Hawaii on a Budget!

Hawaii conjures up specific feelings for mostyou are paying $100 or more just to park your
people. Just the mention of the word "Hawaii", andcar. If you are staying in Hawaii for 5 days, I
one starts to imagine golden sand beaches linedwould suggest renting a car for two days. On
with majestic palms, turquoise crystal watersthose two days, have everyone get up early in
beckoning for you to cool yourself, and exoticthe morning, eat a quick drive-thru breakfast, and
dancers with hips that move so fast they literallyfill your day by driving the entire island. Keep your
rock the palms! For people who have experiencedday open so you don't have to get to another
all those things and more, Hawaii conjures upscheduled event and you can take your sweet
dollar signs! Hawaii no doubt can be one of thetime! Once you return your rental car, you can
most expensive travel destinations in the world,get anywhere on the island by city transit at $2
but it doesn't have to be. We have been touristsround trip. We have one of the best public
in Hawaii, and now we are residents of Hawaii.transportation systems in the country here...make
Through our travels and local experiences, weuse of it! You will not only be saving money from
have come up with some fantastic ways to visitavoiding parking fees and rental expenses, but it is
the Aloha state without breaking the bank...keepan eco-friendly way to enjoy your vacation. (Plus,
reading and we'll have you on your way to yourall of our buses are hybrids!)
dream vacation in no time!Chances are, as soon as you step foot off the
The most expensive portion of your trip will noplane, you will be greeted with glossy, colorful,
doubt be the airfare. The first way to saveexotic brochures depicting luaus and tour services.
money and travel to Hawaii on a budget is toIf this is your first time to the island, you probably
book your airfare in the most cost effective way.really want to visit a luau. Keep in mind that it is a
Usually, that means avoiding purchasing yourtourist-dominated event, and locals don't sit
tickets directly from the airline! It is rare thataround having luaus every night, but it is fun and
someone would find those special fares thatyou this can be your "extreme-tourist" moment
airlines offer directly for other cities, simplyof your vacation! All kidding aside, be prepared to
because Hawaii is so far removed from any otherspend big bucks on any luau! And when I say big
state and it's more expensive for the airlines tobucks, I mean somewhere in the neighborhood of
fly here than anywhere else in America. That$80 per person. What is a luau, you may be
being said, you can still find incredibly amazingasking? Luaus that are being represented today
fares through other venues. Websites specializingare not the ancient form of feasts and festivities.
in last minute travel deals, such as Travelocity,In fact, the term luau wasn't even used until
can offer an immense savings! The trick is toaround 1860. The ancient culture did not celebrate
purchasing at the right time. Because the faresin this way. However, you will learn about hula,
for these websites are constantly changing, startyou will experience amazing food, and the utmost
looking for the cheapest deals about 21 daysin hospitality. The modern luau is a buffet featuring
before the date of your travel. An example oflocal favorites, and entertainment ranging from
budget airfare to Hawaii would be about $680 RTtraditional hula to silly dances for the sake of
(U.S.) or less. I have personally booked airfare toentertainment. Attending luaus supports our local
Hawaii ten days before travel time for $450 U.S.,economy, as they are almost all locally owned and
which was a steal! Of course, this will requireoperated, and that's always a plus! Your luau will
multiple stops, so there is a tradeoff. However,range from 2 to 3 hours, so plan your evening
the shortest travel time from U.S. mainland toaccordingly.
Hawaii is 5.5 hours, so if you are coming fromTour services are a dime a dozen on these
anywhere other than the west coast, you canislands, and they can be extremely beneficial if
expect upwards of 6 hours non-stop in the air. Itchosen in an educated manner. First, not all tour
is beneficial to have multiple stops for this reason,services are created equal. Many (I would venture
so don't see it as a sacrifice, look at is as a wayto say the majority) travel the same routes and
to stretch your legs and get some fresh air! Aprovide the same information. Some may offer a
word of warning here: booking airfare through lastfew different places from the next, like a drive
minute travel websites is not for the faint ofthrough Oahu's most expensive neighborhoods,
heart! It requires persistence, patience, and thebut by and far, you will see the same locations,
ability to not be upset by fluctuating prices, asthe same beaches, and the same sites. While
well as the ability to know when to just go for it!these tour operators are very knowledgeable and
You are more likely to find the cheapest airfarefriendly, there's nothing to set each company
between 4 and 10 days of your anticipated travelapart from the rest of the pack. This is where
time, so be prepared! Of course, don't forget toyou're small tour guide services come in. If you
seek the assistance of a travel agent. They buytake a guided tour, I would recommend a small
airfare at wholesale, and can save you quite a bittour group. Many of the company's out there
of money.take as many as 100 people at a time. It can be
The second most expensive portion of yourreally difficult to get personal service and in-depth
Hawaiian vacation is the hotel accommodations,information in such a large group. Also, if you are
but it doesn't have to be. You can choose togoing to pay the money, choose a tour service
purchase an all-inclusive package when you arethat is unique; a tour service that is really part of
searching for your airfare, and doing so will savethe culture of the islands. The only way to learn
you significantly. Even if you don't book anabout true Hawaii is not by driving to multi-million
all-inclusive package, here's a word to the wise:dollar estates, but by going to the cultural sites,
look for budget hotels when planning yourand learning the real history. My company, Cultural
vacation. You will be spending very little time inHistory Tours of Hawaii, does just that, and we
your hotel once you get here, so all you reallyare the only tour service that offers it. There is
need is a place to lay your head and a staff thattoo much history on these islands to not learn
is knowledgeable, and most are. If you envision aabout it! And the history is fascinating!
vacation that involves room service, lounging bySo now all that's left is food and souvenirs. Three
the pool, and hotel boutiques, choose anotherwords: less is more! Eat at local mom-and-pop
destination. You can do that anywhere in Americarestaurants or local chains (avoid the mainland
for a lot cheaper. Really ask yourself why youeat-in chains); go to the closest farmers markets
are coming to Hawaii...most say they come hereand buy fresh fruit and veggies for snacks; avoid
to see paradise. You won't find paradise in yourthe kitschy souvenirs that will break before you
hotel room. Some say they come here to learnget home, and opt for post cards and chocolate
about the culture. The culture is found in thecovered macadamia nuts to take home as gifts.
community, not a hotel suite. Is this making anyPost cards are nostalgic and endearing. Chocolate
sense now? You should no doubt book clean,covered macadamia nuts are cheap yet
hospitable, convenient hotels, but don't worrydelicious...who's gonna complain about that???
about the rest! You will only be in your hotel forSo let's summarize how to vacation in Hawaii on a
the 6-8 hours your eyes are closed at nightbudget:
anyway. Don't believe me? Write me when youBudget airfare
get back from your vacation and tell me howBudget hotel
much time you spent away from your hotel!Limited rental car time
Now here's where things get a little dicey, andCity transit
things can go haywire. Rental cars, luaus, and tourLocal small business
services, oh my! Rental cars have their place in aMom-and-pop restaurants
Hawaiian vacation, but you will not need a rentalNo junk souvenirs!
car every day you are here. And you have toNow all you have to do is pack, and you can
take into account parking: all of Waikiki (wherecheck out my pointers for that in my article
most hotels are located) is paid parking only,"Hawaii Bound - Preparing for the Trip of a
which will run you at least $20 a day (that's beingLifetime!" See you soon!
conservative!). That means for a 5 day vacation,