Big Island (again) or another island for vacation? (Volcano, Kilauea: sale, purchase)

[davephan]

I also recommend taking at least a short side trip to visit another island. Last year we visited the Big Island for a week, then Maui for a week, then Oahu for two days. We preferred the Big Island over the other islands. The green lush areas contrast with the rustic beauty of the lava areas. Maui has many beautiful areas to visit. The roads go around the whole permeter of the island. However, it takes more darring courage than we had to drive around the whole island without turning back. The road to Hana is not to be missed. The Ilo Valley Needle is also beautiful. Oahu has historical treasures to visit, but the congestion, noise, and traffic is a real turn off.

Our next visit will be occurring very soon, again to the Big Island, with a side trip to Kauai. We'll find out if our favorite island is still the Big Island after visiting Kauai.

The inter-island one-way airfare is about $120 to $150 for a modern jet aircraft. The cost is over $300 for a Big Island to Kauai round trip. We can fly round trip between Minneapolis and Los Angeles or round trip between Minneapolis and Orange County CA for about the same as the Big Island to Kauai flight. Minnesota to California is much farther than the inter-island flight. However, you can travel between Minnesota and California many different ways. Between the islands, you can only fly with a very limited number of carriers. Less competition equals higher costs, plus it may cost more to maintain the aircraft fleet based in Hawaii. I've seen a Hawaiian Airlines jet parked in the maintenance area in the Minneapolis airport. I don't believe Hawaiian airlines flies to Minneapolis to transport passengers. You can drop the inter-island one-way flight costs below $100 if you are willing to fly in a 9 passenger single engine prop plane. The larger twin engine prop planes are a little more expensive than the single engine prop planes, but cheaper than the modern jet aircraft.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by davephan

The inter-island one-way airfare is about $120 to $150 for a modern jet aircraft. The cost is over $300 for a Big Island to Kauai round trip.

I've seen a Hawaiian Airlines jet parked in the maintenance area in the Minneapolis airport. I don't believe Hawaiian airlines flies to Minneapolis to transport passengers.

Holy smokes - you need a new travel agent!! You can do Big Island to Kauai for far less than that on a jet with some planning! Sure, go last minute - it will be a bummer. You seemed liked a planner in the past, no?

Delta does a lot of Hawaiian maintenance - hence the Minneapolis sighting to keep costs down.

My first try at KOA-LIH late January was only $238 roundtrip with tax

[JoDan]

I know this is an old thread, but wanted to put in my two cents. We've visited Hawaii many times. Only island we haven't visited is Lanai. My personal favorite is the BI. For our last two visits we have stayed for an extended period of two months. Big Island has so much diversity and a short drive can get you to a very different environment. We have made short visits of 3 - 5 days to other islands. This works well for us and we'll always choose the Big Island!

[davephan]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Holy smokes - you need a new travel agent!! You can do Big Island to Kauai for far less than that on a jet with some planning! Sure, go last minute - it will be a bummer. You seemed liked a planner in the past, no?

Delta does a lot of Hawaiian maintenance - hence the Minneapolis sighting to keep costs down.

My first try at KOA-LIH late January was only $238 roundtrip with tax

Late January is about 8 weeks out. Try checking the rates again about 4 weeks out. Normally we try to book 8 weeks out, which is supposedly the least expensive flights generally. This time we couldn't book that far out due a vacation timing issue related to work. Still, the flight round trip from MSP to SNA or from MSP to LAX are about the same price as a round trip from KOA to LIH, even though the distance is drastically shorter.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by davephan

Late January is about 8 weeks out. Try checking the rates again about 4 weeks out.

4 weeks from now is one of the busiest travel peak periods in Hawaii which is Xmas and NYE, one should expect the airfare at that time to be high.

After a short lull - Presidents Day will be another mini-peak.

Then Spring Break....

Memorial Day Weekend.....

The Summer High Season (June/July/August)

Thanksgiving.......

Avoid all the above periods in Hawaii for the cheapest airfare.

[Kayekaye]

OP if you like the Big Island and want to stay there again go for it. We get the same thing in general after decades of ONLY going to Hawaii, why don't we go to other places. But we found what we liked and are comfortable with so we don't go to other places anymore.

[DeirdreDedra]

Here's an update...

We did a side trip to Kaua'i in 2013, and a side trip to Oahu in 2014. We saw some pretty things both places. I'm glad we went. But the Big Island still has the beauty and diversity that we love. Maybe we will check out Maui or Moloka'i next year. But I'm sure we will make the main trip to Hawai'i Island. Thanks for all your input!

[Due]

The only reason we leave our home on the Big Island is to eat dinner at Mama's Fish House on Maui.
(although there are plenty of great restaurants on BI)

[nerdlette]

It sounds like you have found your fave island. That's how I feel about Kauai. There's a pull when you have found one of your happy places. It was the first island I've visited and in my heart, the best.

We just spent last week at a Kohala resort and it was definitely a great experience. The microclimates were amazing. We may go back soon making Hilo our base so we can explore further.

[mtwags]

Hi. I want to travel and camp the Big Island. Any suggestions on where to camp? Thanks.?