From the east coast (BOS) I don't find roundtrip airfares too bad. We have been 9 times since 1994. In 1994, 2001, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012 we paid between $800 and $900 for each ticket. In 1998 we paid $1,200 for each ticket and in the years 1997 and 2004, we paid $500 per ticket. My inlaws went on their honeymoon to Hawaii in 1988. They paid $880 for each ticket.
A friend of ours is flying on Delta in July. She will be staying for almost three weeks. Her routing is BOS/ATL/HNL and on the return, OGG/HNL/ATL/BOS. Coach was $1,200 per person. First was $1,800 per person. This was a no brainer. I convinced her to purchase the FC airfare. She only bought this ticket in January.
One has to remain vigilant in order to get the best pricing. That can be for airfare, a car, a boat, clothing, etc.