Bask in the tropical lull

Ready to pack? As regulars know, there is no bad time to visit Hawaii, though airfares tend to spike in late December. But bargains can be found after the holidays, usually until summer, when fares begin to creep up again. Here are the best current fares available:

*--* HILO, BIG ISLAND LAX $751 Air Tran, American, Continental, Hawaiian, Northwest, United SNA 881 Aloha BUR 577 Southwest ONT 577 Air Tran, Southwest

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*--* KONA, BIG ISLAND LAX $632 American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest, United SNA 583 Aloha, United, US Airways BUR 603 United, US Airways LGB 611 US Airways ONT 583 United

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*--* LIHUE, KAUAI LAX $632 Air Tran, American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest, United SNA 583 Aloha, United BUR 603 United LGB 821 US Airways ONT 841 United

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*--* HONOLULU, OAHU LAX $330 Air Tran, American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest, United SNA 293 United BUR 553 United ONT 293 United

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*--* KAHULUI, MAUI LAX $393 Air Tran, American, Delta, Hawaiian, United SNA 393 United BUR 593 United ONT 393 United

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*--* MOLOKAI LAX $546 Hawaiian

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*--* LANAI LAX $693 Hawaiian, United

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Sources: Sabre reservation system, airlines and Web

Restricted round-trip airfares as researched on computer Thursday, the day before the travel section goes to press. Fares change daily, and availability is not assured. Fares are for airlines serving Los Angeles International (LAX), Orange County/John Wayne (SNA), Burbank/Bob Hope (BUR), L.A. Ontario (ONT) and Long Beach (LGB). Domestic fares include sales tax; international airfares do not. There may be additional surcharges on both.