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 484890 times)

Offline momo

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #40 on: February 02, 2011, 01:11:52 PM »
st regis princeville kauai

Offline Charlie Brown

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #41 on: February 03, 2011, 12:05:33 PM »
im trying to a plan a trip 20-27 feb to hawaii i have mileage with AA what would be the best way to to book the tickets (least mileage)

Offline momo

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #42 on: February 03, 2011, 12:33:18 PM »
go online too aa.com. see what dates have available flights to where you want to go!

Offline Charlie Brown

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #43 on: February 03, 2011, 11:51:35 PM »
go online too aa.com. see what dates have available flights to where you want to go!
sorry for not being clearer, when aa.com shows no availability for the dates needed is there any other way to get award tickets with aa miles

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #44 on: February 07, 2011, 09:28:28 PM »
It seems that from NY the best flight to Hawaii is EWR-HNL direct on CO in BusinessFirst.

My question is, anyone ever see 2 seats available?
They must release seats but can never find them (even with a Plat account...)

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #45 on: February 07, 2011, 09:31:27 PM »
It seems that from NY the best flight to Hawaii is EWR-HNL direct on CO in BusinessFirst.

My question is, anyone ever see 2 seats available?
They must release seats but can never find them (even with a Plat account...)
I've flown HNL-EWR in BF with my wife on saver awards.  All about the timing.
IAH-HNL is very good and much easier though.
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 aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #46 on: February 07, 2011, 09:33:59 PM »
I've flown HNL-EWR in BF with my wife on saver awards.  All about the timing.
IAH-HNL is very good and much easier though.
Timing of going to Hawaii or booking the tickets?
Would looking a year out up the chances?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #47 on: February 07, 2011, 09:41:22 PM »
Timing of going to Hawaii or booking the tickets?
Would looking a year out up the chances?
Both.  We actually had HNL-IAH-CLE booked, my brother got engaged, so I went online, saw HNL-EWR in BF and flew home to CLE with a stopover in EWR.

I doubt looking ahead a year would help with CO.

I think DL might still fly some A333s to HNL and AA flies good 767s to HNL as well.
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 MLM

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #48 on: February 08, 2011, 01:23:41 PM »
hi dan, im planning on going to maui for 3 days before pesach with my wife. what hotel do you recomennd? i have hilton,spg and hyatt awards avail. also what do think are the "must dos" in maui?
thanks

Offline DavidMelamed

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #49 on: February 14, 2011, 01:07:12 AM »
I have a Delta flight on hold for 40k each although the dates I really want it will be 105k.

I also checked on AA and they have flights for 35k each.

What I am uncertain of is if I am better off buying amex mr points, or if I am better off just buying delta or BA miles...

I guess I am open to trying whatever gets me to Hawaii for the best deal.
Best bet then is probably Aeroplan miles which can be obtained via AMEX or Starpoints.
Or Continental/United miles.

I am was unfamiliar with Aeroplan until now... it looks like 40k each ticket for my dates.
Are there any promotions for transfering miles to them? Do they trade in these forums for cheaper than delta or BA miles?
« Last Edit: February 14, 2011, 02:46:32 AM by Dan »

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #50 on: February 14, 2011, 01:18:21 AM »
I have a Delta flight on hold for 40k each although the dates I really want it will be 105k.

I also checked on AA and they have flights for 35k each.

What I am uncertain of is if I am better off buying amex mr points, or if I am better off just buying delta or BA miles...

I guess I am open to trying whatever gets me to Hawaii for the best deal.
I am was unfamiliar with Aeroplan until now... it looks like 40k each ticket for my dates.
Are there any promotions for transfering miles to them? Do they trade in these forums for cheaper than delta or BA miles?
Because of the recent promos Amex are expensive. There is no promo to Aeroplan at the moment so buying the miles (whichever it is) is the way to go.

Delta, on the other hand should be going on the cheap because of all the promos and the fact that they're very hard to use (in general).

But if you can find the dates you want on AA or CO/UA it may be worth paying a little more per mile and using less miles.

I presume you're flying from NYC, right?
What are the dates you want to go?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #51 on: February 14, 2011, 01:24:02 AM »
Aeroplan is just 60K in business on CO/UA/US to Hawaii.
The real question is if someone can transfer their SPG to your Aeroplan account...
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 DavidMelamed

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #52 on: February 14, 2011, 01:27:34 AM »
Aeroplan is just 60K in business on CO/UA/US to Hawaii.
The real question is if someone can transfer their SPG to your Aeroplan account...

Really? that seems like the best deal i've seen... I might have a friend or two that can hook me up with SPG.
How come I didn't find that deal when I checked?

Because of the recent promos Amex are expensive. There is no promo to Aeroplan at the moment so buying the miles (whichever it is) is the way to go.

Delta, on the other hand should be going on the cheap because of all the promos and the fact that they're very hard to use (in general).

But if you can find the dates you want on AA or CO/UA it may be worth paying a little more per mile and using less miles.

I presume you're flying from NYC, right?
What are the dates you want to go?


My ideal itinerary is leaving NY on 2/23 to Hawaii, than Hawaii to LA or Vegas from 3/3-3/8.
If not that, than 2/23-3/8 in Hawaii.

Right now my delta hold is from 2/22-3/3 in hawaii, and 3/3-3/8 in LA. (If I leave the 23rd which works best its an extra 12.5k -25k miles total for both of us..

AA has 2/23-3/8 from ny to hawaii for 2x 35k ...

Any help is appreciated...

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #53 on: February 14, 2011, 01:28:22 AM »
Aeroplan is just 60K in business on CO/UA/US to Hawaii.
The real question is if someone can transfer their SPG to your Aeroplan account...
Much safer to transfer to the same name as SPG account. Never heard of a problem using Aeroplan for tickets in someone else's name.

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #54 on: February 14, 2011, 01:48:27 AM »
Really? that seems like the best deal i've seen... I might have a friend or two that can hook me up with SPG.
How come I didn't find that deal when I checked?

My ideal itinerary is leaving NY on 2/23 to Hawaii, than Hawaii to LA or Vegas from 3/3-3/8.
If not that, than 2/23-3/8 in Hawaii.

Right now my delta hold is from 2/22-3/3 in hawaii, and 3/3-3/8 in LA. (If I leave the 23rd which works best its an extra 12.5k -25k miles total for both of us..

AA has 2/23-3/8 from ny to hawaii for 2x 35k ...

Any help is appreciated...
This is what I do :)
I actually have a customer in Hawaii now with a similar itinerary from NYC to Hawaii and a stop in Vegas on the return.
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 DavidMelamed

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #55 on: February 14, 2011, 01:52:19 AM »
This is what I do :)
I actually have a customer in Hawaii now with a similar itinerary from NYC to Hawaii and a stop in Vegas on the return.

Customer? DO you offer travel services?
Your customer in Hawaii, how much was his flight if you don't mind me asking?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #56 on: February 14, 2011, 01:56:41 AM »
If you don't mind Economy, then you can fly:

Wed 2/23, CO15 EWR-HNL, 13:35-19:30
8 nights in Hawaii
Thurs 3/3, CO12 HNL-LAX, 21:35-5:10+1 day
Fri 3/4, UA353 LAX-LAS, 6:10-7:22
4 nights in Las Vegas
Tue 3/8 CO569 LAS-EWR, 6:35-14:27
Or, CO1467 14:20-22:05
Or, CO1752 17:00-00:14+1 day
Or, CO369 22:10-5:45+1 day

Would you rather fly business class for the extra miles?
« Last Edit: February 14, 2011, 02:30:26 AM by aussiebochur »

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #57 on: February 14, 2011, 02:26:06 AM »
In business class:
Wed 2/23 UA15 JFK-SFO, 14:35-18:10, Business class
Wed 2/23 UA79 SFO-HNL, 19:04-22:35, Business class
8 nights in Hawaii
Thurs 3/3 CO172 HNL-LAX, 14:50-22:25,Business class
5 nights in Los Angeles
Tue 3/8 UA28 LAX-JFK, 16:29-00:45, Business class

If you want to go to Vegas:
Wed 2/23 UA15 JFK-SFO, 14:35-18:10, Business class
Wed 2/23 UA79 SFO-HNL, 19:04-22:35, Business class
8 nights in Hawaii
Thurs 3/3 CO172 HNL-LAX, 14:50-22:25,Business class
Over night in Los Angeles
Fri 3/4 UA356 LAX-LAS, 7:30-8:33, Economy class
4 nights in Vegas
Tue 3/8 CO369 LAS-EWR, 22:10-5:45+1 day, Business class


Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #58 on: February 14, 2011, 02:30:09 AM »
But what if doesn't want to do HNL ;)
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 aussiebochur

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #59 on: February 14, 2011, 02:32:12 AM »
But what if doesn't want to do HNL ;)
No problem!
But probably a good idea to post where he wants to go...

« Last Edit: February 14, 2011, 02:46:06 AM by Dan »