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 484930 times)

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #760 on: April 02, 2014, 08:57:59 PM »
There is enough to keep you busy on the Big Island for 2 weeks.  I have been there 5x and still haven't been able to do everything I wanted to.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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 #761 on: April 02, 2014, 09:00:54 PM »
Also AFAIK AA charges 5k even with a stop in HNL.
Nada,
AA website & on phone clearly told me its 5K per segment inter island, so given that Hawaiian airlines charges 7.5K I'm best off with UA for 6K

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 #762 on: April 02, 2014, 09:02:20 PM »
There is enough to keep you busy on the Big Island for 2 weeks.  I have been there 5x and still haven't been able to do everything I wanted to.
So you wouldn't recommend me to go for three days?

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #763 on: April 02, 2014, 09:09:14 PM »
So you wouldn't recommend me to go for three days?

Didn't say that.  If you go for 3 days, you'll still have an opportunity to do lots of great stuff.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline tuvz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 599
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #764 on: April 05, 2014, 06:36:50 AM »
have 20 days in Hawaii,
8 in HNL and the rest in Maui is good way of dividing the trip?

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
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 chucksterace

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 6880
  • Total likes: 19
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 40
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
    • LYNX IT Consulting
  • Location: Chicago, Jerusalem
  • Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Premier 1K; ; LY Plat; Hyatt Platinum; Hertz President's Circle; Avis President's Club
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #766 on: April 05, 2014, 10:07:13 PM »

Why??

I believe that is the question he is asking
You may not hold me responsible for any actions taken that were recommended from my account or username.

Offline askmoses

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1686
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #767 on: April 05, 2014, 10:09:20 PM »
have 20 days in Hawaii,
8 in HNL and the rest in Maui is good way of dividing the trip?
Wow! Firstly very jealous.

Secondly, why so much time in HNL? Why not shave off a few days from there and take a few more off your Maui trip and thrown in a trip to Kauai? In 20 days you can also fit in the Big Island comfortably if you'd like...

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 #768 on: April 05, 2014, 11:50:29 PM »
20 days split between LIH, OGG, and KOA is a dream.
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 tuvz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 599
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #769 on: April 07, 2014, 12:58:06 AM »
okay thanks for that
If I am going to visit the other islands am I best off using united for interisland flights?
I am flying in and out of HNL

Offline askmoses

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1686
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #770 on: April 07, 2014, 08:49:21 AM »
okay thanks for that
If I am going to visit the other islands am I best off using united for interisland flights?
I am flying in and out of HNL
You can get cheap mileage tix using UA or AA mileage.

Offline jd399

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 115
  • Total likes: 1
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #771 on: April 07, 2014, 10:10:01 AM »
Is walmart on the islands for cereal and bread more expensive than NY? do u guys recommend buying all that before hand?
Thanks

Offline askmoses

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jun 2010
  • Posts: 1686
  • Total likes: 14
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 8
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #772 on: April 07, 2014, 11:46:30 AM »
Is walmart on the islands for cereal and bread more expensive than NY? do u guys recommend buying all that before hand?
Thanks
IIRC it's more expensive. I guess its a matter of preference... I personally was already schlepping so much meat and "dinner food" that I preferred buying the cereal/pasta there...

Offline PBaruch

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2013
  • Posts: 2269
  • Total likes: 296
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 3
    • View Profile
  • Location: HutzNPlutz
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #773 on: April 07, 2014, 02:12:05 PM »
Is walmart on the islands for cereal and bread more expensive than NY? do u guys recommend buying all that before hand?
Thanks

ALL food, with some very limited exceptions, is more expensive in Hawaii than on the mainland.  There definitely is a sticker shock factor when you see it.  The locals call it "the price of paradise."  That being said, once you are getting free flights and hotels, don't kvetch about the cost of food. 
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline tuvz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 599
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #774 on: April 10, 2014, 12:43:02 AM »
20 days split between LIH, OGG, and KOA is a dream.

going to be doing 6 in HNL, 7 in OGG and 7 in LIH in the end iyh
now have an excuse to go back and visit the big island ;D

reading your last couple of TR's, andaz in maui and GH in kauai is the way to go?
i have diamond status and will hopefully use the suite upgrades for both stays

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 #775 on: April 10, 2014, 01:24:19 AM »
going to be doing 6 in HNL, 7 in OGG and 7 in LIH in the end iyh

What made you decide on 6 days in HNL over 6 days in KOA? The BI is far more interesting and unique (to say the least) than HNL.
Check out my site for epic kosher adventures: Kosher Horizons

Offline tuvz

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Silver Elite
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2010
  • Posts: 599
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #776 on: April 10, 2014, 02:43:16 AM »
What made you decide on 6 days in HNL over 6 days in KOA? The BI is far more interesting and unique (to say the least) than HNL.

its easier flight wise
i land in and leave from HNL, so one UA return flight gets me to 2 other islands
as a first timer im happy to check it out

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 #777 on: April 10, 2014, 09:23:40 AM »

its easier flight wise
i land in and leave from HNL, so one UA return flight gets me to 2 other islands
as a first timer im happy to check it out
interesting choice, let us know how it goes, I'm flying there in jan for 10 days, 6 in LIH - 3 in KOA

Offline E-MAN

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Dec 2012
  • Posts: 1567
  • Total likes: 7
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: New York
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #778 on: April 10, 2014, 11:51:27 AM »
going to be doing 6 in HNL, 7 in OGG and 7 in LIH in the end iyh
now have an excuse to go back and visit the big island ;D

reading your last couple of TR's, andaz in maui and GH in kauai is the way to go?
i have diamond status and will hopefully use the suite upgrades for both stays
When are you going? TR Please!

Offline danR

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 348
  • Total likes: 25
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #779 on: April 12, 2014, 10:36:48 PM »
I am flying Sunday June 22 to HNL and leaving July 2 from HNL, from delta mistake 150 first class from nyc. I was planning on staying in HNL Sunday to Sunday and then going to another island. I wanted to stay for  shabbas where they have minyan so figured I would stay there  for week. Anyone one have suggestions on how I should breakout trip.?

Thanks