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You might want to double check. Even though the NGS was just out here surveying the runways, I think ITO might fall just slightly short of sufficient length to provide adequate distance for slowing down. ITO's runway is only 9800' - has less than 900' of spare runway for an average shuttle landing which isn't much.
and customs office is not fully staffed....[
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Paul - they got the international designation years ago by fulfilling the FAA requirements. And then immediately raised landing fees. The Concorde landed in Kona a few times because they have a longer runway and passengers wanted to go to Hapuna.[
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"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me."
-Dudley Field Malone
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When you choose Kona, you reduced the traffic to Hilo and exacerbate the problem. Fly ITO, insist on ITO, support ITO and encourage tourism through ITO.
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Yeah...I recently noticed that Hwn has Seattle way cheap now, whereas it was always higher than SF or Oakland or LA. Right now Sea-Tac has flights right into Hilo for less than $400 r.t. Look at S.F. right now it's at $700...what the heck? My son loves it, he's coming next month (from SeaTac) and finally gets in on the "deal" for a change [
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]. The daughter, however, is pissed, she can't come because the S.F. flight is clocking in at $700 [xx(][
][V]. Hmmmm
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Yes! I agree with Glen, we've gotta encourage ITO to get more options there. Car rental seems cheaper out of Hilo I've noticed. Good ole priceline :-)
Enjoy the day! Ann
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I'd like to use Hilo airport because its a 2 hour drive each way to/from Kona. But money is tight...and if I can save several hundred dollars in airfare by driving to Kona....unfortuneately that's where I'll have to leave from. It's hard to support your community when other local communities make your dollar go further.
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Yes, ITO took a major hit when ATA died and that non-stop from Oakland died with it. I don't know why Hawaii state and island do not emphasize Hilo, and the Volcano. So many come to the island wanting to see Kilauea only to realize they have to drive a very long way from Kailua Kona to get there. Stay in Hilo, see the Volcano at your leisure. And Hilo has its own special charm, as we all know. Put it out there, and let's get a nice mainland non-stop to Hilo. There really is a market for it. And yes, rental cars are MUCH easier to deal with on the Hilo side. Nightmare on the Kona side. Want to see a bunch of Californians in a cranky mood? Rent a car near the Kona airport.
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I suggest that each of us that wants Hilo as a destination from outside the state use the "contact us" on each of the airlines' websites.
The more voices they hear the more that each will actually consider Hilo. Right now, we are quiet.
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me."
-Dudley Field Malone
Posts: 2,149
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I have been sending emails to various airlines for years suggesting service bwtween Hilo and the mainland. They rarely reply, and it is a form letter when they do. I started this when somebody in the local tourist bureau suggested it in the Hilo newspaper.
When ATA, now defunct, was flying the Hilo-Oakland route, I suggested that they change the time of the flight to make onward connections farther east possible. Their flight got into Oakland after the last flights of the day from there to the Central and Eastern USA had already left. They didn't seem to understand that a lot of people beyond the west coast would like to fly to Hilo. I never got a reply to several emails.
Bottom line, don't hold your breath waiting for more air service to Hilo. It is generally seen as a tourist backwater with little in the way of high dollar attractions. Come to think of it, that may be why I am living here.
Cheers,
Jerry
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I agree with Jerry, we did the same thing after ATA closed down and there were no more direct flights. All I got were boiler plate replies.
And I guess that is why we like Hilo too!
Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany
www.myhawaiianhome.blogspot.com
www.eastbaypotters.blogspot.com
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Well, we're flying Sea to Hono (got very inexpensive tickets), then Hono to Hilo, so we'll take the inconvenience of the stop in Hono to fly directly to Hilo (which was the same price as flying Hono to Kona). When we were shopping airfare, for over a month or so, it wasn't cheaper to fly direct Sea to Kona, so we chose the other option, and again, rental cars ended up being less expensive out of Hilo.
Enjoy the day! Ann
