When I traveled to Hawaii in the summer of 2023, I compiled a summary of the money I actually spent.
I had heard that Hawaii could be quite expensive due to the weak yen and high prices, but while it’s true that the cost of living is high, I managed to enjoy my trip to Hawaii by incorporating some casual elements. I savored casual plate lunches at food trucks and grabbed takeout from Whole Foods (the supermarket), striking a balance between enjoying the experience and keeping costs in check.
This time, I’ve compiled details such as the menu items and prices from the restaurants I visited in Hawaii, as well as the prices of items I purchased at popular souvenir shops.
For those planning to visit Hawaii in the future, I hope you find this information helpful!
※This information is current as of August 2023. Please note that prices and store information may have been revised, so be sure to verify the latest details before making any arrangements.
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The Souvenirs at ABC Stores
When walking through Waikiki, you’ll often come across ABC Stores, which are souvenir shops catering to tourists.
The displays are also neat and tidy, with plenty of Hawaiian-themed merchandise, and you’ll find a wide array of popular Hawaiian-exclusive Hello Kitty and Doraemon items lined up, making it a sure delight for fans!
Since Japanese is widely spoken, even those who aren’t comfortable with English can shop with confidence.
At ABC Store, I purchased a Hawaii-exclusive Doraemon plush toy, priced at $19.99 each.
Additionally, the Hello Kitty eco-bags were priced at $4.99 each, but there was a discount when purchasing two, bringing the total to $9 for both.
Eco-bags are highly recommended as souvenirs as they are compact and convenient, taking up minimal space.
North Shore Goodies Peanut Butter
Hawaiian North Shore-produced peanut butter uses only all-natural ingredients, making it a health-friendly peanut butter.
Because it doesn’t use sweeteners and has a natural sweetness, it’s sure to be appreciated as a souvenir!
The souvenir shop is very small, and it exudes a local atmosphere.
The peanut butter costs around $7 each, and its creamy, mild sweetness pairs perfectly with toast!
It’s also a favorite souvenir among elementary school children.
By the way, I was able to use a credit card for payment, but if I recall correctly, there was an additional charge of around $1.50 when using a credit card.
Since it’s a small shop resembling a mom-and-pop store, I recommend checking their operating hours and days before visiting.
Haleiwa’s Pork Plate Lunch
When it comes to Haleiwa, Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is famous, but it was extremely crowded.
As a result, we opted for a food truck located nearby, where many food trucks gather, and enjoyed the pork plate lunch there.
The Pork Plate Lunch was priced at $16 for one serving, and it was quite generous, equivalent to about 1.5 portions.
The pork was tender, and it went well with the rice, allowing us to savor it to the fullest.
However, the drinks were a bit on the expensive side, costing around $5 each. Also, there were no restroom facilities available, so we went to the nearby McDonald’s to use the restroom and grabbed some drinks while we were there.
A classic choice! Dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.
We went to The Cheesecake Factory in Honolulu on a Friday night, and it was very crowded. We had to wait in line for about 15 minutes just to put our names down.
Then, as our turn approached, we received a notification on our phone, so we wandered around the area until then.
By the way, during that waiting time, we were lucky enough to catch a free hula dance performance at the Royal Hawaiian Center!
At The Cheesecake Factory, we ordered a Kids’ Cheese Pizza for $11.5, Thai Lettuce Wrap Chicken for $20.5, and four Chicken Wraps for $17.95, among other items.
The Cheesecake Factory is a reassuring restaurant because no matter what you order, it’s delicious, so it’s worth the wait!
Lunch at Off The Wall Craft Beer & Wine
I had lunch at Off The Wall in the South Shore Market.
I ordered the gluten-free mochi waffle for $12 and a kids’ Keiki cheesecake burger for $12.
It’s surprisingly an American-sized burger, far from what you’d typically expect for a kids’ hamburger!
The gluten-free mochi waffle wasn’t overly sweet, and the syrup drizzled on the waffle had a subtle sweetness that was very delicious.
The restaurant’s atmosphere was family-friendly, making it easy for those with children to dine, and being located within the market, we could also enjoy shopping and more together!
Summary
In 2023, Hawaii was indeed known for its high prices, as I had heard from various sources. However, upon actually visiting the destination, what I felt was that while prices were indeed high, the portion sizes for meals were often generous, allowing me to share a single dish with my child and thus manage my expenses better than I had anticipated.
When dining out for every meal, expenses can add up quickly. So, consider mixing in takeout options from supermarkets or enjoying the delicious casual food available at food trucks, to fully savor Hawaii while managing your spending wisely.
※This information is current as of August 2023. Prices and store information may have been revised, so please verify the latest details before making use of it.
