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 485075 times)

Offline shilo dude

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2440 on: January 14, 2020, 05:55:06 PM »
Im fine with a one bedroom since its just my wife and I, and im looking into Maui since we’d like to avoid touristy islands and since we heard that maui’s more jungle like/adventures

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2441 on: January 14, 2020, 05:57:08 PM »
Im fine with a one bedroom since its just my wife and I, and im looking into Maui since we’d like to avoid touristy islands and since we heard that maui’s more jungle like/adventures
Touristy Islands (Highest to lowest):
Oahu
Maui
Kauai
Hawaii
Lanai
Molokai
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 shilo dude

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2442 on: January 15, 2020, 09:29:09 PM »
Touristy Islands (Highest to lowest):
Oahu
Maui
Kauai
Hawaii
Lanai
Molokai

Thanks for that, so i went ahead and booked an airbnb for 2.5k for a week (o well..) at least i got my flights to there super cheap (transferred marriott to turkish, thx dan) and i booked a beetle convertible (hope i can pull off a full circle road to hana thing with it). Is there anything i should deff do? We also plan on seeing sunrise at Haleakala, should we do the sunrise with a tour group or on our own? Whale watching? Is there any good “jungle” like hike in maui too?

Offline ushdadude

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2443 on: January 30, 2020, 12:21:52 PM »
Chabad of Hawaii has a big banner on their site that they are no longer taking shabbos meal reservations after 2/21/20 :o

Offline Divora M

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2444 on: February 23, 2020, 11:02:39 PM »
We are thinking of going to Hawaii from Sunday- Thursday and staying in California for shabbos before and after. Which island is best recommended for a family with kids ages 12,10, 7 and 5? We would like to do hikes to waterfalls, cliff jumping, snorkeling, whale watching, seeing hot lava erupting from a volcano etc.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2445 on: February 24, 2020, 06:01:48 AM »
We are thinking of going to Hawaii from Sunday- Thursday and staying in California for shabbos before and after. Which island is best recommended for a family with kids ages 12,10, 7 and 5? We would like to do hikes to waterfalls, cliff jumping, snorkeling, whale watching, seeing hot lava erupting from a volcano etc.
Can't go wrong with the Big Island, but there have been no active lava flows in over a year and a half.  While planning an itinerary for the BI, be aware that some places you read about no longer exist, as they have been covered by lava.  The road to Mauna Kea has reopened.

@PBaruch's Hawaii TRs are a great resource for families with kids:
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=101581
44/50, 46/63

Offline MosheD

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2446 on: February 24, 2020, 09:48:10 AM »


Thanks for that, so i went ahead and booked an airbnb for 2.5k for a week (o well..) at least i got my flights to there super cheap (transferred marriott to turkish, thx dan) and i booked a beetle convertible (hope i can pull off a full circle road to hana thing with it). Is there anything i should deff do? We also plan on seeing sunrise at Haleakala, should we do the sunrise with a tour group or on our own? Whale watching? Is there any good “jungle” like hike in maui too?

1. You can do full circle. Will not be an issue
2. You need sunrise tickets but I don't think tour is nec.
3. Same for whale watching. If you are there in season they are a plenty. Just go to any wailea beach and you're basically guaranteed to see breeches. It's even better if you rent your own kayak/paddleboards.
4. For hiking download Alltrails app. There is a bamboo hike on there that I think meets your criteria as well as many others.
5. Lastly, overrated for me was seven pools (skip)
Don't miss Venus pool.
Also really enjoyed the road North from airport.
(The longer way to Lahaina) for some reason not mentioned in many guide books but incredibly scenic

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2447 on: February 24, 2020, 09:56:18 AM »

1. You can do full circle. Will not be an issue
2. You need sunrise tickets but I don't think tour is nec.
3. Same for whale watching. If you are there in season they are a plenty. Just go to any wailea beach and you're basically guaranteed to see breeches. It's even better if you rent your own kayak/paddleboards.
4. For hiking download Alltrails app. There is a bamboo hike on there that I think meets your criteria as well as many others.
5. Lastly, overrated for me was seven pools (skip)
Don't miss Venus pool.
Also really enjoyed the road North from airport.
(The longer way to Lahaina) for some reason not mentioned in many guide books but incredibly scenic
Were you able to go into the pools?
Maui Revealed certainly talks about the long route around West Maui. It's harrowing at times, but fun and scenic.
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 #2448 on: February 24, 2020, 09:57:58 AM »
5. Lastly, overrated for me was seven pools (skip)

Couldn't agree more. Use the time for the bamboo forest instead.

(The longer way to Lahaina) for some reason not mentioned in many guide books but incredibly scenic

Well it's mentioned in the one guidebook that matters, so :D...
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2449 on: February 24, 2020, 10:08:42 AM »
Couldn't agree more. Use the time for the bamboo forest instead.
Did you go into them?

Well it's mentioned in the one guidebook that matters, so :D...
+1
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2450 on: February 24, 2020, 11:27:20 AM »
Were you able to go into the pools?
Maui Revealed certainly talks about the long route around West Maui. It's harrowing at times, but fun and scenic.
I guess I missed it.

Which pools?
Seven pools- no but the water looks gross
Venus pool - yes and the cliff diving is amazing

Offline Dan

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2451 on: February 24, 2020, 11:29:16 AM »
I guess I missed it.

Which pools?
Seven pools- no but the water looks gross
Venus pool - yes and the cliff diving is amazing
Seven pools. Water was great.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2454 on: February 24, 2020, 11:34:34 AM »
Was in DDMS roundup.

Whoops. Didnt get up to reading this weeks yet.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2455 on: April 26, 2020, 04:53:53 PM »
How soon would you be confident in booking a trip to Hawaii?
June? August? Later?

Assuming it's a milage flight and you can cancel and redeposit your miles later with no penalty. (This is Alaska's current policy through 4/30)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2456 on: April 26, 2020, 04:55:00 PM »
How soon would you be confident in booking a trip to Hawaii?
June? August? Later?

Assuming it's a milage flight and you can cancel and redeposit your miles later with no penalty. (This is Alaska's current policy through 4/30)
I doubt HI travel will happen this summer, but if you can get back your miles there's no risk.
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 #2457 on: April 26, 2020, 04:58:04 PM »
I doubt HI travel will happen this summer, but if you can get back your miles there's no risk.
Even for those who don't care for the resort/luxus aspect?

I guess it all depends on when they lift quarantine etc, it'll probably be some sort of phased process.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2458 on: April 26, 2020, 06:09:34 PM »
Even for those who don't care for the resort/luxus aspect?

I guess it all depends on when they lift quarantine etc, it'll probably be some sort of phased process.
You have quarantine, and then whether the state/national parks are even open to contend with.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #2459 on: May 12, 2020, 03:55:01 PM »
Thinking of booking a trip to Hawaii for August as my Europe trip is obviously on hold  :(.
Any tips on which island is best? Will be my first time there and I will be traveling with a 20 month old.