(screenshot of the Neighbor Island plans offered by Hawaiian Airlines website)
On first site ... it would seem that getting to/from mainland US or any other international country into Hawaii would be the most costly right?
Well, for the most part, it can be sometimes cheaper by dollar/mile cost to get from West Coast of the US to Hawaii or even sometimes, from Japan to Hawaii cheaper than it is to travel within the state of Hawaii by airplane.
How crazy is that?
The cheapest inter-island flights within Hawaii are between Oahu and Maui. Makes sense since the majority of the flights do go between Honolulu on Oahu and Kahului on Maui. The flights progressively get more expensive as you fly to the other outer islands, including Lihue, Kona. Out of all of the airports, the most expensive is out of Hilo. And yes, there could be more expensive flights going out of Molokai or Lanai ... although in this case, we are speaking mostly of the 5 major airports within Hawaii. And Hilo Airport, being the smallest in terms of passenger traffic.
Why is it that some flights between West Coast US to Hawaii .. namely those from Los Angeles or Oakland, CA to Hawaii can be as cheap as $275 to $350 round trip! It takes around 5.5 to 6 hour flight depending on east or west direction (due to jet stream).
And yet, for me, I fly out of Hilo Airport, and to get to Maui ... on a 30 minute flight ... it can cost at least $100 one way, and as much as $150+ during peak seasons.
Come on ... for a 30 minute flight ... that it costs $100+ each way?
That's just airline price gouging.
I know what people will say ... well the price is deemed by the market competition, the time of year, time of day, etc. etc.
But here's the truth, back in 2008, before Aloha Airlines went out of business, lots of inter-island flights could be bought as low as $25 one way, with the average price around $35 each way. That's a far FAR cry from the current interisland prices that range from $80 to $100+.
I'm sorry, but no matter what Hawaiian Airlines mentions, it's clearly greed and price gouging.
There should be a program implemented where Hawaii residents (proven with driver's license), can have discounted airfare, so that we can get to/from each interisland without costing an arm and leg. If Alaska Airlines allows a program like that for the residents of Alaska who travel within the state of Alaska ... then why can't Hawaiian Airlines do that same thing, and extend that to Hawaii residents.
I just find it ridiculous that for me to visit friends and family on Oahu and Maui .. I'll always have to pay a shit ton of money to get to/from Hilo, Big Island to those islands.
That being said, of course just complaining doesn't do anything. So I decided to save money, and set that aside so that I could buy one of these neighbor island passes, that within one year, I'd take around 8 round trip inter-island flights to see friends and family, mostly on Maui, but also in Oahu.
With 16 one way flights, divide that by $1,229 ... then the average one way flight comes down to $76 per flight. That's much better than if I book tickets around $90 to $100+ each way from Hilo airport.
I really wish the Hawaii Superferry system was in place .. but of course, politics and greed get in the way. Back in the 2000's, it was briefly in service to allow Superferry ... but proponents falsely accused the ferry for environmental reasons ... yet cruise ships, and sea tour boats can still operate? They all are also environmental problems as well.
But I smell Hawaiian Airlines dishing out to politicians that they were scared of loss of revenue if people took ferries.
(screenshot of example pricing of inter-island flight Hilo to Kahului airports in April 2018)
Anyone else in Hawaii struggle with yearly costs to do frequent inter-island travel?
Wow man, that's brutal! When we were in Hawaii a few weeks ago some of the locals were complaining about this but I had no idea it was so much. We ended up taking a cruise to get to 5 ports on 4 islands because it was cheaper than flying and it included all our food and lodging!
Yea ... those locals weren't lying LOL ... it's the truth ... the cost to get from one island to the next is a bit pricey ... hence why when you speak to some locals ... many people are surprised to hear how some never visit any of the other outer islands ... it's because along with high airfare cost .. the hotel cost is crazy expensive (with the 4% GET tax, and 10% TAT tax ... so on top of the regular hotel cost, it's 14% taxes by government plus usually all hotels tack on a resort fee that can be as much as $50 per night). It's insane haha .. I should do up a post on the ridiculous Hawaii hotel prices.
Aloha paradise man,
Good argument you have going in this. I remember when the interisland flights were cheap when we used to travel the islands to sell art back 17 years ago.
All Airline business is pretty much about charging more to make most profit for the corps with less services unless you go money of course to travel 1st class.
Well, hang loose.
The Hawaiian Airlines prices charged is based out of greed ... there's NO reason for the flights to/from Hilo airport to Oahu or Maui to be $100+ each way ... but alas ... complaining and whining doesn't do anything .. so my energy and thought process is that I'll make lots of money/abundance and won't need to worry about cost when it comes to frequent interisland travel.
Now you are talking well to focus on making so much money, you dont care how much to travel....In the mean time, I still care about the cost of airlines.....lol
It's about changing the mindset and attitude to abundance ... I know it sounds all "woo-woo" and crazy ... but it does help. I always invite the energy of abundance into my life (obviously while still working hard) ... and the universe in weird ways takes care of me ... whenever I think ... "shoots" ... how am I going to get that $$$ to pay for things ... and then in comes universe in it's magical ways placing me in right places at right times.
I guess that concept is a universal law, "let go" and "let live".
I want some of your postivity in my life to feel more deserving of more success. I need more faith in the Universe for sure.
Yea ... that's the only thing that is getting me through in life ... is having faith and belief in Universe taking care of me .. otherwise, I probably would have just killed myself LOL ... cause sometimes I roll through life thinking, why? LOL
yea, I know the thinking, why am I here? It gets worse as one gets older because I realize my time is shorter on earth compared to when I was a young Buck like you.
Man that's indeed pricey!! But no choice for now I guess? I do hope the airline service, food and add-ons don't disappoint though!
Right? Only flights out of Hilo is 95% with Hawaiian Airlines ... and it only goes to Maui or Oahu from Hilo. And then there's one mainland flight with United Airlines that goes to LA ... and is our only mainland flight from Hilo.
Otherwise, Kona, a 2.5 hour drive from where I live in east Big Island .. just too far away to get there only to use an airport. But as saying goes "c'est la vie" LOL
WOW. I didn't realize it was like this. Sorry to here politics are putting a damper on your travels. I'm sure you still find a way to manage; but you shouldn't have to.
People always tell me Hawaii is expensive, but I bet those people don't even realize that it goes this far.
Yea it sucks ... but in mean time ... "life's a game" right? And so if I need to do frequent interisland travel just to see friends ... then I'll buy that neighbor island pass so that I save on average at least $50 to $60 per roundtrip.
At least you have options. Staying balanced in this kind of situation is key.
Balance is key. A lot of my tarot reading cards I've pulled out mentioned "release" and "balance" LOL :)
Btw ... how are you liking San Juan? I'll have to check out your posts on it when you do post Puerto Rico content!
The good old rotating wheel that is tarot. Always some wisdom there.
I actually haven’t explored San Juan much yet. I just drove through there in my way towards Rio Grande/Luquillo. I’m about 20 minutes from El Yunque. I’ll be going there very soon.
All of my posts while here will be related to my visit on the island. I’ve already posted a few things actually. I recommend the restaurant review for sure, I’m actually about to go eat at that place again right now.
Nice .. i LOVE Playa Luquillo .. was where I stayed first time when I was in Puerto Rico. Also great food stands near Luquillo as well. Enjoy :)
I will go visit the kiosks soon. Same with El Yunque. Just been relaxing my first few days. I have much time here
I will go visit the kiosks soon. Same with El Yunque. Just been relaxing my first few days. I have much time here
get the fuuuuuuuck out! I did not read your whole post because I was about to leave and caught a glimpse of your post. I lived in HI for a while. Is this interisland rate boost because of island air closing? I thought SWA was going to get on the HI program. inter-island and all that!
Island Air closing could have some influence, but it's not much. It all really started back when Aloha Airlines shut down in 2008. With no major competition interisland, Hawaiian can name it's price. And it's even worse with smaller airports such as Hilo, that has absolutely no other interisland competition (the other island airports have Mokulele, a smaller interisland airline service).
Southwest is suppose to enter, but only between West Coast to Hawaii ... I would welcome them to interisland flying if it can help bring prices down for interisland travel.
In Oahu, there is actually one other smaller airport that people can choose to fly into .. but for me, I only fly into the HNL airport since it's the major one.
Wow good info friend
I really love travel
I wish you could travel and enjoy your time
The offer of travel prices is really high but it seems a distinct journey
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Brother, all your writings are very nice. If you make me a vote then I am very good.thanks...
Also... whats up with the destinations you posted? I never heard of flying in to the middle of honolulu. Other then the airport. hnl
Wow it gets crazier every year. I remember the prices to be high for those flights three years ago... but over 200 bucks? I suppose they do it because people pay it anyway... :( missing the aloha land tho.
Yea prices are high, especially out of the airport that I fly, Hilo. But alas, no choice, I'm not going to sacrifice my time/life so money is money ... I'll just have to make more of it somehow.
Nice post.
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Hawaii is an island of great tradition. with unique people who love their lands. I am surprised to read that there are 5 airports in Hawaii.
I think the same as you, the residents should have a discount.
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