This post has to deal mainly with the Island of Oahu, but some of it may be applicable to other islands as well.  I’ll try to point out some of the sights, sounds, and tastes you have to check out while in Oahu…on the cheap…for the most part anyway.

Shopping

• Swap Meet:  Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesday @ the Aloha Stadium.  For the best deals, as long as you don’t care about brand names, this is the place to shop.  Never buy based on first price, haggling required!  You might even find a deal like 10 shirts for $10.  It can be a little hot on somedays, so bring water and drinks, unless you want to buy inflated drinks at the meet.
• Kahala Mall, Pearlridge, and Waikele Outlet:  Ala Moana and Waikiki shops get all the press, but there are other malls on Oahu.  Kahala is more of an upscale, laid back mall catered to locals.  Lots of small specialty shops.  Pearlridge, is a mixed crowd type of mall, lots of youngins choose Pearlridge because of games and movies.  Waikele outlet is great for good deals, just be prepared to deal with traffic.
• Costco for Macadamia Nuts:  Almost everyone brings back Macadamia Nuts from Hawaii…there’s no place cheaper than Costco.

Food/Dining:

• Chinatown (Dim sum):  If you like Chinese food, Chinatown has some great places.  Just be ready to face a largely Chinese speaking crowd.  Dim sum service tends to be bad, but the food is really cheap and good.  You will see some odd things (Chicken feet), so if you’re not one to try new things, you may want to stay away from Dim sum.  Usually available during brunch hours, between breakfast and lunch.
• Zippy’s and L&L’s:  Zippy’s being the equivalent of Denny’s and L&L’s being the equivalent of McDonald’s.  Cheap, quick and easy.
• McDonald’s:  Yes, McDonald’s.  Try their breakfast platter, “Portuguese sausage, eggs, and rice.”  Also, try their fruit punch!  Only available in Hawaii.
• Expensive restaurants:  If you want to eat something a little more upscale, then check out John Dominis’ Sunday Brunch.  No discount here, but it’s really, really good.  Not to mention, the view is amazing.  For plan old good fancy food, try DK Steakhouse & Vino’s, but make sure you pick up a gift card from Costco first.  You get a $100 gift card for $80.
• Diamond Head Grill & Market:  Speaking of fancy food, you can get it here…CHEAP.  It’s a little place near Diamond Head.
• Bubbie’s Ice Cream (Oreo ice cream, Mochi ice cream):  Oh man, one of my favorites.  Locally made and a neat environment.
• Genki Sushi:  Cheap, good sushi.
• Ono’s Hawaiian Food, Yama’s Fish Market:  If you want Hawaiian food, try one of these two restaurants.  Reasonably priced, and pretty good.
• Waiola Shave Ice:  This is the BEST place for shave ice.  Hands down.  You may have heard of Matsumoto’s before that has gotten lots of press (was in 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler), but it’s no match for Waiola.
• Try this thing called, “Loco Moco.”  Pronounced “loh-koh-moh-koh.”  :)
• And a Spam Musubi.  Yes, Spam.
• Famous treats in Hawaii:  Leonard’s Malasada (Portuguese donut) and Liliha Bakery’s Coco Puffs.  Don’t leave the islands without at least trying these two things.

Places to see / Things to do

• Makapu’u Lighthouse trail (free):  New and really beautiful.
• Diamond Head trail (free):  Real easy to do, and it’s a must see.
• Sandy’s beach:  A fun beach to play in, but becareful, extremely strong current as the wave is receding.  You can get knocked around, but it’s fun!
• Pearl Harbor (minimal charge):  Dec 7, 1941.
• Hawaii Loa Ridge - expensive housing, gated community, but just tell them you are there to hike, state trail.  It’s a pretty neat trail.  I only did it once awhile back.
• Lanikai:  Probably the most beautiful beach on Oahu.  If you seen brochures for places like Tahiti, Bahamas, etc., this beach will easily match their beauty.
• Portlock:  If you go all the way in towards the end, you can hike down a small, short trail that’ll lead you to one of the coolest sites.  You can see the opposite side of Diamond Head.
• Pali Lookout:  When it’s windy, it’s one of the most exciting lookouts to see.  The wind is sometimes so strong, it’s been rumored that people have jumped off the ledge and pushed back up because of the wind.  DO NOT TRY THIS.
• Newspaper:  Yes, pickup the newspaper, Honolulu Advertiser, look in the entertainment section…lots of free concerts and activities.  Sunday edition has a dine out section with some good deals.

How to get around

• The Bus:  About $1.00 / person / ride, it’ll take you anywhere on the island.
• Option 2:  Rent a car, especially if you have a few folks.  Just be prepared to get lost.  Hawaii’s roads are notoriously confusing.
• Mopeds:  Hah…if you are risk adverse, could be fun and fairly reasonable means of transportation.
• Wave to say thanks if someone lets you in when you are driving.
• Do not use Freeway exit numbers when describing a location to locals.  We do not use numbers.  For example, exit 1A.  What the hell is that?  Use the street names.

Where to stay

• Can’t help you much here, but I can tell you, stay outside of Waikiki, but not the west side (Ko’olina), too far and expensive.

Miscellaneous notes

• $1 movies @ Restaurant Row
• Call your travel agent, see if they have air only tickets
• Pickup a couple of those magazines at the airport, some good coupons.
• Do not wear gawdy, bright Hawaiian Aloha shirts.  They are not cool.  Especially if you get the matching couples set.
• Likelike is pronounced lee-keh-lee-keh.
• Finally, study and master the following two words:  Kalanianaole Highway, Humu Humu NukuNuku Apua’a (our state fish).  You’ll be able to impress your friends and maybe some folks in Hawaii.

Finally, as in any new place, always use caution.  Even in Hawaii there are places that aren’t as friendly.  And remember to respect the land and the culture.  You’ll have a blast…and save a few $$$.

If you have a blog, would you consider writing up for your area?  Maybe we can get a finance conscious travel guide going.

*picture couresty of NASA.