From www.mauinews.com:

Flying over desert cheaper than flying over water? Read this letter......

"Having just moved to Maui three months ago, it is with great interest that I read the letters to the editor.
I have to agree that Hawaiian and Aloha airlines are ripping off their customers with outrageous prices. You can fly Southwest airline from Los Angeles to Las Vegas - a 40-minute flight - for $50 round-trip!...."

An interesting comparison and both are high density routes.

MisterNice