If you think Hawai‘i travel offers fewer bargains these days, you’re right. Demand remains high, post-pandemic price hikes haven’t gone away and ditching the islands’ mass-market appeal for more of a Mustique mystique is an overt strategy to reduce overtourism. Nevertheless, both travelers seeking a splurge and those craving savings can find new and notable ways to do so this fall.
Hawai’i Island
Savers
Leave your tiny but cheery room at SCP Hilo Hotel to take a complimentary standup paddleboard across the street to Reeds Bay, or ride a loaner bike along Banyan Drive to 24-acre, Japanese-style Lili‘uokalani Gardens. From $156
Slow down for the lush oceanside foliage of the Four Mile Scenic Drive en route to Baumkuchen Farm, which flavors its German multilayered cakes with tropical fruit and offers free farm tours twice a week.
On the Kona side, stay in the surprisingly upscale Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Resort and save on a rental car by walking to historic sights, shops and dining on Ali‘i Drive. Sign up early for its free, weekly vow renewal ceremony on the beach at sunrise. From $324
Splurgers
The year-old Rosewood reincarnation of beachfront Kona Village is a distinctively dreamy oasis, especially its Asaya Spa. From $1,122, rosewoodhotels.com
Plant a koa tree near Hualalai volcano’s otherwise inaccessible summit on Uluha‘o O Hualalai’s small-group cultural tour. $200
Kaua’i
Savers
Families will especially appreciate the restored vintage bungalows of the beachfront Waimea Plantation Cottages, which provide kitchens as well as quick access to Waimea’s shave ice stands and Waimea Canyon’s exhilarating views. From $339, coasthotels.com
In Kapa‘a, the ISO tucks yoga mats into its petite but chic oceanfront rooms, a short drive to East Side beaches and trails, as well as enticing food trucks and cafes. From $138, theiso.com
Adults who partake in alcohol will appreciate Hanalei Spirits’ free, thrice-weekly tour of its farm and distillery in Kilauea, including tastes of five vodka, rums and seasonal spirits; reserve online. The grounds of stately Kilohana Plantation in Lihu‘e host Koloa Rum Company, which offers free tastings six days a week by online reservation. hanaleispirits.com, koloarum.com
No reservations are needed to drop by Kauai Coffee Co. in Ele‘ele for its all-day sampling and self-guided walking tours — perfect for perking up after a drive to Waimea Canyon. kauaicoffee.com
Get free coffee and treats — along with loaner tools and gloves — when you join the cleanup crew at Lydgate Beach, every Saturday from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. kamalanius.wordpress.com
Splurgers
Rent a serene ocean-view villa at Timbers Kaua‘i in Lihu‘e and let the concierge plan distinctive excursions, including farm and birding tours right on the 450-acre resort. From $1,795
Maui
Savers
More than a year after the tragic fires of Lahaina, prices at many West Maui hotels remain up to a third lower than normal. Help with the area’s economic recovery and immerse yourself in free Hawaiian cultural lessons by staying at Outrigger Ka‘anapali Beach Resort. From $331
From the hotel, walk to Whalers Village to patronize locally owned boutiques such as Kaialoha Supply (surfwear) and Keani Hawai‘i (jewelry), or head to Lahaina Cannery for more Maui-based shops, free hula and craft shows and the poignant, pocket-sized Lahaina Plantation Museum.
Spend a Saturday morning with Maui Cultural Lands for a unique experience in a remote area of Honokowai Valley, high above Ka‘anapali. Sugarcane growers diverted the water from the ancient irrigation system that fed its former farming village, now overrun with nonnative vegetation. Bring a lunch to enjoy after a couple hours of light weeding and tales of the area’s history from mother and son coordinators Puanani and Ekolu Lindsey, who also help shuttle volunteers from Ka‘anapali.
Splurgers
The Westin Maui Resort and Spa boasts the most dazzling series of pools and diverse, locally sourced dining outlets in Ka‘anapali, including Peter Merriman’s new Ulu Kitchen and chef-made appetizers in the Lanai, the lounge exclusive for guests in the premium Hokupa‘a Tower. From $903
O‘ahu
Savers
Waikiki’s best values lie a few blocks from the beach. Opened in June, Romer House Waikiki is the island’s first adults-only hotel and a sleek, art-filled transformation of a midcentury apartment building with a popular izakaya restaurant. Got kids? Romer Waikiki at the Ambassador, which opened last fall, has colorful rooms with sofabeds and suites with bunk beds, plus a sunny pool deck. From $215 and $189, respectively
All ages may attend the free, hour-long Kilohana Hula Show, presented Sunday through Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Waikiki Shell Amphitheater. Created by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, this cultural showcase also includes an artisan marketplace. The Royal Hawaiian Center also hosts free concerts and hula shows, plus hands-on cultural lessons and monthly stargazing.
Splurgers
Reserve early for one of 12 seats at the new weekly afternoon tea at Mugen, which begins with Laurent-Perrier bubbly and Osetra caviar and includes rare and local tea blends along with sweet and savory nibbles. $120
On the North Shore, raise a glass at your secluded Ocean Bungalow at the newly rebranded Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay. From $1,998
