OT Budget ideas for Hawaii???

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I leave in 8 days (maybe 9, I can't see my counter at the moment) for Honolulu for my sister's wedding. This was after months of her "wishing" I could go. Hubby bit the bullet and graciously covered the ticket, sis covered the cost of hotel and wedding dinner (which is anything but a budget meal ). I will be traveling with my 23 month old--we will have 2 full days of travel and 4 full days in Honolulu. A very short trip and what will be an interesting adventure.

Need ideas for budgets--hubby is giving me, I think $250 to cover meals and such. Our activities will be limited to the free or token charge variety (lots from what I hear).

I am staying in a hotel condo--so there is kitchen equipment (full kitchen, I believe)--but no rental car to hit a grocery store. We are staying at the Aston Waikiki Sunset--they do have a convenience market--but key word, convenience--limited variety and pricey.

So does anybody have any tips for me????? I know this sounds super silly--but I was planning on packing some non-perishables for breakfasts which are super expensive over there and snacks and then having salads for meals as much as possible (south beach diet).

I have been placed on a strict budget and do not wish to disappoint the hubby for allowing me to go

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

If you're staying at a condo-type of place, why not have your Sis take you to Safeway? I think there's one right off the main drag. I don't know who their sister store is in your neck of the woods, but when we were on Oahu, we used our Vons club card and got the savings with no problems

If you have a membership to your local zoo, you might wanna check and see if they have reciprocal entry into the Waikiki Zoo. I know that the Dallas Zoo does it.

One of the local buses goes around the island (though it takes a couple to a few hours, I think), and it's not expensive at all.

For a nice treat, see if someone can take you to the North Shore and hit up Matsumoto's for da best shave ice in da world. Soooooo YUMMY!

The aquarium isn't far, and it would probably be fun for the little one.

I probably should have asked this first, but is this your first time visiting? Sorry, brain overloaded

 

[cyansmom]

Aloha!

I think you'll enjoy Hawaii very much...especially since it's for a wedding! I live in Honolulu and can tell you that the convenience stores are very expensive! The ABC stores are the most prominent in Waikiki and they really over-charge for everything. There is a Foodland supermarket in Waikiki (on Kuhio Ave) that may be cheaper but not by much. They should have way more selection than the convenience stores.

$250 may not allow you to go and do a lot of sightseeing but you'll probably want to go to the BEACH anyways. The zoo is also right outside of Waikiki as well as the aquarium and they are both reasonable entry fees. (you may be able to walk to it). I would suggest going to see the USS Arizona. Go early if you can...it is very moving and you may get to see one of the soldiers there. Also, Hanauma Bay is so cool! There is a charge to go to the beach but the place is one-of-a-kind in the entire world! There are fishes everywhere. It is kinda far away though and if you are travelling on the bus, it could take about an hour to get there.

The weather here has been super hot and humid. We've had rain this past week...hopefully it won't rain during your sister's wedding (where is she getting married...indoors or outdoors?). If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me!!

cyansmom

 

[Local_Girl]

I was born and raised in Hawaii, but I'm a Michigan transplant now, thanks to DH! You don't mention if you will have access to a car...or whether or not you will be on your own with your child or with other family or friends.

In terms of what to see/do there, I agree that Hanauma Bay is cool and the USS Arizona is very nice as well, though I don't believe you can take your child out on the launch to the memorial itself (I think there is an age limit...not positive on that though). If you could swing it, a drive around the island is a must, because Hawaii is so much more than just Waikiki. The North Shore is beautiful, and if you make it up there, do stop at Matsumoto's and grab a shave ice! The Pali Lookout is a nice scenic lookout, accessed from the Honolulu side, but once up there, you look out over the Windward side of the island--gorgeous view. Also, the pineapple fields are interesting and Dole may still have a tourist stop you can check out. I hope you can have someone take you sightseeing...it's possible to get around the island on the public bus, but it would be nice to be able to stop when and where you want and not be limited by the bus.

There are other things, like the Bishop Museum (if you would be interested in Hawaiian history), but there is a charge. The Polynesian Cultural Center is neat, but pricey and would take a huge chunk out of your budget.

As for food, I agree that you should pack some non-perishable snacks and breakfast foods in your luggage...but be sure not to pack any fresh fruit/veggies. Hawaii has a very strict agriculture dept. and bringing in stuff like that isn't allowed. If you do have access to a car, try to have someone take you outside of Waikiki to buy some groceries...they'll still be more expensive than you're used to, but not as bad as in Waikiki!

Hope you have a wonderful trip, and like Cyansmom, if you have any other questions, I'd be happy to answer too!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Thanks for the feeback!!!

I will not have access to the car as it is not in the plan. My husband has a 2nd cousin who lives in Honolulu and her mom called me today with her contact information. My soil time in Honolulu is limited to 4 days--so very limited.

I'm big into Window shopping....and if I can find a decent one day car rental deal--that would totally be an option--we're talking the thrifty el cheapo rental that I can just go and pick up for the day--does this exist? I would love to drive around the island.

She is getting married on the beach and we are going to dinner at the Surf Room at the Radisson or Sheraton or something or other. It is on the beach.

Hubby used our hilton honors points to give them a wedding night at the Hilton Hawaiian village--so I would have some privileges there.

It is my first trip--and I would love to do stuff, but also wanting to practice conservative restraint so that I will have something to look forward to for a trip with my whole family down the road.

I arrive on a Saturday evening at 6:30pm (depending on how well departures from LAX are behaving that day)..I will have full day on Sunday/Monday (with of course expectations to hang out with bride and groom), Tuesday is the wedding, golfing is tentatively for Wed and I won't be doing that--and I leave at 10pm on that same evening to head back to Florida. So this is a whirlwind trip.

My sister as seen the Arizona before and she swears she saw strollers--so I guess I better look into that.

Hey cyansmom--maybe we should hook up--got any young kids? hah--I'll host you in Florida and you can host me in Hawaii--just kidding!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well the USS Arizona website says they offer storage containers to store bags including diaper bags--and I can't find anything else. So I would assume I can go with my daughter? Guess we'll find out.

EDITED to add:

Hubby says that I am on a trip with a specific purpose and it is not a vacation . Hence the budget is really only designed to cover pretty much food and incidentals (transportation to and from airport, bus fare, et cetera).

 

[mommytotwo]

I am here in Honolulu now and remember to bring alot of cool clothing cause it is very hot here, but also bring a light jacket for the evenings. Try to catch a free hula show. If you wanted to watch one at a hotel, then look for the early show where you can watch the show but only need to pay for a couple of drinks.

For breakfast foods-you could bring packets of oatmeal, breakfast bars, and prepackaged cookies.

Have a fun trip.

 

[mickeycw]

I love hearing the info on Oaho....we're headed there in June for 2 weeks!

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

If you're going to the Hilton, take the little one to see the penguins and turtles! There are koi everywhere, too

Oh, I think the Hilton does the ali'i procession every evening, as well. I do know for sure that they do the torch lighting at around 6pm every night.

From what I remember about the Arizona, you really can't take anything with you (security reasons post 9-11), not even a purse for you or a diaper bag for the little guy.

I don't know if the Dole plant does tours, but they do have that cool maze that you can try to make your way through.

Oh, a fun photo op is the giant aloha shirt at the Hilo Hattie flagship store. They have a free shuttle that stops at a lot of the hotels in Waikiki.

It definitely is a beautiful place, and I'm sure you'll have a blast! I loved getting up early and sitting out on the lanai, just feeling the wind and hearing the ocean *sigh*

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

DiaDeGuadalupe
Thanks for the Hiton tip--DD would love that!

 

[Local_Girl]

I didn't mean to give you incorrect info re: the Arizona Memorial! I know that they used to have an age restriction for the boat ride that took visitors out to the memorial structure itself...but I just checked out the website myself and saw no mention of it either, so maybe they changed it. The Visitors' Center is separate from the memorial and children are definitely allowed there.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a neat place to check out...and there is often entertainment of some sort going on there.

Also, you might want to pick up some of those free pamphlet/booklets for tourists that are available everywhere in Waikiki. They would list some things to see and do...and you could take some back to show your DH. You can use them to help you plan for your next trip, which has got to be longer than 4 days!!

 

[cyansmom]

Lisa Loves Pooh--

I would have loved to show you and your DD around...however my DS is having surgery on that Wednesday!

Hope you have a great time anyway! Hope the weather holds out for your sister

cyansmom

 

[grlpwrd]

I'm like Local_Girl (born and raised in Hawaii) except I live in Virginia now. I, too, remember how they used to restrict access to younger children at the Arizona Memorial. Oh, if you go - go early. I think visiting Iolani Palace, the only palace on US soil, is like that, though - only ages 5 and up are allowed to enter. That would make a nice tour for your next trip so perhaps you can all do that when your 23mo is older.

I think bringing along food in your luggage is a great idea because I do that, too. lol I usually bring kid-friendly foods, like cereal, snack bars, dried fruit, powdered milk, and other snacks that travel well. My logic is fill my suitcase with food and then coming back I fill it with souvenirs. Oh, and it saves time and money because food is very overpriced there and Waikiki stores are super expensive. Try to bring camera film with you because it's cheaper if you do - rolls of film are expensive if you buy it there, too.

My favorite place to eat in Waikiki is Perry's Smorgasbord. They are inexpensive and there's a wide variety of food on their buffet. They often have coupons in the tourist books you find in stands in Waikiki and at the airport. Yes, pick some of those up because there are good suggestions for visitors and coupons, too.

Have fun!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Originally posted by cyansmom
Lisa Loves Pooh--

I would have loved to show you and your DD around...however my DS is having surgery on that Wednesday!

Hope you have a great time anyway! Hope the weather holds out for your sister

cyansmom

Good luck with his surgery

I found I can get a rental car for a day post tax at $32--is that a good deal? If I arrange it with my sis' and her fiance we can drive around the island on one of the days.

 

[momof2inPA]

If any of your friends is in the military, you can shop for snacks and souvenirs at the Hale Koa's exchange. You could also eat a meal in one of their restaurants, which are much cheaper than other restaurants in the area.

I second the Hilton Hawaiian Village for just visiting and walking around. It is nice.

If I were you, I would fit the Polynesian Cultural Center into your budget if at all possible. It was amazing.

Have fun!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Just found out bride and groom are renting a car for the week beginning on Monday--so I will have some roaming access

Funny you mention the Hale Koa--we are getting the flowers at their florist as it is inexpensive, tax-free and they sell to non-military. Too bad the other areas are not like that.

I would love to do the PCC--is it very pricey (without the Luau, I mean)?

 

[stego]

we went in 2002. My god, what a beautiful place! I agree about the pali lookout. Incredible. We also got to go to the Pacific cemetary. Very somber. It is beautiful, and peaceful.
Anything outside of waikiki will be a drive. One of the big tourist shops has a free shuttle to their stores. They have a schedule, and stop by many hotels. They also stop at another shopping center. It is a good drive out to hanuma bay, as well. Please remember to use sunblock on your self and your little one. For some reason, the sun is real hard in hawaii. If you can, go to the USS Arizona memorial.

 

[cyansmom]

Lisa Loves Pooh--

check alamo rentals...they have a special going on now using rate code 9KD for a compact car for $19.99 per day (about $24 w/taxes). I'm not sure what the requirements are to use that code but if you call them and ask they should be able to help you out.

If you can't use that code, they are having a special on compacts for $22.99 per day. It's for a 4-door compact.

hope this helps the budget!

Also, PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center ) is kind of expensive--about $35 pp and it is all the way on the other side of the island (about an hour drive). On this drive you could see the famous North Shore...(famous for surfers). Also you can see Waimea Bay...truly beautiful!

cyansmom

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Sis' is renting from Alamo--5 days for $150 total and I think it is a mid-sized car.

It is a group of 14 people--so no plans will be made until we get there. But the planner at me says this leaves room for people to get upset and as a group of 14 with only 1 young child--it could get hairy and she says she expects that people will want to do different things.

We'll see---but I will print all these suggestions and take them along.

Probably won't make PCC this time around.

Of course, I have my change jar accruing money for a DCL cruise--with all the exciting things to see in the world--I'm pondering if money on a cruise would be better spent exploring the world

The life of a budget-eer.

 

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

Originally posted by Lisa loves Pooh
Of course, I have my change jar accruing money for a DCL cruise--with all the exciting things to see in the world--I'm pondering if money on a cruise would be better spent exploring the world

You never know. That jar just might turn into a Hawaii family vacation fund after you see how beautiful it is (and the people, too!)