and stay thru monday and do activities there? and if i can get a stopover for a few hours on way out do that  but not more?
anyone disagree?
Do you mean to spend the whole time in Oahu? Why go to HI for that?

Offline Cbs

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 4466
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: HHonors Gold, Delta Diamond Medallion, AA Platinum Pro
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #416 on: January 27, 2013, 11:14:39 PM »
Do you mean to spend the whole time in Oahu? Why go to HI for that?
so maybe u can u help me figure this out because im having a hard time instead of telling me its shabbos zachor and i shouldnt go there  :P

Offline robi

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1617
  • Total likes: 4
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #417 on: January 27, 2013, 11:22:08 PM »
I don't think it's worth hopping around the islands with so little time, so if you want minyan/Megillah etc Honolulu it is
"I'd rather be hated for who I am, then loved for who I'm not"

Offline Fan of Dan

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 3029
  • Total likes: 8
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #418 on: January 27, 2013, 11:35:53 PM »
so maybe u can u help me figure this out because im having a hard time instead of telling me its shabbos zachor and i shouldnt go there  :P
Hey I never said u shouldn't go anywhere was just saying that its not worth schlepping to HI if all your doing is Oahu.  ;D

Maybe after Purim take a 2 day stop in Maui if u can pull it off. Fly Sunday night and spend the day Monday there. Tough call.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #419 on: January 27, 2013, 11:55:37 PM »
2 days? Save Maui and Kauai for another time and explore the Hilo side of 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.