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 485064 times)

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #800 on: April 28, 2014, 08:32:16 PM »
To say that it costs 90k each way is misleading. No one (I guess with the exception of you) books standard awards

I book what I need when I need.  If its a standard award, I don't give a hoot.  I have limited time and I want to travel when its convenient for me.  If that means blowing miles/points for a standard award, no big deal for me.  It's easier for me to accumulate miles/points than to use them.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #801 on: April 28, 2014, 08:35:42 PM »
I was never able to find saver First when I needed it for more than 1 ticket.
Then you're not looking properly.
I was juggling more ticket options than I knew what to do with.  Had 20 different date options to play with.
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: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #802 on: April 28, 2014, 08:36:44 PM »
Hi all,

10th anniversary in November. only 250K UR Points , 100K Southwest, 80K SPG. Looking to take the wife to Hawaii. Not Comfortable staying for Shabbos and 5 kids at home so cant stay away so long anyway. So the first idea I had was to get to HI on a Sunday and leave on Friday to LA or SF for Shabbos.
How would you recommend the following :
1. We only have 5 days and we will probably never do this again so which Island and what to do in only 5 days.
2. booking flights , First Class if possible from EWR to any Island
3. Hotels

thanks in advance...
If you're not comfortable staying for Shabbos because of the halachic question of which day is Shabbos, then you'd have to do Sunday to Thursday, not Friday.

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #803 on: April 28, 2014, 08:37:14 PM »
Then you're not looking properly.
I was juggling more ticket options than I knew what to do with.  Had 20 different date options to play with.

How does one look properly?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #804 on: April 28, 2014, 08:42:36 PM »
Been to a DDS?
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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What do you do after your dreams come true?

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Re: Re: Big Island Of Hawaii Master Thread
« Reply #806 on: April 29, 2014, 05:23:18 PM »
I was never able to find saver First when I needed it for more than 1 ticket.

just booked two saver tickets HNL-EWR last thursday

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #807 on: April 30, 2014, 08:47:22 AM »
HI. I am new to using  and manipulating my points and wanted to know if someone better at it can help me.
I would like to go to hawaii from new york in the summer(august 12th-august 24th) I have 30000 starwood points, 1050000 ultimate reward points, 400000 delta points and have just signed up for 2 credit cards that should get me 1000000 american points and 50000 more ultimate reward points.
can someone suggest for the best way to do this/maximize my points.
thank you for your help!

Offline Ergel

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #808 on: April 30, 2014, 09:50:40 AM »
HI. I am new to using  and manipulating my points and wanted to know if someone better at it can help me.
I would like to go to hawaii from new york in the summer(august 12th-august 24th) I have 30000 starwood points, 1050000 ultimate reward points, 400000 delta points and have just signed up for 2 credit cards that should get me 1000000 american points and 50000 more ultimate reward points.
can someone suggest for the best way to do this/maximize my points.
thank you for your help!

Can you hook me up with the million point card?
Life isn't about checking the boxes. Nobody cares.

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #809 on: April 30, 2014, 10:39:25 AM »
Is there any way to get free baggage on hawaiin (im using aa miles - will my one world sapphire status help?)?

Also, I'm only finding ogg-hnl-nyc for my return. If ogg-lax-nyc opens up would i be able to switch and get back the 5k?
Officially with the new HA CC you can receive a free bag if you purchased the ticket with that card, so I don't know if that would help you unless someone has gotten waived baggage without purchasing the ticket with their card.

You can reroute with AA as long as you don't change your departure city and destination, but if you wish to redeposit miles you need need to pay $150.

Offline bones

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #810 on: April 30, 2014, 12:02:29 PM »
HI. Somehow a 0 got added to most of my numbers in the previous post- sorry

 I am new to using  and manipulating my points and wanted to know if someone better at it can help me.
I would like to go to hawaii from new york in the summer(august 12th-august 24th) I have 30000 starwood points, 105000 ultimate reward points, 40000 delta points and have just signed up for 2 credit cards that should get me 100000 american points and 50000 more ultimate reward points.
can someone suggest for the best way to do this/maximize my points.
thank you for your help!


Offline PBaruch

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #811 on: April 30, 2014, 12:07:06 PM »
HI. Somehow a 0 got added to most of my numbers in the previous post- sorry

 I am new to using  and manipulating my points and wanted to know if someone better at it can help me.
I would like to go to hawaii from new york in the summer(august 12th-august 24th) I have 30000 starwood points, 105000 ultimate reward points, 40000 delta points and have just signed up for 2 credit cards that should get me 100000 american points and 50000 more ultimate reward points.
can someone suggest for the best way to do this/maximize my points.
thank you for your help!

How many people do you need tickets for?
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline bones

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #812 on: April 30, 2014, 12:10:34 PM »
How many people do you need tickets for?

I need for myself and my wife. thanks very much!!
« Last Edit: April 30, 2014, 12:30:47 PM by bones »

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #813 on: April 30, 2014, 03:07:57 PM »
Hi all,

10th anniversary in November. only 250K UR Points , 100K Southwest, 80K SPG. Looking to take the wife to Hawaii. Not Comfortable staying for Shabbos and 5 kids at home so cant stay away so long anyway. So the first idea I had was to get to HI on a Sunday and leave on Thursday to LA or SF for Shabbos.
How would you recommend the following :
1. We only have 5 days and we will probably never do this again so which Island and what to do in only 5 days.
2. booking flights , First Class if possible from EWR to any Island
3. Hotels

thanks in advance...

Offline askmoses

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #814 on: April 30, 2014, 03:19:20 PM »
Hi all,

10th anniversary in November. only 250K UR Points , 100K Southwest, 80K SPG. Looking to take the wife to Hawaii. Not Comfortable staying for Shabbos and 5 kids at home so cant stay away so long anyway. So the first idea I had was to get to HI on a Sunday and leave on Thursday to LA or SF for Shabbos.
How would you recommend the following :
1. We only have 5 days and we will probably never do this again so which Island and what to do in only 5 days.
2. booking flights , First Class if possible from EWR to any Island
3. Hotels

thanks in advance...
First I'd say decide on the Island. Then work the details in.
With five days and you saying you "will probably never do this again", I suggest narrowing it down to either Maui or Kauai.

I'd say Maui has more activities. Kauai is greener and maybe more beautiful (Maui is still stunning, especially if you are willing to get out and do some hikes, Road to Hana, etc). I don't think you make a mistake going to either of those two.

Pick one island and once you decide on it. I would certainly suggest reading the wikis located below and clicking on the links found within.
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=4.0
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=1643.0

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #815 on: April 30, 2014, 09:01:34 PM »
HI. I am new to using  and manipulating my points and wanted to know if someone better at it can help me.
I would like to go to hawaii from new york in the summer(august 12th-august 24th) I have 30000 starwood points, 1050000 ultimate reward points, 400000 delta points and have just signed up for 2 credit cards that should get me 1000000 american points and 50000 more ultimate reward points.
can someone suggest for the best way to do this/maximize my points.
thank you for your help!
How many extra 0's did you mistakenly throw in ?

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #816 on: May 04, 2014, 07:43:20 PM »
Just wondering, I'm planning on flying LIH to KOA/ITO with a stop in HNL,
What's the minimum connection time needed & do they check luggage straight through

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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #817 on: May 04, 2014, 09:55:40 PM »
Just wondering, I'm planning on flying LIH to KOA/ITO with a stop in HNL,
What's the minimum connection time needed & do they check luggage straight through

1) http://www.hawaiianairlines.com/documents/farerules/minimum-connection-times.html

2) Yes.
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Re: Hawaii Master Thread: General Questions And Which Island To Visit?
« Reply #819 on: May 05, 2014, 09:04:33 PM »
For a return flight wife + 2 toddlers  from LIH, which one is the better choice? (in J)

All flights are Delta (excluding inter-island)
LIH-HNL (early enough to make the connection)
HNL-ATL 3:36p-6:20a
ATL-JFK 7:45a-10:37a   

Or

LIH-HNL (early enough to make the connection)
HNL-LAX 12:04p-8:41p
LAX-JFK 9:30p-6:00a

Or

LIH-LAX 10:20p-6:42a
LAX-JFK  9:10a-5:48p