As announced months ago, United/Continental Airlines begin direct service between Hilo and Los Angeles this month.  Flights are now available to fly direct between the two cities!

So, there is now one more option available for outer-island visitors looking to avoid the crowds at Honolulu-International (HNL).   And especially for those visitors who are primarily interested in visiting the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to catch the latest action there.  Prices are not exactly bargains at a round-trip fare of $796.90 (again, I just did a quick check and it may be possible to find lower fares).

At the time they announced their intentions to connect LA and Hilo, United/Continental Airlines also indicated that they would offer direct flights between Hilo and San Francisco.  However, that has not yet happened and is apparently not available yet…I checked as far out as the end of this month.