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How To Save For A Trip To Hawaii

Eagle Strayhorn — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 02:42:23 +0000

How do you save for a trip to Hawaii? We asked our Facebook fans for their advice and got over 80 responses with clever tips on how to budget your money for your next vacation.

The most important piece of advice so far? It’s always easier to save if you have a goal set. Keep reading for more tips from our community of travelers on Facebook.

Hawaii is closer than you think! Check out over 25 travel tips on how to save for a trip to Hawaii.

Tip 1: Save your tax return

“My husband & I bank our entire tax return into a separate account… and build it up every week. No matter how great the temptation is to spend it….don’t!!! ^__^ You can totally save for Hawaii. We have gone 3 times. WOOT!!!” — Shannon K.

“We had a savings acct. and also put aside our income tax refund checks….” —Maureen D.

“When you do your income tax and are expecting a return…purchase your airfare, rent your car or book your house or hotel and book a year in advance, it works, believe me.” —Elaine B.H.

Tip 2: Start an “H” fund and save, save, save!

“Every paycheck, skim 25 bucks and any change or left over balance before next check into the “H” fund… you’d be surprised how much and HOW QUICK you got the $$ to go to paradise!!” — John A.H.

“Take 25 a week out of your check…put in a seperate account. It builds quick.” —Tracey M.P.

“Save all loose change.” —Laura G.

“I put away every $5 note..it’s surprising how it all adds up..and how soon.” —Raelene F.

“25% of your check every time you get paid put in another account.” —Nani M.

“I saved money in a 2nd savings account, had money go in it every time I got paid.” —Andrea R.

“Always empty any change out of my purse and $5 notes into money box for this, surprising how it all comes together when you have a specific goal.” —Sue W.

Make your dream vacation a reality!

Tip 3: Cook at home

“Eat at home, instead going out to eat.” —Henry S.

“Brew your own coffee instead of coffee shop.” —Taylor T.

“Cook at home & spend only if it is absolutely necessary” —Janice M.

“Look for condos with kitchens an months in advance to make plans to go.” —Yeldiz H.

“We have our timeshare on the Big Island. We eat breakfast in the TS, pack a lunch for a picnic at noon & only go out for dinner. I also take dry cereal, coffee, peanut butter, condiments , microwave popcorn & condiment packages in my suitcase. We go to Costco when we arrive for bread, milk, rotisere chicken,pizza etc. Gas is cheaper at Costco too.” —Kara D.

Tip 4: Don’t spend on things you don’t need

“Cut back on the shopping trips. Eat cheaper meals prepared at home. Instead of going to the movies rent a movie. Don’t buy the high technology devices. Cut back on the driving only go places that you really need to go gas is too expensive.” —Terri K.

“Quit smoking, use coupons at the grocery stores, take your lunch from home and make your own coffee or tea at work.” —Sheri N.I.

“We put off buying a new car and put the money we would have used for a car payment aside every month.” —Cathy P.F.

“Don’t eat in expensive restaurants or buy things that you don’t really need. It is amazing how much money simplifying your life can save you.” —Alan E.B.

“My hubby & I quit smoking in may this year..so with that money we are saving each week & aim to holiday next yr with our 3 boyz!!!!!” —Kazzza B.

The beauty of Hawaii awaits your arrival…

Tip 5: Recycle

“We have been recycling fools. I keep a big bag tied to my door at work and my co-workers are happy to help me fill it up!” —Terri S.

“Recycle cans n plastic bottles.” —Henry S.

Tip 6: Use a rewards credit card (and pay it off right away)

“If you can get a air miles credit card ( I use Delta Amer Express), charge what u can and pay if off right away but still get all the miles to fly free or half off !” —Taylor T.

“ Do not carry credit card debt…. it’s throwing away money that you could be saving.” —Jeanne L.E.

Tip 7: Just do it

“Hawaii is like having a child…never wait until you can “afford” to do it…you just might wait too long and your chance will slip away! It’s worth whatever you have to do to save money…put that money in a Hawaii account at your bank…it will add up faster than you know!” —Pamela L.G.

“Don’t stop until the goal is reached….” —Ellen C.

Share your travel tips!

Tell us how you save for a trip to Hawaii below or on Facebook.

History of Hawaii Timeline Project on Facebook

Eagle Strayhorn — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:38:41 +0000

We are pleased to introduce the History of Hawaii Timeline Project. Using Facebook’s Timeline feature, we decided to share milestone moments in Hawaii’s unique history. Check it out on our Facebook page.

Visit the History of Hawaii Timeline Project on Facebook.

History of Hawaii: 1758 – Present

Starting with the year 1758—when Hawaii’s first king, Kamehameha I, was born on the Big Island—to present-day Hawaii 2012, we’ll be sharing important dates and milestone events throughout the history of the Hawaiian Kingdom.

To truly understand Hawaii, it is important to gain perspective about Hawaii’s history. Our goal with the History of Hawaii Timeline Project is to help others understand how and why Hawaii exists the way it does today.

History of Hawaii – King Kamehameha I was born in 1758.

With the project, we want to share knowledge we’ve gained through over 16 years of experience in the Hawaii tours industry. We’d like to help you discover Hawaii no matter where you are in the world!

Stay tuned—be sure to Like us on Facebook. And please contact us via Facebook if have any suggestions. Aloha from Discover Hawaii Tours!

Vote Now! Shaka Summer Photo Contest

Eagle Strayhorn — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 10:01:15 +0000

The Shaka Summer Photo Contest has entered the voting period! It’s time for YOU to vote for your favorite shaka photos. The top ten photos with the most votes will become finalists, and then we will announce four (4) winners during the last week of August.

Voting starts now. Click here to vote.

How to vote:

Go to our Facebook Page and click the thumbnail that says “Vote Now!”
You can vote for each photo once, there’s no limit to how many photos you can vote for
Anyone can vote. Yes, anyone!
Tell your friends and family to vote for you!

Vote now for your favorites! Shaka Summer Photo Contest

How to get more votes:

Tell your Facebook friends to vote for your photo!
Email your contacts with a link to your photo!
Ask grandma and all her friends vote for you!
Share your photo on Instagram and Pinterest with a link to your photo!
Take your friends out to dinner and ask for their vote!

Click to start voting for your favorites

Mahalo to our fans and our sponsors

Thank you to everyone who entered! We received about 150 shaka photos, thanks so much!

And a big mahalo to our sponsors. Each winner will receive the following prizes from our sponsors:

Box of gourmet chocolates from Manoa Chocolate
Bath & body gift set from Maui Soap Company
Hawaiian honey sample from Big Island Bees
Hawaiian coffee from Kimo Bean

Start voting now and tell all your friends!

10 Travel Tips From Our Facebook Fans

Eagle Strayhorn — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 01:19:11 +0000

When you’re planning a trip to Hawaii, there are a million pieces of advice to consider. Which hotel do I book? Should I rent a car? How much luggage do I need? Our growing community of Facebook fans kindly offered these travel tips which they’ve learned while traveling to Hawaii.

1. Pack light, pack smart

People take too much stuff! Carry a suitcase small enough to use as a carry-on. You save $25/person each way, and you know it is going to arrive with you. I also take throw-away clothes. Things you know you are going to throw away, wear once or twice then discard them at your destination, leaving room for souvenirs. — Mary P.

We always travel with just one carry-on and a personal item! Do not check bags! — Tom C.

You don’t need to bring a hat – you can buy one for $3.99 at an ABC store (there is one on nearly every corner in Waikiki) and don’t bring a lot of shirts – you can buy six for $20 at the International Marketplace. — Alan B.

Pack light, pack smart (photo by temple honors /Flickr)

I also travel light. Buying a gift card from a place like Walmart to get necessities (toiletries, extra film, camera batteries, etc) once I get to my destination. I only pack a travel toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant in case I get stuck somewhere longer then planned. — Kelly H.

Always pack garbage bags for dirty clothes. — Cristina E.R.

2. Find the best accommodations

We find our best resort suite at vrbo.com, and then have that checked out with tripadvisor.com just to make sure its a good place with good reviews from actual vacationers. Every trip this works best for us! — Rick J.

Get a “real” look at resorts (big & small). The reviews are unbiased and give you info about what rooms are ocean front, ocean view, garden view, etc. Search online for your resort (Google Maps is a good option) and see just how close to the ocean they really are. — Diana G.

3. Bring these in your carry-on luggage

Plane pillow and blanket! — Tracy T.

Your own snacks. — Rona R.

I learned the hard way, always, ALWAYS carry an extra set of clothes in your carry on in case your luggage gets lost! — Robert P.

Pack snacks for your flight! (photo: sifu_renka / Flickr)

4. Find Deals Before Your Trip

If you’re staying in a condo, be sure to get the local grocery stores discount cards, check their ads before leaving. Buy the local entertainment book for discounts. — Julie D.R.

Do your research!!! Look into what there is to do there and decide what you want to do then go about looking for any deals for that area. Like coupons and such. Pay for as much ahead of time as you can and then go and have a good time!! — Tracy B.

5. Avoid expensive transportation fees

You don’t need to rent a car if you go to Waikiki. TheBus (that’s what they call it) is $2.50 each way and for that price you can go pretty much anywhere on the island of Oahu. If you stay at an Ohana Hotel, you can get a free shuttle to the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the biggest in Hawaii. — Alan B.

What people don’t realize is that it costs to park your rental car every night (on the street and even at your hotel). There is no free parking in Honolulu. The public bus goes all over the island and only costs $2.50, and you can go literally all around the island, don’t rent a car it will save you BIG on your vacation. — Brenda and Brian Y.

I take the time to research for the least costly transportation (airfare, bus, train, boat, etc) to my destination. I will even book different airlines and have long layovers if it saves me money. — Kelly H.

Parking meters (photo: christine592 / Flickr)

6. Get out of the city

Best tip of all: Get out of the city & see the other side of the island. — Marv H.

7. Use a local travel agent

I recommend a Hawaiian based travel agent when booking a trip to the islands. — Betsy W.

8. Make friends with the locals

My tip is to make friends with the locals … they know the greatest places to shop – eat – see , some hidden some not so much …. so loved every minute we were there — Karen N.B.

Eat Local! Find the Mom & Pop type places because they’re the best places to eat while in Hawaii and slightly cheaper! — Pene T.D.

Locals know the best places (photo: billsophoto / Flickr)

9. Cherish every moment

Live your life for sun. — Michelle S.

10. Plan on coming back to Hawaii

I make a list of everything I would like to do and see on the trip so I can refer to it but I do not try to get it all done or cram too much into each day. Whatever I don’t get to on the list I figure just gives me the perfect reason to plan for another return trip. — Kelly H.

Create a loose itinerary so you have an idea of what you want to do, you’re not wasting time trying to figure it out. — Julie D.R.

Seeing more of less is always better than less of more. Remember, you will always be back. It is Hawai’i. — Dave B.

Share your travel tips

Tell us your secret to traveling smart on Facebook. You can also tweet us @discoverhawaii or leave a reply below.

Find the best time to visit Hawaii:

30 Fabulous Facebook Moments

Eagle Strayhorn — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:48:59 +0000

In celebration of our Facebook milestone—30,000 Likes, all thanks to YOU!—we want to highlight 30 of the most fabulous posts on the Discover Hawaii Tours Facebook page.

But before we begin, everyone at Discover Hawaii Tours would like to say mahalo for your continued support. We are humbled by your aloha!