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 485047 times)

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #840 on: June 10, 2014, 12:34:26 AM »
It's fine, just don't dawdle.
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 Mocha

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #841 on: June 10, 2014, 12:37:32 AM »
It's fine, just don't dawdle.
Thanks. Wasn't planning on it  :)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #842 on: June 18, 2014, 11:56:29 PM »
I'm trying to figure out footwear. On our last trip, our regular Nike sneakers were good for basic hiking. On the beach, however, it was a disaster - soaking wet, full of sand, etc.

I'm looking for something that would work for hiking, as well as in and around the water (not just the beach, but in places like waterfall pools on the Road to Hana). Ideally it should be able to also be worn while snorkeling in an open-back flipper. We will also be doing more serious hikes this time, as we're leaving the baby behind.

It seems that tabis would be our best bet, but I can't find clear info anywhere online how they fare on beaches (sand-wise), and if they could be worn in the ocean with flippers. Anyone have personal experience? Could I stay in them all day, from car to hike to waterfalls to ocean?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #843 on: June 19, 2014, 03:37:08 PM »
You can't wear them with flippers. You can wear them anywhere else. But they will get wet, and so will your feet, so you probably will want to take them off at some point to let your feet dry. Also, don't wear socks under the tabis if you get them wet.

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #844 on: June 27, 2014, 06:39:48 PM »
60K SQ miles for UA lie-flat J: IAD-HNL 07/08 (I5) - 07/15 (I9)
Who's up for some Kalalau or Volcano hikes?
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 #845 on: June 28, 2014, 11:40:50 PM »
60K SQ miles for UA lie-flat J: IAD-HNL 07/08 (I5) - 07/15 (I9)
Who's up for some Kalalau or Volcano hikes?

If I weren't blowing my stash of miles on my August trip, I'd totally be up for a quick (2-day) PhotoDO Hawaii edition :P
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Offline TimT

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #846 on: June 29, 2014, 12:00:13 AM »
If I weren't blowing my stash of miles on my August trip, I'd totally be up for a quick (2-day) PhotoDO Hawaii edition :P
You won't even have 60k left over ? Must be a massive trip you're taking. Here's hoping to see some pics.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #847 on: June 29, 2014, 12:02:53 AM »
You won't even have 60k left over ? Must be a massive trip you're taking.

Not really, but I earn and burn.

Here's hoping to see some pics.

Dontcha worry about that ;)
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #848 on: June 29, 2014, 12:48:40 AM »
60K SQ miles for UA lie-flat J: IAD-HNL 07/08 (I5) - 07/15 (I9)
Who's up for some Kalalau or Volcano hikes?

If only I could get that deal on the dates I wanted.  Wish I could join but gotta work...
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #849 on: July 06, 2014, 05:16:34 AM »
60K SQ miles for UA lie-flat J: IAD-HNL 07/08 (I5) - 07/15 (I9)
Who's up for some Kalalau or Volcano hikes?
Dan, at the Brooklyn seminar one of your trivia q was about the best award value for flying to Hawaii... Can you please refresh my memory? I.e  if id like to take a trip there which miles/points should i be after to fly there in biz or first class?
Thanks

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #850 on: July 06, 2014, 10:39:07 AM »
Is there a person or service that will obtain Pearl Harbor tickets on your behalf if you can't be there early?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #851 on: July 06, 2014, 10:43:30 AM »
Dan, at the Brooklyn seminar one of your trivia q was about the best award value for flying to Hawaii... Can you please refresh my memory? I.e  if id like to take a trip there which miles/points should i be after to fly there in biz or first class?
Thanks
read this and youll have your answer. http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/22142

Is there a person or service that will obtain Pearl Harbor tickets on your behalf if you can't be there early?
Possibly, as they dont have names

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #852 on: July 07, 2014, 05:56:10 PM »
Apparently it is now possible to reserve Pearl Harbor tickets online, up to 6 months in advance, for a convenience fee of 1.50 per ticket.  Unfortunately, this has led to hoarding by various tour companies who now book large blocks of tickets this way. 
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #853 on: July 21, 2014, 09:03:17 PM »
Being sick and tired of renting leaking masks and too-small fins, not to mention the cost of renting yet again every time we go somewhere warm, I decided to finally go to a local dive shop and by a solid snorkeling set for my wife and I.

Looking up shops online I kept on coming across Leisure Pro in Manhattan (owned by Adorama) as the highest recommended. After spending two hours there yesterday I gotta say I'm impressed. We both got a professional fitting and top of the line gear, and as it turns out, far better prices than Amazon. I think it's a no-brainer for anyone who snorkels often, or someone with sizing or mustache problems.

I haven't tested it underwater yet, but the mask I got holds a perfect suction over my mustache even without any Vaseline, plus it was $15 cheaper than Amazon.

The only fins that fit my boat-sized feet were the $180 Scubapro Twin Jets. Turns out the packaging was mashed up and the fins dusty (not too many people have size 16 to 21-sized feet), so he gave it to me for $50 (it was in perfect condition otherwise).

In short - go to a professional dive shop and get a proper fitting - it's worth it. We saved over $230 in total over Amazon, plus we were able to try on everything and make sure it's perfect.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #854 on: July 21, 2014, 11:18:30 PM »
How can it have suction over a mustache?
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 #855 on: July 22, 2014, 12:04:31 AM »
How can it have suction over a mustache?

It's a combination of very fine and thin silicon and a very specific skirt shape (the part inderneath the nose is shorter than most, plus it's bent in a way that contours perfectly to my face).

I actually just tried it underwater and lo and behold it kept a perfect seal, mustache and all :D.

The model is the Tusa Powerview M-24.
« Last Edit: July 22, 2014, 12:10:13 AM by Something Fishy »
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #856 on: July 22, 2014, 12:06:56 AM »
Wow, awesome!
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #857 on: July 22, 2014, 12:15:53 AM »
While we're on the subject, whether you're renting or buying make sure to get what's called a dry snorkel. Many places in Hawaii (Snorkel Bob's for example) will rent out semi-dry ones, which admit some water and require manual clearing if it gets submerged. The one's I just bought are dry, which means that a valve shuts automatically in case it gets submerged and no water whatsoever gets in.

The difference is astounding. It's a bit disconcerting the first couple of times it happens, as you're trying to inhale but there's no air coming through. But considering the alternative is a mouthful of saltwater, it's a really fantastic feature.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #858 on: July 22, 2014, 09:48:50 AM »
What do people with glasses do when snorkeling? Or should I say, what's the best option? I can't imagine it's worth it getting contacts for the first time just for this, so...

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #859 on: July 22, 2014, 09:54:00 AM »
What do people with glasses do when snorkeling? Or should I say, what's the best option? I can't imagine it's worth it getting contacts for the first time just for this, so...

Objects in water appear 34% closer and 25% larger than they really are, so if your prescription is not too high you may not need anything (this works for me personally). Otherwise you could get prescription lenses for most masks, they run around $30 or so IIRC. Some rental shops also rent prescription masks.
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