How to Live in Hawaii on a Budget
86So you want to live in Hawaii, but you're not sure if you can afford it? Does paradise seem like the perfect vacation spot but an impossible place to raise a family? Does $4.60 per gallon of gas and $6 per gallon of milk scare you out of your wallet? Well, believe it or not, living in Hawaii on a budget is possible and within reach. With some smart shopping, wise saving, and frugal living, you can live in a tropical paradise and still afford to eat!
Shop Locally
One thing that can save you money when you live in Hawaii is shopping locally. Hawaii has a great system of farmers' markets that provide the best of locally and organically grown produce. Although not always, shopping at farmers' markets can often save you money. Some growers do charge more than the grocery store, and keeping an eye on the prices will help you to know when you will actually be saving money.
Directory of Farmers' Markets in Hawaii
Shop Sales
Maybe you already do this, but shopping sales at the grocery store is often the only way to keep the food bill within the budget. Sure, you might not be able to have filet mignon every Sunday night, but there's always a way to save money and plan great meals at the same time. This means being creative, staying flexible, and planning your meals around sales.
Shop Wholesale
Shopping wholesale, whether through Costco or other stores, is a great way to save money on your grocery bill, especially if you have a family to feed. Because these stores are able to provide more products, they are able to keep prices low. But since they often sell in bulk, shopping wholesale isn't for everyone. A Gold Star Membership at Costco is only $50, which can easily be saved back through the year.
Costco Stores in Hawaii
5600 Maiau Street, KAILUA - 
525 Alakawa Street, Honolulu - 
333 - 
540 Haleakala Highway, KAHULUI - 
94-1231 Ka Uka Boulevard, Waipahu - 
4589 Kapolei, Kapolei - 
4300 Nuhou Street, Lihue - Live Simply
Simple living is key to saving money in Hawaii. This might be new for you, but you'll probably find that life is a lot more enjoyable without all the extra distractions. "Simple living" has a different definition for everybody, but it may mean not going out to dinner too often, or renting DVDs instead of going to the theater, or (must I say it?) not paying for cable. I like to think of simple living in positive terms, however - going to the beach, spending family time in the park, hiking in the jungle, visiting the library - all free things!
Downsize
Downsizing your personal belongings can be very helpful when you live in Hawaii (it also helps a lot when you move to Hawaii). A part of simple living is having less stuff. Face it, we like to own things, but sometimes our belongings get out of hand. When you live in Hawaii, it's easier to see the excess. With rent and house payment being very high in the islands, smaller homes are more affordable. But the smaller the house, the less room for stuff.
Save Gas
With recent gas prices in Hawaii averaging around $4.50 a gallon, filling up your car can become one of your biggest expenses. One good thing about living on an island is that travelling doesn't usually take very much time. Still, even short trips can add up your gas bill. Combining trips is very important for saving gas. Driving to the closest beaches most of the time can save you some money on the weekend. Having a Costco membership will also save you money on gas.
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Hang a Clothesline
Recently, our dryer broke to the dismay of all ease-loving launderers involved. But what seemed to be yet another appliance to hit the dust, turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We hung a rope clothesline on the covered lanai, saving us the trouble of fixing or replacing the dryer. With electric bills coming out over $300, this break from the dryer will be sure to save us some money. Many residents in Hawaii hang their clothes outside to soak up the tropical sunshine. Because of the frequent rain showers though, an open-air garage or a covered lanai often works better as a place to hang dry clothes. Hanging your clothes in a place with good air flow will ensure that your clothes don't mildew.
Turn off the Lights
Speaking of electric bills, electricity is outrageous in Hawaii! Turning off lights when you're not in the room and using the windows instead of air conditioning will help keep your bill within reason.
Recycle
Everyone is talking about green living and eco-friendly lifestyles, but did you know that recycling can actually pay? In Hawaii, a five-cent fee is taken for every beverage you buy at a store. To get back your five cents, take your collected empty bottles and cans to your local recycling station. A nickel may not seem like much, but after a while, the money builds up, and who couldn't use some extra spending money?
Ask for Kama'aina Discount
If you live in Hawaii, you qualify for something called the Kama'aina Discount. "Kama'aina" literally means "friend of the land" in Hawaiian. This discount is usually 15% off your purchase at local stores and shops. Be sure to ask for your kama'aina discount and show your Hawaiian driver's license when you shop locally. Unfortunately, chain stores and most restaurants don't have a discount, but many locally owned shops do.
Spend Free Time
The weather in Hawaii is beautiful year-round, and the outdoors is a playground full of family-friendly activities. Good news, many of these activities are free. All beaches in Hawaii are public and free for all to use, though camping may cost you a permit. Hiking on state land is also free, and the amount of trails that explore the exotic climate is amazing.
Share What You Have
Living Aloha means sharing what you have with your neighbors. For instance, people who live in Hawaii love to share the fruits and vegetables that grow so prolifically in the tropical soil. Much of the land is dotted with fruit trees of all sorts: tangerines, oranges, limes, mangoes, lilikoi, bananas, etc. Share the abundance with others and they will do the same.
Catalog to my other Hawaii hubs:
- Hawaii: Vacation and Life
Since moving to Hawaii four years ago, I've learned a lot about this beautiful and exotic vacation spot. I've discovered that living in Hawaii is different from vacationing here, but this hasn't kept me from enjoying this gorgeous corner of the world
Would you like to live in Hawaii?
See results without voting
- Budget Travel:How To Cut Down On Your Meal Bills While On A Vacation
Traveling light and spending less, but enjoying every moment of your holiday, is what all look forward to. Simple solutions to adhere to, while traveling will help curb unnecessary expenditure. And that includes meals. I remember my mother and... - 12 months ago
- Saving Money When There's Nothing Left to Cut
How to save additional money when it seems no more budget cuts can be made. Tips and tricks, some revived from earlier generations, but still valid. - 12 months ago
- The Subtle Art of Haggling
The art of haggling is enjoying a resurgence. For too long it has been the mainstay of the exotic eastern markets, been confined to the dusty corridors of a local flea market or perhaps a garage sale, or in the higher echelons of buying a luxury car. Now everyone is waking up to the possibilities of a bargain, the sheer pleasure of getting the price knocked down so you could make a saving on your hard earned money, all through haggling. - 12 months ago
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So glad to help, cherrycrime26! I hope your move goes smoothly - Hawaii can be a great place to live :)
So useful, I hit the awesome button.
Thanks so much!
Great hub! Thank you for the useful tips. Hawaii is very beautiful and an ideal place to live among the water.
Great hub. I lived on Oahu about 10 years ago and always thought about going back there one day. Thanks for all the great tips, maybe I'll have hope moving back sometime...I sure do miss the aloha spirit :)
Very good article and point on - I lived there for over 30 years.
I am hoping to get stationed there wuth the Army, you did a swell job, and hit some key points. thank you
Almost moved to Kailua a few years back!! May make the move one day!! :)
This is a great article ! This makes me want to move to Hawaii ! =]
Thank you all for your lovely comments! Hawaii is a beautiful place to live, though it's definitely on the expensive side - but not impossible :) I feel blessed to live here... not many people get that opportunity.
Hi Rose, So much of your excellent advice is applicable anywhere. After visiting Hawaii twice, I REALLY want to spend an extended time in Hawaii! I'd love to see a hub about economical extended stays (2-3 months) on the Islands. Very nice hub!
Great advice. My husband and I would love to live there some day, but don't forsee it ever happening. If we ever do though, I will keep your comments in mind.
I love Hawaii. I went on vacation many years ago and it was wonderful.
Hi Stephanie, thank you for reading! I hope you get to spend more time here in Hawaii... great idea about that hub... maybe I should work on that...
Hi susan_brown, you never know what the future holds! I never thought I'd live in Hawaii either, and here I am :)
Hi truthfornow, thanks for your visit! I'm glad you enjoyed your time here in Hawaii :)
Great advice for affordable living in Hawaii. I went to a flea market once in Kona and realized that the local people live very simply.
Hi Deborah-Diane, simple living is key! It's often easier (and cheaper!) to live without all the extra clutter.
Hawaii and heaven...those are the same things, right? I watch Hawaii Five-O for the scenery and the wave much more than for a great tv show. Someday, I will go to Hawaii!
Hi Sinea Pies, everyone says Hawaii is like heaven, and though living here reveals that it's not quite paradise, it comes pretty close :)
Very well done. Hawaii is such a beautiful place, but very, very expensive.
Hi suejanet, thanks for stopping by! It is gorgeous here and definitely expensive, but living here is still possible :)
Hi, Rose, wait a beautiful place to live! I live in the middle of England, and even though we have good summers, and it has a river, it is probably even more expensive than where you are! unbelievable! can we swop please? lol
Hi Nell, more expensive than Hawaii? Wow, that's not good! I wouldn't mind swapping for a little while - I've always wanted to go to the UK!
This hub is really useful. Plan on moving here as well for the surf. But I think I'll try it out first just to be sure, may be too pricey, but I hop now, it looks amazing!
TheBeautyInside, thanks for your visit! The surf is amazing (or so I hear - I'm not much of a surfer)! I hope your plans work out :)
I love reading these guides and yours is very helpful and well constructed, I'll remember you for my future trips!
That was a very great hub about living on a budget in Hawaii, some interesting tips, and yeah I agree, if you're living in Hawaii there's no need for cable, go outside and enjoy the simple things. I would be really interested if you were to write a hub about the job market in Hawaii too.
Good hub really I liked it your tips.
Great read with lots to learn for better living most anywhere. But is there any place like Hawaii? :)
Voted up.
Dun dun dun dun dun, that's me humming the Hawaii five-0 theme song if you didn't realize.
Thanks for sharing, fascinating hub.
JohnnyZenigame, thanks for your visit! I'm glad you found this helpful :)
supplies expert, I agree - there's so much to enjoy in Hawaii, who needs TV? I'll keep the job market hub idea in mind!
sachinseo, thanks for stopping by!
RTalloni, no there really aren't many places like Hawaii! Thanks so much for the rating :D
Roger Rabbit, that's exactly what this hub is missing - some background music ;)
ameliejan, you're very welcome! Thanks for your visit!
Some friends of mine live on the north shore and they save money by spear fishing and eating what they catch...it's apparently not that hard once you get good at itr
Web World Watcher, you're right - lots of people do their own fishing, saving money on food. I've never been spear fishing myself (I'd probably impale myself in the process), but I'm sure it helps a lot.
He wasn't good at it at first (I'm sure he had a couple of lean dinners during the first few weeks of his stay...but he stuck with it and the last time we visited he had a massive seafood buffet set-up for us...all wild caught from him. I was very impressed.
That is impressive! That's really cool that he's able to live off the land like that (or sea, I mean).
I was pretty impressed myself. Especially in Hawaii...the current can be a monster and very dangerous to swim around in...or so I'm told.
all incredible tips. thank you very much, i would love to live in hawaii for sometime and this will definitely help if i end up being able to do this.
Web World Watcher, oh yes, the current can be a silent killer. It's stronger than you might think!
applejuic3, I'm glad this helped you! I hope your dreams to live in Hawaii come true :)
Reading this made me picture myself there. I never really thought about it before but I would love to stay in Hawaii at least for a few weeks. It would be such an experience to be able to eat what I find in trees or by fishing. How I would love a more simple life. How hard is it to find a job there?
Great hub. Although I have no intention of living in Hawaii I did have the opportunity to vist both Oahu and Maui. Nice job and voted up.
Can I open up a fruit stand and live on the beach? lol I am in! I say we get a group of us and go do it together! Look out Hawaii!!
Nice place to live .
I love to travel but having limit budget.
Hi Kate, the simple life is good :) Finding a job can be pretty hard - the economy is suffering (just like everywhere else). However, the tourist industry is big here. It might be easier to find a job in the hotel/tourist business.
Kevin, thanks for the rating! That's great you got to visit Hawaii - pretty beautiful, isn't it?
Hi Jennie, living on the beach sure would save on rent ;)
alecsu666, yes, it is a nice place to live - completely different from vacation though.
gamercameo, I love to travel too, but you're right, the cost is what gets me. Too bad Hawaii isn't exactly known for affordability.
If I don't live in Hawaii but visit frequently, will it be frowned upon if I use the Kama'aina Discount? Does it depend on how well I'm known among the places I visit?
asktheexperts, it probably depends on how well you know the shopkeepers. Most places ask for a state ID when you ask for the Kama'aina discount.
Good to know. And I guess if I've made good friends with regular show visits, they may offer me other benefits for using their business.
asktheexperts, yes, making friends is definitely the way to go! It's all about the Aloha spirit.
Hawaii is a beautiful place...
I quite agree with you, Kevin.
Really enjoyed your hub. I live on the Big
Island where our electric bill is $400 a month!
I'd say the cost of living here (on the Big Island) is quite high, yet I love the lush greenery, cool mountains, and stunning beaches here!! It balances out ;)
Thanks for the great money-saving tips! The Farmer's market rocks!!
I can relate to everything you said. I also live on an expensive island and life couldn't be better. Economizing is possible, thanks for pointing out How. "Beautiful"
Hi hush4444, our electric bill used to be up there too, but now we save a $100 a month by using a clothes line instead of the dryer.
TattooKitty, good point. Maybe we should say that the *value* of living in Hawaii is high, rather than the *cost* of living :)
EuroCafeAuLait, island life truly is unique and wonderful, and living on a budget is possible :) Thanks for the feedback!
Hey, if you live Kauai, you should know that Cost-U-less is a better deal than Costco for many folks - often they have the same stuff, smaller packages and no membership fee. If you are on the East side or North Shore, you don't have to drive thru traffic. Plus it seems much more local.
Nicely presented information. Makes it seem possible! What about growing your own veggies? Is that possible too? And it is possible to do sprouts in your own kitchen so as to have an extra source of greens! Thanks again for all your tips!
Sounds good...I may be visiting Hawaii in the next two years for my twin aunties 60th....great info. Voted up, interesting and beautiful.
Wao nice hub.. I got some new idea about my vacation.thanks Rose.. voted up!
A client of mine moved to Hawaii a few years back. He built his home himself, saving serious money. Simple living is also his answer to most money issues. He enjoys the good life now. My wife says we should visit him. I think she is right.
cs, oh yes, Cost-U-Less is great. I love that it doesn't require a membership.
techygran, lots of people grow vegetable gardens here. Certain kinds of produce don't grow well in the climate, but there are plenty that do! I've never grown sprouts, but I'm sure that's also possible.
natures47friend, thanks so much for the rating! I hope you enjoy your visit here!
maxravi, thank you for reading! I really appreciate the rating :)
KeithTax, wow, that would be great to be able to build your own house. The simple life is great :) Hope you get to visit the islands sometime.
Thx a lot. It is nice to have someone talking about your dream once in a while!
style-of-life, thank you for your feedback! It doesn't have to be just a dream...
Can you add to your Poll "Used to live in Hawaii." ? Thank you.
Also, the beach is always free :)
MarloByDesign, thanks for reading! The poll can't be edited without deleting previous votes, but thank you for your suggestion. And yes, thank goodness the beach is free!
I have family in Hawaii and have visited in the past. It was absolutely stunning. It helped to be with 'locals' to show us around the beautiful places to hike and see the sights that are not normally included on booked trips. The cost of the 'tourist' part of it was so expensive when I really enjoyed the free parts of the beach and scenery more. I wouldn't consider it living simple at all when you are surrounded by all of the vast beauty of the environment... really I think it's living much more rich than most. :)
I love this hub. My family lives on Kauai. I lived there as a young child and have been back as an adult and I agree with all you say. For everything you want, you have to make sacrifices of some kind. Beauty, clean air, all elements of a type of peace. Thumbs up on your advice.
I really like the level of detail here. You paint a rich picture of how to save money in Hawaii. I've never been there personally, but it's one of those places I think that everyone's at least tempted at visit.
Good info on island life. Thanks.
Fantastic tips in frugality,which will probably prove well in any part of the world with few exceptions. great hub
dappledesigns, I agree - spending time more "local" can be much more fun than just sticking with the "tourist" sights. I like what you said about the richness of life here - so true!
ytsenoh, thanks so much for your visit! That's wonderful that you have been able to spend so much time in Hawaii. Living here gives you a very different perspective as opposed to just visiting.
icountthetimes, thank you for reading and commenting! Maybe you'll get out here someday :)
Hypersapien, thanks so much!
Egrind, true - living on a budget looks pretty similar in different places. I think living in expensive Hawaii adds an extra sense of living simply.
Nicely stated.
Awesome hub, really makes you want to live in Hawaii... mb it can be done! =D
Great tips, Rose! I think many would apply most anywhere. Hanging laundry outside to air dry instead of using the dryer. A smaller house = less rent/mortgage = savings. That sort of thing. But living frugally in paradise would sure be more enjoyable than living frugally in, say, Minnesota!
Does the cost of living differ depending on the island? For instance, living on an outer island instead of Oahu?
Great hub! I'll definitely put this advice in motion when I move there when I retire.
I moved to Waikiki when I was 18 and lived their a few years. I was a pedi-cabber and did pretty good for a kid. I do wish I would have had a few tips like these for saving more and spending less to live. Cool hub! That was 87 and it was expensive then.....
Very helpful and nice to dream about.
Ahh, that was the cheapest holiday I've had since lunchtime. Now back to work :-( Thanks Rose for helping to keep the dream alive!
Yes, living in Hawaii can be a burden sometimes! Just gotta know the tricks of the trade. ;) I wish there was another Costco on the Big Island, but at least we have a generic version, "Cost-U-Less" in Hilo, haha. (:
Nice information shared especially for the one like me who love to travel and explore. I can now definitely save some valuable bucks while I'm in Hawaii.
I visited Hawai'i twice including one a 7 day cruise. If I planned on living there I would live in Kona. It's nice and small, sunny, I love coffee, and there's the excitement of it being right next to a sleeping volcano.
cheapstuff - thanks! It definitely can be done, with a little budgeting and determination :)
JamaGenee, thanks for your visit! Living here does have its advantages - like access to the beach (which is free :). Plus, you never have to pay for heating. I'm not sure how the cost of living differs on each island. One thing though: Oahu is a lot more accessible, when it comes to shopping and stuff like that.
IJR112, thank you! I hope this helps!
LucidDreams - sounds like you had quite an adventure! If it was expensive then, it's definitely expensive now!
RetailRich, thank you for reading!
TrahnTheMan, haha so glad I could distract you :) Dreams are what life is built upon.
Joyce Vitales, oh yes, it's so very hard ;) Cost-U-Less is pretty good too - plus you don't have to pay a membership fee.
skys, I'm glad you enjoyed this! The more you save the more you can travel!
Ramsa1, I've heard those cruises can be a lot of fun. Kona is pretty cool - but I wouldn't term living on a volcano "exciting". More like "smoky".
I loved seeing your recommendation for whole sale costcos in Hawaii trying to be on a budget. That is something that we always do when we get to Hawaii is load up at the Costco of all the basic necessities. Then you can still get the special deals at the local markets and stores, but the eggs and milk and other basics are taken care of at a good price.
czczcz, same here - Costco is great for the necessaries. Cheapest place to buy eggs and milk. But if you don't want to buy bulk in other things, other stores have sales sometimes.
That is really nice post ...We can save money a lot
I never realized it was so expensive! Thanks for the informative article.
Nice tips!
that is amazing place to live and visit thanks for this nice sharing keep it up.
htodd, saving money is a good thing :)
jenniferg78, everything needs to be shipped to the island from the mainland, so the price just goes up.
iguidenetwork, thanks!
fli8uk, it is pretty amazing - thanks for reading!
Thank you for the information on hawaii. i can plan properly next time :). love your hub. Followed you and voted!
pooilum, thanks for your visit! I really appreciate the rating :)
Rose we just found out today our offer on property on Moloka'i is accepted. We will be slowly transitioning in the next year to this remote island. What do you know about Moloka'i and can you suggest anything you already have not covered about the islands?
Hi katiejean, congratulations! That must be very exciting for you. I haven't actually been to Moloka`i, so I can't tell you much in particular. But if you are coming from the mainland, just be honest with yourself that life here isn't *always* a vacation. Give yourself time to get used to life on a remote island, which can be very relaxing and laid-back, but also can be the same as life anywhere. Also, don't bring too much stuff with you - chances are you won't need it :) I've written several other articles on Hawaii, if you are interested in reading more. A link to a catalog of these hubs is listed above the poll. Thanks for reading!
Thanks for the great tips. I just came back from Maui for the 5th time and decided my husband and I will move when our youngest daughter goes off to college. I started to look for jobs and there are not many in Maui. I am a photographer also so I could always do that on the side while finding a fulltime job. Any suggestions for job searches?
Hi Kim, I wish you the best as you make plans to relocate here in Hawaii. Job searching can be difficult here. Perhaps you could find some good business with photography though. The wedding industry is fairly big here, as well as the tourist industry, so using your camera skills could come in handy. As to other advice for job searching, be sure to connect with people when you get here. Meeting and being friends with other locals just might get your foot in the door for a good job. Thanks for your visit!
I visited Hawaii twice, once on a cruise of the islands. While the islands are indeed beautiful, it's not practical for me to live there. But if I were going to live there, the Waikiki area would be a great place to live.
Hi Ramsa1, living here does take a lot of adjustment. Waikiki is good if you like a busy city life within reach of the beach.
cherrycrime26 Level 3 Commenter 12 months ago
This was very helpful, I plan on moving there one day :)