Doing the island hop for less

THE surf’s up and running fast in Hawaii -- a fall and winter phenomenon that occurs when powerful North Pacific storms churn up monster swells. It’s a great time to island hop in search of giant waves. And this year, it’s cheaper than ever because an airfare war is roiling in the skies over the Aloha State.

Fares as low as $39 each way are luring vacationers and residents alike to fly between the islands; one-way tickets formerly ran about $75 to $199.

The discount fares -- well-timed for winter travelers seeking surf, sun and sand -- are thanks to the start-up of an inter-island carrier called Go. It’s an affiliate of Phoenix-based Mesa Airlines, a scrappy regional airline that offers express service on the mainland for Delta, United and US Airways.

Go entered the Hawaiian short-hop business in June; it has 64 flights daily between Honolulu, on Oahu, and Lihue, Kauai; Kahului, Maui; and Kona and Hilo on the Big Island.

The new airline’s first special offered tickets for as little as $19, with regular fares $39. It didn’t take long for Hawaii’s main inter-island carriers, Aloha and Hawaiian, to drop their fares.

Lawsuits didn’t take long to develop either. Both Aloha and Hawaiian have sued Mesa. Hawaiian claims Mesa “is using deceptive practices, size and clout to injure competitors and competition.” Aloha alleges that Mesa is unethically competing in the Hawaii market by offering fares that fail to cover Mesa’s costs. According to Aloha, Mesa Chief Executive Jonathan Ornstein “has stated more than once that Mesa’s Go can fly empty for five years with the profits from Mesa’s mainland operations ... to drive out competition from the Hawaii market.”

Go is taking it in stride, said Paul Skellon, vice president of communications and international operations for Mesa. “No doubt we’ve had an impact,” Skellon said. “They’re pretty cynical about us and our pricing.”

Travel between the Hawaiian islands has been dropping in recent years, mainly because long-haul airlines are offering more nonstop service from the mainland to Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.

But Mesa saw an opportunity, Skellon said. “We think there are a lot of people who would like to travel between neighbor islands -- to visit family or friends -- but felt that they couldn’t afford it.”

The new airline has just five planes, all 50-seat regional jets, but hopes to add larger aircraft -- perhaps 70- to 90-seaters -- next year, he said.

“We don’t see ourselves ever becoming a large airline, but we’re running 60% to 70% full right now, and if we add larger planes, it will bring down our per-seat cost.”

Go isn’t the only new inter-island transport service. Next July, Hawaii Superferry plans to begin daily service from Oahu to Maui and Kauai. One-way passenger fares will start at $42; automobile fares will start at $55. Daily Superferry service to the Big Island is planned for early 2009.

*

rosemary.mcclure@latimes.com