Eat at local hotspots

This isn’t the first time Canadians have had to combat a low Canadian dollar while travelling in the U.S. Those who have worked in the Hawaiian tourism industry long enough to recall a previous Canadian dollar flux may remember when Canucks were known for their trips to the grocery store and their infrequent restaurant visits.

While opting to shop in grocery stores instead of dining out is surely one way to save money while travelling to Hawaii, many travellers may not know that they can take advantage of Hawaii’s plethora of local hotspots as well.

These shops and restaurants offer delicious, homemade delicacies from Hawaii’s diverse culture that will fill travellers up, provide authentic Hawaiian experiences and save their dollars as well. Oahu may offer the largest number of options in this category, simply because of its population size, but there are places to eat out on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island too that will fit the bill.

For Oahu travellers, suggest places like Iyasume – featuring the famous Japanese musubi (stuffed rice balls, wrapped in nori), Marukame Udon (for giant bowls of Udon noodle soup soaked in savory broth), Rainbow Drive-In for loco-moco (Hawaiian dish of hamburger patty, white rice and fried egg smothered in brown gravy) and any local smoothie shop for a second-to-none acai bowl breakfast. All these places offer meals that will cost no more than $10-$15 per person.

On Maui suggest Sammy Sato or Eskimo Candy Seafood Market & Café for poke and other seafood. On Kauai there’s Hamura Saimen for noodles and Mark’s Place for the well-known Hawaiian plate lunch. On Hawaii Island Don’s Grill’s is just one spot with a local Hawaiian menu that won’t break the bank and no trip to the Big Island is complete without a stop at Tex Drive-In for malasadas (Portuguese/Hawaiian donuts).

And don’t forget the food trucks that have been a Hawaiian staple since long before the food-truck hype began.