Panic in paradise: Are high fares the new reality for Hawaii?

On March 31, 2008, Hawaii lost 15 percent of its air service as Aloha Airlines and the cheap-flight airline ATA suddenly shut down. Stranded travelers were offered flights to West coast cities at $1,000 one way. Within a month, the fare to west coast cities dropped to about $200 a round trip. Stranded travelers complained of price gouging.