Anyone have any ideas on how to do Hawaii on a strict budget?

[kjh]

I hear you! We are going in July with our two teens and will be staying at the Hale Koa. We used to live there, so for us it is all about revisiting our favorite spots. We plan to go to Ala Moana Mall several times and eat at their food court. It is huge, close by with a car and has a lot of local foods. This way everyone can get what they want. There a lot of small corner places in Waikiki that have really cheap plate lunches (rice, meat and macaroni) and most are really good. We plan to eat a few lunches at Dukes on the beach. Not cheap but something our whole family would like. Also, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village there is a Round Table Pizza that is reasonably priced, just don't do room service. We plan to visit several little places that we used to go to up in Millilani and Pearl Ridge that are hole in the wall type places but oh so good! Sorry, I can't give you names because I only know the locations and not names.... If you stay away from the big restaurants you can eat reasonably on Oahu....

I actually live in Mililani. If you plan to come out to Mililani, check out Mililani golf course club house (alonzo's). Alonzo's hawaiian beef steak is SO good, VERY tender teriyaki steak and they cut most of it up into bite size pieces.
One thing about Ala Moana food court. A few years ago (I son't know how long ago but not long enough for me) there was a report about how they had TONS of rats there. The rats were staying in the rafters during the day and would flock down at night. The droppings would be all over the counters and what not. Once they had that report I will only eat at the food court if I am not the majority of the group and don't want to be the pain in the rear who refuses to go along with the flow. Kapiolani Coffee shop in Waimalu Shopping Center (plaza?) is good food and CHEAP! A local's fav.

Near HHV (maybe a 5-10 minute walk or so) there is Wailana Coffee House. I had breakfast there one morning and I thought it was reasonable and very tasty!
If you have a car try Rainbow Drive In, it's reasonable and good. It's near waikiki, more towards the zoo.
For GOOD cheap pasta (or cheap NY Steak, $7.50 or $8) try JP Serrato in Westridge (across the street from circuit city).
I'll try to think of more cheap places to eat (and I will ask my ex-hubby he works in waikiki). This is definitly my last post until April 6th.
btw, vhoffman just tell those people that you rather be eating at Denny's in Hawaii than anywhere else and nothing like the sunshine shining outside of your hotel window to make those PB&Js taste oh so good.

 

[Skatermom23]

One thing about Ala Moana food court. A few years ago (I son't know how long ago but not long enough for me) there was a report about how they had TONS of rats there. The rats were staying in the rafters during the day and would flock down at night. The droppings would be all over the counters and what not. Once they had that report I will only eat at the food court if I am not the majority of the group and don't want to be the pain in the rear who refuses to go along with the flow. :

I could have gone without hearing this! I guess we will be eating at the Hale Koa more than I thought! Although having lived in Hawaii, I am sure most of the restaurants have some bug issue or another!!

 

[iwannbindisnee]

grlpwrd--thanks so much for the links to the local newpapers. I have been reading them & looking for info closer to our condo. I guess at this point I'll just hav to hope the rain stops & the sun appears. I dont mind when it rains in WDW, there is plenty to do indoors, but I am a little worried about too much rain when we are in kauai, since everything we are planning is outside!!! Not sure what to do but hit a local mall on a rainy day. we'll cross our fingers & say a prayer for better weather to come. The local newpapers also have links to on going specials,etc, so its very hellpful for that as well. Anyone ever use the discount card I saw advertised ( fun & food card??) Let me know if so! Thanks for all of the wonderful info disers!!
Deb

 

[robinb]

They had a dam collapse and I think 7 people got washed away. They ended up closing one of the roads and some tourists got stranded. They did inspect the other dams and found that they should hold up. Hopefully the rain will let up by the time disers visit.

I was on the Bis Island when that happened. So sad! And, IMO, so preventable too.

http://starbulletin.com/2006/03/15/news/story03.html

It seems that a developer clear-cut land around the dam without permits for over 10 years. He was served with grading vioations in 1997 and 2002 and chose not to do anything about it. He recently came to an 8.7 Million dollar agreement with the EPA and finally started work around the dam to put in "stabilization measures" and vegetation planted to control storm water runoff. Too little too late, IMO. The deaths of those 7 people may indeed be on his hands. If he didn't clear cut the land around the resevouir the run off may not have overwealmed the dam. If he hadn't fought the state and the federal government for so long on his illegal activity the stabilization measures would have been in place to help reduce the run off.

More on the dam:
http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?243874ed-8686-496f-abff-40e6deb1581f

Grrr ... can you tell that people like this make me mad?

 

[kjh]

Okay I lied, but this one will be my last for sure. I was trying to get some sleep (I have 1 hour til I leave for the airport so sleep is not coming to me tonight/today)...at about 2:30am local time I though, okay 2 hours for shut eye then I have to get ready to go to the airport. Click, the power went off. I got up, felt my way around and started lighting candles (I bet I won't hear anymore complaints about my online shopping with illuminations ). DD still gets up at night and usually needs milk, I didn't want to be feeling around carrying her. My dad then came home from picking my mom up from work. The power was out in Mililani, so then I thought, I better take a bath now while the water is still hot instead of in 2 hours. So after that I just couldn't sleep, okay okay so i couldn't sleep before that since I am so close to going to Disneyland (although I do have 3 days of training in San Diego first).
but anyways, back on track...Sorry Skatermom. I know, I ate there just days after they had the rat thing on the news (and of course I didn't hardly watch the news back then, that showed me though, although I am not a regular news watcher I do catch it at least 5 days a week). I came home and my dad asked where we ate since he knew I had been shopping at Ala Moana, then he told me....thanks dad, coulda told me BEFORE I left! heehhe. but yes, anywhere you go that is not your own kitchen I would assume to have less than ideal conditions, but rat poo every morning? no thank you. maybe those 24 hour places are on to something...I do eat there from time to time though.
thanks robinb for that update. (I musta missed that part of the news ) It is truly tragic, I hope this reminds people that what they do can and will affect the lives of others, sometimes even so drastically.
Deb, if you get rained in I pretty much guarantee that the malls in Kauai won't keep you happy for too long. My friend often joked that they would go shopping and be done with the whole mall in an hour or 2, unless you want to scour the racks for the very best deals. The malls are quite small from what I remember...maybe a new movie will come out while on vacation. I did check the weather forecast (I worry about the day that my parents and DD will fly out as well as the day we all return home). Looks like the day I get home should be not too bad, chances of showers. but partly cloudy...better than this rain we've been getting.

 

[dreamalittledream]

Thanks to all for the info. I am clueless and this has helped me alot. You would think with all I put into WDW vacation I could get my act together for Hawaii. LOL
I won a trip thru work and we are going to Maui 6/14 for a week and staying at the Maui Sheraton, no kids! I don't have to worry about meals for 3 nights, there are planned events and I think they include bfast.

My question is, we would like to go to the Arizona Memorial but have not a clue as to the best way to go. Should I book a tour? I asked the TA setting up the arrangements but she said I could get something when we get there.
(doesn't she realize the person she is dealing with is a type A plannaholic whose DH's only req was to see the memorial?)

also what places to eat are close to the Hotel, I don't think we will have a car.

thanks!

 

[icekdz]

Dreamalittledream,

You will love the Sheraton Maui! Whalers Village is an easy walk from the Sheraton and has restaurants and a small food court.

http://www.whalersvillage.com/

Are you flying direct to Maui or going via Honolulu? We went through HNL and went to the Arizona Memorial on our last day before flying back home.

 

[vhoffman]

Dreamalittledream,

You do realize that the Arizona memorial is on another island--Oahu? If your stay is on Maui you can arrange a day trip over there and back but it will cost you. Try WWW.Robertstours.com, they arrange such tours. Also, are familiar with www.Hawaii.com ? Its a board similar to this one, with discussions, etc. Might be a good place to get more information. If you go to that website, you need to look on the side bar for "members only" then click on that for message boards, then just register like you do here. A free trip--I'm jealous! Wish I could win one Have a great time!

 

[my3kids]

We're going to Hawaii June 2-18, 5 nights each on Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.

We might be neighbors on Kauai. We'll be there over some of your dates. Small world!

 

[dreamalittledream]

thans for the inight. we are flying United direct into Maui from Chicago. I didn't arrange the flights. I wish we could have had the option of flying into Oahu to see the memorial on the last day, we don't fly out until 2:55 pm. I will look at the websites for more info. (yes I realized that it was on another island after some prelimiary research. They didn't give me alot of info at first, just the dates and Hawaii. DH wanted to rent a car to drive to it then we figured out where we were staying. )

are there any good local bars to hang out in? I would also love to find a place on the beach to eat/hang out. We are going with a large group of "adults" and no kids so we can enjoy ourselves.

also what do I pack? do I need jackets/ sweaters in May? We are not the athletic type so lying on the beach is about as sweaty as I want to get. A boat might be fun but no snorkeling. (I don't like to swim with "things" in the water. Hazards of growing up too close to Jersey Shore)

 

[vhoffman]

Insofar as what to pack--

Mostly casual. There's hardly any need for dress up clothes, unless you plan on a really swanky restaurant. Otherwise, a sundress and light jacket would be about as dressy as you'd want.

Mostly shorts, short sleeve and sleeveless, however, do realize it can get cool there at night. Throw in one pair of jeans, one light weight jacket (windbreaker type), and, especially if you plan to go to the top of Halealaka its cold up there so take at least a sweatshirt with hood, maybe even gloves, depending if you plan just to drive up there and look around or plan to do some hiking.

Nights can get cool (about mid 60's), so plan accordingly. You might want to research average temperatures for the time you're going on www.weather.com.

Some tour books say all the footwear you need are flip flops, that's all Hawaiians wear. That advice irritates me! I've been to Hawaii, they don't just run around in "slippahs". Do take sturdy walking shoes, you won't be walking as much as Disney, but you aren't on sand all the time, either!

Also, don't load yourself down with sunscreen. Yes, I know how important it is, etc., but trust me--you can buy it there. They sell it everywhere, at reasonable prices. Just take along one or two bottles to get going then buy what you need there. We took soooooo much sunscreen and ended up tossing at least 6 bottles! Also, realize sunscreen adds to your luggage weight.

Lets, see....what else can I suggest? Oh, do take AT LEAST two swim suits per person, preferably three. You want to have a dry suit to change into and might go swimming at least twice a day.

Well, anything else is common sense and check various tour books for suggestions, just also heed my advice as to deviations from "tour book" advice from one who has been there!

Concerning tour books, I'd plan a few hours at Barnes & Noble, have a latte, and thumb through several then make your choice. Many rave about the "revealed" series, such as 'Maui Revealed', 'Oahu Revealed', etc., seems I'm going against the grain here, but I'm not particularly impressed with them. They seem more aimed at the "happy wanderer' with advice about hiking trails, etc. They have advice like "...follow such and such road, stop where you see a large tree and painted mailbox, wander down 100+yards and you'll find a great hiking trail" Well, that's just not my thing! Also, they're too heavy (the books) to carry around. They're printed on heavy, glossy paper with beautiful pictures, etc., but hardly practical. I found I preferred the Fodor's books. They have a Fodor's Hawaii and a Fodor's Maui--the Fodor's Hawaii seems to include just about everything in Fodor's Maui so no need to buy both. I'd buy just the Fodor's Maui, less to lug, if you're just going to Maui. I also don't care so much for the Frommer's guides, they are thick (but not heavy) and tend to have more opinion than fact. Well, that's just my opinion! We like the way the Fodor's books were organized--we could look up stuff while traveling without having to wade through pages of extraneous text. Its all a matter of opinion, like I say, just browse through some and pick your choice, however, I wouldn't weigh myself down with more than one guide book.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Hi all--just wanted to say thank you for all of the ideas & suggestions for our trip to Kauai. The websites you all suggested really helped us get great ideas of what we wanted to do & even got us a discount or two. Even some of the codes for car rentals that we have gotten from the transportation thread, worked in Hawaii too! We went on a snorkel cruise, ATV tour, Luau, Plantation dinner, Horseback riding tour & then did plenty of sightseeing in our rental car! I don't know of a more beautiful scenic place! My husband is ready to move there! (and before this trip he hadn't even expressed a desire to go to Hawaii!) Well, if anyone has any questions on Kauai, ask now while it is all fresh in my mind! THanks again everyone on the dis!!! Deb

 

[fac]

.....

 

[fac]

sorry, I meant to start a new thread, not sure why it was added to this thread. please ignore the previous post

 

[horsegirl]

Hi all--just wanted to say thank you for all of the ideas & suggestions for our trip to Kauai. The websites you all suggested really helped us get great ideas of what we wanted to do & even got us a discount or two. Even some of the codes for car rentals that we have gotten from the transportation thread, worked in Hawaii too! We went on a snorkel cruise, ATV tour, Luau, Plantation dinner, Horseback riding tour & then did plenty of sightseeing in our rental car! I don't know of a more beautiful scenic place! My husband is ready to move there! (and before this trip he hadn't even expressed a desire to go to Hawaii!) Well, if anyone has any questions on Kauai, ask now while it is all fresh in my mind! THanks again everyone on the dis!!! Deb

We are going in november. Where's ya stay?... Where'd ya eat?.....Anything that should not be missed? Thanks so much. I am afraid to go, as I am certain I will want to go back and cannot imagine it will happen after this trip for a long time! I am so glad you had a good time!

 

[iwannbindisnee]

We flew into Honolulu & spent the night at Park Shore Hotel in Waikiki. On Kauai, we stayed in a condo called Kapaa Shores. (In the town of Kapaa about 8 miles from the Lihue Airport) It is on the east side of the island, also called the windward side I believe! ( It was very windy while we were there, but, that is not normal)
We ate at: Ohno Burger past Kapaa in a little shopping center on the ocean side of the road with a General store ( I think it was called Whalers General Store) & a post office. It is a little local place & recommeneded to us by the condo office. It had great burgers & fries. (good prices too--plain burgers up to exotic). We also ate at L&L carry out (Chinese food-it was just OK), Coconuts (in Kapaa-right across from our condo) It was excellent, but not for kids. Our two teens were not really happy w/ the selections nor the items they ended up with. DH & I were very happy w/ our fish choices. It is more "gourmet" -prices ranged from $19-32 for entrees. All of the other places we ate at were in the "Friendly to your budget" category . We also ate at Pizzetta in Koloa--a great pizza but also wonderful italian pasta! Lastly we ate at Bubba Burgers in Kapaa. ( I think there are several of these place around the island--Good burgers here as well. (Of course one night the teens had to hit Taco Bell when we had leftovers from Pizzetta!! And of course we ate at the Luau!

Things not to be missed--Waimea Canyon (and it "lookouts"a long the way), Napali Coast by boat or helicopter (however helicopter is very expensive--we thougth the snorkel cruse was more worth the money)-going all the way to the end of the road up past Princeville on the northeast side of the island--there are two caves there the kids would like, plus the water colors on the several beaches you can stop at are amazing. I'll have to go home tonite & take out th map & give you some more! Notice all but one of the things I mentioned are free!! There is also a lighthouse on the way to Princeville, bu there is a small charge for that. (hopefully you are renting a car)
If you want more info-I can PM you-don't know if this will start seeming more like a trip report, so let me know & I can go into details on a PM.

Hope some of this helped! Debbie
(PS--have read some of your trip reports-thanks for the smiles & I love Camden, Maine--I know-- that may not even be close to you, but had to throw that in!! HA!)

 

[riu girl]

We are considering Hawaii for either a 2007 or 2008 vacation. We would like to go for 3-4 weeks, stay in Oahu and relax as much as possible. We would be travelling mid December until mid-December.

Can anyone reccommend an area on Oahu that is not busy but also less then an hour drive away from Waikiki (so when we feel like doing touristy things we can go there) .

I have been looking on vrbo for a one bedroom with a full kitchen/pool but there are just so many areas in Oahu that I am confused.

Our criteria:
One hour drive or less to Waikiki
Nice soft sandy beach with calm water for children

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

 

[Hermosa11]

This is Turtle Bay Resort
It is supposedly 45 min away. It is at north shore. Look at a map of HI and from Waikiki, you head up north in the middle of the island , and then turn right and it is at the NOrth point of the island. Turtle Bay Resort

Here is a beach photo....I swear, that is NOT me with my rearend showing!

Inside the lobby area:

Here is a shot of the "tranquil lagoons at the Ko 'Olina Resort" , it is on the West O'ahu shoreline....

here is site to: JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina I think you can see in in the photo!
So, these are some suggestions if you don't want to actually stay IN Waikiki.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Actually, the link above for the JW hotel is a hotel and not a condo. If you want to stay in Marriott condo you should follow this link:

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/HNLKO

The Marriott Ko'Olina Beach Club has villas where you can get a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom or 3 bedrooms. However, I don't think this place is considered a budget friendly resort if you rent directly from Marriott. You might have to go to some of the timeshare pages to get better rates.

GL...

We are staying at the Ko'Olina Beach Club in November on a trade with another Marriott that we own. I can't wait.

 

[DVC Sadie]

We went to the Turtle Bay Resort last year and had a wonderful time although we did the opposite. We stayed in Waikiki and rented a car for two weeks and had picnics at different areas of the island daily. DH enjoyed swimming in the waterfall, snorkeling and renting a glider plane.