Egad the airfare from So Cal airports to Maui is out of this world for an August trip. Most fares are over $700, but for the rare $639 find. I have flown from the east coast to Maui for this much. What gives? Any chance it will come down??

Ask your travel agent for a "fly/drive". If you get the airfare and a car it'll be cheaper. If you don't need the car, just don't use it. It'll still be cheaper.

It's usually that high during Jun, July, & August when kids are out of school. Planes are crowded. You can book airfare alone with Pleasant Holidays.com (bookable online, but a few dollars cheaper when you call). Should be around $400.

Believe it or not Pleasant Hawaiian is 630 for the timeframe.

jd99,

I don't know what's going on either, and it's not just for summer fares. A flight from SJC/SFO to OGG always cost us about $320 to $350 in May. This year, it was at the $550 to $600 range. I couldn't believe it. I watched the fares for about 2 months before I finally picked up FF tickets to Kauai by calling every single day for cancellations. OGG never went down much more than 5% of the price.

Found $609 inc. tax in August on Aloha from BUR to OGG nonstop; they also fly N/S from Orange Co.

If you can travel in July instead, Aloha has a web special to Kona for $399. Nicer than Maui anyway IMO

You say nicer than Maui...wondering why. I have never been to Kona so I can't say, but I can't imagine anything nicer than Maui. Sell me!

jd99, we just happen to like the Big Island lots more than Maui, mainly because it's, well, big. Nothing anywhere like the tourist density of Maui, lots more open road, fascinating history, a choice of dry or tropical, an active volcano, the biggest cattle ranch in the country, white, black, and green sand beaches, unbelievable resorts, great restaurants, coffee plantations, and a real sense of the diversity of Hawaii.

The BI doesn't have the density of white sand beaches that you'll find around Lahaina and Kaanapali, nor does it have the road to Hana, although it has wonderful tropical drives and remote valleys to equal or exceed in those categories. But it also doesn't have mondo condo.

If you can, you ought to give the Big Island a shot, or at least research some of the postings here on Fodors to get others' opinions.

Ouch JD!. But on a positive note- last year we went to Maui July 4th weekend and booked the tix at almost $680 through PH air about 2 mos ahead, TA said priced probably wouldn't come down but to keep an eye on it. Approx 3 weeks before departure airfare dropped to 389. Because we booked the insurance we were refunded the difference. I would only book with Pleasant using a TA though, we have had problems in the past w/o the agents help. Good luck.

Also, Hawaiiain Air is running specials airfare from San Diego in August For 389, see website. GL

Thanks to all - thanks for the BI info especially. And re the Hawaiian Air sale...it of course doesn't work on the dates we need (or even a day or two around them since we could be a bit flexible). We're waiting it out and if we have to spend big bucks, we will since I'm from the east coast and am at a trade show in SD with family along...and can't pass up the opportunity to "hop" to Hawaii - much less painful than the flights from home.

I got airfare from Seattle to Maui for $419 per person off of Priceline for September. That was by far the best rate from Seattle. Next was Hawaiian Airlines at $498.