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Hi everyone,
Inter-island travel is essential for keeping Hawaii families connected. Hawaiian Air doubled the price of inter-island tickets since Aloha Airlines and the ferry was forced out of business. There are no longer discounted kama'aina, senior, or youth rates, and no more coupon books for frequent travelers, so it is prohibitive for people to visit their children, grandchildren and family. We are calling on our government to take action.
So I signed a petition to The Hawaii State House, The Hawaii State Senate and Governor Neil Abercrombie, which says:
"We petition our government to have a referendum to bring back the ferry. We petition our government to invite airlines already coming to Hawaii to service the Hawaiian islands and Hawaii residents."
Will you sign this petition? Click here:
http://signon.org/sign/hawaiian-air-pric...ce=s.em.mt&r_by=1525451
Mahalo [8D]
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I can't tell you how many friends we've had who are visiting on Oahu, planned on coming to see us, but declined bc of the high fares. SO -- the fares aren't just bad for kama'aina, they're bad for tourism, too.
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Compared to what Alaska Airlines charges as it enjoys its monopoly here, what Hawaiian Air charges is extremely fair by comparison.
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I was under the impression that Mesa's Go airline was going to save everyone from the evils of existing air carriers serving the inter-island market. Wasn't there a whole lot of hype, some right here on PunaWeb, that Go! would result in lower prices? I remember some even saying good for Aloha, Go! will keep prices low from the blood sucking leeches of the existing airlines. What happened? Where is Go!’s low prices?
Few if any of the legacy carriers will want to service Hawaii inter-island service. The cost of providing that service would be so huge; they would have rates above what the existing carriers charge. Unless you're willing to spend Hawaii taxpayer money to subsidize inter-island air travel on a per ticket basis, government is in no position to mandate the price an airline charges.
As for the SuperFerry, that is a dead issue and no other operator would be willing to take a chance after the fiasco of the last attempt. Basically, Hawaii and the "people" killed inter-island ferry service from any private or private/public partnership. All that remains is a fully government operated or contacted service, like the bus or coming light rail
The petition to put a referendum about ferry service was something some said was necessary when the first problems with the SuperFerry emerged. That was the time to get the full opinion of the residents, not years after it was dismantled and cost so much for nothing. Do you really think any business person will be willing to invest in such an operation on Hawaii unless they have absolute government financial backing and guarantees? Anyway, it’s a moot point since taxpayer money can not be used of that service.
As for inviting airlines to service the interisland market, that means nothing as any airline is already capable of establishing service, if they thought it made fiscal sense. I don’t see any airline jumping to fill a fictional need, do you?
ETA: Do you know what Price Fixing means? This is not a Price Fixing issue.
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Anyone who thinks Hawaiian charges too much needs to check some mainland fares for perspective.
Southwest charges $116.00 Lax-Las a route that has a lot of competition.
Delta charges $448.00 Cvg-Pit a route with no competition.
Hawaiian charges $90.00 Ito-Hnl.
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I agree with Bob...this is not price fixing. I attribute current inter-island fares to the current price of fuel and economic reality of the situation. If somebody could do it cheaper...they would. Fact is..they can't. This is not a conspiracy or price fixing.
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Life is the only thing worth living for...
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Juneau to Sitka on Alaska Air (I was just on the website) 18 minute flight $155 one way.
I hate having only one airline. We have a few small private/commerical type planes that travel into the bush communities. Frequently that's cheaper. Juneau to Skagway runs $269 per person round trip in the summer months and that's about a 20 minute flight in a puddle jumper.
Dayna
www.AvianNation.com
Dayna Robertson
At Home Hawaii
Real Estate Sales and Property Management
RS-85517
Dayna.JustListedInHawaii.com
Dayna.Robertson@gmail.com
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I can only say one word.... "MONOPOLY" bummer...
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I signed the petition- can't hurt. Good to be a shareholder stock finally moving up since the ceo bought at the bottom during the summer.
Put out a release they start flying to NY next year-
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hawaiia...2011-11-16
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Been a big fan of Hawaiian Airlines—until this year. For the last eight years we’ve traveled to Hilo from the mainland for two weeks in April for Merrie Monarch and a spring vacation. This year Hawaiian was going to charge us over $800 for our dates (before MM and several days midweek afterward). Flights included an almost two hour layover in Honolulu. We’d never had to pay anywhere near that when we booked far ahead of time. We’ve bailed on HA for Alaska--a direct flight to Kona on our dates for $558—hardly a bargain but much better. At least we’ll be enjoying a lovely drive instead of hanging around the airport! HA is pricing themselves out of the market!
