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 484953 times)

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1900 on: November 07, 2016, 02:03:58 PM »
BI could definitely be "done" in 4 days.

And if you want melt-your-bones relaxation Lanai is the place to go.
Hmm I was told otherwise about BI. Glad to be wrong.

You paying for the 4 Seasons for me?

Offline shulem92

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 2955
  • Total likes: 122
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Lakewood
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1901 on: November 07, 2016, 02:07:10 PM »
Hmm I was told otherwise about BI. Glad to be wrong.

You paying for the 4 Seasons for me?
BI definitely can be done in 4 days, I "did" it in 3. Lol
But if the lava is still flowing, it is something u MUST see!

Offline Buruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1984
  • Total likes: 39
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1902 on: November 07, 2016, 02:14:46 PM »
Hmm I was told otherwise about BI. Glad to be wrong.

You paying for the 4 Seasons for me?

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1767400?guests=1&s=o0laxU0Q

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1903 on: November 07, 2016, 02:31:38 PM »
BI definitely can be done in 4 days, I "did" it in 3. Lol
But if the lava is still flowing, it is something u MUST see!
Good to know - thanks!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1767400?guests=1&s=o0laxU0Q
Hmm no pool doesn't sound great for a trip to Hawaii. :P Also, not available for my dates, but thanks.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1904 on: November 07, 2016, 03:55:57 PM »
BI is not the island with the best beaches. If you're just going to spend time on beaches, may as well do Maui and just go back to RTH (assuming you did that last time on Maui).

Granted, I've never been to BI, but from what I saw when planning my trip, Maui  has best beaches.

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8707
  • Total likes: 6069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1905 on: November 07, 2016, 04:06:08 PM »
BI is not the island with the best beaches. If you're just going to spend time on beaches, may as well do Maui and just go back to RTH (assuming you did that last time on Maui).

Granted, I've never been to BI, but from what I saw when planning my trip, Maui  has best beaches.

The Kona side of TBI has some of the best beaches in the state.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline 3yummyboys

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 1736
  • Total likes: 32
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1906 on: November 07, 2016, 04:55:08 PM »
Hmm I was told otherwise about BI. Glad to be wrong.



You can't do everything in 4 days but you can do a lot and have an awesome trip. It will just leave you with some activities for next time ;)

Offline SSLPhD

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 764
  • Total likes: 276
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: My couch
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1907 on: November 07, 2016, 05:22:40 PM »
4 days is a nice amount of time to see Oahu.  Going to the BI for less than a week (two?) will leave you not quite satisfied.

From the ``Big Island Revealed" app, ``Conde Nast Traveler magazine has often voted [Hapuna Beach] the best in the entire nation."
44/50, 46/63

Offline efflpetzel

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 2835
  • Total likes: 133
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1908 on: November 07, 2016, 07:46:30 PM »



From the ``Big Island Revealed" app, ``Conde Nast Traveler magazine has often voted [Hapuna Beach] the best in the entire nation."
Meh
Kalalau beach beats it any day


Offline sarahb

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Dec 2011
  • Posts: 41
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: ny
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1909 on: November 13, 2016, 10:46:50 AM »
I am planing to place an order from Oahu kosher to be delivered to lih airport in Kauia. For those that ordered and shipped the food what items stayed well? We're sandwiches still good the next day? Any particular dishes from the menu you would recommend?

Offline chbochur

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 811
  • Total likes: 122
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1910 on: November 13, 2016, 12:57:01 PM »
I am planing to place an order from Oahu kosher to be delivered to lih airport in Kauia. For those that ordered and shipped the food what items stayed well? We're sandwiches still good the next day? Any particular dishes from the menu you would recommend?
I just had their food for a week, I'd suggest deli sandwiches for the next day, they stayed fresh (put it in the fridge if you can...) and they were pretty good

Offline SSLPhD

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 764
  • Total likes: 276
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: My couch
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1911 on: November 14, 2016, 09:29:49 PM »
I am planing to place an order from Oahu kosher to be delivered to lih airport in Kauia. For those that ordered and shipped the food what items stayed well? We're sandwiches still good the next day? Any particular dishes from the menu you would recommend?

From what I remember (2010), they freeze the stuff that they ship interisland (it was $75 shipping and they wanted a minimum order).  We ordered food for Shabbos and it was fine.  Nothing amazing, nothing terrible.  More recently, we stayed on Oahu and got some food from them, and it was all fairly good.  But it was never frozen.  As a heads up, they include lots of Brussels sprouts with the vegetables.
44/50, 46/63

Offline Meir

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Jun 2008
  • Posts: 12
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1912 on: November 16, 2016, 02:45:23 PM »
Need help. Trying desperately  to go to hawaii for the week of dec 11. I tried booking the hawaiin airline flight at 1:45am to las - hnl and there is no availability.

Offline shaulyaakov

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2781
  • Total likes: 326
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1913 on: November 17, 2016, 09:05:05 AM »
Need help. Trying desperately  to go to hawaii for the week of dec 11. I tried booking the hawaiin airline flight at 1:45am to las - hnl and there is no availability.

With points or money?

Offline @Yehuda

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2013
  • Posts: 9693
  • Total likes: 187
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 5
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1914 on: November 17, 2016, 11:22:42 AM »
Need help. Trying desperately  to go to hawaii for the week of dec 11. I tried booking the hawaiin airline flight at 1:45am to las - hnl and there is no availability.
Welcome to award travel. You must be ready to search at least 5 times a day and preferably be flexible on your date and route. So many ways to get to Hawaii, don't just look at LAS-HNL.

Offline nirc

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 937
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1915 on: November 20, 2016, 11:57:34 PM »
Would like to visit Hawaii with the mrs in Jan, leaving nyc on sun and departing HI either the following Mon or Tuesday. Suggestions on which islands to visit? Thinking about doing Maui + Kauai or Maui+ Lanai, but am open to other suggestions.

Plan on keeping 2 day Shabbos as per star k, so it does throw a monkey wrench into plans, as for 2 days i cant drive around. Open to pretty much doing anything while there.
Beaches/snorkelling hold minimal appeal.

Online Something Fishy

  • Global Moderator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 8707
  • Total likes: 6069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 44
    • View Profile
    • Kosher Horizons
  • Location: Iceland
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1916 on: November 21, 2016, 12:02:33 AM »
Would like to visit Hawaii with the mrs in Jan, leaving nyc on sun and departing HI either the following Mon or Tuesday. Suggestions on which islands to visit? Thinking about doing Maui + Kauai or Maui+ Lanai, but am open to other suggestions.

Plan on keeping 2 day Shabbos as per star k, so it does throw a monkey wrench into plans, as for 2 days i cant drive around. Open to pretty much doing anything while there.
Beaches/snorkelling hold minimal appeal.

What is the appeal then? If we know that we could help you sort it out.

In any case, I don't think that's nearly enough time for Maui + Kauai. Maui works fine with Lanai as a day trip.

Also consider Maui or Kauai + the BI for a day or two to see the volcano.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline nirc

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2014
  • Posts: 937
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: USA
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1917 on: November 21, 2016, 12:21:00 AM »
What is the appeal then? If we know that we could help you sort it out.

In any case, I don't think that's nearly enough time for Maui + Kauai. Maui works fine with Lanai as a day trip.

Also consider Maui or Kauai + the BI for a day or two to see the volcano.

My wife likes hiking/touring, and I enjoy anything as long as I am not sitting still (little ADD). I choose Hawaii bec wanted someplace warm (Zika free) that could relax for 10 days.

Offline Dan

  • Administrator
  • Dansdeals Lifetime 50K Diamond Elite
  • **********
  • Join Date: May 2008
  • Posts: 67598
  • Total likes: 16909
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 16442
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: CLE
  • Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, DL Dirt, Hyatt Glob, Fairmont Lifetime Plat, DD Diamond, Blocked By @NeriaKraus
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1918 on: November 21, 2016, 12:22:04 AM »
Also consider Maui or Kauai + the BI for a day or two to see the volcano.
This.
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 Z56

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 2420
  • Total likes: 100
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC, TLV
  • Programs: SPG Gold, Marriot Gold, Hilton Gold, National EE, Hertz GP, Avis PP
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #1919 on: November 23, 2016, 04:19:22 PM »
Looking to travel to Hawaii any advice would be appreciated looking to go 2017

I Read thru all trip reports.

Looking to do a 10 day first class vacation

I have UA, SPG, UR, AA

I would really appreciate any help
“I have nothing in common with lazy people who blame others for their lack of success. Great things come from hard work