DansDeals Forum > Destination Guides And Trip Planning
Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
auntiemus:
now that my europe trip aint happening, Iwould like to plan a trip in the summer to Hawaii with my husband. few questions:
1. it seems like LIH is the best island?
2. I would not be doing any water ectiviteis that arent 100% tznius, is there still what to do in Hawaii?
3. after LIH, where else is sugeested?
4. How can I get a hotel with points? I dont have starwood, I only have 30,000 AMEX MR points
any help greatly appreciated!
BrooklynCPA:
I am planning a trip sometime in the future to Hawaii. I was always under the impression that it is not worth the trip from NY to Hawaii unless you go for at least 10 days and visit at least 2 islands.
Dan, what is you thought on this?
Pslams, as you went from Sunday to Thursday was it worth it? Also, as Dan and others helped you can you post a trip report?
Dan:
--- Quote from: auntiemus on April 23, 2010, 01:06:29 AM ---now that my europe trip aint happening, Iwould like to plan a trip in the summer to Hawaii with my husband. few questions:
1. it seems like LIH is the best island?
2. I would not be doing any water ectiviteis that arent 100% tznius, is there still what to do in Hawaii?
3. after LIH, where else is sugeested?
4. How can I get a hotel with points? I dont have starwood, I only have 30,000 AMEX MR points
any help greatly appreciated!
--- End quote ---
I split this thread off to create a master thread for question about Hawaii.
-There is no best island. Ask 6 people and they will each give you a different answer. It all depends on what you want to do.
The main airports serving each island are:
HNL for Oahu, the most populous island and where 90% of tourists go.
Lots of tourist activities, kosher food is available, Chabad has a great location here within walking distance of most Honolulu-Waikiki hotels. It's very pretty as soon as you leave Honolulu, but it's a bit too touristy for my taste.
OGG for Maui, the 2nd most popular island for tourists. A beautiful island with lush flowing waterfalls along the most beautiful drive you'll ever take-the road to Hana. The view from on top of Haleakala is incredible. Tons of water sports. Great whale watching boats in the winter. There's a chabad house by the airport, but few hotels are nearby.
LIH for Kauai, a much more laid back island. Much less developed than Oahu and Maui. I think it's the most beautiful, green and lush of the islands. It has few roads, so a helicopter tour is the primary way of seeing the hidden sights. Some of the best hikes I've ever done are on Kauai. The Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon will take your breath away. Miles of deserted beaches on the west coast on Polihale beach. And I love the Grand Hyatt here and the tree tunnel you drive through to get there.
KOA for the west side of the big island of Hawaii. Some of the best beaches in Hawaii are here. You can drive from the beach to snow in an hour. Sunset from on top of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world from its base, was the most beautiful I've ever seen. The big island is much less green and lush than the other islands.
ITO for the east side of the big island of Hawaii. Seeing a volcano erupt is awesome!!! It's been erupting constantly for the past 25 years! Hiking through forests and then lava that ate the forest and back again is something you won't quickly forget. Volcanically heated warm springs are a lot of fun as well. There is a lot of rain on this side of the big island.
LNY for Lanai: A much smaller private island with few hotels...never been here.
MKK for Molokai: never been here either, also no big-name resorts.
-There is plenty what to do without water activities, and if you know where to go you can have your own private beach as well.
-You can trade people AMEX points for Starwood and Hyatt points, but 30,000 might not get you too far in Hawaii.
Dan:
--- Quote from: BrooklynCPA on April 23, 2010, 10:21:05 AM ---I am planning a trip sometime in the future to Hawaii. I was always under the impression that it is not worth the trip from NY to Hawaii unless you go for at least 10 days and visit at least 2 islands.
Dan, what is you thought on this?
Pslams, as you went from Sunday to Thursday was it worth it? Also, as Dan and others helped you can you post a trip report?
--- End quote ---
I think 10 days is the least amount of time for an ideal trip, but you can definitely make a go of it if you fly out sunday and return on the thursday night redeye.
I would stick to one island though on such a short trip.
Continental flies nonstop from EWR to HNL which is very convenient.
auntiemus:
thank you so much! my husband also just got 30,000 amexmr points, would 60,000 be enough?
should I transfer them to points reward or hilton?
thank you for your time
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