Oct 30 2009
If you have time in November or early December, Hawaii has a nice deal to get you to Hawaii.
Should these dates not work for you, don’t worry, as Seattle will likely continue to reign king of Hawaii deals throughout the winter.
Oct 29 2009
Quietly, since yesterday, the price of flying between Los Angeles and Honolulu has dropped by $100 round-trip. It has been stratospheric at well over $500.
While this price is somewhat better, I still expect to see major fares sales cropping up in the next week or two. Frankly, the situation for the airlines is either have a fare sale or fly the planes with very few passengers for the next month and a half. We know the airlines won’t be doing that.
If you need to buy now, here’s the deal:
Oct 27 2009
Hawaiian Airlines announced a sale today on first-class travel to/from the mainland.
One way first class fares are priced from $477-$977 (plus tax) during the sale. Price varies depending on departure/arrival city on the mainland. Seattle and Portland are the lowest with Phoenix and Las Vegas being the highest. If you’re interested, book by November 4 for travel through December 11 and January 11 through March 11.
Furthermore, I expect these dates to be on sale, in economy class, in the very near future. Stay tuned for that development.
Here’s another way to fly Hawaiian’s first class (if you’re determined).
Consider joining Hawaiian Miles, and using Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) points, where 20,000 points will convert to a 25,000 mile Hawaiian first class (saver) award. (Fine print: a bonus 5,000 points is added with the transfer of 20,000 SPG points).
The question is, is it a good value?
In a word: No.
Having flown Hawaii’s first class more than 50 times, in my opinion, it just isn’t worth it. The 767’s first class is extremely cramped, the seats uncomfortable and the food mediocre (I suggest bringing your own). The flight attendants are great, but seriously, the savings will likely pay for the rest of your trip.
If you’re flying Hawaiian after December 1, consider trip insurance.
As I indicated when last I wrote about the impending strike, if you’re flying Hawaiian you may well wish to have travel insurance that contains a clause which specifically covers labor disputes.
Hawaiian Pilots are preparing to strike; it could happen in as little as 30 days.
Following three years of failed negotiations, pilots have already asked the federal government to be released from mediation. If that is approved and either party declines to enter binding arbitration (all of which I believe is likely), a pilot strike could be just 30 days away.
Hawaiian’s pilots have a long-standing, multi-year dispute with the company. With Mokulele’s recent demise and without inter-island ferry service, timing could not be more perfect for pilots to put the screws on the company. A strike at this time would give a significant leg up to competitor Go! at a pivotal time of re-shifting dominance in Hawaii’s inter-island transportation.
We’ll keep you posted.
Oct 26 2009
This legendary hotel provides luxury at the end of the road in Hana.
Even without air conditioning (their ceiling fans and trade winds provide natural cooling), television (who needs?), and alarm clocks (why keep track of time?), Hotel Hana Maui has achieved AAA’s 4-diamond status. It’s currently rated the third best hotel in Hawaii by Travel and Leisure.
Normally out of most traveler’s price range, their $295 nightly special is a deal not to be missed.
Available now through December 23, 2009 on their Bay Cottage Junior Suite or the Ocean View Sea Ranch Cottage, this is a $200-$300 discount off their regular nightly rate. You’ll receive a host of amenities with your room plus a private outdoor hot tub in the Sea Ranch Cottage. There’s also a spa and fitness center which is complimentary for guest use plus complimentary parking. If you need to stay somewhat connected, there’s free Internet service in their Club Room.
We’re tempted to island hop over to Maui for this special.
Neither of us have stayed at Hotel Hana Maui before and think this may be the best time to go. If you’ve been a guest before or plan to take advantage of this deal, be sure to leave a comment.
Oct 23 2009
A good deal on non-stop service from Texas to Hawaii today.
Oct 23 2009
Range has always been a significant issue for transpacific flights using Boeing 737.
When defunct Aloha Airlines was flying between Las Vegas and Honolulu, their solution to the problem was adding a stop in Southern California. This added extra time and wasn’t cost-effective, but was better than an emergency water landing in the middle of the Pacific.
Too bad Aloha didn’t have Canadian Westjet’s idea.
When Westjet begins their new service from Calgary to Honolulu using the Boeing 737, they found a way to fly non-stop.
This creative marketeer and shrewd Air Canada competitor will assure passengers more comfort in the process for only a nominal fee.
WestJet will leave 16 to 20 middle seats vacant on their 136-seat Boeing 737-700’s starting in March.
This is even more creative because Westjet is single class service, which through this addition, can boast business class like comfort. That’s a leg-up over Air Canada, which is still flying two-aisle, two-class 767’s from Western Canada to Hawaii.
For an additional fee of $20 each way, the trial project creates an “empty middle-seat zone” (but not a separate class of service) in the first eight to 10 rows of its Hawaii-bound flights.
According to Bob Cummings, WestJet marketing VP, “it’s an opportunity for us to do some trials without jeopardizing our business model. It’s a small-scale approach.”
737 manufacturer Boeing likes the idea.
The company recently commented on Westjet’s creativity and innovation in extending the flying range of the Boeing 737-700. Now if Aloha only had some of Westjet’s creativity, would they still be in business?
Oct 22 2009
When you drive by the dilapidated Coco Palms resort on Kauai, it’s hard to imagine the magic and style of this once grand property.
There’s a story behind its chain link fence and buildings that have given way to termites and rot. And that story is steeped in Hawaiian history and some of the biggest names of the 1950’s and 1960’s, who stayed here before jet service began to the islands.
There’s a dark side to its history too which has kept the Coco Palms closed since Hurricane Iniki struck in 1992.
That story is rooted in insurance fraud and now the economy. The sad thing is that Hurricane Iniki only damaged the lobby of the Coco Palms. It could have, and should have, reopened.
With its future uncertain, I wanted to see Coco Palms again.
This past weekend I was allowed behind it gates. As I walked past the largest coconut grove in the islands, its eerie silence spoke of long ago.
This was the ancestral home of Kauai Ali’i (royalty). As a resort it became one of the most prominent in the islands before and after statehood under the careful watch of hotelier Grace Guslander.
As I walked in the footsteps of its history, I wanted to go back in time.
Mitzi Gaynor remembers Coco Palms quite well. She stayed in one the bungalows during filming of South Pacific. On her recent trip to Kauai, her first in 50 years, she lamented the condition of the resort and the loss it represents to Hawaii.
Another person with memories of Coco Palms is Larry Rivera. Now 77 years young he has become the unofficial caretaker of the resort.
Larry started as a busboy at Coco Palms 57 years ago and was on hand to sing and talk to us. When you hear him speak and look in his eyes, you see in him the magic of a time long passed. Larry doesn’t see an empty resort but a place that is still alive. He’s passionate about the Coco Palms and wants the property opened again.
The pictures I took tell the story of its current condition.
Overgrown elephant grass hides the once sought after bungalows, weeds cover markers of famous people who planted trees here (like Jackie Kennedy Onassis), and the lounge where Elvis sang is empty.
If you ever stayed at Coco Palms, please comment with your stories and memories.
How you can tour the Coco Palms:
1. Hawaii Movie Tours includes a visit to the resort on their 6 hour itinerary which includes lunch. Prices start at $89. For information call 808-822-1192.
2. Schedule a Blue Hawaii wedding or renewal ceremony on the lagoon: Contact Larry Rivera at LarryRivera@hawaiian.net
Read the story of the Coco Palms:
Author David Penhallow has written, The Story of the Coco Palms Resort: The Grace Buscher Guslander Years 1953-1985. It’s the definitive history of the resort and includes a large selection of photographs from the period. Available at Amazon for $29.95 with free shipping.
Find Coco Palms on the Internet:
Coco-Palms, features a selection of photos and information.
Friends of Coco Palms, is a group of supporters who want to see the property open again.
Love in the Ruins, a recent article from the Wall Street Journal about Coco Palms Resort, Larry Rivera and his Blue Hawaii weddings.
ebay has 57 collectible items from the resort when I checked today. Enter “Coco Palms Resort” in their search box to find them.
Photo Descriptions (clockwise from top right): (1) Lobby staircase, (2) location of Mai Tai reception for return guests hosted by Grace Guslander, (3) Lobby interior, and (4) Lagoon where Elvis Presley sang Blue Hawaii.
Oct 21 2009
Here’s a great Hawaii luxury hotel deal from Hyatt. This is a pre-paid rate for garden-view accommodations, and is non-refundable. It does appear to be changeable however. Travel through December 18.
The deal indicates that is is bookable today only, but that wouldn’t keep me from checking again tomorrow.
This is further indication of the great offers we can expect to see over this winter. When the airline deals start to fully kick in (which we are expecting within the next couple of weeks), this will be the winter of great Hawaii bargains.
Oct 20 2009
Fewer consumers are looking at TripAdvisor reviews (and it’s no surprise to you that I agree).
I have research to back it up. PhocusWright’s online traffic and conversion report has recently been released in conjunction with Compete. While I haven’t seen the study (the report costs $1,200), UK travel analyst Travolution has.
They report from the research that the number of people looking at TripAdvisor reviews has dropped from 55 percent in October 2007, to 46 percent in October 2009.
Why the decrease in TripAdvisor review traffic?
Amidst ongoing concerns about review veracity, consumers are frustrated about TripAdvisor’s over-tuned business model.
Consumers cannot directly link to properties, and it attempts to force people into the Expedia food chain.
For some of us, that’s like a square peg in a round hole, and drives us away from TripAdvisor entirely.
TripAdvisor has not cracked Kayak’s hotel booking and flight search business.
In the highly profitable hotel and air (meta) search business, Kayak reigns king. Between them and their sister site Sidestep, they average 6 million U.S. unique visitors per month (based on Compete statistics).
Under 10 percent use hotel and airline search.
FocusWright indicates 9 percent of TripAdvisor visitors (or about 1 million) in June 2009 used the site’s hotel booking search as opposed to looking at reviews. Only 8.6 percent of visitors tried TripAdvisor’s flight search tool, again indicating only modest interest.
Clearly these minimal conversions are not what Expedia was hoping for in acquiring TripAdvisor.
Three questions remain.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Oct 19 2009
Updated 10/21. Thanks Kelly (comment below) for pointing out that Fairmont Orchid can be had for as little as $169, using hotels.com 15% off coupon.
to It’s not too late to take advantage of Fairmont’s Friends and Family Rate here in Hawaii (and elsewhere).
On checking over the weekend, I found dates available through December, including Thanksgiving, but not Christmas or New Year’s.
I first wrote about this deal back on April 6. Here’s the trick to getting the rate:
Go to the hotel website which is linked below, and enter promotion code NFAF with your dates. On page 3 of the booking screen enter Booker ID90022081.
All reports we’ve had indicate this works like a charm, and no questions asked.
Fairmont Orchid, Big Island $199
Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui $249
Note: I also found the Orchid (only) available on Orbitz at the same price, if you prefer.
Photo Credit: Sunset from the Hawaii Prince Hotel at Waikiki.
Oct 15 2009
This is by far the best deal we’ve seen on the 7-day inter-island NCL Price of America cruises. If you want to pay slightly more, for only $599, you get an outside cabin and for $699, a balcony cabin. Prices are per person, double occupancy.
When you compare this with the cost of inter-island transportation costs and hassle, meals and hotels, it clearly becomes the least expensive way to see all of the major islands, albeit briefly.
This is a great introductory trip for a first time Hawaii visitor. If you’ve ever been on this cruise, we’d appreciate your comments.
Departures are available on October 17, 24, 31 and November 7, 14, 21, 28.
Itinerary:
Oct 14 2009
Update: Check Westjet as well. They have joined in this competitive pricing, so far for today only.
The Pacific Northwest continues to be the hottest Hawaii air market of 2009. Not to be outdone by Westjet and the carriers flying out of nearby Seattle, here’s a fifty percent off sale from Air Canada today.
Priced from $144 to $175 each way, plus tax.
