I have to admit I hate seeing weddings while in Hawaii, so many starting to look cheesy. Don't know if brides know this. It might seem exoctic when you are planning it but if it is at a big hotel you are bound to have people dripping wet gawking on lookers.

If you must do it J, find a non-swimming beach in a remote area. Or select an older landmark church. All of the hotels provide window wall chapels so they can provide entertainment to their OTHER hotel guests at your expense.

Agree with Jim. While on Maui we took a tour (Hana road) with a Hawaiian guide. (That was the point, tour Maui with a local.) The whole trip he bad-mouthed tourists and main-landers (seven hours). We were shocked. We tried to argue the fact that the tourist trade is a part of their livlihood but he was adamant that main-landers and tourists were ruining Hawaii. The next day we complained to the owner of the company and got our money back.

FYI, I used to be from Hawaii, so I'm not planning a getaway wedding on a whim. A lot of my friends and family are from Hawaii, but I also have a lot from the Mainland. Also, I know a lot of people in Hawaii whose jobs depend on tourism, directly and indirectly. They're very concerned about the decreased tourism. A lot of people have been laid off. Now, that being said, could I please have some responses relevant to my initial question?

The WSJ also mentioned the zillions of dollars the airlines have lost, not in REVENUES, but in profits, so far this year. We were planning to go to Paris in June. Normally, we shop like the dickens and book in January or February to get the flights we want, even though there may be "bargains" for a bit less if we wait until later to book. We finally gave up, because the fares are a solid 60% or more higher than we paid last year. That wouldn't be too bad, but added to the horror stories we've heard about airports, flight delays, and luggage problems, we've decided on a driving vacation, too. I'm wondering if the airlines just can't drop their prices are are a-hoping and a-praying that they can stay in business with folks who can afford to and are willing to "go anyway" and business travelers.

Well, then, "J" ("used to be" from Hawaii?), you're friends and family are just going to have to buck up and pay those fares or you'll be saving a lot of covers at the reception! NO ONE can possibly predict what fares will be. Prior to 9/11, fares went on sale to sell empty seats on nearly full planes. NOW, the airlines are simply cutting back their flight schedules.

J, just to give you a little info you can check out the website @ www.classiccustomvactions.com. Our travel will be from las vegas to maui. Unless you use a consolidator the fares should remain pretty high, we've traveled in the summer months a few times before and fares like that are the norm until the kids go back to school. You'll have to book the hotel with them too for the air deal but the hotel rates are good too. If you find anything lower on the net they'll immed. honor the lowest price = )

J-----if you have a group of 20 or more flying to Hawaii for the wedding you could get them a group rate. Call all the airline group depratments and play one off the other. You will likely get a group rate of 15-20% off published rates. Good luck.

Most hotels will give you a group rate also. Depending on the hotel chain, a group rate would be for 10 or more rooms with 2 per room.

Fares are always high in Hawaii when we percieve things are shakey in Europe, as in the case of this year. Your best bet is to plan a trip to Europe this year, then go to Hawaii next year. But buy early. Don't play the "do you think the fare will go down" scenario. Get off the Internet and use your travel agent!

This is the first year I have not seen a fare drop in Hawaii in the past 3 years I have popped back. Fares have dropped have never been at 1000. Don't understand why we are not seeing a dip this year.

P.S Europe has not always been a bargain for a good 5 or more years back a couple of years you could not find summer fares to Italy for under $900. from the east coast. Also the buy early plan does not always work. Last two years in Hawaii I got incredible deals for buying in May, traveling in August. Seems like they change the plan as soon as someone sees a pattern. This year no significant drop in May at all.

Meant to say fares have not dropped much under 1000 for Hawaii from East Coast (NYC/EWR in particular)

Just saw a Northwest fare $525 r/t Austin, TX - HNL, June 14-21 so there's goodies out there !