Planning ahead eases interisland travel costs

• Getting from one island to another

By Chris Oliver
Advertiser Travel Writer

Interisland fliers are advised to book early and avoid peak weekend travel times to get the lowest fares. Advertiser library photo

"Why is it that when our island airlines are in trouble, they take it out on local people?" asked Oshiro. "We're the ones who've supported them year in and year out. They've cut back on flights, and the cost of interisland fares is atrocious, especially the hidden charges on luggage and cancellation fees."

Interisland fares range from $144 for the lowest-priced round-trip tickets to $276 for last-minute first-class travel at peak flying times. If you can get a seat.

Valery O' Brien, marketing director for Keauhou Resort, flies twice weekly on business trips from Honolulu to Kona and always makes reservations one month ahead. "That way I can ensure getting the flights I want," O'Brien said.

Keoni Wagner of Hawaiian Airlines said that, despite customers' perceptions, only a "very small percentage" of Hawaiian flights had been cut this year. "In fact, flights, including to the Big Island, have increased to ease the summer demand for travel, on a month by month basis," Wagner said.

Aloha Airlines has announced the addition of 100 interisland flights a week to its summer schedule in response to seasonal demand.

But, assuming you can get a seat, how can you save money when you "go Neighbor Island?"

Book ahead. Be flexible. Buy a package deal.

Hawai'i's airlines offer fares that range from $65 one way on some commuter flights to $138 first-class on Hawaiian Airlines between the principal islands.

Getting the lowest fares is a matter of planning ahead — but also luck.

The earlier you make reservations on Aloha or Hawaiian, the more likely it is that the cheapest seat ($72) will be available. Also, midweek flights are often emptier than weekend flights. The price you pay with the two major airlines depends on how full the flights are; only so many bottom-tier seats are sold on any flight, and once those are gone, you'll pay the next price up the ladder.

"The seat prices are based on demand," Wagner said. There are going to be fewer lower-tiered seats available on popular flights and more on the least popular flights."

Stephanie Ackerman of Aloha Airlines advised kama'aina to book ahead and avoid popular "leisure travel" periods like Friday and Sunday afternoons.

Neither Aloha nor Hawaiian airlines would say how many tickets at each price are available on any one flight, however.

If you don't mind flying on a small commuter airline and are able to fit your plans into their sparse flight schedules, Pacific Wings and Moloka'i Shuttle offer fares as low as $65 on certain routes.

And if you've resisted using the Internet to do your travel planning, you should know that Hawaiian and Aloha airlines offer discounts for online bookings.

Another option for islanders is to buy a package deal, but the same rules about advance booking and flying at less-popular times apply.

Packages that include travel during peak times — for example, Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings or during holiday periods — cost more. But with planning, kama'aina can cut the cost of travel to the Neighbor Islands, according to package tour operators.

"Kama'aina tend not to book far in advance," said Christine Ideue of Rendezvous Tours. "We're so used to hopping over to the Neighbor Islands, and it hasn't the same feel as planning a trip. But it's getting more difficult now and really does require planning," she said.

"The days of saying on Thursday, 'Hey, let's go to Maui this weekend,' are gone, gone, gone," said Sam Shenkus of Roberts Overnighters. "Say you're planning a Neighbor Island trip for Labor Day weekend (Aug. 29 to Sept. 1). You should have your flights booked now."

Shenkus said the Big Island was the most challenging destination because there just aren't as many airline seats available as to the other islands. "After July Fourth weekend, we heard reports of plenty of hotel rooms and cars available on the Big Island, but no airline seats," she said.

Package deals require any two of three components: airfare, car rental and hotel room.

"Lots of business people use fly/drive packages; it's a great deal" Shenkus said. "With air/room/car packages, you can go online, plan your itinerary, choose a hotel within your budget and then chat with us before booking," she said. "With either package, you'll always get a better deal than by booking flights, reserving hotel rooms and doing car rental separately."

Getting from one island to another

A guide to air fares and carriers for interisland jaunts. Fares are subject to change. Check with travel provider for latest information.

Aloha Airlines

484-1111, www.alohaairlines.com

• Interisland flights: 119 daily (109 on Sundays) to the Big Island, Maui, Kaua'i, O'ahu, Lana'i
• Fares: $72, $80, $90, $135; 5 percent discount for online booking; 10 percent discount for AAA members
• Change fee: $15 on the two lowest fares
• Parking: Interisland terminal
• Keep in mind: Cheaper seats are limited and go fast. Book early.

Hawaiian Airlines

838-1555, www.hawaiianair.com

• Interisland flights: 100 daily to Big Island, O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i, Lana'i, Moloka'i
• Fares: $72, $81, $93, $138
• Change fee: $15 on two lowest fares.
• Parking: Interisland terminal
• Keep in mind: Book ahead, avoid popular travel times such as Friday and Sunday afternoons and commuter flights.

Island Air

484-2222, www.islandair.com

• Interisland flights per day: 54 to Moloka'i, Lana'i, Big Island, Maui
• Fares: Kama'aina pay $75 for one-day advance tickets through Dec. 15 (5 percent discount if booked online)
• Change fee: $15 plus difference on fares
• Parking: Island Air Terminal

Moloka'i Air Shuttle

545-4988

• Interisland flights per day: 6 direct flights to Moloka'i on 9-seat commuter planes
• Seats: Round-trip, $79.95; one way, $49.95
• Change fee: If you miss your flight, the ticket is good on standby for 90 days.
• Keep in mind: Flight times change daily; call for available flights. Moloka'i Air Shuttle leaves from Lagoon Drive. Parking is at 99 Mokuea Place.

Paragon Air

(800) 428-1231, www.paragon-air.com

• Interisland flights: Number varies daily to all islands; call for flight availability
• Fares: Round trips from $50 (Honolulu/Kalaupapa, Moloka'i) to $135 Honolulu to the Big Island).
• Parking: Paragon flights leave from Lagoon Drive, parking is on Iolana Street.
• Keep in mind: Maui-based Paragon operates 6- and 8-seat commuter planes with limited luggage space.

Pacific Wings

833-8424, www.pacificwings.com

• Interisland flights per day: 65 scheduled flights daily to all islands except Kaua'i
• Seats: $69 all flights, all seats; $65 if booked online
• Change fee: No fee for cancellation or change within 24 hours. No-shows are charged $25 (on credit card).
• Location and parking: Island Air terminal, Honolulu International Airport
• Keep in mind: Pacific Wings operates 9-seat commuter planes to major island airports as well as smaller destinations such as Hana, Waimea (Big Island) and Kalaupapa. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to departure.

Roberts Overnighters

523-9323, www.robertsovernighters.com

• Destinations: All islands
• Fly/Drive: Kaua'i, Big Island, O'ahu, Maui from $159.50 per person. Moloka'i and Lana'i $177.50 per person.
• Air/Room/Car: per person, based on double occupancy: O'ahu, $181; Big Island, $190; Kaua'i, $191.50; Maui, $201.
• Tip: Don't leave it to the week before, especially if you're heading to the Big Island. Book early for the best deal and be flexible about flights. Go online to find the hotel/condominium you want before booking.

Rendezvous Tours

593-2119, www.rendezvoustours.com

• Destinations: All islands
• Fly/Drive: Big Island, O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i from $155 per person, based on two people traveling; Moloka'i, $181
• Air/Room/Car: O'ahu; $184.50, Big Island; $186, Kaua'i, $187; Maui, $196; Lana'i, $276 (air and room only)

Aloha Island Pass

For visitors who want to see a lot of Hawai'i in a short time, the Aloha Airlines' Visitor 7-day Island Pass for $336, gives unlimited travel within Hawai'i on Aloha Airlines and Island Air for seven consecutive days. Information: (800) 367-5250, www.alohaairlines.com

Ferry Service

Maui-Moloka'i-Lana'i

Expeditions Ferry service operates several times daily between Lahaina, Maui and Manele Harbor, Lana'i. Adult one-way fare is $25, children, $20. Kama'aina fares available. Reservations: (877) 464-6284, www.mauibound.com

Moloka'i Princess operates daily service several times daily between Kaunakakai Harbor, Moloka'i and Lahaina, Maui. Adult one-way fare is $40; children $20. (808) 662-3355, www.molokaiferry.com.