Where in the South Pacific?

My wife and I are in our late twenties and we'd like to travel somewhere in the South Pacific in late January or early February. We are looking for a destination that has reasonably-priced 1-way tickets out of California so we aren't tied down to a return date and return departure location. It looks like Air New Zealand flies from LA to Fiji for $769. It sounds like it's the wet season in Fiji, although lonelyplanet.com says Mamanuca and Yasawa are good choices during the wet season.

Should we head to Fiji or is there a better choice in the South Pacific? We've been to Australia twice and love it there, but the 1-way tickets are almost twice as expensive as the flight to Fiji.

We're just looking for very broadly-defined adventure. Nature hikes are great, but so are city walks. Rustic is fun, but upscale is comfortable. We just want to see some new stuff.

These destinations all have reasonably-priced 1-way tickets from LAX:

Fiji NAN
Tahiti PPT
Samoa PPG
Tonga TBU
Vanuatu VLI

Which would you pick for February/March? Late January or early February would be our departure from home.

i thought youd have visa entry problems if you dont have a return ticket outta there? try flying one way into the states and you won't get in without being sent straight back, so I think you atleast need to have a credible story of a planned exit to show customs on entry or it may be more hassle than its worth.

Can anyone verify this? I won't be able to enter Fiji without a return ticket?

Officially you do need a ticket out to be allowed into ANY of the Pacific islands!

In practice, Fiji was the place where immigratioin never asked about this, but even the check-in staff of the airline flying you there may not let you board your flight without one.

Otherwise, Fiji seems to suit your needs.

Sounds like we need round trip tickets. Where would you go in the region in February/March? Anywhere from the South Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, south-east Asia, etc.

Most of mainland SE Asia has good weather at that time.
In Indonesia only the Maluku region (my favourite) has its drier season then.
In AU, you'd want to go south, as it is their summer.

the all are good but that time of year is hurricane season, one isnt definte but you should be aware that it may be hot wet days during such, not exactly blue sky as per the brochures, that said, who knows, it may just be perfect, so your call i guess. just go and enjoy yourself!

Is the entire region subject to hurricanes, or just the islands?

Just adding another option.. there are direct flights from LAX to Rarotonga (Cook Islands) once a week (leave Los Angeles late Sunday night and wake up in paradise). I'm not sure what the fares are like at the moment but we have a friend coming in May who got an incredible deal LAX - Brisbane (Australia) with a Cook Islands stopover. Rarotonga is also a stopover option on your way to New Zealand. You will need an onward ticket if you fly into Rarotonga. Summer here is hot and steamy and there is always the chance of a cyclone or two, but that's life in the tropics! ;)