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 484883 times)

Offline Something Fishy

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1520 on: October 20, 2015, 12:40:50 AM »
Am I missing something, or can Island Air flights be booked with UA miles? They do have a codeshare agreement, FWIW. I feel like it was already discussed ITT, but I'm pulling a blank.

If yes, this opens up a new way to get to Lanai - I've posted some interesting findings here.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Joe4007

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1521 on: October 20, 2015, 06:03:39 AM »
Am I missing something, or can Island Air flights be booked with UA miles? They do have a codeshare agreement, FWIW. I feel like it was already discussed ITT, but I'm pulling a blank.

If yes, this opens up a new way to get to Lanai - I've posted some interesting findings here.
You can book it for 6k OW. Which would be a horrible redemption if you can get it for $72 RT.
« Last Edit: October 20, 2015, 06:07:29 AM by Joe4007 »

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1522 on: October 20, 2015, 05:56:24 PM »
I booked interisland award tickets for friends on Hawaiian and paid the fee with my Hawaiian card.  I am not flying with them.  Will they get free bags? 

Terms say for primary ah but I was wondering if they strictly enforce that.

TIA
« Last Edit: October 20, 2015, 06:10:37 PM by PBaruch »
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Offline sam28

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1523 on: October 29, 2015, 10:04:20 PM »
ok I made my wife willing to go to Hawaii I am dyeing to go there for a while . now how to I decide what island to visit Kay or Mai I am not a sucbe diving guy I love nice views and hikes so what island should I chose ?

Offline Marco Polo

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1524 on: October 30, 2015, 09:09:14 AM »
ok I made my wife willing to go to Hawaii I am dyeing to go there for a while . now how to I decide what island to visit Kay or Mai I am not a sucbe diving guy I love nice views and hikes so what island should I chose ?
Read up on the different islands. You will get great views in Maui and Kauai.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline @Yehuda

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1525 on: October 30, 2015, 09:17:59 AM »
ok I made my wife willing to go to Hawaii I am dyeing to go there for a while . now how to I decide what island to visit Kay or Mai I am not a sucbe diving guy I love nice views and hikes so what island should I chose ?
Seriously? You had to make her?

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1526 on: October 30, 2015, 09:40:01 AM »

ok I made my wife willing to go to Hawaii I am dyeing to go there for a while . now how to I decide what island to visit Kay or Mai I am not a sucbe diving guy I love nice views and hikes so what island should I chose ?


You should have had me talk to your wife :)
DH wasn't sure about Hawaii either but now he can't wait to go back

Kauai and Maui are both awesome, you can't go wrong with either one. I will say that the mountains in Kauai are incredible! If you want views, Kauai has so many different gorgeous landscapes!

(Can you tell I am partial to Kauai)

Offline Emkay

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1527 on: November 03, 2015, 05:35:06 AM »
Hawaiian installing lie-flat seats in F!

Lucky has some nice coverage.
this is a tough call, i want to fly lie-flat in July but not sure to bank on them having outfitted the aircraft ill be flying yet

Offline lifetimedeals

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1528 on: November 03, 2015, 10:45:05 AM »

You should have had me talk to your wife :)
DH wasn't sure about Hawaii either but now he can't wait to go back

Kauai and Maui are both awesome, you can't go wrong with either one. I will say that the mountains in Kauai are incredible! If you want views, Kauai has so many different gorgeous landscapes!

(Can you tell I am partial to Kauai)
I was never in HI always wanted to go but since it's so far away almost like traveling to Israel plus you have to shlep food which is a bit of a headache I always kept pushing it away, so after some research here sounds like the first place should be Kauai so if I decide to go at the end that will be the place I go first, do you agree? Which place did you stay?

Offline 3yummyboys

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1529 on: November 03, 2015, 11:31:51 AM »
In Kauai we stayed at GHK which was super accommodating about food. You can also order from Oahu kosher in the hotel but it's expensive and I haven't heard great reviews.

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1530 on: November 03, 2015, 11:37:07 AM »
In Kauai we stayed at GHK which was super accommodating about food. You can also order from Oahu kosher in the hotel but it's expensive and I haven't heard great reviews.
Better off buying direct from Oahu Kosher if you don't want to shlep. They deliver anywhere in HI.
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 lifetimedeals

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1531 on: November 03, 2015, 03:41:52 PM »
Better off buying direct from Oahu Kosher if you don't want to shlep. They deliver anywhere in HI.
You mean ready made take out food? Are there good reviews?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1532 on: November 03, 2015, 03:43:01 PM »
In Kauai we stayed at GHK which was super accommodating about food. You can also order from Oahu kosher in the hotel but it's expensive and I haven't heard great reviews.
Oahu kosher in the hotel is different than ordering from them on their website? Btw where did you keep your frozen meals? How did you warm them up?

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1533 on: November 03, 2015, 03:45:43 PM »
Read my 2015 TRs (Links in Wiki).
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1534 on: November 03, 2015, 03:49:31 PM »

Oahu kosher in the hotel is different than a ordering from them on their website? Btw where did you keep your frozen meals? How did you warm them up?

From my understanding the meals in thr hotel can be old but if you order direct it's fresher.
We had the hotel keep our frozen meals and warm then. They waived the $10 per meal fee upon request. We didn't use a toaster bc we wanted meals hot and  ready as soon as we returned to the hotel.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1535 on: November 03, 2015, 04:21:03 PM »
From my understanding the meals in thr hotel can be old but if you order direct it's fresher.
We had the hotel keep our frozen meals and warm then. They waived the $10 per meal fee upon request. We didn't use a toaster bc we wanted meals hot and  ready as soon as we returned to the hotel.
Thanks, as a first timer does it make sense to think of going to Maui ? Or should I just stick to Kauai?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1536 on: November 03, 2015, 04:22:08 PM »
Thanks, as a first timer does it make sense to think of going to Maui ? Or should I just stick to Kauai?
Maui is fine for a first timer. Plenty to do there.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1537 on: November 03, 2015, 04:32:06 PM »
Maui is fine for a first timer. Plenty to do there.
Thanks, good to know I have two options Maui or Kauai, is June -July good time there weather wise? (not too hot).

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1538 on: November 03, 2015, 04:34:03 PM »
Thanks, good to know I have two options Maui or Kauai, is June -July good time there weather wise? (not too hot).

Since Hawaii is close to the equator the weather is fairly consistent in terms of temperature throughout the year. 
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1539 on: November 03, 2015, 04:35:11 PM »
Since Hawaii is close to the equator the weather is fairly consistent in terms of temperature throughout the year. 
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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.