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 484932 times)

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #960 on: September 02, 2014, 12:28:45 PM »
TBI
really? I was thinking either LIH or OGG

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 #961 on: September 02, 2014, 12:29:07 PM »
TBI or kauai
Or Maui.  Just depends on what you're looking for.
Can easily make the argument for each.
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 @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #962 on: September 02, 2014, 12:30:01 PM »
Or Maui.  Just depends on what you're looking for.
Can easily make the argument for each.
As can be seen by reading the discussion everyone had with me a few pages up.

Read a bunch of TRs and then decide for yourself.

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #963 on: September 02, 2014, 12:43:06 PM »
As can be seen by reading the discussion everyone had with me a few pages up.

Read a bunch of TRs and then decide for yourself.
Yea I know, just need to find the time to read them all.

Offline arid

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 499
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ny
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #964 on: September 04, 2014, 02:07:51 PM »
Yea I know, just need to find the time to read them all.
the truth is, i probably base my top 2 choices on my top 2 activities. The hike to get under waipio falls on TBI was hands down the best thing i've done on all the islands. Second would prob be the heli ride in Kauai. Best thing i did in maui was snorkling in the clearest water ive ever seen, by molokini. there are plenty of amazing things to do at all 3 but those 2 were the best for me.

Offline eljay07

  • Dansdeals Silver Elite
  • **
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 71
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #965 on: September 15, 2014, 10:19:04 AM »
Without kids the argument can be made for the SR Princeville in Kauai.
In Oahu the Royal Hawaiian is probably the way to go.
On the Big Island in 2008 we rented a treehouse.  The point hotel options there are limited other than a lackluster Sheraton in Kona.

Which treehouse did you rent, and do you recommend it? Thanks.

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8707
  • Total likes: 6069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #966 on: September 27, 2014, 08:52:22 PM »
Korean updated their award chart - you can now use 25k Korean or UR for a r/t in Delta in coach, or 45k in biz!

HT: MMS
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline myb821

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 7570
  • Total likes: 28
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #967 on: September 27, 2014, 08:55:07 PM »
Korean updated their award chart - you can now use 25k Korean or UR for a r/t in Delta in coach, or 45k in biz!

HT: MMS
but can you ever find biz aavailability

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #968 on: September 29, 2014, 05:07:07 AM »
Anyone have an idea to which island I'd have luck getting either 5 reward seats on a flight, or 3 and 2, ex-LAX?
This is in economy.
Would prefer OGG or LIH based on reviews.

Offline Drago

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 8388
  • Total likes: 74
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 18
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #969 on: September 29, 2014, 09:29:31 AM »
Anyone have an idea to which island I'd have luck getting either 5 reward seats on a flight, or 3 and 2, ex-LAX?
This is in economy.
Would prefer OGG or LIH based on reviews.
Someone found me to KOA, but I'm still looking...

Offline Hershelsdeals

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 3583
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #970 on: September 29, 2014, 10:00:06 AM »
Korean updated their award chart - you can now use 25k Korean or UR for a r/t in Delta in coach, or 45k in biz!

HT: MMS
Can't find any availability,  any tips?
but can you ever find biz aavailability

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 #971 on: September 29, 2014, 10:25:51 AM »
Can't find any availability,  any tips?
Search Delta.com for saver awards?
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 Hershelsdeals

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 3583
  • Total likes: 13
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #972 on: September 29, 2014, 10:26:44 AM »
Search Delta.com for saver awards?
Then book Korean?

Offline Yellow

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2009
  • Posts: 1322
  • Total likes: 47
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Starwood Gold, Hertz #1 gold, Accor Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #973 on: October 06, 2014, 03:54:35 AM »
Search Delta.com for saver awards?

Saw some availability for saver awards. Problem is that there are 2 stopovers each way and flight time is anywhere from 15-19 hours.

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #974 on: October 23, 2014, 03:38:06 PM »
Which island would be the best to stay over shabbos?

Offline Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8707
  • Total likes: 6069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #975 on: October 23, 2014, 03:39:45 PM »
Which island would be the best to stay over shabbos?

I think HNL has the only practical minyan.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

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 #976 on: October 23, 2014, 04:07:10 PM »
KOA should have 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 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #977 on: October 23, 2014, 05:13:20 PM »
Which hotel is most conducive to shabbos?

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #978 on: October 23, 2014, 05:19:23 PM »
Which hotel is most conducive to shabbos?

Which island?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #979 on: October 23, 2014, 08:37:24 PM »
Which island?


It seems that only HNL and KOA have minyanim, so between those two.