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 484885 times)

Offline mochjas

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2380 on: August 19, 2019, 06:03:00 PM »
4 months, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12
where are you coming from?

Offline nirc

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2381 on: August 19, 2019, 06:10:18 PM »
4 months, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12

are you and family experienced at flying together esp long distances? if not, I would skip and do something closer to home.

traveling with 6 little kids is hard enough, but to take them on a 10+ hr flight with a possible stopover for 5 days of touring, yikes.


Offline raychie333

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2382 on: August 19, 2019, 10:51:45 PM »
Sorry to clarify it is 5 kids-Not sure that makes that much of a difference. We did one long plane ride last year which went well but it was a night flight vs day flight. Any other feedback?

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2383 on: August 20, 2019, 07:20:30 AM »
Sorry to clarify it is 5 kids-Not sure that makes that much of a difference. We did one long plane ride last year which went well but it was a night flight vs day flight. Any other feedback?
Did you consider the Bahamas? Atlantis sounds better for this if coning ft the east coast.

Offline nirc

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2384 on: August 20, 2019, 10:05:53 AM »
Have 9 days to spend in HI (youngest a 2 yr old) - thoughts on how to split (keeping 2 days Shabbos)?

1) Sun till Thurs afternoon on Maui (little less then 4 days); then switch over to Kauai until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

2) sun till sun on Maui; then switch over to Kauai until Tues noon

3) Sun till Thurs afternoon on kauai (little less then 4 days); then switch over to maui until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

4) sun till sun on kauai; then switch over to maui until Tues noon
« Last Edit: August 20, 2019, 10:57:39 AM by nirc »

Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2385 on: August 20, 2019, 10:23:43 AM »
Have 9 days to spend in HI (youngest a 2 yr old) - thoughts on how to split (keeping 2 days Shabbos)?

Sun afternoon till Thurs afternoon on Maui (little less then 4 days); then switch over to Kauai until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

or

Sun afternoon till Thurs afternoon on kauai (little less then 4 days); then switch over to maui until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

or

other
I think Maui is more conducive to families. Better beaches/more options close to the beach.

It's also a little more developed/touristy, which means easier to get around etc.

Offline Cat18

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2386 on: August 25, 2019, 11:10:41 PM »
General Question:
go to OGG/LIH for 10 days with 2.5 year old in winter OR perhaps pick a different warm weather destination (FL, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama/Central America) that is more toddler friendly?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2387 on: August 25, 2019, 11:13:55 PM »
Have 9 days to spend in HI (youngest a 2 yr old) - thoughts on how to split (keeping 2 days Shabbos)?

1) Sun till Thurs afternoon on Maui (little less then 4 days); then switch over to Kauai until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

2) sun till sun on Maui; then switch over to Kauai until Tues noon

3) Sun till Thurs afternoon on kauai (little less then 4 days); then switch over to maui until Tues noon (excluding Shabbos will have little more then 2 days)

4) sun till sun on kauai; then switch over to maui until Tues noon
Given constraints, 1 island.
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 Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2388 on: August 25, 2019, 11:14:13 PM »
General Question:
go to OGG/LIH for 10 days with 2.5 year old in winter OR perhaps pick a different warm weather destination (FL, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama/Central America) that is more toddler friendly?
What are you looking for?
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 Cat18

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2389 on: August 26, 2019, 05:40:12 AM »
What are you looking for?

At this time, a nice warm, peaceful and relaxing place that allows me to alternate doing nothing with something. This winter have 8 paiddays off to use (can leave Sunday morning and return the following Wednesday night) and unsure when that will happen again for next few years.

Don't need Kosher food since will bring my own. Must be able to fly/stay there using miles without breaking the bank. Always talked about going to HI and other exotic locales.
« Last Edit: August 26, 2019, 06:10:10 AM by Cat18 »

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2390 on: August 26, 2019, 07:48:43 AM »
At this time, a nice warm, peaceful and relaxing place that allows me to alternate doing nothing with something. This winter have 8 paiddays off to use (can leave Sunday morning and return the following Wednesday night) and unsure when that will happen again for next few years.

Don't need Kosher food since will bring my own. Must be able to fly/stay there using miles without breaking the bank. Always talked about going to HI and other exotic locales.
Go somewhere closer.
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 Cat18

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2391 on: August 26, 2019, 10:07:51 AM »
Go somewhere closer.

LOL. I actually wanted to places like Fiji (or similar), Thailand, Philippines etc... and thought Hawaii would be compromise since is so much closer. Closer locales like Costa Rica/Mexico I figured can more easily be done when only have a week to vacation (normal winter).
« Last Edit: August 26, 2019, 11:19:18 AM by Cat18 »

Offline mochjas

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2392 on: August 26, 2019, 10:53:30 AM »

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2393 on: August 26, 2019, 11:19:14 AM »
Why?
Why would you fly 15 hours when you just want to go somewhere warm and peaceful??
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Offline Cat18

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2394 on: August 26, 2019, 11:24:45 AM »
Why would you fly 15 hours when you just want to go somewhere warm and peaceful??

would be like 9.5 hrs there and 11 back if choose HI.

I edited my above post to explain why even spend 10 hrs on airplane. In short its because I am hoping for a trip from Sunday - Wednesday night (11 days). Can save closer locations for my usual 1 week off in winter.

Would prefer going to the further away locations (travel time 17-24 hrs) if not bringing along a 2.5 year old. I figured 10 hr travel time is doable.
« Last Edit: August 26, 2019, 11:50:42 AM by Cat18 »

Offline mochjas

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2395 on: August 26, 2019, 11:33:49 AM »
Why would you fly 15 hours when you just want to go somewhere warm and peaceful??
He said relax one day, activities the next. Thats perfect for Hawaii. And he has 10 days that is way too much for somewhere closer

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2396 on: August 26, 2019, 11:46:33 AM »
Sounds good then
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Offline shaulyaakov

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2397 on: September 02, 2019, 10:23:06 AM »
Go somewhere closer.
Why? Most of the Caribbean doesn't have too much else to do outside resorts, and 10 days is a lot to spend in a resort.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2398 on: September 02, 2019, 06:23:07 PM »
Why? Most of the Caribbean doesn't have too much else to do outside resorts, and 10 days is a lot to spend in a resort.
we covered this already

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2399 on: September 04, 2019, 05:18:07 PM »
cheapest interisland travel method (1 way)? I have Delta, AA, United and Chase UR points so can definitely do 7.5k AA/7K United.

any way to avoid paying $25 pp luggage fee on Hawaiian Airlines (excl JJ if still doing)?