Hawaii travelers on a budget may be shocked to find that fast food here may not be a way to save money on your vacation. Those of us who have been to the Honolulu Airport are often shocked to see food prices for that Whopper. In fact, Burger King charges the most anywhere for their product in Hawaii. If you want to see just how the prices compare with other places, read on.
Burger King is among the fast-food joints you’ll find most ubiquitous through the islands. It hearkens back to Florida in 1954 and is popular here. You’ll find that it is the fast vendor of choice (along with Starbucks) at Hawaii airports, like Honolulu, which is in part why we mentioned it here. We’ve had the unfortunate pleasure of finding it to be the only thing open at HNL on Oahu. There, a family of four can easily expect to spend north of $100 for burgers.
You’ll pay at least an extra 34% for Burger King in Hawaii.
Hawaii, being isolated geographically among other issues, gets the very worst deal on Burger King, with it costing 34% over the national average and 15% more than the second-most expensive state, California. In our experience, prices are far worse than the study indicates.
We were first reminded of this with a comment from Mark from San Francisco. He said, “Outrageous restaurant pricing! It’s unbelievable how dining out has gotten in Hawaii, even fast food is so much more than in San Francisco!” So this certainly impacts visitors as well as locals.
In fact, if you’re craving fast food and are somewhere other than Hawaii’s airports, you may find yourself doing better with a McDonald’s Hawaii sandwich. There interestingly, the most expensive Big Macs are actually at an eatery in Massachusetts, while overall, the highest Mcdonald’s prices will be found in Alaska, which is 24% higher than the national average. Hawaii, on the other hand, is just 10% higher than the national norm, making Alaska far worse in terms of prices than McDonald’s Hawaii.
What is going on with Hawaii’s fast food prices?
There are factors contributing to the high cost of fast food in Hawaii to be aware of. These include Hawaii’s geographic Isolation. Being in the mid-Pacific, ingredients come with significant transportation costs. Shipping items across vast distances increases expenses for suppliers, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.
In addition, there is no food production in Hawaii that supports fast food operations. Almost all fast food ingredients aren’t available to be sourced locally, resulting in expensive imports from the mainland. Not only that, but real estate used for fast food locations is scarce and expensive. Hawaii fast food chains contend with steep rent and other location specific costs, which ended up in the menu prices.
Moving further, the cost of labor in Hawaii is high, reflecting the high cost of living here. Fast food restaurants must pay their employees more, which contributes to higher operational expenses.
Hawaii tourism also drives fast food demand and cost.
It’s no surprise that Hawaii visitors often opt for fast food from the standpoint of convenience, familiarity, and arguably lower cost compared with alternatives. That demand leads to higher prices and increased demand.
Limited competition is another factor. Visitors help create a captive market for fast food operations. That provides more opportunity to set higher prices.
Look for quick bite flavors at Hawaii fast food chains.
If you decide to bite into that fast food meal, there will be some unique taste options to justify the higher prices. In the Aloha State, you’ll find Hawaii specialties, including rice, Spam Musubi, different egg dishes, soy sauce on the side, something with seaweed, and coconut pudding haupia pies. What about a McDonald’s Saimin?
You’ll have to decide if these are good plate lunch alternatives and better than Rainbow Drive-In, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, Zippy’s, or a local family dinner spot.
What’s your experience with the cost of fast food in Hawaii?
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Went to the Burger King drive thru yesterday across from Lahaina Cannery Mall yesterday. Wanted to grab a soft drink for the ride back to Central Maui. I ordered a 30 ounce drink and when she said “that will be $5.74” ($5.49 plus tax), I thought she was joking.
In regards to the above mentioned McDonalds Saimin,
On June 29, 2022, McDonald’s Hawaii announced that it would no longer offer saimin on its menu. The item was discontinued because Okahara Saimin, the chain’s supplier, closed due to its owners’ retirement at the end of May.
Grab bento boxes… so many options. I love going to Don Quixote for musubi and bentonite! Or poke bowls…
I love this article – An informative and entertaining piece. But I couldn’t help thinking as I read all the way through: “If you can’t afford fast food prices in Hawaii, you can’t afford to be there in the first place.”
We love Zippy’s!! We have been to everyone there is, we recently made a trip to Las Vegas to visit the first one on the mainland (though it was different than the island ones).
We eat at L & L, Chicken in a Barrel, Da Crack and Chalupa’s food truck on Kaua’i, Steak Shack on Waikiki, Zippy’s, Leota’s, Las Islitas Tacos Y Mariscos food truck, Coconut’s Fish Cafe and many other local places. No reason a vacation to Hawaiʻi needs to break the food budget if you know where to eat.
Oh, and Foodland for sandwiches on beach picnic days.
Aloh, BOH!
I am sure the rent at the airport is very high.
Seems that the Isalnds don’t reaally want tourists. Not everyone is rich who goes ot Maui.
We love Maui but more and more the Governor is ruiing it wiith his ignorance of people’s needs to have a vacation that is cheaper and less stressful.
As an expat, I know the price of many things are higher in Hawaii. As for fast food, Kamaaina have created alternatives that I find much more satisfying and, in many cases, are healthier. Frankly, the idea of fast food is somehow contrary to the reason that most people say they visit. Hawaii is an experience to be soaked in and savored, not gobbled up as your car cruises down the road. Try the local okazu-ya (Google it) or a loaf of fresh bread with cheese and fruit while you sit on the sand and watch the ocean. Why would you deprive yourself of a memorable experience like that?
I think we all understand why things are so expensive in Hawaii. Jones act (additional $2,000 per average Hawaii resident), Bureaucracy on steroids with “development fees” adding as much as 50% to the cost of building, unionized and unaccountable public employees and bureaucrat’s, (Ed Sniffen’s inept Department of transportation)and lack of choice at the airport (1 food venue at the new T1 at HNL).
A few ways we avoid high priced food at the airport:
1 Pick up your food prior to entering the airport. All food except drinks can come through security.
2 Freeze your drink the night before the trip to the airport. Drink whatever has turned to liquid prior to going through security and inform TSA.
3 Pack local jerky or other snacks
wheres the beef! yIKES, I have been planning on stopping at McDonalds when I arrive at OGG to hold me over until I get settled into the hotel…now, I may tough it out until I get to dinner. Otherwise it will cost me 80 bucks for dinner! Nope, dont need that crap anyway.
77 years “experience” says”
Spam Musubi and a cold beer. Malasadas and Kona coffee for a “sweet tooth” … and the ubiquitous Hawai’ian Plate Lunch.
You can’t go wrong. Leave the mainstream city-folk fast food habits on da’ Mainland, Bruddah’s and Sistah’s …
When in Hawai’i do as the Hawai’ians do … you won’t be sorry … (smiles)
The poke at Foodlano is delicous. The prices haven’t changed very much. They’re still #1 to me.
I never eat fast food, but decided that I wanted to try the Mc D’s guava creme pie on my way home from work in Kailua Kona. 2-3 signs advertising the pies going into the drive-thru, only to be told at speaker to order ‘ we sold out’. Was gonna get a burger (since I was now stuck with a line of cars behind)- until I saw it was $7-$10 for one burger, nothing less than $5! No thanks lol
I’ve been in that predicament before and it sucks. You order something you’re not really hungry for and end up giving it
away. Why couldn’t they put up a sign at the beginning of the drive through that they were out of guava pies. Wasted my time, my money and caused me embarassment.
Yes, signs indicating they were out should be automatic. And our traffic in that area at that time is horrendous just getting through, but the ‘detour’ to possibly try a special item cost me about 45 minutes extra, even though the Mc D’s is literally on the main road through town on my way home!
Why would anyone eat fast food in Hawaii, and miss all the great local food and fresh catch fish. Don’t forget all the delicious fruit in Hawaii. Best papaya in the world, period! BTW, The prices at our local L. L. Hawaiian BBQ here in New Braunfels, Texas isn’t that much cheaper than at the Hanalei location near our Princeville timeshare. Always good for a quick meal.
Aloha to all!
I’ve been visiting the Islands since 1976. Visits 2 to 3 times a year, and owns a Timeshare at Ko Olina. I very recently bought a Whopper meal at the Honolulu Airport. The cost was $19…on top of that, the burger patties were cold. When I went back to ask if they can mitigate it, the answer was just a “no”. Never again.
So, how is the price of Poke at Foodland doing?
Depends on the variety or if it’s fresh or pre frozen fish. Can vary from ~$12.99 a pound on special to over $20.00 a pound for fresh caught. I’m a traditionalist – not much into heavy mayo and spice concoctions that drown out the flavor – Shoyu Ahi Limu w sweet onions and a drizzle of sesame oil. Fresh cost me ~$16 a pound when I was there last month.
Best Regards!
Hawaii airports are a monopoly unlike other airports. Duty Free and the McNaughton group which has the franchise to Starbucks, Burger King, chow mien express, Lahaina Chicken and others control what few restaurants and items on the menu you can enjoy. Trust me when I tell you the airport workers are fed up…. Old boys club at it again…
I paid $56.00 for 3 BK meals (only 1 Whopper, the other 2 were smaller combos) at HNL last May flying out. They’re more expensive now, I looked coming back this time in Feb. I usually don’t go the fast food route but I make an exception w the Waikiki Mc D’s. I often stop first thing in morning after my walk for an Egg McMuffin combo meal w coffee. ~ $8.50. Can’t complain about that. Keeps me going till da Plate lunch! Hawaii isn’t the only place with crazy fast food pricing: If people keep paying it, the prices are only going to go up.
nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/five-guys-prices-backlash/3471435/
Best Regards
What about some local burger joints? Bubba Burgers and Duane’s Ono Char Burgers at Anahola, Kaua’i? Duane’s is my all-time favorite.
I almost cried when they shut down but alas, there back.
Same little joint, same long wait. Wonderful!
Bill
Hi Bill, I have yet to ever catch Ono char burger open in Anahola. I have heard about how good it is and yet they’re always closed no matter what time of the day I drive by. I ate at Burger King in Kapaa and it was ok. Don’t remember what we paid. This was 5 yrs ago. Keep me posted on Ono Char burgers.,please.
The supermarket prices are not better either. I just prefer not to eat at all while I’m there.
Why not eat at l & l?much better and varied food then fast food.
I’ve always considered any food in HI high, due to needing to import ingredients from the mainland. We always expect food to be higher anytime we go to an island destination on vacation. However, with CA going to $20/hr wage in April for fast food restaurant employees, our prices probably won’t be that far off from HI. When the prices go up here, we will have to be more selective about what we order and where from. I’m sure that’s happening in HI also.
Just head to Costco and get a Pizza or hot dog! Save a fortune because in some locations you don’t have to go inside the store! (Bring your membership card)
Really , are fast food employees, make $17.00 -$21.oo per hour here in Calif, so don’t blame the work force, blame the greedy owners……
Sorry to tell you but these “greedy” owners sometimes make less than their staff. I knew an owner that finally had to close down because he went bankrupt. Remember the Starting pay may be 15/hour but there are increases to get you to stay. Plus, supplies have increased their prices to cover for their increased wage costs…and so on, and so on…
I am kama’aina that moved away. Happy that my Lau lau’s, poi n poki bowls are cheaper than whoppers!
Aloha,
No kidding Burger King is high ! At OGG 2 chicken sandwiches, fries and 2 drinks were $45.00, in December. It did have more flavor that most of the so called better restaurants. Most them are bland at best. We go to the Big Island 2 -3 times a year. May not be back, getting too expensive.
I am not sure why anyone would want to eat fast food in paradise. Fortunately none of the chains exist in Poipu or Hanalei.
Maybe that’s all some people can afford. For fast food in Poipu, there’s always a line at Bubba Burgers in the Kukui’ula Shopping Center, at Da Shack, Puka Dog, relatively inexpensive places like that. And don’t discount the food trucks. Pretty good food, not expensive. And the Farmer’s Markets, like the one in Lihue on Saturday’s where you can get not only fresh produce, but also breakfast and lunch.
There are ways, if you do some research.
Good thing I don’t go to any of them. If unhealthy food gets more expensive, may be people will opt for healthier options that frankly aren’t more expensive, most of the time. There is a huge obese problem in Hawaii and in the US in general. A banana always costs less than $1, no matter where you go …(even at ABC and I also like their Asian Mandarin salad for $10). They there is poke at Foodland or go to Happy Hour where meals are generally less expensive, since they make their money on drinks (optional!)
I agree! I eat healthy food and find my bill is substantially less in Hawaii than in San Francisco. Food in stores and vino is the same or less. My experience of living downtown SF most of my life is that my food bill goes way down when visiting Oahu…I visit 3-5 × a year. Uber trips and Uber Eats ate cheaper too.