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 485262 times)

Offline Elgnt

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #660 on: January 23, 2014, 11:18:45 PM »
I can find saver seats but not on the days I need  I'm looking for last week of feb from hnl-ewr. i only see 2/6 with saver award business hnl-nyc
« Last Edit: January 23, 2014, 11:23:20 PM by Elgnt »

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #661 on: January 24, 2014, 10:29:07 AM »
Planning a trip to Hawaii for next October. Would have from a Tuesday afternoon when I arrive till Sunday night. Is there a difference between the big island and Kauai in regard to the short amount of time there? I have only been to Maui before.

Also is there decent scuba diving and beaches in Kauai or is it more known for it's natural beauty such as the hikes and Waimea canyon etc. These questions are relative to the big island.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #662 on: January 24, 2014, 10:37:54 AM »
If you want great scuba/snorkeling you prob want the BI.
Do you hold 1 or 2 days shabbos?
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 #663 on: January 24, 2014, 11:20:21 AM »
If you want great scuba/snorkeling you prob want the BI.
Do you hold 1 or 2 days shabbos?
Just 1 day. How do the beaches rate between Kauai and the BI?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #664 on: January 24, 2014, 11:24:47 AM »
Just 1 day. How do the beaches rate between Kauai and the BI?
BI's Kohala coast has some of the best in the state.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #665 on: January 24, 2014, 11:26:00 AM »
BI's Kohala coast has some of the best in the state.
Gotcha. Would you say that 4 days (1 of them being Friday) would be a reason to choose one over the other? It's not like I won't be back it's a matter of which one when.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #666 on: January 24, 2014, 11:29:56 AM »
I am planning to go in Aug nyc to hnl and I see available with AA with Hawaiian Airlines first class should I book it ? or they first class is not so good ?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #667 on: January 24, 2014, 11:33:45 AM »
I am planning to go in Aug nyc to hnl and I see available with AA with Hawaiian Airlines first class should I book it ? or they first class is not so good ?


Which airline will be the best to fly to hawaii in Business. Obviously united direct from Ewr to HNL but if there is never saver award availabilty. Are there any other good business class ways to go from NY. I know Hawaiian first is really just a glorified regular class and might as well just fly regular and buy a exit seat for $75
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #668 on: January 24, 2014, 11:47:34 AM »

is it true ? if yes what is my other options

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #669 on: January 25, 2014, 07:28:44 PM »
Lol. Had no problem booking 5 saver seats on several days recently.

Saver business or regular?  I don't see any saver business at all for months if any and I'm logged into my account

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #670 on: January 25, 2014, 07:52:50 PM »
Saver business or regular?  I don't see any saver business at all for months if any and I'm logged into my account
Saver of course.
Because evil people like me grab it when we see it :)
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 #671 on: January 25, 2014, 09:15:58 PM »
You grab it even if the days aren't the days you want?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #672 on: January 25, 2014, 09:22:05 PM »
So which airlines has the best first class nyc to Hawaii with a stop or without ?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #673 on: January 26, 2014, 01:02:14 PM »
Members can you please share what food you prepared for Hawaii?

Dan can we get some info from your rebbetzin?

TIA

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #674 on: January 26, 2014, 03:42:59 PM »
Members can you please share what food you prepared for Hawaii?

Dan can we get some info from your rebbetzin?

TIA
I brought lots of ready to grill stuff (marinated schnitzel, hot dogs etc) and as far as food that just required being heated up, we got food from La gondola in LA prefrozen and double wrapped. Also bought pasta there which we prepared on our electric burner.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #675 on: January 28, 2014, 01:09:58 PM »
Anyone want 5 BF seats EWR-HNL 02/03?
Going to release them soon.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #676 on: February 02, 2014, 03:21:15 PM »
Hi,

I am planning a trip to Hawai in May & I was wondering what the best island to visit would be.  I am not sure if I will limit the trip to just 1 island or two (as tickets are expensive enough just to fly to Hawai). I'm looking to do water sports, zipling, following some easier hiking/trails to scenic sites, checking out the rainforest & Volcanoes.  Which island would you recommend if I could only pick one (or possibly two). Also does any 1 island work out better than the rest in terms of kosher food or Chabad/Shabbos plans.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I still do not what island to choose....

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #677 on: February 02, 2014, 03:27:42 PM »
Hi,

I am planning a trip to Hawai in May & I was wondering what the best island to visit would be.  I am not sure if I will limit the trip to just 1 island or two (as tickets are expensive enough just to fly to Hawai). I'm looking to do water sports, zipling, following some easier hiking/trails to scenic sites, checking out the rainforest & Volcanoes.  Which island would you recommend if I could only pick one (or possibly two). Also does any 1 island work out better than the rest in terms of kosher food or Chabad/Shabbos plans.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I still do not what island to choose....

I'd choose Kauai or Maui.  Though if you want a Chabad stick to Maui.
"Not all who wander are lost"

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #678 on: February 02, 2014, 03:28:17 PM »
Hi,

I am planning a trip to Hawai in May & I was wondering what the best island to visit would be.  I am not sure if I will limit the trip to just 1 island or two (as tickets are expensive enough just to fly to Hawai). I'm looking to do water sports, zipling, following some easier hiking/trails to scenic sites, checking out the rainforest & Volcanoes.  Which island would you recommend if I could only pick one (or possibly two). Also does any 1 island work out better than the rest in terms of kosher food or Chabad/Shabbos plans.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I still do not what island to choose....

If you only want to do 1 island it sounds like Maui is the one for you. It's got the best balance between touristy/remote, activities/nature, etc.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #679 on: February 02, 2014, 08:00:00 PM »
Thanks for the info. It seems flights are cheaper to Oahu. I'm thinking maybe Oahu & Maui, would anyone recommend Oahu. Also in terms of Shabbos, was thinking about staying near Chabad, does the Chabad of Oahu & maui offer the same. Any preferable hotels near Chabad that have manual keys & don't pose problems to Shabbos that are not too pricey?