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 484922 times)

Offline 12HRS

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 5108
  • Total likes: 575
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 6
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2360 on: June 20, 2019, 11:39:19 AM »
Interesting, so approximately how long until that closer dateline is reached?

https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IDL_Map.pdf

Id assume there is a way to calculate how long in the air till over that line. 2 hours looks safe based on eyeballing it.

Offline tzifanya54

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jan 2012
  • Posts: 5629
  • Total likes: 233
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2361 on: June 20, 2019, 12:05:51 PM »
https://www.star-k.org/articles/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IDL_Map.pdf

Id assume there is a way to calculate how long in the air till over that line. 2 hours looks safe based on eyeballing it.
Thanks, great map with the datelines.

Offline mmgfarb

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 8355
  • Total likes: 1110
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2362 on: June 20, 2019, 12:54:29 PM »
I booked flights this morning and looking for some insight. Please do not hate... I booked Economy with Chase points. The flight best for me had a stop in ORD and I have 41 minutes to connect to the other United flight (same Terminal) to OGG. I have never had such a short window. I will be checking a bag. Can I make this? Should I cancel? I am only going to be in Hawaii for 3 full days so missing a flight would kill the vacation.
What are your flight numbers? Standard MCT for UA on domestic to domestic is 50 min but many flight connections are 40 min. I assume your flights fall under that or it shouldn't have allowed you to book it at all. I think you'll be fine as long as the flights are on time but I would tell the FA that you have a very short connection and ask if they can let you off first.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline puddles

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1100
  • Total likes: 27
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 2
    • View Profile
  • Location: Five Towns
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2363 on: June 20, 2019, 01:08:24 PM »
What are your flight numbers? Standard MCT for UA on domestic to domestic is 50 min but many flight connections are 40 min. I assume your flights fall under that or it shouldn't have allowed you to book it at all. I think you'll be fine as long as the flights are on time but I would tell the FA that you have a very short connection and ask if they can let you off first.
United 463 from LGA to ORD United 202 from ORD to OGG

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 #2364 on: June 21, 2019, 10:43:09 AM »
United 463 from LGA to ORD United 202 from ORD to OGG

When is the next UA ORG to OGG flight if you miss connect?

Offline Mh1

  • Dansdeals Bronze Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2015
  • Posts: 37
  • Total likes: 3
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2365 on: July 08, 2019, 07:52:45 PM »
sorry for the noobie question,

i just booked yesterday to kauai with delta is it possible to try this and then get delta redeposited?

P.S this trip is absolutely thanks to dan!! would not be able to do it without DD and DDF!! 

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 #2366 on: July 11, 2019, 01:51:38 PM »
sorry for the noobie question,

i just booked yesterday to kauai with delta is it possible to try this and then get delta redeposited?

P.S this trip is absolutely thanks to dan!! would not be able to do it without DD and DDF!!
Free cancellation within 24 hours.

Online Dr Moose

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 4196
  • Total likes: 180
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2367 on: July 21, 2019, 05:08:11 PM »
I have a 3.5hr layover in HNL, anything to do in that time? Or just hang around the airport?

Alternatively, is 1 hour enough time to connect from a DL flight to SW?
Hey there! I am using DansDeals Forums.

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 #2368 on: July 21, 2019, 06:07:01 PM »
I have a 3.5hr layover in HNL, anything to do in that time? Or just hang around the airport?

Alternatively, is 1 hour enough time to connect from a DL flight to SW?
Rush to pearl harbor? Pretty tight though.

Online Dr Moose

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Nov 2013
  • Posts: 4196
  • Total likes: 180
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2369 on: July 28, 2019, 09:30:12 AM »
Any lounge in HNL worth visiting that Priority Pass will get me in?
Hey there! I am using DansDeals Forums.

Offline Shua

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2011
  • Posts: 372
  • Total likes: 33
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: New york city
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2370 on: July 28, 2019, 09:21:36 PM »
The lounge with access from priority pass is nothing special. You could definitely do the USS Arizona tour at Pearl Harbor. See TR I posted about it here. https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=82882.msg2098449#msg2098449

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 #2371 on: August 11, 2019, 01:17:38 PM »
someone should edit the wiki as AA now charges 7.5k to fly inter-island.

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 #2372 on: August 15, 2019, 09:20:28 PM »
Preferred island area for Shabbos (2 day version), excl Oahu? Chabad not necessary.

Not sure if will stay in hotel or use Airbnb, so have flexibility.
« Last Edit: August 15, 2019, 09:24:45 PM by nirc »

Offline 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 #2373 on: August 15, 2019, 09:23:00 PM »
Preferred island for Shabbos (2 day version), excl Oahu?

Wherever you can find a lovely Airbnb with a pool and/or something interesting on site. See my BI and Maui TRs for examples.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline raychie333

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 5
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2374 on: August 19, 2019, 10:56:30 AM »
Hi. I am considering going to Hawaii with 5 kids ranging in age from 6 months to 13. Is that a good idea? Will there be enough activities to make everyone happy? Or should I skip while the kids are this young?

Offline raychie333

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 5
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2375 on: August 19, 2019, 02:13:20 PM »
As an add on to my previous question-I plan to arrive Thursday to Oahu and stay for Shabbos and then head to Maui on Sunday for the rest of the week and leave Thursday. Does this make sense?

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9699
  • Total likes: 1069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2376 on: August 19, 2019, 02:28:39 PM »
As an add on to my previous question-I plan to arrive Thursday to Oahu and stay for Shabbos and then head to Maui on Sunday for the rest of the week and leave Thursday. Does this make sense?
definitely

Offline raychie333

  • DansDeals Copper Elite
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2019
  • Posts: 5
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2377 on: August 19, 2019, 03:52:27 PM »
Do you think it is a good place for a family with young kids?

Offline mochjas

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Oct 2015
  • Posts: 9699
  • Total likes: 1069
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 123
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium Elite, AA EX PLAT, Jetblue Mosaic, Qatar Gold, United Silver
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2378 on: August 19, 2019, 03:54:53 PM »
Do you think it is a good place for a family with young kids?
You need to be more specific with this question. What is a good place? How old are the kids?

Offline ilherman

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jun 2013
  • Posts: 8935
  • Total likes: 227
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 35
    • View Profile
  • Location: Brooklyn
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2379 on: August 19, 2019, 05:53:50 PM »
You need to be more specific with this question. What is a good place? How old are the kids?
4 months, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12
You can say what you think when you think what you say.