Hawaiian Airlines recently launched its Huaka’i program, modeled after Alaska Airlines’ Club 49. Huaka’i offers Hawaii residents up to 20% off interisland flights via quarterly discount codes and a free checked bag. While aimed at addressing Hawaii’s high cost of living, the program has reignited debates about the fairness of locals-only discounts, particularly among frequent visitors to the islands.
Huaka’i is seen as a vital tool to combat high costs.
For Hawaii residents, “kamaaina,” saving on airfare helps maintain access to family, medical care, and other essential travel across the islands. Caroleen, a former Kauai resident, explained, “The cost of living is so high—this helps families visit their own islands.” For many kamaaina, interisland travel is not a luxury but a necessity, making these discounts meaningful in ways that visitors may not fully appreciate.
Some visitors feel excluded by resident discounts.
However, not everyone sees it this way. Visitors often feel excluded from resident-only perks, even though they significantly contribute to Hawaii’s economy.
Frequent visitor Adam M. remarked, “As much as I’ve loved my 10 trips to Hawaii, the constant anti-tourist sentiment is off-putting. Rising prices and falling service quality make the travel future look bleak.”
His comment highlights a growing frustration among tourists who feel disconnected from the islands they’ve come to love.
Some, like Merlyn, see the issue as more symbolic than practical. She argued, “When Hawaiians visit California, they pay the same entry fees we do. Kamaaina pricing feels unfair.”
Joe B., a golfer, shared a similar experience: “At one course, visitors paid three times the local rate… they lost six customers that day.” Such instances create a perception of exclusion that can alienate even frequent and loyal visitors.
Residents and supporters of the program counter that kamaaina discounts are not designed to offend anyone but to help locals navigate Hawaii’s uniquely high costs.
As a frequent visitor, Sam took a more understanding position: “I’ve never begrudged the locals’ discounts; it’s part of being a visitor. Why not make it easier for someone on Maui to visit Kauai for the first time?” For him, the discounts are less about division and more about practicality.
The Southwest factor and looming monopoly concerns.
The introduction of Huaka’i coincides with Hawaiian Airlines’ efforts to strengthen its position in the interisland market, particularly against Southwest Airlines. While Southwest disrupted the market five years ago with $39 fares, it recently hinted at plans to reduce its Hawaii interisland operations in 2025 significantly. This raises the possibility of a return to a near-monopoly on interisland routes—a situation that historically resulted in exorbitant fares for everyone.
Joe Sprague, Hawaiian Airlines’ interim CEO, emphasized that Huaka’i is part of the airline’s strategy to remain competitive while better serving Hawaii’s residents.
However, if interisland fares return to pre-Southwest levels, even a 20% discount might not feel like a bargain. As one commenter pointed out, “A 20% savings on $400 RT fares isn’t much of a savings at all.”
Southwest kept interisland fares reasonable.
While Southwest’s low-cost approach disrupted the market and was met with mixed opinions, it has also unquestionably kept fares competitive, with current promotional round-trip interisland tickets starting at $92.
For residents using the Huaka’i discount, that could drop prices as low as $73.60—a welcome relief. However, for visitors, such discounts remain out of reach, adding to a sense of disparity in access to Hawaii’s travel network.
Your thoughts on a possible return to a monopoly interisland service.
For many, the idea of Hawaiian Airlines possibly regaining most or all of its monopoly on interisland travel brings up memories of high prices and limited options. Lolo summed it up by saying, “People forgot what Hawaiian charged and how they were mistreated when Hawaiian was the monopoly here.” Others, like Maleko, pointed out, “Over the years, HA has forced out competing airlines for inter island service… leaving residents to deal with Mokulele which continues sub par service.”
Daniel reflected on previous airline closures, adding, “We had Island Air going out of business that gave Hawaiian the interisland monopoly. I think the government should have stepped in early on to prevent that from happening.”
Heather, drawing parallels to Alaska, shared, “I’m from a very small island in Alaska where Alaska Air had/has a monopoly. Prices were always high.”
The sentiment underscores concerns about what interisland travel could look like should Hawaiian Airlines heavily dominate the market again.
We welcome your input!
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Here on the Central Coast of California some of the high-end ocean front hotels offer deals to locals. I have no problem with locals in Hawaii getting discounts as well.
Spot on Curtis. When we took our ohana to visit Disneyland in California, we paid more than California residents who enjoy the local resident discount. We get it. We didn’t grumble and cry foul. Hawaii is not the only tourist market that does a locals discount.
We on the mainland can get in our cars and drive to a medical appointment with a specialist or visit our elderly relatives. Local Hawaiians cannot drive across the ocean to do that. Give them a break they are living in one of the highest costs of living in the country.
Companies offer “Carbon Offset Credits.”
Hawaiian Air can offer “Hawaiian Resident Offset Credits.”
Check the box to pay 100% more at checkout to donate one trip.
I’m glad their giving discount flights to the residents of Hawaii it should be a bigger discount, visitors should just get over it . Your visiting you are not on the islands everyday. The cost is very high . And that is all do to the tourism. My family had to pay a lot of money just to travel to another island for medical reasons, it shouldn’t cost local, residents that much to travel an hour flight.. I’m glad Hawaiian Air is doing this , yet it still should be a lot cheaper…. if other airlines don’t like it then beat Hawaiian Airlines deal . All airlines on the islands should make it very affordable for locals, residents, to be able to go to the other islands of their state .
Mahalo
The concept is almost a copy of Club 49 (Alaska). club49hub.com/
– two free checked bags when traveling to/from Alaska.
– 30% off the “Y” fare to/from Alaska – has to be booked within 3 days of travel. No discounts on First Class. This is not a much used discount since it only applies to a full-fare ticket (when its down to the last few seats). However some may find it useful
– Instate cargo discounts (100#s for $49)
– ‘special’ fares & discounts
You have to have an Alaska ID and Alaska address to use it. If you use a non-Alaska billing address *at all* during the year, you apparently get your account flagged for review; many have to renew it. Its unlikely we’ll get the fake/part time residents using this program.
I do not live in Hawaii but I am glad to see that locals will be given a discount. For those traveling there please consider how much your cost of living is compared to Hawaiians. Visitors are just visiting but they are paying daily.
Hawaii: where the equal protection clause of the Constitution doesn’t apply.
I would love to see some challenges. Even over things like parking. Why is a local vehicle different?
Flying and visiting Hawaii is often a very special and even once in a lifetime experience due to the expense.
Guess what – people who live here pay for that expensive flight for every trip out of the islands. There are no inexpensive trips here. There are no “road trips” for families. There’s only expensive flights, expensive hotels, expensive car rentals with the extra days/nights that go a long with it.
There are cheap options for you if you live on the mainland, other than doing nothing there are none here. To the guy that complained about the price of golf…how much is the kamaaina rate vs what he pays at a decent course he lives at? Bet it’s still way more expensive…open your eyes and think a little.
I haven’t forgotten getting price gouged by HA. I will never fly with them again, if I have a choice!
I don’t see why this is such a big deal?! Hotels offer kama’aina (locals) discount for as long as I can remember. One night at a hotel in Waikiki can cost as much as a plane ticket or more! Disneyland offers a discounted annual pass for Southern California residents with certain zip codes. Barton Springs in Austin, TX has a resident and non resident entrance fee. I don’t think this is a big deal or unfair. When I travel I see all kinds of these resident and non resident prices.
Prices between mainland and Hawai’i are already skyrocketed on SWA. Their recent 40% off sale was pretty much a sham for any flight that would have benefitted my family. It’s becoming a real concern to get back to see family on the mainland in cases of weddings, funerals, medical needs, and emergencies. Going back to airline monopoly on top of rising costs of living is going to be a true hardship for a lot of people. Kama’aina discounts are for people exactly in this type of position. However, 20% is next to nothing at these rates. As far as tourists complaining that it’s unfair – if you’ve truly been coming to the Islands for years, you already know about Kama’aina discounts, and need to remember that visiting many times does not make one a resident. Please keep the mainland entitlement mentality on the mainland. If no can, no can.
CC, there’s so-called mainland entitlement and then there is Hawaiian Entitlement!
I’ve never understood why an intra-island ferry doesn’t exist as an alternative to the airlines. You would think it would be popular because families would have transportation when they arrive and more room to bring stuff.
YT channel RealLifeLore has a video “Why you can’t travel between Hawaii’s islands by boat” which is actually pretty well made.
Discounts for residents happens elsewhere. Disney and other FL theme parks discount for FL residents. FEMA charges homeowners a big fee for flood insurance if the home is not their full time residence. Residents in FL can buy an annual beach parking sticker at a discount. Every state has different rates for resident or visitor hunting and fishing licenses and college tuition. The list is much longer. If you’re a HI resident flying on a discounted ticket, good for you… but don’t ever rub a visitor’s nose in it. Welcome them to HI with a big smile. Every $ they spend changes hands several times, multiplying its value to your fellow Residents.
Nobody rubs anything on visitors’ noses – they put their own noses where they don’t belong.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a passenger on a flight, cruise, bus, anything…where people were talking about how much they paid.
Like who goes around talking about how much they paid…much less rub anyone’s nose in it lol.
Aloha,
I never begrudge locals discounts they receive because I realize the high cost of living on the islands. And actually, there are other states where residents get a perk, for ex. both Fl residents get cheaper WDW tickets (residents only) and Disneyland often runs SoCal residents special discounted tickets.
What does bother me is the double-standard towards Southwest airlines in so many BOH posts/reader comments and island discussions. On one side, SWA is consistently bashed as the loud, tacky, uncomfortable ‘interloper’ airline, but when fares are going to get jacked up, suddenly everyone is singing their praises for bringing low inter-island fares that benefit locals and tourists. Yes, I am a loyal SWA passenger, but I believe in free-market. No one is forced to fly SWA or any other airline for that matter. We all make choices. So, if we are going to wish SWA out of the Hawaii market, we will have to pay the consequences. Mahalo BOH
When it comes to interisland travel, I believe that the residents of Hawaii get what they vote for. The politicians and entrenched beaurocrats are going to do what the monopolies want (and more than likely pay for), not what benefits either the kama’aina or visitors to the islands.
The Hawaii Superferry was scrapped by politicians due to complaints from Hawaiian Airlines and Matson, both monopolies in interisland travel and shipping. They didn’t want competition, so the competition was eliminated.
It wasn’t all that long ago that I can remember everyone from Hawaii giving HAL glowing remarks and tributes that would mirror those given to Pele, how things change. HAL, which everyone stated “is like a part of the family, they really take care of their own,” by the looks of a return to the HAL near monopoly of inter Island travel Really Takes Care of Their Own. If SWA stops, or reduces the service, HAL Profits, and ticket prices, certainly Will Soar. Now that is taking care, advantage, of You. HAL has taken advantage of Hawaiians for most of its existence, despite the insistence of Hawaiians. You truly deserve each other!
Inflation is happening in every state. Not just Hawaii so quit the entitled mainland people stuff. Nobody is forcing Hawaii locals or residents to live in Hawaii. Guess who will make up the difference in cost of these discounts? Tourists who travel to Hawaii and travel to inter island. Why not complain about it not being free? Because every event and admission for Hawaii attractions already is free for Hawaii residents. Just wait till the tourist’s just quit coming.
Don, thank you for providing an attitude that typifies the exact type of tourist who shouldn’t visit Hawaii.
I guess the entitled choice for mainlanders is not to come and vacation elsewhere. Where does that leave Hawaii’s economy in then? Just digging yourself a deeper hole.
Airlines have to make money, and have high expenses, even more so operating from Hawaii. Their number one job is to make enough money to pay for the marginal cost of operating every flight. If resident discounts bring enough additional revenue to make the flights profitable, they will continue. If they don’t, prices will go up and flights will be cut to bring supply and demand into equilibrium at a profitable price. Southwest has to do the same. If the overall Alaskan corporation isn’t profitable, some private equity company will come in to make it more profitable, like at Southwest. People’s needs just don’t fit into this equation.
How about when the airlines got together and made sure the inner island Ferry wouldn’t be allowed on the island creating a monopoly, everyone on the islands excluding Kawai one of the Ferry, but Airlines in Hawaii at the time did their best and didn’t make it happen, creating their own monopoly Along with the Rentacar monopoly, shows Who has the power in Hawaii and it’s not the locals
It’s “Kauai”, not Kawai!
Isn’t price spiking because of a monopoly a form of price gouging, which is supposed to be illegal? I support lo also getting a discount on fares. Visitors deal with the high prices only for the week they’re visiting, and to get the full effect, we pay it, because for some people they may never visit again. Locals have to deal with this everyday. Any time they can catch a break is fine with me.
With reference to the 10% kamaina discount
Bought 2 1st class round trip tickets for april 2025. Will Hawaiian offer me a discount on my hawaiian miles bank card or any type of refund or credit
That’s Doubtful, they are in it for the Profits.
John, If you want a discount, maybe you should have bought “super saver or economy seats”.
There is no “reignited debate.” The only people crying about this are entitled people on the mainland.
Also, transplants are able to sign up for the Huaka’i program, so no it’s not locals only. Don’t conflate residents with locals.
Aloha – As a long time (50 years)traveler to Maui I welcomed Southwest which has kept all fares much much lower than they would have been. I remember saying pre-Southwest a $600 fare from California was pretty good, I’m flying in January for 99 plus taxes, amazing.
Although I am from Hawaii, I left quite some years ago. But I come home about 3 to 4 times a year. I remember after Aloha Airlines was shut down the cost of inter island air fare was more than a round trip flight to Vegas. That being said, there definitely needs competition in the airline market for inter island travel.
Your use of the term “monopoly” is wrong. I’m not a business professor, but I believe a monopoly is when a business prevents another business from entering the market by eliminating any competing business (buying up other businesses) or thru illegal or improper business practices. That’s not the same as other businesses (other airlines) not wanting to come in because they can’t make any money on “the product”.
Actually John, you’re wrong! As you said, in your own defense, you’re not a professor. If you were, you’d still be wrong!
My family and I have visited places in California where they offer discounted rates for California residents, similar to the kamaʻāina rates in Hawaii. However, we ended up paying the full rate. I’m not sure what the issue is, but this seems to be happening more frequently.
Seems like Hawaii is getting out of hand for everyone, it is beautiful to say the least but with the extreme prices on the islands for locals and visitors it is time to visit other places for much cheaper and beautiful vacationing. They keep jacking up up up how many people in Hawaii would travel to our airports if we raised prices for them to visit?
Mainlanders who opposes this policy fail to recognize that Hawaii is a collection of islands. We can’t just jump in our cars and drive to another part of the state to visit family, doctor offices, etc. Everyday living is expensive enough. You should not feel slighted if you pay a little more to go island hopping on your vacation.
If you say so, I am sure that won’t change the mindset of many, nor ease the pains of opening the wallet or purse more than necessary. I don’t recall receiving any discounts, despite the soaring costs where I live, just like most mainland people. I haven’t had a chance to ask the Illegals, but they are getting plenty of breaks including a check every month, I wonder what they would say.
Having visited the Islands from the mainland an average 2-3 times a year since 2004, I have felt the “discrimination” of kamaaina but see it as an extension of the Hawaiian culture of Ohana. Family taking care of family. One can always become a resident of Hawaii, would be one solution. Let the blessing of kamaaina remain. For the rest of us save up for your next trip to Hawaii and understand the struggle many Hawaiians face living with the expensiveness there. The people and the place are a blessing to behold and worth our support!
Rob, if You say so. Do You get discounts from the stores and companies that you and your family deal with? Has the cost of living gone up where you live? Are people, Families, struggling just to get by in your area? Then why don’t they, and you, get a Resident Discount? Good question. By
I do understand the need for intra island local travel. However, it seems that many locals what prices below the cost of providing the service. Southwest is famous for coming into a market and offering lower that cost fares to gain market share and drive their competitors out of the market. There is a reason that Hawaiian was bought and it is not just bad yields on Japanese flights. If prices need to be below costs for the locals, the state needs to step in. Either provide assistance that enables locals to get where they need to go or build out the local island infrastructure so locals don’t have to travel so much.
If we cannot enjoy our own islands & experience them, then even our collective service suffers for tourists, without even tourists understanding this is our mainstay to see family, travel for medical, etc. Kamaʻāina isn’t anti-tourist, it’s pro-local.
Let’s keep in mind that Hawai’i isn’t the only state that does this;
Florida: Resident discounts on theme parks like Disney and Universal, plus hotels.
Nevada: Las Vegas shows, dining, and hotels offer Nevada resident pricing.
California: Disneyland and other attractions have California resident rates.
New York: NYC museums and theaters provide NY resident discounts.
Colorado: Ski resorts offer discounted lift tickets and season passes for locals.
Louisiana: Local rates for New Orleans attractions and hotels.
Texas: Resident discounts at sites like Space Center Houston.
Georgia: Georgia Aquarium and other attractions offer special local pricing.
It’s not fair to single out Hawai’i.
It’s ridiculous to factor in what people who don’t live here have to say.
I go to vegas 2-4 times a year and almost everywhere I go, they give a local resident discount. I’ll write a letter to their mayor and complain, lol.
Residents should get discounted flights between the islands – there is no other way to get to another island than to fly – not like the mainland where you can drive, bus or fly.
Really? I’ve never considered taking a bus, or train, to Hawaii. Maybe you can send me the schedule!
There needs to be a resurrection of ferry service between the islands.
We don’t want to exclude visitors but Come On!!! We are the waitstaff, the greenskeepers, the highway workers, the cooks, the airport workers etc etc etc. Residents should absolutely get discounts on airfare and many other things.The Kamaaina rates are a lifeline to those who directly or indirectly service visitors. To whine about it is to be clueless to the Hawaiian economy. It’s not “fair”????
You just don’t get it. Come to Hawaii and enjoy every minute…we would love to have you but have some empathy for those who make your vacation beautiful.
I live in a ‘tourist town’ in Canada; and I fully support the locals discount in Hawaii. We have been visinting for 3 weeks each January.
Residents support local businesses all year round, and combined with the high cost and normally low wages in most Hawaiin employment; that break is needed for the locals.
That being said, the anti-tourist sentiment in some corners is getting a little played.
Wait till they take Canadian money at par!
I cannot take credit for the idea, but Gov Green should print his own currency, the “Hawaiian Clam”. All sorts of plays available there to satiate his profligate spending.
I agree with much of the discussion on this site, the plight of living in a place like Hawaii is unbearable withitshigh costs of living and rent. The divide between the Haves and Have Nots is ever widening, getting ahead is a battle that is hard fought, yet a losing proportion at best. Tourists are often considered a bane to your existence or the savior of it, depending upon your job. Housing is a fleeting thought, not enough and what there is of it is priced well above what you’re able to afford. The answers from all of Government is to Blame the STR’S and out of State investors, instead spending money on unnecessary things and not building affordable housing. I do get it, however, blaming the proverbial cow for giving you milk won’t help! Keep voting your way out of your mess until it works, done correctly, in time it will.
Thanks Ernie S. Exactly correct. HI also needs improvements in infrastructure and new business’ that can offer good paying jobs. There are plenty of investors that would be happy to work with Local government under the right conditions. Current “leaders” don’t seem to be working on either.