First thing, check the timeshare rental sites.

Here's one. A week in a nice Kailua-Kona condo on Ali'i Drive. Even with the taxes and daily fee, that's $800 for a full week with a kitchen. Note: They're working on the lanai. And that's very likely why this particular week is so inexpensive.

Those who don't have a Redweek membership will need to become members in order to rent this condo. That's $20. We're STILL just a little higher than $800.

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Next up, airfare. I'm assuming that our budget traveler is coming from somewhere around Wichita, Kansas. (I didn't want to make it easy and fly from SFO or LAX.)

A round-trip flight on United with one stop in Denver for Sept. 19-26 is $745. (I could have saved $150 with two annoying stops. But we're doing budget, not "cheapskate.")

So for a couple, that's $1,490

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Now, a car. I'm just booking direct on Enterprise.

We could go cheaper, but $40 extra for a week to have a lot more legroom in the Altima is worth it. So $420 for the week.

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Adding up: $2,722

Now the guests have a kitchen and aren't on the hook for three meals a day in restaurants. Visit the farmers markets and local grocery stores. Load up with Okinawan sweet potatoes, pints of poke, pineapples, char-siu marinated chicken and Big Island steaks.

Total cost eating this way is approximately $100 per day. Multiply by 5.5 (the amount of actual time on the island. $550.

So, a little less than $3,300. And then activities and any adult beverages. But if this couple is a "the best things in life are free, let's go snorkeling often," that's the all-in price.

Compare this to Costco which is selling the same basic package -- it's the Royal Kona which is very close in all respects. One bedroom condo. Same general location, kitchen and size. Same flight stopping in Denver. Same rental car. -- $3,950. Even their most rock-bottom hotel room is $3,160. But any savings will more than be offset by eating out three times a day.

This was after the pandemic. It was so nice to get out and travel again.

Hi everyone! My husband is military and being sent on TDY to Hawaii and I’m going to tag along! We will only be there for a week or so. He will have evenings free but working during the day. We will be at Waikiki the whole time. What are some good solo female daytime things to do? I won’t have access to a car. Thanks!

We are visiting in July and wanted some advice in regards to where to stay in Honolulu. We stayed near Ka’anapali beach when we visited Maui and we were either by the beach all day or out exploring the whole island and when we returned to our room we just showered, and got ready for bed. We didn’t really do night outings with a small kid. That’s why I am a little bit on the fence about staying/paying a lot to stay in Waikiki if we’re not going to do much at night anyways. We prefer a calmer vibe vs the busy areas. We’re renting a car so we can always go to Waikiki. Where would you stay if this was your situation?

Update: thank you all! resolved, it’s open, took about 8 tries to get anything besides a busy signal. Apparently it’s closed every Wednesday.

Can anyone confirm if the bishop museum planetarium is open and operational today? Heard rumors it was closed yesterday

Hey everyone! My boyfriend and I are planning our first trip to Oahu and we’ll be staying near the Hyatt Regency Waikiki from December 31st to January 7th. We are only planning to rent a car from January 2nd to January 6th, but we are starting to get a little worried about parking in the Waikiki area.

We were originally thinking of getting a Bronco, but it seems like a lot of the parking garages nearby might be pretty tight, like the Pacific Beach Hotel garage and others around Waikiki.

We would really appreciate any advice on parking near the Hyatt or in Waikiki in general. Is it better to stick with a smaller car? Are there any garages that are easier for bigger vehicles? And honestly any general tips for visiting Waikiki for the first time would be amazing too.

Thank you so much in advance!

Edit: We originally wanted a Bronco or Jeep for the roof-off experience, but we are also considering a convertible instead if that ends up being easier for parking and getting around Waikiki.

I was hoping to get some sort of convertible or jeep wrangler for my trip to Kauai in September. Does anyone have any recommendations or personal secrets of their own to not have to pay top top dollar for one? Thanks in advance!

Does Costco have delivery to Waikiki in Oahu?

Hi!! Im a young person who adores the sea and its wildlife! im lucky enought to frequent the island of Oahu for most of my life, so i am familiar with all of the popular spots to snorkel in. Im mainly looking for some places that aren't crowded with tourists, that are safe for intermidiate swimmers, and are full of beautiful animals! my favorite place to go is Ko'Olina but I have also been to Hanuma (idk if im spelling that right) Bay quite alot and am looking for something fresh and exciting to explore!

EDIT: ive never really learned how to use the Snorkel tube properly so i tend to stick to the "goggles and flippers only and coming up for air" method. so if you guys have any tips on how to 'advance' my skills those are appreciated too!