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 484921 times)

Offline Cbs

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #420 on: January 28, 2013, 12:30:25 AM »
2 days? Save Maui and Kauai for another time and explore the Hilo side of the Big Island.
makes more sense to me this way, thanx.
if i pull thru with this trip ill post the details. but its still in planning stages (debating if purim is a good place to party in HI :) )


Offline MEIR613

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #421 on: January 28, 2013, 12:33:24 AM »
makes more sense to me this way, thanx.
if i pull thru with this trip ill post the details. but its still in planning stages (debating if purim is a good place to party in HI :) )
Im sure you can get someone to psak for you to hold 2 days ;)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #422 on: February 05, 2013, 10:34:08 PM »
I have presidents week off. Feb 17-24 Basically off until Purim on Sunday. does it pay to go to hawaii from sunday and return on Thursday Taanis Esther or better to wait to go a different time when I'll have more days available? If it's not worth it any recommendations where to go to for 3-4 days?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #423 on: February 05, 2013, 11:06:22 PM »
does it pay to go to hawaii from sunday and return on Thursday Taanis Esther
No problem doing 1 island in that time period.
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 #424 on: February 05, 2013, 11:14:31 PM »
so leaving NY on sunday and leaving to come back thursday will give me enough time?  Which Island would be best for only 3 full days

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #425 on: February 11, 2013, 07:28:51 PM »
so im about to buy tickets, but before i do that im trying to figure out the budget.
where can i find cheap hotels to pay cash on Oahu and on The Big Island? - priceline? whats the cheapest u think i can find.

and regarding points, whats the best points to use im looking for the cheapest way out, doesnt need to be fancy. - i have 32k SPG and i have lots of Chase and amex.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #426 on: February 11, 2013, 08:12:48 PM »
so im about to buy tickets, but before i do that im trying to figure out the budget.
where can i find cheap hotels to pay cash on Oahu and on The Big Island? - priceline? whats the cheapest u think i can find.

and regarding points, whats the best points to use im looking for the cheapest way out, doesnt need to be fancy. - i have 32k SPG and i have lots of Chase and amex.
any normal hostels?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #427 on: February 12, 2013, 02:43:42 PM »
I stayed at JW Marriot in Oahu for Marriott points a few years ago, amazing. On the west of Oahu, away from Waikiki. Also MArriott in Big Island, although the Hilton looked nicer. But free is free (ie. points).

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #428 on: February 12, 2013, 02:48:04 PM »
I stayed at JW Marriot in Oahu for Marriott points a few years ago, amazing. On the west of Oahu, away from Waikiki. Also MArriott in Big Island, although the Hilton looked nicer. But free is free (ie. points).
in oahu i see without looking at availability that saver is 30k a night. is that what u mean by a few?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #429 on: February 12, 2013, 02:49:31 PM »
More like 7 years ago. It was 15k per night then. Inflation!

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #430 on: February 12, 2013, 03:20:59 PM »
i have 2 options here for flights/islands:

1) wed. 2/20 arrive at noon to HNL and stay there until tue. 2/26 4pm (have in mind thursday is fast and sunday is purim)

2) wed. 2/20 arrive at noon to HNL and stay until mon. 2/25 4:25pm - fly to KOA until next day 2/26 10:20pm to fly back to LAX.

diff in price is $81 (more in #2)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #431 on: February 12, 2013, 09:52:43 PM »
Why KOA and not ITO?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #432 on: February 12, 2013, 10:12:06 PM »
Why KOA and not ITO?
true. i didnt know the diff but someone mentioned to me thank gd :)

so i just booked tickets! its still within 24 hours so i can make changes if need be:

tue 2/19 LAX-HNL arrive at noon
mon 2/25 HNL-ITO arrive at 2:45p
tue 2/26 KOA-LAX direct - departs at 10:20p

i chose to leave out of KOA for a 3 reasons - 1 bec it came out a bit cheaper, 2 bec its direct - 3 bec i hear the drive across is extremely nice - and well drive 2 hours before it gets dark and find something to do in kona for the remainder few hours.

if you feel it would be smarter to do it a diff way please share what you think. i dont want to spend much more. flights were paid in cash.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #433 on: February 12, 2013, 10:26:50 PM »
Why not fly Purim afternoon to ITO?
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #434 on: February 12, 2013, 10:32:17 PM »
Why not fly Purim afternoon to ITO?
i was thinking of having a fun - drinking - time at chabad of HNL (especially that i know a few bochurim helping out there) and then leaving the next day to ITO.
are you suggesting that i have the seudas purim at chabad on the big island? (ITO/KOA)

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #435 on: February 12, 2013, 10:59:39 PM »
i was thinking of having a fun - drinking - time at chabad of HNL (especially that i know a few bochurim helping out there) and then leaving the next day to ITO.
are you suggesting that i have the seudas purim at chabad on the big island? (ITO/KOA)
Yes.
Then you'll have time for Valcano stuff and maybe South Point/Green Sand Beach/Road to Ocean on Mon and Waipio/Mauna Kea on Tues.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #436 on: February 12, 2013, 11:02:07 PM »
Yes.
Then you'll have time for Valcano stuff and maybe South Point/Green Sand Beach/Road to Ocean on Mon and Waipio/Mauna Kea on Tues.
wheres the chabad in Hilo? it seems only in kona. im landing in hilo - though i can change that and it my be cheaper or drive it there and back and back again for tue night flight which doesnt make sense to

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #437 on: February 12, 2013, 11:07:21 PM »
So fly into KOA.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #438 on: February 12, 2013, 11:16:08 PM »
So fly into KOA.
ill discuss it with the guy im flying with and see if it makes sense here.

in any case any ideas for cheap accommodations - i found on priceline $69 for one night for kona - but ohau is sky high! 

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #439 on: February 12, 2013, 11:28:04 PM »
I wouldn't stay in Kona.
Look in Hilo or Volcano on VRBO
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