Budget Friendly Hawaii Tips for Family of 6

patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 13:11

Hi everyone,

We are heading to Hawaii next week for 10 days - two adults and 4 teens (19, 18, 17 and 14).
Flying with JetStar and staying at the Hyatt Regency in Waikiki.

Aside from "take lots of money" does anyone have any good tips on some budget friendly places to eat/drink/visit? We don't have a lot of inclusions with our deal but we do have airport transfers and one breakfast included.

We've been to Hawaii before a few times but that was without kids, so we know the basics and have pre-booked a few things (Pearl Harbour, Turtle snorkelling trip, will go to Ala Moana shopping etc.) and I've loaded up the TravelWise card with USD.

Any tips would be most appreciated.

Travel Hawaii North America United States

Comments

  • wordplay on 04/12/2022 - 13:27

    just do as much swimming and surfing as possible, tire the kids out so they don't want to spend any money after spending 8+ hours in the surf.

    • Muzeeb on 04/12/2022 - 13:30
      +5

      Hardly kids. They are young adults and teenagers.

      • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 13:46
        +4

        In the eyes of the law, they will be kids again when we are in Hawaii

        • Mechz on 04/12/2022 - 14:37
          +4

          Instantly saved you money on booze there.

  • Muzeeb on 04/12/2022 - 13:41
    +2

    I would hire a large old convertible car that carries 6 (front bench seat). Like a late 60's Cadillac.

    Put the roof down and cruise the streets of Waikiki.

    Best fun you will ever have as family.

    Exhibit A

    • scottishdave on 04/12/2022 - 16:42
      +1

      Or maybe get a bus day passes for TheBus that goes to Waikiki and out to the more distant beaches in Lanikai, Kailua or the North Shore. Other sites that can be reached by bus include Bellows Beach, Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole lookout, Sandy Beach and Waimanalo Beach.
      http://www.thebus.org/Fare/TheBusFares.asp

  • nekro on 04/12/2022 - 13:55
    +2

    Go for a walk up to Diamond Head

  • altomic on 04/12/2022 - 14:19
    +3

    go to walmart to buy your booze, souvenirs, food to consume whilst there. (~3kms from where you are).

    get a bus or uber to Mānoa Falls. it's really beautiful. wear good shoes and take water and then follow the walking track . there is the Makiki Valley Trail . it's a loop. very scenic and beautiful.

    if you're going to rent a car for a scenic drive then do it during the week. weekends are busy on the coastal roads.

    • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 14:50

      Thanks heaps. Great tip on Walmart, will Uber there on day one. Will look at Manoa Falls to, that sounds right up our alley.

  • onetwothreefour on 04/12/2022 - 14:34

    I really liked Hanauma Bay but if you are already going snorkelling then it might be a double up.

    • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 14:49

      Yes we went there last time. Definitely worthwhile and still might go visit if the turtle trip is a dud.

  • T-rex on 04/12/2022 - 14:36
    +3

    Marakame udon - super tasty and one of the cheapest eats there. Dukes lunch salad bar buffet, not super cheap but still reasonable. We’re going next year, it’s going to be very exxy I think.

    • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 14:48

      Just booked Dukes after reading this since we have a celebration over there. Great tip!
      Will checkout Marakame also. Cheers.

      • T-rex on 04/12/2022 - 18:01

        There can be long lines for marakame at peak times. Get there early. Our fave place to eat is Cheesecake factory, not cheap anymore but food is amazing and large serves.

        • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 18:41

          Thanks T-Rex. Been there a few years ago and it was great, they don't take bookings however so we will return there if we happen to see no line up.

  • sumyungguy on 04/12/2022 - 14:54
    +2

    I'd suggest you visit another island (or two) as ten days is a long time to spend on Oahu. I'd head straight to Maui for 3 nights, on to Hawai'i for another 3 then 4 nights in Waikiki. Mauna Loa is active so well worth checking out.

  • Mcuser on 04/12/2022 - 15:54
    +4

    bit late to be thinking about budgets now lol, time for a second mortgage haha

  • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 16:17

    Any thoughts on what to take/what not to take also appreciated!

    • sumyungguy on 04/12/2022 - 16:46

      With your party, mobile data may well be your biggest holiday expense.

      • patmccrotch on 04/12/2022 - 16:58

        Yessir! I purchased USA sim cards for us all with 6GB of prepaid data, plus we have free WiFi in the hotel. I will closely be monitoring usage, esp the 14yo!

  • Eeples on 04/12/2022 - 19:06

    Accommodation cost in Waikiki is imo ridiculous and not good value. I envy your ability to be able to stay there.
    Paying $5000-ish for 10 nights; I think you might consider staying in the resort area to get your money's worth.

    Walk to diamond head
    Walking around diamond head
    Have a drink at hotel bars; including small ones like at Waikiki Sand Villa where you might meet some locals
    Play some pickleball
    Hire a car

    10 days all in Waikiki??…. The big island looks like the place to be at the moment; checking out the lava flows.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 04/12/2022 - 19:14
    +2

    Budget Friendly and Hawaii are rarely used in the same sentence.

  • bmxr on 04/12/2022 - 20:01

    Do a "Surfari" even if you aren't specifically in to it, it is a large part of Hawaiian culture. It's all free to watch/spectate, even the structured events.

    Winter on the north shore is the best (largest) surf season. Day trip(s) to the north shore (potentially in an old school convertible as mentioned above) to take in Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay (and shorey) and Banzai Pipeline. You might luck out and see some of the planet's most awesome breaks firing on the day and just chill and watch from the beach.

    The Eddie Aikau invitational (surfing event) actually kicks off while you are there and will only take place if the waves are a minimum 20ft at Waimea Bay (the "feet measurement in surfing is different to imperial, 20ft this is the equivalent of a 3-4 storey house). YOu might luck out and get to see some of the world's best surfers bombing in on some of the largest waves on the planet while you are there!

    Also, don't eat at the hotel, go across the road, down the beach, to the next village centre. Eat where the locals eat. You'll eat like Hawaiian Kings and Queens for <$10. Do a famous food tour of Honolulu.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjVuOhTS0BM

    • patmccrotch on 05/12/2022 - 20:43

      Mate thanks for sharing that tip. That's my breakfasts sorted!

  • Dslrfirst on 05/12/2022 - 09:22
    1. Visit an ABC store for those incidentals;
    2. Find one of those BBQ trailers (out of town?) with value pulled meat meals.
  • Lastchancetosee on 05/12/2022 - 13:31
    +1

    Surely our ex-PM's office would be happy to provide tips.

  • theo96 on 05/12/2022 - 17:41

    Check out Zippy's — family restaurant chain unique to Hawaii.

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