Hawaii - Travel Deals

Ever since my first trip to Hawaii, I have dreamt of returning to the land of fresh pineapple, gentle Pacific breezes and white sand beaches. Luckily, the suffering economy has recently made Hawaii way more of a budget travel option than it has been in decades (ok, lucky for us, not so lucky for Hawaii’s economy). Hotels and airlines are offering up free nights, coupons and money back for booking your trip to the islands. Ok, twist my arm, I guess you can talk me into going to Hawaii. Save up to $200 to Hawai‘i’s Big Island!
Book a flight + hotel package and use promo code ISLANDSALE. Book by 5/15.

Hawaii was once a destination reserved for those with fairly ample travel budgets who could afford not only pricey airfare to get there, but also the expensive hotels and resorts that populate the islands. As it turns out, the suffering economy hasn’t been so good for the Hawaii tourism industry and prices on everything from flights to hotels in Hawaii are down as much as 50% from this time last year. Save up to $200 to Hawai‘i’s Big Island!
Book a flight + hotel package and use promo code ISLANDSALE. Book by 5/15.

Saying you love Hawaii is a little bit like saying you love cookies or French fries. Just like there isn’t a whole lot not to love about a fried, salty potato, there also isn’t a whole lot not to love about awe inspiring scenery, great beaches and warm Pacific waters. Turns out Hawaii is also a whole lot cheaper than it used to be, as the sluggish economy continues to drive down prices on everything from airfare to hotels in Hawaii. Relax in the Sun and Save: Hotel Deals in Hawaii

So imagine the smile on my face when I came across this deal: Hawaii Travel Deals with Air & Car – Save up to 62%

People who’ve been reading this column for any length of time are well aware of how fond I am of big savings. I’m drawn to them in the same way that Lindsay Lohan is drawn to bars with paparazzi out front. We are both powerless!

As much as I wanted to hate Hawaii I could not. I wanted to hate it because it is such a popular destination resort. I wanted to hate it because I had read the words “Hawaii” and “paradise” next to one another in about a gazillion travel guide sentences. I wanted to hate it because my idea of a vacation does not usually entail sitting in a stupor on a beach.

Despite my best efforts to dislike the 49th state in the United States, I walked away from my vacation there as enchanted as the people who wrote those gazillion travel guide sentences. Sure I found plenty of obnoxious tourists and yes I lasted on the beach for about 20 minutes and no I did not think that it was paradise on earth, but nevertheless I had a very enjoyable vacation on the islands.

The secret for me was getting lost. Taking the turns I was not supposed to take and doing the things that weren’t mentioned in the travel guides. Yes, this sounds cliché, but in my case it helped to discover the Hawaii that I didn’t want it to be. A place that is full of beauty and tranquility even if most visitors never set eyes on it.

You can discover your own private Hawaii thanks to some seriously cheap flights to Honolulu and Maui being offered by United Airlines.

The airline named after the 49th state has announced that it will have service to the 50th state starting this fall. Alaska Airlines will have daily flights between Seattle and Honolulu, and Seattle and Lihu’e on the island of Kauai. If you have never been to Kauai you really should give it some consideration. It is arguably the most beautiful of the Hawaiian islands and one that can still be visited without feeling like you are in one big tourist playground.

Alaska Airlines also will have seasonal flights between Anchorage and Honolulu. By seasonal, one can only mean that it will be in the winter time when you know all the people in Hawaii will be eager to escape to the great white north. Just kidding. Alaskans will be stoked to have another option for flights to Hawaii. In fact, I think the two states should form a partnership where citizens from each get to visit one another for free.

For the rest of us, Alaska’s foray into Hawaii just means an increased likelihood of competitive prices on flights to paradise. Find the best deals on airfare to Hawaii and other helpful information to plan your trip to the islands.

Hawaii always seems like the place to go when it is snowing outside and the winter cold is nipping at your nose, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t consider a trip to paradise when it is warm at your home. The Hawaiian Islands are pretty all year round and a relaxing trip to them can cure the blues no matter the season.

The weather in Hawaii is just about the same in January as it is in June: perfect. The biggest difference is that there is less rain in the summer months.

Weather in Hawaii is very consistent, with only minor changes in temperature throughout the year. There are really only 2 seasons in Hawaii: summer (called Kau in Hawaiian) from May to October and winter (Ho’oilo) from November to April. The average daytime summer temperature at sea level is 85º F. (29.4 C) while the average daytime winter temperature is 78º (25.6º C). Temperatures at night are approximately 10º F. lower.

The best part about Hawaii in the summer is that it is usually cheaper to fly there. Aloha Airlines demonstrates that with some super cheap flights to Hawaii from California this spring and summer.

NOTE: Aloha Airlines appears to have ceased operations. Please check prices on Hawaiian Airlines instead.