Least inexpensive way to get to Samoa from US...

Hi all What is the most inexpensive way of getting from the US (Detroit) to Samoa? It's ridiculously expensive to do Air NZ to LAX/Auckland?Apia.

Would piece mealing something together going on Hawaiian Air to Seattle/HON/Pago then to Samoa be more reasonable?

Experiences, please.

Fiji Airways (former Air Pacific) has one direct flight per week (Friday late pm) from Honolulu to Apia. Around USD 450 one way. There might be deals sometimes. Going with Hawaiian would be the other option through Honolulu. However it does not take you to Apia yet and you would need to add on the PPG-APW flight.

Two more options you could research:

1) Book the cheapest ticket available from Detroit to Los Angeles and a separate one from LA to Apia changing planes in Nadi with Fiji Airways (not daily, verify the schedules).

2) Book with American Airlines from Detroit to Nadi (the leg from LA to Nadi is coshared with Fiji Airways and operated by Fiji Airways) and a separate ticket from Nadi to Apia with Fiji Airways.

P.S.: You could also look for fares out of Chicago if they are cheaper and you don't bother the road trip to/from Chicago.

Fiji Airways is your only viable option, fortunately it is also a nice airline. If you have miles on American, now is the time to burn them. Detroit--LAX--Nandi--Apia. You can do it on one ticket (or one reward redemption).