I wish that I could say that booking next August's (2006) trip has been as easy as our previous 3 but it was indeed a challenge. There are a lot of unused frequent flyer miles out there and everyone wants the same seats! After a total of 7, 2 am nights I was able to get 2 first class and three coach seats to Honolulu. Forget being able to fly in or out of Maui. Those go faster than light speed! I almost had it but the agent lost one of the coach seats by putting DS 26 in first class. She saw her mistake immediately but then, so did a dozen other people. We are flying back from HNL as well. I dutifully stayed up the following night, as I tend toward OCD and wanted to be sure that I could complete the itinerary that I started. I was assured that the LAX to BDL portion would be assured and I could really call anytime. Glad I stayed up! DH and I are on one plane, through ATL, DSs on another, SLC and they get home two hours later. I have them waitlisted for our flight but if it doesn't come through, So be it. The other pieces of the puzzle are the interisland flights. Thank goodness for those United Frequent Flyer miles! We have used them before for interisland flights but I expected that, like AA and a couple of other airlines, that the miles requirement would have gone up. AA requires 10,000 miles per RT. United still only requires 5,000. What a great use of those small mileage accounts that are going to expire before you can save enough to get a domestic ticket. One DS had 7200, the other 5200. I used 15K from DH's account and we now have 5 RT tickets on Aloha! We will just have to purchase 5 one way tickets to complete our plans. Yesterday I did the car rentals. We need a mini van or a Ford Explorer (need the 3rd seat)
on all islands. I won't itemize each island, which are each on a separate reservation, but with codes that don't expire, our total rental car bill for 18 days, including taxes and fees will be $877. I plan to use the new entertainment book for an additional $25 discount at the counter for each rental, bringing the rate down to $802. Budget Rental has Ford Explorers but of course that could change in 11 months so I have a back up minivan on Maui reserved that will be $20 more. I have also booked the Hale Koa for 3 nights, one of the condos on Kauai for 5 and will wait to book the Maui condo. Outrigger on Kauai has a 3 day cancellation policy and the credit card just holds the room. They do not process the card so I lose nothing by holding the unit. I am open to any additional money saving suggestions. I will get a Safeway card, unless I can find the one I had, A Foodland card, and of course will bring my Costco card for Maui. The hard part of course is waiting to go!
on all islands. I won't itemize each island, which are each on a separate reservation, but with codes that don't expire, our total rental car bill for 18 days, including taxes and fees will be $877. I plan to use the new entertainment book for an additional $25 discount at the counter for each rental, bringing the rate down to $802. Budget Rental has Ford Explorers but of course that could change in 11 months so I have a back up minivan on Maui reserved that will be $20 more. I have also booked the Hale Koa for 3 nights, one of the condos on Kauai for 5 and will wait to book the Maui condo. Outrigger on Kauai has a 3 day cancellation policy and the credit card just holds the room. They do not process the card so I lose nothing by holding the unit. I am open to any additional money saving suggestions. I will get a Safeway card, unless I can find the one I had, A Foodland card, and of course will bring my Costco card for Maui. The hard part of course is waiting to go!
But I do have to add that I am jealous!! 
The last time we went to Maui, we actually found Blue Pool on the road to Hana. There were signs everywhere; "turn back, go away, no parking". I guess someone knew we would park anyway and had can on a post to collect $$$. 
