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 485053 times)

Offline ChikkyMonkey

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Re: What are best options from west coast to hawaii
« Reply #1080 on: December 29, 2014, 12:30:34 PM »
Dan any help here??? Helping a Thaiholic see the light??  ;)


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Re: What are best options from west coast to hawaii
« Reply #1081 on: December 29, 2014, 01:26:47 PM »
AA is showing 1 award available, are they likely to release more as I snatch them? (direct LAX - Kauai)

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Maui vs Kauai with young kids in June
« Reply #1082 on: December 30, 2014, 01:54:41 AM »
Can someone who has been to both islands Pls comment

I'm looking to go for week in June with 4 kids ages 1-8

We would probably rent an apt/house (would love the Hyatt just don't see any practical ways of getting a decent sized room)

Which island is better suited for our needs:

We want quieter beaches, great scenery, some kids activities

We're not looking for packed beaches

Any help greatly appreciated
« Last Edit: December 30, 2014, 02:11:55 AM by ChikkyMonkey »

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1083 on: December 30, 2014, 12:07:47 PM »
Can someone who has been to both islands Pls comment

I'm looking to go for week in June with 4 kids ages 1-8

We would probably rent an apt/house (would love the Hyatt just don't see any practical ways of getting a decent sized room)

Which island is better suited for our needs:

We want quieter beaches, great scenery, some kids activities

We're not looking for packed beaches

Any help greatly appreciated

Both Maui and Kauai are similar regarding the points you mentioned, but I'd give Kauai the edge for more diverse vacation rental options, better scenery, and more quiet beaches.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1084 on: December 30, 2014, 02:08:53 PM »
Y'all just need to come to the dark chabad side.

Where's a link to the Chabad psak you got?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1085 on: December 30, 2014, 02:14:01 PM »
Where's a link to the Chabad psak you got?
I spoke to Rabbi K from HNL.

For further reading, I've heard the Rosh has a long pilpul published on it and Rabbi Gancz from Monsey gives absolutely fascinating class on the topic.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1086 on: December 30, 2014, 02:38:06 PM »
SF, now that you're in Monsey you have to get Rabbi Gancz recorded giving his kav hatairich shuir...

If I could find out when and where I may just go.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1087 on: December 30, 2014, 03:12:14 PM »
Call him and arrange one :)
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1088 on: December 30, 2014, 05:54:24 PM »
What's bottom line?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1089 on: January 04, 2015, 10:49:13 PM »
6 days on the ground (including Shabbas).

Maui or Kauai?

(I assume doing more than one island with only 6 days is ill-advised.)
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1090 on: January 04, 2015, 10:50:07 PM »
6 days on the ground (including Shabbas).

Maui or Kauai?

Kauai. Much more complete experience in such a short time.

(I assume doing more than one island with only 6 days is ill-advised.)

Absolutely.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1091 on: January 04, 2015, 10:59:13 PM »
Kauai. Much more complete experience in such a short time.

Absolutely.

Excellente.

Anyone know what UA is supposed to charge for adding on a LIH-HNL segment?
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1092 on: January 04, 2015, 11:16:08 PM »
Excellente.

Anyone know what UA is supposed to charge for adding on a LIH-HNL segment?

6k.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1093 on: January 04, 2015, 11:25:29 PM »
6k.

Man, UA is cheap. Can't throw that in an 300K award??
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1094 on: January 05, 2015, 07:36:06 AM »
Just to be devil's advocate, arguably the Big Island has the most activities that can't be done with kids.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1095 on: January 05, 2015, 09:53:32 AM »
Just to be devil's advocate, arguably the Big Island has the most activities that can't be done with kids.

Hmmm....I would definitely have to disagree with you there.  I've shlepped my kids all over the Big Island except to the lava.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1096 on: January 05, 2015, 09:57:00 AM »
Hmmm....I would definitely have to disagree with you there.  I've shlepped my kids all over the Big Island except to the lava.
Lava hikes
Hot springs
Horseback riding or hiking Waipio
Mauna Kea Summit
Jumping off South Point
4WD/Hike to Green Sands Beach

among others things that can't be done well with small children...
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1097 on: January 05, 2015, 10:00:38 AM »
Lava hikes
Hot springs
Horseback riding or hiking Waipio
Mauna Kea Summit
Jumping off South Point
4WD/Hike to Green Sands Beach

among others things that can't be done well with small children...

- There's no lava to hike to at the moment really
- I remember reading that the hot springs have been closed officially. (Not sure if this is correct or not, though.)
- Adults shouldn't be jumping off South Point either ;)...
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1098 on: January 05, 2015, 10:02:40 AM »
Lava hikes Depending on the proximity of the lava, its possible
Hot springs
Horseback riding or hiking WaipioKids have been to Waipio in my buddies truck and we drove all around but yes, no hikes
Mauna Kea SummitNo summit but took them to the visitor center
Jumping off South Point Have you jumped off South Point? I wouldn't let my kids do that in either event even if they were older.
4WD/Hike to Green Sands BeachKids have been to Green Sand (driven in truck) and we all hiked down to the beach.

among others things that can't be done well with small children...
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1099 on: January 05, 2015, 10:05:23 AM »
- There's no lava to hike to at the moment really
- I remember reading that the hot springs have been closed officially. (Not sure if this is correct or not, though.)
- Adults shouldn't be jumping off South Point either ;)...

No lava at the moment only because the county is restricting people from hiking to it and in some instances they are arresting people that do.  I suppose they are concerned with looters.  Can't imagine its anything else because in years past all you might get is a fine or worst case scenario be banned.  But under certain circumstances you can fly over Pahoa to take in the action. 
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