by June Nicholas

Created on: September 21, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

Exploring the Hawaiian Islands on a budget is easily done.

What is the utmost important agenda item for your trip? Is it lounging around a hotel pool all day or experiencing the culture and sights the Islands have to offer?

If it is lounging around the pool - then you must strive to get the best deal on a great "destination hotel" - meaning all your needs / activities are right there at the hotel - and you do nothing more than shuttle from day-spa to pool to golf and decide which of the 6 hotel restaurants to dine at tonite. At that point, there is little to budget and sacrifice away. I guess you could do pasta dish instead of steak, or skip the hand massage. I could never understand why someone would spend so much time and dollars flying just to stay in one spot.

That being said, EXPLORING the Islands on a budget is quiet do-able:

WHAT TO PACK in your suitcase is very easy. T-shirts and shorts. Swimwear. Walking shoes and sandals or slippers. Perhaps one or two fabulous dresses that can be dressed up or down with accessories. Budget traveling means no high-priced dinners, right? So leave the suits and leather shoes at home. Anyway - in Hawaii, a little strappy black dress with sandals and/or a polo shirt and long pants can get you into 99% of the Islands' top dining establishments.

ACCOMMODATIONS can be made for as little as $75 a nite. Small hotels in Waikiki are abundant. True, they are not beach front, and maybe blocks away from the beach (Waikiki is all but 4 blocks deep) - but really - if you are "exploring" the islands, how much time will you be in your hotel during the day to gaze at the ocean?

Even if you choose to stay at the larger chain hotels (Hiltons, Marriotts) take the mountain or garden view rooms vs the beach / ocean views. Just keep in mind, "exploring" means not being in the hotel room all day. Just that alone will save you at least $50 + a nite. You will still be able to walk the grounds and take in a Mai Tai from the beach front restaurant at sunset, even if you have a mountain-view room!

Bed and Breakfasts also abound on every island and are in more residential areas, far away from the tourist traps, and are usually more economical and will give you a more restful visit. Who wants to wait for elevators to the 33rd floor anyway?

SIGHT-SEEING LOCAL ATTRACTIONS can be an overwhelming decision-making project. You sit and google at your computer at home and come away with 1,000 "must-see" sights.
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