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 485139 times)

Offline Chief Rabbi of New York

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #620 on: January 06, 2014, 02:59:33 PM »
I am going to be staying at the hilton hawaiin village wakiki beach resort. which is the best tower to stay in? they have a few different options
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #621 on: January 09, 2014, 12:11:01 AM »
Can i book a flight from hnl-lih-lny and exten the stop in hnl on way from lih-lny

trying to figure out best way to book hnl-lih-hnl-lny-koa

Offline mochada

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #622 on: January 09, 2014, 09:40:14 PM »
How long does the transfer and check-in take from the main terminal in HNL to the Interisland Terminal?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #623 on: January 10, 2014, 12:33:54 PM »
Going to Hawaii with the Delta special and wanted to get some feedback on my initial plans.

I will be travelling with two children ages 6 and 3. Planning on going to Maui and Kauai.

Arriving in HNL on Sunday 6/29 at 1:35 pm.

HNL-OGG at 2:45 pm arriving at 3:24 pm on 6/29

OGG-LIH on Thursday 7/3. There are two flights available on points 11:53 am arriving 12:38 pm and 2:09 pm arriving 2:54 pm. Leaning towards the earlier flight to avoid splitting the day in half and having more time in LIH

LIH-HNL on Tuesday 7/8 at 9:12 am arriving 9:44 am

Leaving from HNL on Tuesday 7/8 at 12:20 pm.

Wanted to get some feedback on the split between the two island and whether I should make any adjustments to the itinerary.

Planning on booking the inter-island flights using United miles at 10k each.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #624 on: January 10, 2014, 03:46:18 PM »
has anyone ever stayed at the hilton hawaiin village wakiki beach resort and can please give me some feedback as to which tower to stay in?

Thank you
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Offline mochada

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #625 on: January 12, 2014, 09:26:05 AM »
How long does the transfer and check-in take from the main terminal in HNL to the Interisland Terminal?

bump.

Do we need to go back through security? Anyone who has been through HNL, please chime in as many people will have similar Qs closer to their flights.

TIA!

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Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #626 on: January 12, 2014, 09:51:12 AM »
bump.

Do we need to go back through security? Anyone who has been through HNL, please chime in as many people will have similar Qs closer to their flights.

TIA!

GIYF plus on the DDMS he mentions to allow a lot of time to transfer. Most places suggested 30-75 minutes. 30 minutes seems tight even in the same terminal without the possibility of having to recheck bags. I booked 1:30 - 2:00 connections since I am traveling with kids.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #627 on: January 12, 2014, 09:52:29 AM »
Definitely a shlep. Especially if you need to recheck bags.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #628 on: January 12, 2014, 11:30:54 AM »
Definitely a shlep. Especially if you need to recheck bags.

So it seems- I cannot check my bags all the way through since I book a later flight on HA based on my current itinerary.  I am hoping I can get on an earlier flight confirmed/standby from my origin.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #629 on: January 13, 2014, 01:39:25 AM »
Added this to the Kauai wiki re. interisland flights (of course it applies to all other islands as well). I think I left out some options (Aeroplan and Delta perhaps?) - if someone has more info I would appreciate it if they could add it in.

Quote
Alternately, you can also use 5K UA or AA miles each way to fly interisland. United allows a free stopover on a round-trip, so for instance you can fly HNL-LIH-OGG-HNL for just 10K miles.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #630 on: January 13, 2014, 04:32:12 PM »
Any recent reports of interlining baggage to HA from the mainland when the HA ticket is booked separately?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #631 on: January 13, 2014, 04:42:02 PM »
Any recent reports of interlining baggage to HA from the mainland when the HA ticket is booked separately?
+1, would love to hear some data points on this, and I'm sure there are many others in the same boat (ie booked with Delta to HNL and are flying Hawaiian or Island Air with United miles to another island).

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #632 on: January 13, 2014, 04:54:41 PM »
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 #633 on: January 13, 2014, 04:59:16 PM »
Found this encouraging report:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/20559951-post250.html

Good to know. Seems that ticket numbers and/or boarding passes and a knowledgeable rep a required to make it happen.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #634 on: January 13, 2014, 05:13:54 PM »
Good to know. Seems that ticket numbers and/or boarding passes and a knowledgeable rep a required to make it happen.
Sounds like he did everything at the airport, not something you would plan for. I wouldn't want to book a shorter connection time in HNL, only to get to the JFK (or OGG on the way back) and not be able to have them send the bags all the way through. Also, does the fact that this was UA-HA as opposed to DL-HA make any difference?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #635 on: January 13, 2014, 05:26:21 PM »
Sounds like he did everything at the airport, not something you would plan for. I wouldn't want to book a shorter connection time in HNL, only to get to the JFK (or OGG on the way back) and not be able to have them send the bags all the way through.

Agreed. I booked a longer connection for this reason but it would be nice not to have to shlep bags. I meant the rep at check-in at the airport.

Also, does the fact that this was UA-HA as opposed to DL-HA make any difference?

Good question, although DL does show Hawaiian availability on their website so I don't know why DL would be different than UA.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #636 on: January 13, 2014, 08:15:32 PM »
Visiting Hawaii in February for 5 days, we have already been to Wakiki, any advice on where else on Oahu we should stay that would be family friendly, as were bringing our 14 month old.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #637 on: January 14, 2014, 10:41:18 AM »
Visiting Hawaii in February for 5 days, we have already been to Wakiki, any advice on where else on Oahu we should stay that would be family friendly, as were bringing our 14 month old.
Go check out a different island

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #638 on: January 14, 2014, 02:52:48 PM »
Going to HI next week for a week. We are arriving Monday night.

I'd like to spend some time on Oahu and Kauai but spend Shabbos in Oahu.
We are landing too late on Monday to catch any connections so the current plan is to spend Monday night near HNL and catch an early morning flight to Kauai, stay there until Thursday night or Friday morning and return to Oahu for Shabbos.

Reason for returning to Oahu for Shabbos is because it seems from my reading that keeping Shabbos in the Oahu hotels is a lot easier than keeping it in Kauai hotels.

Anyone with feedback on our plans?
I'm very open to rearranging the whole thing if someone can come up with a better idea.
Traveling with a 1.5 year old.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #639 on: January 14, 2014, 02:55:43 PM »

We are landing too late on Monday to catch any connections
Time?
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