Hawaii - Jeff Campbell [486]
Moloka’i and Lana’i are usually approached by ferry service from Maui.
Airlines in Hawaii
The demise of Aloha Airlines in 2008 is one indication of the upheaval that interisland air travel is currently experiencing. Expect further schedule changes and possible shakeups. Two major interisland carriers remain – Hawaiian Airlines and newcomer go! (an affiliate of Mesa Air); both offer frequent scheduled flights in jet planes between the four main islands. Two smaller, commuter-oriented airlines – Island Air and Mokulele Airlines – provide scheduled service in both prop and jet planes to the main islands as well as to Moloka’i and Lana’i.
These commuter airlines and a few other tiny airlines – like George’s Aviation and Pacific Wings – are the only ones that fly to secondary airports, such as Hana on Maui and Waimea-Kohala on Hawai’i (the Big Island). These airlines also offer charters, which can be a worthwhile way to get to places where scheduled service is infrequent and sometimes unreliable. Flights in prop planes fly so low they double as sightseeing excursions.
While it’s often possible to walk up and get on a flight among the four main islands (particularly to/from Honolulu), advance reservations are recommended, especially for peak hours (and the cheapest fares). Airline regulations concerning surfboards and oversize equipment vary and can be very restrictive; make sure to check before booking.
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CLIMATE CHANGE & TRAVEL
Climate change is a serious threat to the ecosystems that humans rely upon, and air travel is the fastest-growing contributor to the problem. Lonely Planet regards travel, overall, as a global benefit, but believes we all have a responsibility to limit our personal impact on global warming.
Flying & Climate Change
Pretty much every form of motor travel generates CO2 (the main cause of human-induced climate change) but planes are far and away the worst offenders, not just because of the sheer distances they allow us to travel, but because they release greenhouse gases high into the atmosphere. The statistics are frightening: two people taking a return flight between Europe and the US will contribute as much to climate change as an average household’s gas and electricity consumption over a whole year.
Carbon Offset Schemes
Climatecare.org and other websites use ‘carbon calculators’ that allow jetsetters to offset the greenhouse gases they are responsible for with contributions to energy-saving projects and other climate-friendly initiatives in the developing world – including projects in India, Honduras, Kazakhstan and Uganda.
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For more information check out our website: lonelyplanet.com.
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Interisland fare wars have been ongoing recently. To/from Honolulu, advance-purchase one-way fares to the other three main islands hover around $40. Among Neighbor Islands, fares run from $70 to $90, depending on the islands involved. Without discounts, fares range from $70 to $120. Naturally, islands with less service, or furthest from each other, cost more.
George’s Aviation (834-2120, 866-834-2120; www.georgesaviation.com) Flies scheduled routes between Honolulu, Maui and Moloka’i; charters prop planes to all six islands.
go! (888-435-9462; www.iflygo.com) Flies frequently from its Honolulu hub to Kaua’i, Maui and the Big Island.
Hawaiian Airlines (800-367-5320; www.hawaiianair.com) Flies nearly 200 daily routes on 717s and 767s between Honolulu, Kaua’i, Maui and the Big Island, and they can connect to Moloka’i and Lana’i.
Island Air (800-652-6541, on O’ahu 484-2222; www.islandair.com) Flies small 37-passenger planes from hubs in Honolulu (to all islands) and Maui (to all but Lana’i).
Mokulele Airlines (426-7070, 866-260-7070; www.mokuleleairlines.com)