We've already expressed our repulsion at the baggage fees that airlines keep piling on passengers these days but we were appalled at this fee that we saw United Airlines leveraging on passengers at the Kahului Airport (OGG) in Maui, Hawaii yesterday.

The sign says,

$125 charge for checked bags over 50lbs.

Usually, we understand that overweight bags should be dinged for their heftiness but $125? That is just thievery. And according to United's website, oversized baggage costs $175. Ugh. Better consider shipping that luggage instead.

Got an outrageous checked baggage fee experience? Unlike the stone-faced check-in agents, Jaunted is ready to listen to you! Send us your story.

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· Oversized, overweight and excess baggage [United Airlines] ]]> juliana 2009-08-21T10:42:32-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/4/29/162347/908

Dear Lindsay, We'd like to thank you for perusing our options for the Five Vacations to Heal Your Soul. Your decision to pick option #2, Maui, Hawaii, has been lauded throughout the office (currently made-up of one afternoon editor and a napping French bulldog.)

However, instead of going on a yoga retreat like we suggested it seems you have made friends with the male owner of several-area internet cafes. Ugh. But whatever gets you out of LA and out of stalking Samantha Ronson, we guess we'll be cool with.

One more thing before you go rock-climbing again--you know what would really enrich your travel experience? Twittering it for us and perhaps doing a couple of videos a la Shira Lazar? You know, show us what you got. And hey, you can put it on your reel under "Recent Work."

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· Lindsay Lohan spends, suns in Hawaii after Samantha Ronson split [NY Daily News]
· Five Vacations That Will Heal Lindsay Lohan's Soul [Jaunted]
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[Photo: Just Jared] ]]> juliana 2009-04-29T16:33:47-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/19/0924/70497

A chicken in every pot and a Hawaiian shirt in every cabana: "Sex and the City" heartthrob Chris Noth imparts to his son the joys of slightly off-peak vacations.

After a summer slump, Hawaii isn't doing much better in tourism going into the fall--but the rest of the country has dropped to meet it. Why feel the thrill of clambering around a live volcano or riding your first wave when you can watch the CNBC anchors' eyes bug out after another bank collapses?

Hmm, maybe we should take our curmudgeonly selves island-ward?

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[Photo: Faded Youth Blog]]]> egw 2008-09-19T09:15:31-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/26/4332/24289

Since we're in the season of those big poll-generated travel awards from the likes of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure, we thought we could add one more category to the pile. According to Maui Time Weekly, the Valley Isle has the highest rate of auto thefts in the Hawaiian Islands. Since the State of Hawaii has very high auto theft rates in general, the Maui auto theft rates must be astronomical.

The article quotes cops and attorneys general waxing on about why drifting on Maui means lifting some poor tourists rental car. Of course, it sounds like a lot of cars get lifted from the rental lots with the help of employees who love to give their friends the five-fingered discount. Which may explain why, when you go to pick up your smokin' 'Stang convert that you end up with Dodge Neon instead.

Somehow we don't think this category will ever make the CNT Gold List issue, however.

Alex Salkever is the editor/founder of Hawaii travel blog Hawaiirama.com

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· Hawaii Travel [Jaunted]
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[Photo: dnorman] ]]> ASalkever 2007-06-01T12:21:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2007/5/1/155538/3837

No, despite what it looks like Kate Bosworth is not in Hawaii filming some sort of Maui travel ad for "Go Hawaii". She is, however, currently on the island to celebrate the grand opening of a restaurant called DUO at the Four Seasons Maui.

The restaurant has a private dining room near the scenic upper waterfall pool, where attendants provide ice water and chill towels, though Kate seemed determined to show off the hotels simpler activities, like snorkeling.

[Photos: Superior Pics]

More pics of Kate Bosworth in Maui. ]]> markj 2007-05-01T16:20:25-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/12/21/85030/138

Maui native Ian Walsh looked good early in the latest Triple Crown of Surfing event, but he ended up missing the cut after the quarterfinals. Think you could hang longer? Then you need to head to Maui, where the surf is ripping right now. The swells--like they do every year--are drawing heaps of surfers and windsurfers looking to shred. If you want to join in the fun, we've got some tips on how to get started.

Nancy Emerson School of Surfing promises to get newbies in the water and on their feet in just a couple of hours. Lessons happen all over the island, and the school has all the gear you'll need. Multi-day packages are also available.

Already a surf pro, looking to challenge Ian? Well then, head to the north shore to world-famous breaks like the Banzai Pipeline and beaches like Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach. Waves can crank up to 25 or 30 feet, so you better know what you're doing out there. We'll join you next year.

If all the surf wax is getting to your head, check into South Pacific Kayaks in Wailea. They offer a more relaxing time with kayak rentals and guided tours to local snorkel spots. The winter seas can be a bit bumpy, but a nice long paddle could be just the thing if you're just looking to soak up the sun.

[Photo: Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]]> pbb 2006-12-21T11:45:26-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2006/11/16/8567/8427

Okay, so you're totally into the idea of a mancation but you and the fellas are more Donny Do-a-lot than Larry Lounge-lizard. No worries: out in Maui, deep sea sport fishing is a year-round sport. So how do you best get in on the action? Charter a boat, have the skipper load it up with snacks and hit the high seas searching for the big game of the Pacific. Haven't done this before? Give a call to Captain Michael Crawford and he'll sort you out.

Don't let the Captain's decidedly low-tech website fool you. He's been around the islands long enough to know pretty much all the boats, fisherman and local lore. Some of Capt. Crawford's best advice: Make sure to call ahead. You're not the only one headed to Maui this winter, bro. And don't forget to pack an extra muscle shirt!

[Photo: dan_armijo]

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· Mancations Sweep The Nation [Jaunted]]]> pbb 2006-11-16T09:23:59-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/