Vacationing in Hawaii on a tight budget can be rough. This is how a Hawaii budget vacation unfolds for many:
Stay in a seedy hotel with a horrible view in a bad part of town (Hawaii's cities are mostly nice, but there are definitely places you want to to avoid, especially if you're traveling with children).
Set up your tent on a pretty beach at a seemingly nice campground...until sundown when it metamorphosizes into the local, under-age drinking, boom box blaring party spot
Do KP duty in the kitchenette everyday.
Tell the kids "no" to all the cool activities and snap at your spouse.
Generally feel deprived while you watch others have fun
I'm a little embarrassed to share with you that these are true-life examples from the first budget Hawaii vacation I planned for my family before I knew better or even knew the questions to ask.
While good budget travel books steer readers away from the less desirable places, their so called "budget" vacations can easily max out your credit cards.
Perhaps you've read some of the glossy covered guides that promise you a wonderful budget friendly vacation. "Budget" by whose defintion? Donald Trump's?" These books really frustrated me. I know many of the listings can be helpful, but for those of us really looking to save big bucks, the "Hawaii on $50 a day" type guides just don't pan out when you figure in the things they leave out like airfare (they all leave this out), accomodations (most leave this out) or even food (many leave this out too!).
And the vacation packages don't always help much either.
There is a way though to enjoy Hawaii without these hassles...
Double the Aloha at Half the Price
You can spend less than HALF of what the typical tourist spends on a Hawaii vacation - that's less than half of $2,000 per person. And you can spend thousands less (per couple or family) then detailed in the travel guides at your bookstore. For an entire Hawaii vacation, you can spend less than the best air/hotel/car package deals offer. And just as importantly while doing so, you and your traveling companions can have a much better time than the average visitor.
I know. I've done it. Several times and with the kids. So have others. And so can you!
What I learned during my first time living in Hawaii about having a great time in paradise on a shoestring budget amazed my friends back on the mainland. It amazed me. And it makes all the more sense today...
Hawaii Ecotourism = "Easy on the Islands, Easy on Your Budget!"
Hawaii ecotourism and budget travel go together like sunsets and palm fringed beaches.
While overly commercialized . mass tourism practices isolate you from the host community and damage the environment and culture.Hawaii ecotourism connects you in an authentic way to the culture and the natural beauty of these islands. As a Hawaii ecotourist, you are supporting the islands' nature and the host culture/community that so closely connects to nature. You will be helping to ensure that visitors in years to come get to experience the same paradise we enjoy. And as an eco tourist you will experience the true aloha spirit of these islands and you will be warmly welcomed.
"Eco" isn't exactly what you had in mind for a Hawaii vacation? The following may be important for you to know, depending on your vacation plans.
While we do have some incredibly beautiful, family-friendly campgrounds here, and Hawaii's natural beauty is its main attraction, saving money with a Hawaii ecotourism vacation does not mean you must pitch a tent or just do "nature activities." For example, choosing cultural festivals and attractions over cheesy, commercialized and over-priced shows is one way you can save bundles and experience the real aloha of Hawaii.
Here's an example of a nature activity and ecotourism... Hawaii has many dolphin swim opportunities; however...not all would make it to any real ecotourists' list.Some actually chase after the dolphins, others drop anchors into the coral reefs or do a dismal job of educating the visitor. So in my Hawaii ecotourism, budget guides (which I'll show you in a minute),I point you to the dolphin swims that are kind to these creatures and the reef, that respect the dolphins and their ocean habitat while making their tours educational, fun and safe.
Some tour guides and travel writers use "eco" for every outdoors activity, even when they are far from sustainable ones.Yet following my recommendations, you can feel good knowing that while you and your family are enjoying enriching and fun activities and sustaining your budget, you are also helping sustain our Aloha State's host culture and natural wonders. And imagine how proud of you and happy your loved ones will be for planning such a wonderful vacation.
Aloha and welcome! My name is Cindy Blankenship. I first moved to Hawaii in 1988 and taught high school in Hilo. I've lived on the Big Island, Oahu and part time on Kauai for a total of 12 years , in between two reporting jobs at newspapers in Oregon. I started one of the first Hawaii ecotourism sites, CoconutRoads.com, in 1999, and I enjoy helping my readers to have awesome vacations in Hawaii. Currently, my youngest of three children(homeschooled) and I live on the Big Island between Hilo and the active volcano, Kilauea. "Nuff about me!
Hawaii Vacations are Really "All That"
Hawaii is a wonderful place to rejuvenate and connect with loved ones. Daytime temperatures are almost always in the mid 70's to mid 80's, and the shore waters of Oahu are so comfortable year round that most wear nothing but their bathing suits whether snorkeling over a reef, splashing in the shallows or surfing shore breaks.
There's a softness to the air, and the delicate fragrance of flowers is almost everywhere. Sandy beaches, waterfalls tumbling down lush green cliffs, dolphins, whales and tiki torch lit sunset dinners, hula and aloha are just a few of the reasons that so many return here again and again. Sounds like typical travel guide fluff, I know. And yet, in my honest opinion - Hawaii really is all that.
Which Island?
IYou can save the most money on Oahu. Things are the least expensive on Oahu and the most expensive on Maui (but using my guide, you stilll can have a wonderful time without breaking the bank.).
The Big Island (Hawaii Island) is home to an active volcano; Oahu is where you find Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor and big wave surfing; Maui has Hana Highway, Haleakala, and the most swimmable beaches; and Kauai is the smallest of the four major islands but with the most scenic wonders from the Na Pali Coast to the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Each island is unique with its own magic, and they all have wonderful beaches, accomodations and activities.
Recession Deals or Not, Astounding Values Await You!
While Hawaii's tourism industry has really scrambled to find ways to make our islands more attractive to budget-worried would be visitors, the thing that many don't seem to realize is that if you know how and where to shop and book,you can find great deals anytime, not just when the tourism industry is hurting. I mean my friends on the mainland were honestly amazed at all that my family and I did here on our ridciulously tight budget. They just had no idea.
Flyingfrom the West Coast, U.S. and vacationing on Oahu? You can have a fantastic vacation forless than $999 per person! For a neighbor island hop, add about $150 more. On the East Coast? Less than $1400!
I show my readers exactly how to do this. You'll spend thousands less for a family Hawaii vacation than the typical tourist and have twice the fun, guaranteed.
Planning a Hawaii vacation can seem daunting, but I take you by the hand and show you exactly where and how to get the best value for your money, every step of the way, starting with saving money at the the mainland airport all the way to saving bundles on bringing back souvenirs and gifts.
Introducing my BRAND NEW 2010 Editions
Hawaii Eco Travel & Budget Guides
"I want to thank you for the great information! Six others and myself traveled to Hawaii for a friend's wedding vows. Three of us met and stayed on Oahu for a few days before we flew to our final destination of Kauai, where we met everyone else. Your Hawaii Eco Budget Guide to Oahu was key to our success.
"I would say we probably had a better time than your average tourist! I lived on Oahu for about three years during my early years in the Navy, and I chuckled to my fiancé that I did more during our trip compared to the three years I lived there.
"Thanks again!"
Evan Rush, Bellingham, Washington
Oahu(187 pages!) Maui (154 pages!) Big Island (193 pages!) Kauai (156 pages!)
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A travel guide that will save you money like no other, guaranteed! You can spend less than $999 (or less than $1400 if flying from the East Coast) on your entire Hawaii vacation - airfare, activities, island transportation, your hotel (or campground, condo...where you choose to stay),gifts and souvenirs, food and even your lei.
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"I can't thank you enough for your help. Your guide was well worth the money and your support is even more valuable. I will highly recommend you to people I know planning a trip to the islands in the future. It is so helpful getting pointers from someone who lives on the islands."
Carolyn Ryan
Rocklin, California
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At Last! An Affordable,
Fun Hawaiian Vacation
without the Hassles
Insider's Tips You Get
These tips and recommendations are based on my experience living and island hopping in Hawaii, as well as countless hours of reporting (interviews and research).
Airfare & Airport Savings: Details how to save money every step of the way from booking your airline reservations, to the airport and on the plane.
Accomodations:Detailed listings of secure, beautiful campgrounds (some with yurts and cabins, and including in the Oahu guide, a large section on Friends of Malaekahana campground with its tent, yurt and beach houses). How to get the best deals on 3-4 star hotels, lists of decent budget hotels, and where to find nice alternative accomodations.
Island Transportation:How to get fantastic car rental rates and how to tell if the public transportion (Oahu, Big Island, Maui) is the best option for your particular situation. This latter decision is one that many make in haste based on too little information.
Dining:Recommendations include award-winning restaurants (Hawaiian, ethnic fusion and mainland American), favorite local restaurants and take-outs - all with menu entrees under $12, growers markets, best value and locally owned grocery stores (if you're staying in Waikiki, learn why a 10 minute drive can save you big time on your grocery bill).
Blue Hawaii:Best Hawaii beach recommendations with maps, pictures, activity and safety tips, free/low cost sand 'n surf activities and gear rentals, marine life-sensitive ocean adventures and tours (snorkel, kayak, swim with dolphins, more.) for all levels of adventurers and laid-back sightseeing visitors.
Hiking:Guided and self guided to secret waterfalls, stunning vista points and areas of cultural and ecological interest. Safety tips, free maps, more.
Scenic Drives & Delightful Gardens:Descriptions and directions.
Arts & Entertainment:Includes Hawaii's most popular entertainers and attractions (you may be surprised how much is free or very low-cost) and the visual arts, & crafts.
Cultural, Ecological & Historical Places to Visit:Best values for top visitor attractions of significance, as well as gems not widely publicized. Links, discount info, calendars.
Events & Festivals: Descriptive list with links to continually updated calendars.
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Gifts, Souvenirs, & your Lei: Bargains at fun, local favorites and the best value visitor haunts. Also, "make and take" workshops and directions for making coconut postcards (yes, they really do mail them!).
Valuable Information all Organized & Linked:FAQs of visitor questions (how to tip, what to wear, how to interact with locals, more), information for visitors with disabilities, Hawaiian language glossary, list of plants, flowers and foods you can take home from the islands (and how to do so without paying exorbitant "pre-inspected" prices, ocean safety tips, and a "Resource Guide" packed with free resources and no affiliates.
Why have I put so much effort into these guides?
I truly love teaching about Hawaii and sharing with others like yourself what I've learned about vacationing here. The revenues from the ebooks allow me to continue personally answering all of my readers' questions, write helpful articles that are free to read, publish a free newsletter, maintain this website, and continue to update and provide excellent value to those who need the information my ebooks offer. You can read my bio here.
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Hawaiian Vacation for You and Loved One(s) Today
Let's Look at Exactly How You Can Benefit
Get an easy to use guide that is guaranteed to save you more money than any other – without asking you to sacrifice fun and comfort, without steering you to dicey accommodations, frustrating you with listings you can't use or depriving you and your family of the fun you see everyone else having in those Hawaii travel pictures.
Save hundreds per person, thousands per family and LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THE TYPICAL TOURIST SPENDS, while experiencing the real Hawaii. Unless airfares drastically increase (I can't control that, but I do expect them to come down after the holidays), you can have an awesome, 8-Day Hawaii vacation - everything included, even airfare - for as little as $999 or less per person from the West Coast if visiting Oahu (around $150 more for a neighbor island) and less than $!400 from the East Coast visiting Oahu.
Travel independentlywith confidence and ease rather than with tours and get tips for flying with children (I've done West Coast to Hawaii flights several times with mine).
Get candid and unbiased recommendations that for once, you can trust! Unlike most travel writers, I do *not* taking freebies and I am *not* affiliated in any way with the accomodations, restaurants, activities, etc. that I share with you. And there are no affiliate links in any of my ebook guides. Now there's something unique! That means no additional income for me and my Internet marketing friends think I'm a fuddy duddy, but I want my readers to know that these are truly my honest recommendations.
Get INSTANT ACCESSto details, directions/maps, photos, menus, prices, websites and more for the best value activities, accomodations, airfares, restaurants, shopping venues and more. I give you the basics (over 100 pages in each guide), and if you want more info, you don't need to make phone calls or type in website addresses – everything's just a click away on your computer or iPhone. This time-saving feature coupled with all of the insider information I give you makes these Hawaii budget travel guides truly unique and highly valuable.
"I've just started reading this guide, and there is SO MUCH here! I skipped ahead to the shopping and dining sections, and I especially loved the parts on finding low cost souvenirs and gifts (who doesn’t need that!). Also the food section was great. I really appreciated seeing that vegetarian offerings are included. The sections on the eco hiking tours and shopping the farmers markets will also be invaluable to me.
"Planning for my upcoming trip to Oahu is going to be so much easier using this book! I can already see I will be able to save lots of time planning this vacation and lots of time when I get there, knowing all I want to see and do beforehand – and I’ll know I’m saving money by making the right choices for me. Thanks so much for this fantastic resource!"
Jone Jones,
Health & Wellness Writer
Arlington, Texas
www.Path2HealthyLiving.com
"Hawaii was absolutely great (as usual)!!! We will definitely be back. We did a little bit of everything. We spent a few nights camping at Friends of Malaekahana (one of the places you suggested). We were there the same time last year and got the same spot. We just loved it as usual. Our routine was up in the a.m. and head for Ted's bakery for malasadas and a breakfast sandwich (we got on first name basis) then snorkeling at Shark's Cove and other spots.
I saved thousands of dollars following your suggestions..."