Manuahi!

Manuahi means "free of charge" in Hawaiian - which is a VERY important word if you're going to Hawaii on a budget!

Sunsets are free!

Chad and I did what we wanted to while in Hawaii. We weren't overly extravagant or penny pinchers. BUT! While we were there we found that Hawaii could easily (and enjoyably) be done on a rather tight budget! There are TONSSSSS of FREE things to do or get! And I thought I'd share a few of them.

1) Free Trolley around Waikiki
2) Free souvineers
3) Free cultural lessons - including Hula lessons
4) Free dessert
5) Free entertainment

1) First of all - walking around Waikiki can be a bit of a chore... The popular "vegas type" strip is about 1.5 miles long and thats not including the beach or any side streets. This may not seem so long, until you remember you are wearing flip flops... for the 5th day in a row... and you've been walking non-stop for 5 days... Our saving grace: The Hilo Hatties "Free" Shuttle! If you are staying on the strip and aren't in a hurry this shuttle is for you!

Basically - the Hilo Hattie shuttle collects people from around Waikiki and drops them off at their store, nearly 5 miles away, then takes a different path back to the city to drop everyone off. It does a big loop and stops at each of the 10ish stops on its route every 30 minutes. They even have a schedule! Which can be found in just about any of the free magazine/coupon books alone the main drag. BUT BE WARNED!!! If you don't get off the shuttle at Harbon Street - you WILL be going to the store - and WILL BE forced to get off the shuttle until the next one shows up 30 minutes later. But that's part of the fun! and #2 on this list....

There are millions of free tide pools!

 

2) If you happen to get stuck at Hilo Hatties - not all is lost. First off the store is pretty cool, they have tons of free samples and for all that junk you find in downtown, its cheaper here. Secondly - you are greeted with a free shell lei! Everyone in you're party gets one and they are legit. I remember being brought back one when I was a kid and I though it was an awesome souvenir and I've done the same and brought back the young girls in my life some - and THEY liked them too!

3) Have you ever wanted to Hula? How about learn to play the ukulele? Or ever wanted to learn more about Hawaiian Coffee? Well its easy to do and free! The Royal Hawaiian offers all this stuff - and not just for hotel stayers - they are more found in there mall or "center." There are no real schedules... but you can ask the information booth they have - Chad and I generally just stumbled upon the goings on. That is how I found the hula one - which was SO FUN! Basically a lady stood up front with a mic and music and showed a whole group of us how to do it. She explained the meanings, the why, the when, the how to hold your posture, everything! I also found a hawaiian quilt making one... but that was kind of a mess....

Yup... I'm hula-ing....

 

4) Dessert in Waikiki is easy to come by - and JUST as easy not to pay for. The most legitimate way is to pick of one of those coupon books - they are everywhere! Hotel lobbies (the Outriggers is the best we found!) at your car rental place, just along the sidewalks (The Best of.... is awesome). Most of these coupons are buy a couple entries get a free dessert - or along those lines. And really, you're gonna eat anyways, so why not? Now if you are feeling even chintzier than that - go to the Honolulu Cookie Factory - they have ENDLESS FREE SAMPLES! and heck they just give you whole cookies for being at the right place at the right time. These stores are just about every block long the main drag - and by the way, they are delicious!

 The blow hole is free!.... it's low tide in this picture...

5) What is every vacation goers worst nightmare? Feeling bored. There is NO excuse for this in Hawaii! EVEN if you are dead broke. I am just going to list all the free awesomeness - many of which are totally applicable to the evenings/nights. The beaches - most of the beaches are free to park at and hang out on.

 We just pulled off the road, parked and found this perfect beach!

Music - most of the hotel restaurants have a really wonderful band or one man guitar act either during happy hour (3-6pm) or for dinner (6-9pm) - just walk on in and have a seat! Hiking - again parking and entering the hiking areas is generally free. Dole Pineapple Factory - entering the gardens and the store and the grounds is all free, takes about 40 minutes to explore (there is also a train and maze, but those cost money, the train is ALMOST worth the cost IF you find a coupon).

The Army Museum - pretty darn cool, small but very well put together. Whale Watching! - no, I'm not talking about on a boat - but exploring around the outter edge of the island and finding all the best places to spot them is fun! A few good places Turtle Bay Resort, the blowhole and Makapuu Lighthouse - we saw everything from breaching to spouts! Shows - these are everywhere! At sunset on the beach, in the malls, International Market everywhere. Again we never found a schedule, but just keep your eyes open you are bound to stumble across a show featuring live music and traditional dancing.

The nightly, yet ever changing Waikiki Beach Sunset Show!

 

So yeah! Until next time!!