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 484897 times)

Offline yos9694

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #540 on: September 22, 2013, 10:03:59 AM »
Planning a November trip, already booked flights (EWR - HNL, KOA - EWR. We have Friday to do Pearl Harbor and Shabbos in HNL, want to fly out to the Big Island on Sunday) but haven't worked out other details yet. A few q's

1) Does Dan still book inter island flights for people?

2) How do you rent a car using points? I would want to get a car on  both HNL and Big Island.

3) I have SPG & UR points, but I have low hotel statuses (Platinum Hyatt, Gold SPG). I saw someone suggested it's better to find someone with elite status to book for me than to use my own points. Is that good advice?

Thanks!

Offline moto

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Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #541 on: November 01, 2013, 01:45:08 AM »
I'm looking to do 3 islands oahu, Maui, Kona, I have 11 days with 2 shabbosim in the middle which island should I go to and for how long at each island I keep on changing my mind
. TIA

Offline Dan

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Re: Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #542 on: November 01, 2013, 01:56:23 AM »
I'm looking to do 3 islands oahu, Maui, Kona, I have 11 days with 2 shabbosim in the middle which island should I go to and for how long at each island I keep on changing my mind
. TIA
Too short for 3 islands. Tofasta b'miruba...
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 green

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #543 on: November 18, 2013, 02:15:56 AM »
does anyone have timeshare that they are willing to sell? I need it for hawaii.

Offline DP7

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Re: Kauai, HI Master Thread
« Reply #544 on: December 15, 2013, 09:19:43 PM »
Better island for 5 day trip with a 2 year old- Maui or Kauai?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #545 on: December 15, 2013, 10:35:49 PM »
Better island for 5 day trip with a 2 year old- Maui or Kauai?
Both are fine.  Are you planning on using a babysitter?
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 DP7

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #546 on: December 15, 2013, 10:38:11 PM »
Both are fine.  Are you planning on using a babysitter?

No.

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #547 on: December 15, 2013, 10:41:24 PM »
No.
If your 2 year old gets up at 7 in NYC they'll get up at 2 in Hawaii.
Is it really worth it?
Most activities aren't really suitable for a 2 year old.  And if you just want the beach there are many far closer options in your time zone.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #548 on: December 15, 2013, 11:51:38 PM »
If your 2 year old gets up at 7 in NYC they'll get up at 2 in Hawaii.
Is it really worth it?
Most activities aren't really suitable for a 2 year old.  And if you just want the beach there are many far closer options in your time zone.

I will be in LA for 3 days prior to Hawaii so that may help with the time zones a bit. And yes, although I may end up just on beaches and not fully appreciating the island, I have a chance to go that I don't know how soon will come again so I think it's worth it to make the trip. (I'm not sure a babysitter would solve the time difference problem anyway.)

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #549 on: December 15, 2013, 11:58:31 PM »
I dunno, I just don't see a 2 year old allowing you to enjoy the beach.
Seems like a whole lot of shlepping for little return.

As far as a babysitter, at least then you can either enjoy the island (with an on-island sitter) or if you bring someone from home they can even get up with the child, etc...

Don't get me wrong, HI is great.  I just think it's overkill in these situations.
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 DP7

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #550 on: December 16, 2013, 12:05:02 AM »
I dunno, I just don't see a 2 year old allowing you to enjoy the beach.
Seems like a whole lot of shlepping for little return.

As far as a babysitter, at least then you can either enjoy the island (with an on-island sitter) or if you bring someone from home they can even get up with the child, etc...

Don't get me wrong, HI is great.  I just think it's overkill in these situations.

I take it you had a babysitter here http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18333 ?

I guess we will have to wait for my TR to see if it was worth it.

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #551 on: December 16, 2013, 12:07:57 AM »
I take it you had a babysitter here http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/18333 ?
We didn't.
But a 4-5 month old has a much more malleable schedule than a 2 year old.  And they're not looking for trouble.
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 DP7

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #552 on: December 16, 2013, 12:13:03 AM »
We didn't.
But a 4-5 month old has a much more malleable schedule than a 2 year old.  And they're not looking for trouble.

Well again, I have my own considerations here. Appreciate the warning but will be taking my chances on this one.

Offline sam28

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #553 on: December 16, 2013, 04:21:33 PM »
How about going with a 7 year girl and a 5 month old baby for 2 weeks will the big one enjoy it ?  Will I be able to do allot . Or should I rather wait til I can go without the kids not so soon.

Offline sky121

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #554 on: December 16, 2013, 05:57:12 PM »
The big one should enjoy it. Unfortunately it really depends on the kids personality. Some kids....
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #555 on: December 16, 2013, 06:34:02 PM »
The big one should enjoy it. Unfortunately it really depends on the kids personality. Some kids....

+1.

Also consider getting a Baby Bjorn or something similar, since most places like beaches and hikes are really not stroller friendly.

Also remember that you will be limited in what you could do. You can't do kayaking , Na Pali hikes, and a million other things with little kids in tow. A heli tour (pretty much a must do) will cost you another seat for the 7 year old. You'll constantly have to stop for feedings, diaper changes, and naps.

We went with a 1 year old and weren't able to do 30% off what we wanted to. We still had an amazing time, mind you. But we can't wait to go back by ourselves and do all the things we missed.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #556 on: December 16, 2013, 08:17:05 PM »
Dan also had a great point about a younger kid waking up at 2AM every night which would be a disaster.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #557 on: December 17, 2013, 12:59:16 AM »
So is it a yes or no or maybe ?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #558 on: December 17, 2013, 01:02:52 AM »
So is it a yes or no or maybe ?

If you go you'll have an amazing time (impossible not to, really). If you wait and go later you'll possibly have a amazing-er time.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #559 on: December 17, 2013, 01:31:34 PM »
So u r saying I should go ok . I am planning to go for two week after tushe bav now is the big question how should tell divide the days between the island ?

Any I am planning to book the tickets with points should I go first or business will be ok with a baby  from nyc

Thanks for u help