Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
LOL… my first flight to HNL was in 1995 and it felt like “rustic paradise” then, and now it’s basically the same… maybe rusty (musty?)paradise, but definitely a bit of a time machine vibe. Arriving is usually better than departing, for obvious reasons.
My first flight to HNL was in 1981 (and with frequency starting later in the decade) and other than now having access to some "spectacularly luxurious" lounges, what is now T2 hasn't materially improved. T1 isn't bad, not great, and hopefully one day the SOC AS with HA lipstick will provide a more better overall experience. As for the outer island experience, I don't think any other airline provides any lounge services, although the OGG lounge accepts Priority Pass (yet won't let AL+ or paid F in unless you're kama'aina?)
♫You can leave it all behind and sail to Lahaina
Just like the missionaries did so many years ago
They even brought a neon sign "Jesus is coming"
Brought the white man's burden down
Brought the white man's reign
...
And you can see them there
On Sunday morning
They stand up and sing about
What it's like up there
They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise
Kiss it goodbye♫