Food & Groceries

*“What about groceries? Isn’t food expensive in Hawai’i?”*

It is very true that food costs in Hawai’i can become very expensive. However it is important to note that by integrating with the community, you will become less dependent on grocery stores. If you also suplement food from your own garden and fish from the ocean, you can end up spending less money than you normally would on the mainland.

The difference between an expensive cost of living and a cheap one, in Hawai’i, usually comes down to how you decide to live. If you live as a mainlander and avoid your neighbors, you will be spending a lot more at the store. If you integrate and live as a local, you will take advantage of farmers markets, fishing, farming, and trading among the community.

Want some more information on how to eat for cheap in Hawai'i? Check out the following info from thishawaiilife.com:

"Eating out in Hawaii is very expensive. If you are on a tight budget, you need to plan carefully and know the cheap venues that will save you big time visiting the islands. Check out these top tips and ideas on how to eat cheap in Hawaii and you will enjoy all the wonderful Hawaiian cuisine and local flavors cheap, cheap!

**Go to farmers markets in Hawaii** Farmers markets are a perfect place to sample local prepared foods, food trucks and other specialty vendors very cheap. You can buy local produce, finished goods and other cooked/prepared foods from food vendors that will save you big time with your wallet. To find where the local markets are, look at the various free food magazines at your airport kiosk or check online for these local farmers markets on each island.

**Eat at the malls in Hawaii** Malls are very popular foodie venues with food courts that offer a variety of specialty and local flavors for you to try. Inexpensive local fast food venues like Zippies, L&L foods and Blanes are local favorites throughout the islands along with on Island specialty food venues.

**Go to your local Hawaiian grocery store** Outside of finding foods that you can prepare yourself, check out the local deli departments and over the counter take out food departments that are cheap and offer easy to buy prepared foods that you can take home or do a picnic at the beach or a favorite venue.

**Food truck venues in Hawaii** Many of the islands offer food truck venues at different locations and times that a very cheap alternative and tasty option that will satisfy your need for delicious and inexpensive dining

**Cheap happy hour venues in Hawaii** At a fraction of the price of an entrée in many popular restaurants and most hotel eateries, going at happy hour (typically ranging from 3 to 6pm) is a great way to save some bucks. Offering cheap drink specials and pupus or appetizer selections, you’ll taste some yummy foods and drinks for a fraction of those outrageous dining venues at an earlier time frame.

**Pack a picnic** From any of the venues above at farmers markets, grocery stores or specialty food purveyors, you can create a unique one of a kind picnic in some of the most scenic locations for a dime (or at least cheaper). Buy your favorite dishes or take out food and you’ll be saving on the per plate mark up, taxes and tips with a nice view (hopefully) at your picnic.

**Make your own meals** If you have a condo or timeshare, you will typically have a full kitchen or grilling area that you can take advantage of making meals, preparing your own food for each meal, snacks or even your own happy hour cocktail and pupu time.

**Use coupons or two for one dining offers** You can find coupons online or even with popular tour magazines offered at tourist kiosks in many venues. Take advantage of these coupons or popular coupon sites like Groupon to to get a discount on your meals

**Shop at the big box stores like Costco, Walmart or Target** Many visitors to the island make Costco or Target their first stop to fill their carts with drinks, snacks and prepared foods or ingredients cheaper for those on a strict budget to save from expensive dining venues. Look for these mega store options to take advantage of the bulk rates and save big time on your favorite food items to prepare and enjoy.

**Cheap local take out or local Hawaii food venues** One of the cheapest dinging options would be to look for local food cafes or fast food brands that are popular with local taste and flavors. Favorite local venues include places like L&L food chains, Blanes foods, Zippies, Daichi Ramen and other brands which offer inexpensive local style food to try and enjoy. Many of these venues are located in malls so there is plenty of parking and options to find exactly what you are craving.

**Dining at ethnic restaurants in Hawaii** Since Hawaii is home to many nationalities and specifically of Asian heritage, you’ll find inexpensive food venues catering to these ethnic groups. Typically cheap Asian cuisine from Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Thai and even Mexican food are the most popular and cheap alternative to cafes and restaurants. Eating family style and trying out all these different flavors is the way to go when you crave something ethnic and local. Eat at lunch time, but splurge at business lunch menus Breakfast and dinners eating in will save you big time, but if you want to splurge do it during lunch when many places offer lunch specials to cater to local business/government workers who are looking for cheaper business lunch special.

**A sampling of local favorite dishes and specialty food you can find around the islands**

* ***Bento boxes –*** You can find these Japanese inspired bentos with different types of local foods and not strictly Japanese at fast food eateries, mom and pop stores to even grocery deli counters
* ***Spam musubi –*** A staple snack with sticky rice and spam wrap with a seaweed cover like a burrito, it’s fast and cheap and sold in a variety of take out places to grocery stores
* ***Plate lunch specials –*** Many cafes, deli counters and grocery stores have plate lunch specials with an entrée, macaroni salad and typically two scoops of rice
* ***Shaved ice –*** a favorite dessert with fluffy shaved ice with a multitude of concentrate tropical juices that is poured over them and sinfully delicious.
* ***Japanese snacks –*** you can find a variety of popular Japanese snacks including arare, Japanese crackers, nuts and other spiced yummies at many mom and pop shops, Longs drugs stores and grocery stores for sale typically in the Asian sections. Pick up a few that look interesting to try out and enjoy
* ***Moco Loco –*** Another local favorite with many different toppings but the classic is scoops of rice with a country fried steak or meat patty with gravy and topped with a fried egg
* ***Kalua pork –*** A traditional Hawaiian staple with pulled pork in sandwiches, plate lunches or an entrée with other Hawaiian food
* ***Huli Huli chicken –*** Rotisserie style chicken that is moist and tasty that satisfies those with a need for really delicious local chicken
* ***Ramen soup dishes –*** Ramen is a popular favorite food for take out or do it yourself with the core ingredients that make this comfort food easy and delicious It takes a little bit of planning and research to save money when you eat out in Hawaii, but these options will give you a sense of eating out and tasting different local markets and flavors for a fraction of the cost to dining and save you big time. Enjoy all the local flavors of Hawaii and do try out all the mom and pop shops in all the islands and your taste buds and wallet will love your well earned choices.

The most important takeaway is this: when buying groceries in Hawai'i, buy from locally owned stores. This will drastically lower your groceries bill in addition to taking advantage of things like farmers markets and community trading.