Comments on: The sky isn’t falling! Hawaii is still affordable. http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/ Hawaii Travel Guide & Vacation Advice Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:33:47 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: David http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4393 David Thu, 15 May 2008 05:22:46 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4393 Ya, woe to us. Yes it is ocean front. VRBO 112536 if anyone is interested. One bedroom, nice view of Haleakala and Maalaea Bay. It's a bit cluttered but a real deal at $79. The owner has two others in the same building that she's also renting for $79. There were actually some lower fares available on Alaska Airlines, but they were not exactly direct. One went from San Francisco to Seattle, change planes, then to LA, change planes, then to Honolulu, then interisland. Sort of like coming from the East Coast I bet. :) We also found a $381 fare from LA to Honolulu in October. We were thinking about flying into Honolulu and then taking the Superferry. Anyway we're just doing a little "research." Our next trip to the Islands won't be till next March, that is unless a really good last minute deal comes along. Ya, woe to us. Yes it is ocean front. VRBO 112536 if anyone is interested. One bedroom, nice view of Haleakala and Maalaea Bay. It’s a bit cluttered but a real deal at $79. The owner has two others in the same building that she’s also renting for $79.

There were actually some lower fares available on Alaska Airlines, but they were not exactly direct. One went from San Francisco to Seattle, change planes, then to LA, change planes, then to Honolulu, then interisland. Sort of like coming from the East Coast I bet. :)

We also found a $381 fare from LA to Honolulu in October. We were thinking about flying into Honolulu and then taking the Superferry.

Anyway we’re just doing a little “research.” Our next trip to the Islands won’t be till next March, that is unless a really good last minute deal comes along.

]]> By: Dave http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4392 Dave Thu, 15 May 2008 04:11:12 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4392 One thing you can do to save money on airfare is plan ahead. In most cases the cheapest airfare will be 5 or 6 months before you depart. The closer you get to departure, the more expensive the airfare will be. Planning ahead can sometimes save you several hundred dollars per seat. Another thing you can do to save money on airfare is keep reading this blog. If there is a good deal to be had, I'm sure Sheila find it. ;) One thing you can do to save money on airfare is plan ahead. In most cases the cheapest airfare will be 5 or 6 months before you depart. The closer you get to departure, the more expensive the airfare will be. Planning ahead can sometimes save you several hundred dollars per seat.

Another thing you can do to save money on airfare is keep reading this blog. If there is a good deal to be had, I’m sure Sheila find it. ;)

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4386 Sheila Wed, 14 May 2008 19:56:21 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4386 Hi David - Isn't that condo oceanfront? It was a deal already at $110 and wowza...now at $79? That's tremendous. Woe is you to have to sacrifice 2 weeks in Maui in order to break even with the previous rates. (Just kidding about the woe part.) :-) Thanks for providing us with some actual data for your situation! Hi David – Isn’t that condo oceanfront? It was a deal already at $110 and wowza…now at $79? That’s tremendous.

Woe is you to have to sacrifice 2 weeks in Maui in order to break even with the previous rates. (Just kidding about the woe part.) :-)

Thanks for providing us with some actual data for your situation!

]]> By: David http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4385 David Wed, 14 May 2008 19:30:47 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4385 I checked with the condo we usually stay in on Maui. We have been paying around $110 a night. It's now listed at $79 a night through June and by the looks of her calendar they'll be extending the offer through October. Air to Maui from San Francisco was about $700 per person, about $200 more than we're used to. So, we'd have to stay for 2 weeks for the cost to equal what it did before. Guess we'll just have to bite the bullet and go for 2 weeks. David I checked with the condo we usually stay in on Maui. We have been paying around $110 a night. It’s now listed at $79 a night through June and by the looks of her calendar they’ll be extending the offer through October. Air to Maui from San Francisco was about $700 per person, about $200 more than we’re used to. So, we’d have to stay for 2 weeks for the cost to equal what it did before. Guess we’ll just have to bite the bullet and go for 2 weeks.

David

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4376 Sheila Wed, 14 May 2008 00:10:21 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4376 Hi Amber - I'm glad you are enjoying Go Visit Hawaii. I'm happy to do my small part t to continue to promote Hawaii in a positive light. Thank you for your first time comment. Hi Amber – I’m glad you are enjoying Go Visit Hawaii. I’m happy to do my small part t to continue to promote Hawaii in a positive light. Thank you for your first time comment.

]]> By: Amber http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4375 Amber Wed, 14 May 2008 00:01:37 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4375 Love your site - thanks for crunching the numbers. I wish HTA/OVB/HVCB were doing a better job with remedying this perception that higher airfares are making Hawaii vacations prohibitively expensive. Love your site – thanks for crunching the numbers. I wish HTA/OVB/HVCB were doing a better job with remedying this perception that higher airfares are making Hawaii vacations prohibitively expensive.

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4373 Sheila Tue, 13 May 2008 22:25:06 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4373 Dave - that's a great point - a family of four would end up paying a bit more. Which brings up a question, I wonder if there is any data that describes the size of the average group traveling to Hawaii? If I had to guess, I'd guess that there's more couples traveling together than families. Of course it doesn't feel this way when you travel to Hawaii over Easter or in the Summer when the kids are out of school. :) Still, I think you hit the nail on the head. The panic in some of the articles is really only considering one aspect - the airfare. While they're freaking out over the airfare, they're missing the bigger and rosier picture. Dave – that’s a great point – a family of four would end up paying a bit more. Which brings up a question, I wonder if there is any data that describes the size of the average group traveling to Hawaii? If I had to guess, I’d guess that there’s more couples traveling together than families. Of course it doesn’t feel this way when you travel to Hawaii over Easter or in the Summer when the kids are out of school. :)

Still, I think you hit the nail on the head. The panic in some of the articles is really only considering one aspect – the airfare. While they’re freaking out over the airfare, they’re missing the bigger and rosier picture.

]]> By: Dave http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4372 Dave Tue, 13 May 2008 22:15:02 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4372 In the situation you outlined above, each plane ticket sees an increase of $131 so one person traveling to Hawaii comes out $380 ahead. However… Most people will be traveling as a couple so two people would come out $249 ahead. If they brought one child, the three of them would still be $118 ahead. You would need to be traveling as a family of four before you would see a cost increase, which would only be $13.00. Not Bad! ;) In the situation you outlined above, each plane ticket sees an increase of $131 so one person traveling to Hawaii comes out $380 ahead.

However… Most people will be traveling as a couple so two people would come out $249 ahead. If they brought one child, the three of them would still be $118 ahead. You would need to be traveling as a family of four before you would see a cost increase, which would only be $13.00. Not Bad! ;)

]]> By: Sheila http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4371 Sheila Tue, 13 May 2008 22:12:13 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4371 Thanks, everyone, for your comments. I thought the data was pretty compelling. Even if you are bring a family of four, you'll come out close to "breaking even" between increased airfare and lower hotel rates. That's a much different picture than what's being painted by the press about increased airfare. @ Andy - mmmm, Roys set menu with the molten chocolate cake. :) @ Dave - That's an interesting phenomenon. I wonder if that applies to other destinations? @ golfnutn8 - good point about airfares increasing all around. Hawaii is unique. I'm living proof that going to Hawaii is a wonderfully addictive destination. That's why I spend hours each day working on this blog writing about a place I love so much! Thanks, everyone, for your comments.

I thought the data was pretty compelling. Even if you are bring a family of four, you’ll come out close to “breaking even” between increased airfare and lower hotel rates. That’s a much different picture than what’s being painted by the press about increased airfare.

@ Andy – mmmm, Roys set menu with the molten chocolate cake. :)

@ Dave – That’s an interesting phenomenon. I wonder if that applies to other destinations?

@ golfnutn8 – good point about airfares increasing all around. Hawaii is unique. I’m living proof that going to Hawaii is a wonderfully addictive destination. That’s why I spend hours each day working on this blog writing about a place I love so much!

]]> By: golfnutn8 http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4370 golfnutn8 Tue, 13 May 2008 21:17:23 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4370 Great post Sheila! The misleading thing about a lot of the national headlines is that all destinations are becoming more expensive to travel to, NOT JUST HAWAII. Airfares are rising around the world. So when you stack Hawaii up against another destination, it's all relative...both vacations are going to end up costing you more. Of course there are cheaper places to visit, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I've been told by visitors time and time again, you can't find the unique culture, warm aloha spirit, and engage in the variety of experiences found in Hawaii any place else in the world. Once people get here, this becomes very apparent. Great post Sheila! The misleading thing about a lot of the national headlines is that all destinations are becoming more expensive to travel to, NOT JUST HAWAII. Airfares are rising around the world. So when you stack Hawaii up against another destination, it’s all relative…both vacations are going to end up costing you more. Of course there are cheaper places to visit, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. I’ve been told by visitors time and time again, you can’t find the unique culture, warm aloha spirit, and engage in the variety of experiences found in Hawaii any place else in the world. Once people get here, this becomes very apparent.

]]> By: Dave http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4368 Dave Tue, 13 May 2008 19:15:18 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4368 Great article Sheila! - It's so true! The airlines and hotels seem to be on a teeter-totter. (When one goes up, the other goes down) I've been watching this phenomenon for quite a while but never did any real research. Hawaii naturally seems to create an equilibrium in these situations and visitors continue to see good value in a Hawaii vacation year after year in spite of the temporary, local drama. Great article Sheila! – It’s so true! The airlines and hotels seem to be on a teeter-totter. (When one goes up, the other goes down) I’ve been watching this phenomenon for quite a while but never did any real research. Hawaii naturally seems to create an equilibrium in these situations and visitors continue to see good value in a Hawaii vacation year after year in spite of the temporary, local drama.

]]> By: Hotel deals in Honolulu and Hawaii | billso.com http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4365 Hotel deals in Honolulu and Hawaii | billso.com Tue, 13 May 2008 17:08:21 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4365 [...] if you’re interested in visiting the state of Hawaii this summer. Check this article in Go Visit Hawaii for some details. Airfares are still high, and visitors should avoid the unlicensed condos and [...] [...] if you’re interested in visiting the state of Hawaii this summer. Check this article in Go Visit Hawaii for some details. Airfares are still high, and visitors should avoid the unlicensed condos and [...]

]]> By: Andy Beal http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/05/13/the-sky-isnt-falling-hawaii-is-still-affordable/#comment-4363 Andy Beal Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:31 +0000 http://www.govisithawaii.com/?p=797#comment-4363 Great analysis! Rates have gotten so cheap, we stayed two weeks on the Big Island for a rate that would have gotten us only one week, the year before. The overall cost probably declines further when you consider other items. OK, so maybe your cost of gas increases, but if the hotels are hurting, then restaurants, activities, and other Hawaiian businesses are likely reducing their prices too--or at least offering more discounts. Even Roy's--one of the more expensive restaurants--offers a set menu that is really good, and half the cost you would pay a la carte. Great analysis! Rates have gotten so cheap, we stayed two weeks on the Big Island for a rate that would have gotten us only one week, the year before.

The overall cost probably declines further when you consider other items. OK, so maybe your cost of gas increases, but if the hotels are hurting, then restaurants, activities, and other Hawaiian businesses are likely reducing their prices too–or at least offering more discounts.

Even Roy’s–one of the more expensive restaurants–offers a set menu that is really good, and half the cost you would pay a la carte.

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