21 thoughts on “Hawaii Travel Rip-Off Report 2022 | Save Money Now”
Michael R
Hawai’i has lots of good simple spots to eat and grab flood to go, though some closed due to covid (RIP Jimbo’s in Honolulu). Local food includes excellent casual Vietnamese spots for soup, noodles, Banh Mi (sandwiches) etc. Plenty of spots to pick up poke, poke’ bowls and various rice and noodle bowls not to mention Kalbi ribs, teri chicken etc. Our first dinner in Hawai’i has always been poke over sushi rice and a nice bottle of sparkling wine. Wine selections are good at some local stores but pricey compared to the mainland.
Thanks for posting these excellent tips to help us visitors save a few bucks. And eating local means a chance to connect with the local residents, always a plus.
If you come here and need cash, I recommend (if you can) being a member of a credit union. Most, but not all, ATMs at CUs can be used fee free. Also if your CU is a member of the NCUA you can (usually) go in the branch and get money from a teller for free. Added bonus is that you get to talk to an actual person, maybe talk story too.
My wife and I have been going almost yearly to the Islands since 1988 and we just returned from 10 days on Kaua’i in April. YES everything has gone up in price and many activities were not available unless you booked prior to your trip, many restaurants we found were closed during dinner hours or were out of business and rental cars were way overpriced. Now they are talking about adding Tourist fees, beach and park use fees. I’ve even read where the Governor said that they don’t want 11 million visitors they would rather have 8 million with bigger wallets.
Well as far as I know tourism is one of their main incomes, if everything keeps going up people will be finding new places to spend their vacation bucks and will be saying aloha.
If you’re a veteran, get the veterans’ discounts at national parks. We got free entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The attendant offered me a senior discount, so I thought I’d ask about veterans. Such a discount is not something I generally ask for, but I’m glad I did there.
Really helpful, thoughtful hints – thank you! We just returned from Kauai, stayed at a VRBO rental and saved plenty of money by eating most, but not all, meals in. One thing we didn’t do was book excursions in advance and that was a mistake. Most all activities were booked 2 weeks out. The upside to that was finding new, scenic trails to hike, visiting botanical gardens, and exploring beaches we’d never visited! Thanks for all your great info! I appreciate!
Additional thoughts: I really appreciate the farmer’s market suggestion. Since we stay at places with kitchens or kitchenettes, I might suggest travelers consider what you purchase on the way in at the big box, particularly Costco. We’ve watched fellow guests with a luggage cart stacked from the big box, and we’ve also seen the waste. Our traveling partners know wine and find good values at the big box but they exemplify planning and selective shopping. We now bring an insulated reusable bottle for water.
Great points. After 56 trips to the islands, I prioritize “book direct.” I would encourage joining customer affi ity programs before you book, assuming g there’s no fee. I saved hours with the expedited rental checking on our trip in May, shorter line, and no declining add ons. Also, great tips on dining; we love to eat out but paying a nice place to stay always includes a plan to eat 2/3rds of our meals on the lanai kr at a park.
Good suggestions. We always book a refundable rental car & I check prices constantly! Have saved @ $300-400 by changing. We go to as many farmers markets as possible to get the fresh fruits/veggies & meals! Go to local “hole in a wall” places. We have found the best food & prices are very responsible. We stay in vacation rentals for the space & kitchen although not “cooking” on vacation! Lol
Start watching airline prices so you know what the average price is so when/if they go down you will know it. Mostly, just have fun & be kind!
Hawai’i has lots of good simple spots to eat and grab flood to go, though some closed due to covid (RIP Jimbo’s in Honolulu). Local food includes excellent casual Vietnamese spots for soup, noodles, Banh Mi (sandwiches) etc. Plenty of spots to pick up poke, poke’ bowls and various rice and noodle bowls not to mention Kalbi ribs, teri chicken etc. Our first dinner in Hawai’i has always been poke over sushi rice and a nice bottle of sparkling wine. Wine selections are good at some local stores but pricey compared to the mainland.
Thanks for posting these excellent tips to help us visitors save a few bucks. And eating local means a chance to connect with the local residents, always a plus.
Hi Michael.
Thanks for that input on food options. Great to hear from you.
Aloha.
If you come here and need cash, I recommend (if you can) being a member of a credit union. Most, but not all, ATMs at CUs can be used fee free. Also if your CU is a member of the NCUA you can (usually) go in the branch and get money from a teller for free. Added bonus is that you get to talk to an actual person, maybe talk story too.
My wife and I have been going almost yearly to the Islands since 1988 and we just returned from 10 days on Kaua’i in April. YES everything has gone up in price and many activities were not available unless you booked prior to your trip, many restaurants we found were closed during dinner hours or were out of business and rental cars were way overpriced. Now they are talking about adding Tourist fees, beach and park use fees. I’ve even read where the Governor said that they don’t want 11 million visitors they would rather have 8 million with bigger wallets.
Well as far as I know tourism is one of their main incomes, if everything keeps going up people will be finding new places to spend their vacation bucks and will be saying aloha.
If you’re a veteran, get the veterans’ discounts at national parks. We got free entry into Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. The attendant offered me a senior discount, so I thought I’d ask about veterans. Such a discount is not something I generally ask for, but I’m glad I did there.
Really helpful, thoughtful hints – thank you! We just returned from Kauai, stayed at a VRBO rental and saved plenty of money by eating most, but not all, meals in. One thing we didn’t do was book excursions in advance and that was a mistake. Most all activities were booked 2 weeks out. The upside to that was finding new, scenic trails to hike, visiting botanical gardens, and exploring beaches we’d never visited! Thanks for all your great info! I appreciate!
Hi Debbie.
Glad you found that information was useful and that you had a great time on Kauai.
Aloha.
Additional thoughts: I really appreciate the farmer’s market suggestion. Since we stay at places with kitchens or kitchenettes, I might suggest travelers consider what you purchase on the way in at the big box, particularly Costco. We’ve watched fellow guests with a luggage cart stacked from the big box, and we’ve also seen the waste. Our traveling partners know wine and find good values at the big box but they exemplify planning and selective shopping. We now bring an insulated reusable bottle for water.
I sure doesn’t sound like Pradise.
Great points. After 56 trips to the islands, I prioritize “book direct.” I would encourage joining customer affi ity programs before you book, assuming g there’s no fee. I saved hours with the expedited rental checking on our trip in May, shorter line, and no declining add ons. Also, great tips on dining; we love to eat out but paying a nice place to stay always includes a plan to eat 2/3rds of our meals on the lanai kr at a park.
Good suggestions. We always book a refundable rental car & I check prices constantly! Have saved @ $300-400 by changing. We go to as many farmers markets as possible to get the fresh fruits/veggies & meals! Go to local “hole in a wall” places. We have found the best food & prices are very responsible. We stay in vacation rentals for the space & kitchen although not “cooking” on vacation! Lol
Start watching airline prices so you know what the average price is so when/if they go down you will know it. Mostly, just have fun & be kind!
“We’ve used this ourselves when there was a cheap airfare that’d soon be good.”
What are you trying to say?
Hi Leni.
“That’d soon be gone.” Thanks.
Aloha.