Lock 'em in a room with onliy a PSP & MH.

I don't have any suggestions for getting them hooked per say, but what you're doing is the right thing. I found that Monster Hunter is easier to get hooked on when you have friends or a group to hunt with. Getting past that steep curve alone can be tough and for a lot of people it's easier to call it quits then. If others around you seem to get it, you'll be more apt to try again, especially if there's an experienced hunter helping you along to explain things. I got three of my friends hooked on MH this way.

One thing I have to point out is that you gotta let them know that this is a *hunting* game and not a hack and slash game. For some people, button mashing = gaming and when it doesn't happen for them in MH they get frustrated. Once they understand that there's a strategy and a definite way to go about killing monsters, it will finally click and the hook will happen. :D Good luck!