For longer stays:
Kauai has a great smaller size warehouse store called Cost U Less located in Kapa'a, situated on the left side of the road if you are north bound on Kuhio Hwy just behind a small mini mart. Great place to stock up on wine, beverages, groceries for your stay in a condo or long term rental. The prices are a lot better than the supermarkets.They carry a great supply of dairy, meats, beverages and everyday dining items. If you are looking for specialty items to bring home, the price of Mauai sugar is amazing here.
No need for membership, lots of parking and good service. Just remember to bring you own carry away bag on the Island of Kauai as there are only paperbags supplied for groceries. A great step in eliminating the use of plastic bags. Recommended for families with growing and hungry children! Lots of locals and mainland visitors were shopping there so its not such a secret.
After you've paid for your lodging, airfare and rental car the expenses you incur once on-island are entirely up to you. Here are some good ideas to cut corners:
Explore
Go for a scenic drive, head for beaches, beach parks, forest trails. They're all free. Picnic facilities include barbeques so buy all your staples at the local supermarket and cut your restaurant tab to zero. Farmers' Markets are on every island with fresh exotic veggies, fruits and flowers. Check for dates and times online before you go.
Reading:
Start with the
No Worries Hawaii guidebook. It contains an overview for first-time visitors who are often unsure of which island to visit and what to choose to do. Practical advice like what to pack, where to find free entertainment, and how to plan your day according to your budget is included.
Shopping:
Costco and Longs sell discounted books, souvenirs, outdoor clothing and water sports equipment. Start there first, but don't forget to support the locals whose prices may be a tad higher but stories and advice that go along with your purchase
priceless.
Periodicals and Guidebooks:
This Week Magazines are available on all islands. They have a great new website
http://thisweekhawaii.com,
"101 Things To Do" magazine at the airport. It lists events, maps and has restaurant coupons to clip. Dining magazines offer discounted deals. The Trailblazer Travel Book series contain all the free places to visit with directions to get there:
"Maui Trailblazer", "Kauai Trailblazer", "Oahu Trailblazer" and
Hawaii the Big Island Trailblazer" are available at online bookstores. To get a sense of what Hawaii looks like check out
www.trailblazerhawaii.com (all islands).
Hula Shows:
Every island has them. Normally they're held at shopping centers or at large resorts. Always free. Ask your hotel concierge, check the local newspaper or go online to the island visitors center where all the events are listed. One of the best authentic hula performances is held monthly at Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island.
Be a spectator:
Consult your guidebook for beaches where there's surf action, canoe club practice areas and competitive events. Don't forget sunscreen, water and a hat.
On Oahu especially, you'll find a multitute of freebies taking place in Waikiki, be it a parade, outdoor musical show or cultural event. Flights there are among the best deals offered by Alaska, United and Hawaiian Airlines. Cheap packages can be found on Expedia, Travelocity, Kayak, and Orbitz. Now is a good time to go as many hotels are offering unbelievable discounts. Call the hotel front desk directly and see how low they will go.
Cooking:
Instead of going out to eat every night, learn how to cook some local dishes such as teriyaki chicken, katsu, hamburger steak, kalua pork, potato macaroni salad. You can go online and find all types of authentic Hawaiian and Hawaiian Regional Cusine. Some of the sites include: http://CookingHawaiianStyle.com, http://alohaworld.com.